Read Online Time's Up by Janey Mack - Free Book Online Page A

this fine Wednesday morning.” Obi wheeled over to an apple-red Toyota Prius with tinted windows and a giant white X-wing decal on the rear window. The license plate read “RED LDER.”
    â€œNice ride,” I said.
    â€œYou’re telling me. The ladies love it.”
    Yeah, all the ones named Princess Leia.
    In front of the Prius sat a bright yellow boot. “How come this one doesn’t have the spikes?” I asked.
    â€œThe Wolverine’s only for show. Truth is, you’ll wreck your car just as fast trying to drive with any boot on, spiked or not.” Obi took a laser pointer from one of his black wheelchair saddlebags and twirled it between his fingers.
    â€œWhat’s that for?”
    â€œYou didn’t think I was going to get down there with you, did you?”
    For the next fifteen minutes, Obi gave me an in-depth lesson with the boot, explaining the parts and how to affix it.
    â€œOkay,” I said. “I’m ready. Let’s give it a whirl.”
    â€œDo or not do. There is no whirl.”
    I set the boot up next to the rear tire and affixed the large yellow disk to the hubcap. “Thanks, Obi. I hate looking stupid in front of Leticia,” I said, tightening the back bolt with the key.
    â€œIt won’t only be Miz Jackson you look stupid in front of if you don’t secure the hubcap plate. A fish swimming away with a boot is almost as bad as losing your AutoCITE.”
    â€œDoes that ever happen?” I said. “The AutoCITE?”
    â€œAbout as often as a cop loses his gun. And when it does, it always makes the news.” He adjusted his glasses. “Now, young friend. Tell me all that you have learned about the power of the boot.”
    â€œAny car with two or more tickets one day past due can be booted. The average PEA boots nine vehicles a week. After affixing boot to said vehicle, I radio Dispatch for boot removal crew and tow.”
    â€œYou have learned well, young Jedi.”
    â€œDo you need to get back in?” I asked. “I wouldn’t mind running a couple of speed tests.”
    Obi took an iPad from his saddlebag. “Check it. The coolest stopwatch app ever.”
    Five times I dragged the boot from the curb and affixed it to the tire, then took it off and put it back.
    â€œThe fourth was your fastest at nineteen seconds. Man, you got some pipes on you.” Obi smiled shyly. “Who’d you get the tan for, Maisie? Hot date?”
    â€œA little personal, don’t you think?”
    Obi’s face flushed. “I wasn’t—”
    â€œI’m just kidding.” I wiped my forehead on the sleeve of my hoodie. “His name’s Hank. He finally asked me out, after I flashed him the googley heart-eyes for over a year.”
    Obi’s face wrinkled in disbelief. “What’s wrong with him?”
    â€œNot a single thing.” I sighed.
    â€œYeah, right.”
    We went back into Dispatch, with me lugging the thirty-five-pound boot.
    Â 
    I got over to the PEA building, changed, and entered the break room to a warm reception of zero eye contact and step around. I took a hard yellow plastic chair in the corner and listened to the chatter. Working for the Traffic Enforcement Bureau seemed to rate lower in job satisfaction than the lost luggage department of any major airline.
    The milk shake incident was starting to feel like a warm and playful welcome.
    I only waited ten minutes at car 13172 before Leticia zipped us off to Dunkin’ Donuts. Sans Loogie, I placed her order for a blueberry waffle and maple sausage sandwich, hash browns, chicken biscuit, and a large vanilla bean Coolatta and thanked my lucky stars training only lasted a week. She was waiting for me in the passenger seat. “You drive.”
    Now we’re talking. I got in and started it up. “Where to?”
    â€œMichigan Avenue.” Expensive retail shops with an obscene lack of parking and people who