Close Call.

Dodger glanced outside the window and sighed.  Another Christmas Day come and gone.  There was always a bit of letdown after the presents and the food and the family and friends had all gone.  It was a rainy day- not the kind of rain he liked, either.  His phone began to ring and he looked down.  The number was withheld.  Probably another telemarketer.  He ignored it and continued to stare outside the window.  The phone kept on ringing, however, until he finally stuffed it in the couch cushion to make it be quiet.

      "Yeesh, the thing never quiets down!  Whew, I think I'm getting a little grumpy.  Maybe I just need a bite to eat or something.  Mom and Dad are still out shopping for the New Year Bunco party.  Shoulda gone with them.  Well, I can at least grab some pie from the fridge."

      He approached the refrigerator and swung it open.  To his surprise it was empty, with not so much as a water pitcher inside.

      "Oooookay.  So where did all the food go?"

      He walked back into the living room a little perplexed.  His phone was still ringing, number still withheld.

      "Ugh, fine!" he grumbled, pushing the answer button, "Hello?"

      From the other end of the line came a strangely familiar voice that he couldn't quite place.  "Hello, Dodger?"

      "Speaking.  What is it?"

      "I need you to listen to me."

      "Doing so."

      "Okay.  You went to the refrigerator a few minutes ago and found it empty."

      "What?  How did-"

      "You're currently staring out the window on a rainy day in your living room."

      "Hey!  Stop spying-"

      "Not spying, Dodger."

      "Than who are you?"

      "I'm sorry I can't say, but I can tell you this.  Get your mother's phone- NOT your dad's, and call Lilly this second."

      "What?  Why?"

      "Because she is about to cross a crosswalk and a motorist will be coming through who won't be paying attention."

      "That doesn't even-"

      "Dodger.  Please.  Call her now."

      Dodger picked up his mother's phone and dialed Lilly.



      "Wow!  I can't believe how crowded everything is today!" remarked Lilly.  "It's almost as if everyone had to be somewhere.  Well, I'll cross here and then I can go to Dairy Queen."

      As she approached the crosswalk her phone rang.  "Oh, it's Dodger's mom.  Better pick it up.  Hello?"

      "Hey, Lilly?"

      "Oh, hi, Dodger!  What's up?"

      "I'm not sure.  I need you to do something for me."

      "Yeah?"

      "Wait for the traffic cycle at the crosswalk to go all the way through once.  Don't cross yet."

      "Hold on, how did you know I was at a traffic light?"

      "I'll have to tell you that in a moment.  Just hang on, okay?  Wait for a cycle."

      "Well, okay.  The light just turned green for me to cross though."

      "I know, but just stay put."

      "Sure thing- WOAAA!"

      "Lilly!  What happened?  Are you alright?"

      "Yeah, yeah.  Someone just sped through the red light without even slowing down!  He would have clobbered me for sure!  Whew, I'm glad you warned me because- Dodger," Lilly's voice sank to a whisper, "How did you know to warn me?"

      "Can you come here?"

      "Will you answer my question?"

      "Not here.  I have a feeling you wouldn't hear my answer over the phone.  Let's just say..." his voice trailed into a bunch of static, and the call dropped.

      Lilly stared at her phone for just a second, then looked up to see a taxi cab approaching the crosswalk.

      "Taxi!"