A Fare To Remember_ Just Whistle_Driven - Vicki Lewis Thompson [108]
“I thought you told Sabina there was nothing to the potion and amulet,” Mario said.
“So I told a tiny white lie. What harm can it do? She’s never really believed. And I would rather see her happy with a good man than alone and confident in my talents. The charm and the potion worked. I am satisfied. This afternoon I saw a wedding in my crystal ball.”
“Maybe it was my matchmaking that got the job done.”
“We make good partners,” Ruta said, patting his hand. “Maybe after I close my shop, we can go into business together. There are plenty of single people in New York looking for spouses.”
“I don’t know. I have a fiancée now to think about. Do you think we could make any money at it?”
“You know, it was all my work that got you and Iris together. And you haven’t even thanked me.”
“How is it your work?”
“Remember that key chain I gave you for Christmas last year?” Ruta asked.
Mario reached into his pocket and pulled it out. Ruta held up the charm and Mario gasped. He’d seen the very same charm dangling from Sabina’s neck. “You gave me a love charm?”
“What harm could it do? Now look at yourself. You have a lovely fiancée and beautiful life ahead of you. You should thank me.”
Mario chuckled, then gave Ruta a hug. “Thank you,” he said.
Ruta blushed, then waved him off. “Go. Dance with your beautiful Iris. And remember, it isn’t how we come to love, it is that we recognize it when we find it.”
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Adventures in Cab Riding by Julie Elizabeth Leto
Sneak Peek: The Mighty Quinns: Marcus by Kate Hoffmann
Drive Me Crazy by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Adventures in Cab Riding
by Julie Elizabeth Leto
Because of my husband’s job, we travel a lot. Lately, thanks to my job, I’ve been heading to New York with more frequency, as well as other cities. My experiences with taxicabs have been varied, but in keeping with the theme of this collection, I thought I’d share a few tips and experiences based on the cities I’ve visited.
First, the tips (mostly apply to New York, but other cities, as well):
It’s easy to tell if a cab is available to pick you up. When the numbers on the top of the cab are illuminated, it is empty. When the numbers are off, the cab is either occupied or on its way back to base.
To hail a cab, stand at the curb with your arm held straight up and out. Someone called this the Statue of Liberty imitation. Yeah, that fits!
When you enter cab, speak loud and clear to the driver of your destination. Not only are many of them foreign-born, but the city is noisy and it’s hard to hear through the Plexiglas partition.
Taxi drivers can try to rip you off by taking a longer route if you don’t seem to know where you’re going. Study your map before you get into the cab and if you can, ask a hotel concierge or doorman what the quickest route is and then tell the driver. Be specific about cross streets. Let them think you know what you’re talking about!
Wear your seat belt.
Don’t smoke. It’s against the law and you can be ticketed if stopped by the police.
Always get a receipt! In New York, at least, the receipts are generated through the meter and have all the information you’ll need to lodge a complaint, send a compliment (those are appreciated, I’m sure) or if you left something in the cab you need to retrieve.
Always exit the cab on the curbside so you don’t get hit by traffic.
Tipping isn’t necessary, but it is nice if the driver did his job exceptionally well. And in New York traffic, getting you to your destination in one piece is exceptional in my estimation!
Remember that New York streets often run one way. Be aware of which direction you are heading in before you decide where to pick up the cab. This can save you both time and money.
Cabdrivers in New York will wave you off if they don’t want to go where you are headed—even though it is against the rules—especially at the end of their shifts. Keep that