"sorry, I can't"

"I'm really sorry, Liza, but Sheila may have me fired if I don't see her now!" I say, holding both of her hands. "I really can't take the kids to school."

Liza releases my hold and stomps away. "They are your kids, not mine!" She retreats to her room and slams the door.

"What will I do?" I ask myself. "Know of any babysitter nearby?" I ask Alice who was now dressed for school.

"Karla's sister, Jenny, might have time if she's home," Alice replies. "They just live about two blocks away."

I quickly search the directory and dial Jenny's home. Jenny agrees to take the kids to school after I offer to pay her double her usual rate.

In a few minutes, I see Jenny, dressed in a yellow sheath dress and brown boots, with Karla close behind her. "Here are the car keys," I say to Jenny, as I meet her in the driveway.

"And what will you use?" Jenny asks, as the kids file into the car.

"Taxi, perhaps," I say, as I hurry back into the house. I quickly dress up and proceed to the corner of the intersection, hoping to flag down a taxi.

I wait for a few minutes. Finally...