The Little Black Book

Little black book

Usually when I walk home from school I’d take the Main Street, that way I get home a lot quicker, but something today told me to take a minute and walk the backstreet home. It was a Wednesday and I knew my parents would be home waiting for my sister and I to make it home from school. I text my sister to let her know I was taking a longer route and to let our parents know I’d be there a little after her. While I was walking I realized I never really walked this way before. It was so peaceful and interesting to see some of the things just laying around. As I was about 2 blocks from my street, I spotted a small black book that was laying on the ground. I looked around to see if anyone was around or watching. No one. I went to pick up the book and looked through it a little. It was a bunch of names and numbers and what looked like prices on the side. I put the book in my backpack then continued my way home.

“There you are Maddie. We were starting to get worried.” My mom walked over and gave me a hug.

“Everything is fine. I just wanted to walk a little longer today.” I walked towards the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.

“Hey, would it be okay if I went over to Eddie’s house later? We’re partners on a project in science.”

“Of course!” My dad said as he looked up from his phone. “I’ll drop you off on my way back to the office.” I nodded towards him then walked away before I could hear them start to argue.

I walked upstairs towards my room, texting my best friend Eddie, letting him know I was coming over. We didn’t really have a project together. We don’t even have the same science teacher, but my parents don’t need to know that. They would never let me out on a school night unless it was for something dealing with school.

“So I heard you ask mom and dad if you could go over to Eddie’s house..”

“What do you want Lizzy?”

“I want to go out with Trisha tomorrow night!”

She said closing my room door.

“No way.” I said chuckling at the fact she thought our parents would allow that. I went to unpack my backpack, putting the black book I found in my desk drawer.

“Why not! You’re going to your best friends house.”

“Yea for a science project!”

“You don’t even have the same science teacher! Either you help me get to Trisha’s house tomorrow or I’m going downstairs to tell mom and dad you’re lying.”

I stopped what I was doing and turned towards her.

“Fine! But if you get caught coming in late again I’m not helping you.” She started smiling then walked out of my room.

I went to change clothes then to do a little homework before checking the time and seeing that it was going on 7. I told Eddie I’d be over in a minute, then went downstairs to let my dad know I was ready.

“Hey, Maddie! Are you ready to go.” Asked my dad when he saw me walk into the living room.

“Yea, I'm ready.” We walked towards the front door, my mom meeting us coming from upstairs.

“Be careful Maddie, and let me know when you’re ready to be picked up.” She said, pulling me into a hug. That’s-- different. Usually dad would pick me up on his way back home, that way he makes sure I’m not out all night. I left it alone, and just agreed to call my mom when I was ready to come home.

Dad and I got into the car. He looked like he was kind of in a rush.

“Hey, dad? Are you okay?

He looked over at me then to his phone.

“Yea I’m okay. I’m just running behind on some work stuff.”

I left it alone and went back to my phone. We pulled up to Eddie’s and I looked over to my dad. He looked stressed, it seemed like he had a lot on his mind. I leaned over and gave him a hug.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Dad. Whatever it is. I love you.” I jumped out his car and ran towards Eddie who had the door open for me.

What’s good!!” We did our handshake, then ran off towards his room.

“So what was this important thing you wanted to show.” I pulled out the black book I found and threw it on his bed.

“What’s that?”

“I found it on my way home, there are numbers and prices on the side of each name. When I saw it I thought about what your brother said about his boss losing his black book. What if that’s it.” Eddie picked up the book and looked through it.

“Some of these names are from people in the neighborhood. Ricki Aurther. Mr. Arthur? From Chemistry?” I took the book from him.

“It says under the price part--- $8,000.”

“Does it say what it’s for?” I looked again but nowhere in the book does it say what any of this is for.

“Maybe we should ask your brother? I mean he would know right?” Eddie looked at me then ran out of his room to grab his brother. I kept looking through the book seeing random names I’ve heard around town. I wasn’t too worried about anything until I came across a certain name. “Matthew Oliver-- $20,000” Whoooaaaaa.

I’ve seen prices like this under a few other names but, my dad!! What is this for?

Eddie came back into the room dragging his brother behind him.

“Please let me go!”

“No! I have something to show you.” Eddie grabbed the book then showed it to his brother.

“Does this look familiar to you?” His brother grabbed the book, then looked through it.

“Where did you find this!?” He panicked a little.

“I didn't, Maddie did! Calm down!” His brother looked at me, then slowly walked towards me, squinting his eyes

“Oliver, think long and hard. Now tell me where you found this.” I flinched at the sound of my last name.

“It was on the street when I was walking home earlier.”

“Luke back off.” yelled Eddie when Luke and I were eye to eye.

“Are you in on this too baby Oliver!!”

“What are you talking about!!” I yelled back not knowing WHAT was going on.

Luke calmed down, realizing I didn’t know what was happening.

“Did you look through it?” He asked before looking over the book.

“Yea, it was just a bunch of random names from people around town.” Eddie said

“My dad’s name is in it. Luke what does that book mean?” I asked looking back at luck after controlling my breathing. Eddie looked at me, then grabbed the book that was sitting next to Luke.

“$20,000!!” Yelled Eddie

“LUKE!!” I yelled

“ All I’m going to say is, your dad owes my boss a ton of money. Mr. Oliver is going to find that out as soon as I get this book back to my boss.” he grabbed the book then got up to run out the door.

“I want to go!” I yelled before he could leave the room.

“No way kid. You need to get back home with you mom and sister.”

“If you’re going to kill my dad let me know now so I can at least prepare my family.” We stared at each other for a minute before he looked away and walked off.

“Come on Eddie.”

“Where are we going?”

“We’re following Luke...”