Chapter 16 Summary

Rachel is home alone after school when the phone rings. It's an Alice Farnum. She says Mr. Shapiro--Izzy--fell down in the street outside her house. She gives Rachel the address. Can someone come and get him? Rachel assures Alice Farnum that her father will come. She calls her father at work but gets his answering machine only. She considers calling her mother, but then remembers that Shirley rides the bus to work. By the time she catches a bus from downtown, she won't be here for at least an hour.

Rachel berates herself for not getting Alice Farnum's number. She checks the phone book, but no number is listed. Finally, Rachel decides to go get Grandpa herself. It's only about half a mile farther than Grandpa's apartment.

Rachel runs almost all the way, not even noticing the barking dogs on the way. Alice...