“How many trips do you take your riders to addiction rehab?” my friend asked. “I know I’ve read at least four or five stories you’ve written about that!”
“I hadn’t thought about that until you mentioned it,” I responded. “I guess that out of more than 13,000 trips, I’ve done it at least a few dozen times.”
So, since I’m writing this week’s blog on Labor Day, I’ll give y’all a few “short” stories about other rides.
#1 – A few days ago, I picked up a young man on his way to work at a well-known kids’ pizza parlor. Evan was grateful for the job, but had higher ambitions. I drove him because he was unable to drive due to a disability.
“I took classes in car detailing so that I could someday open my own business. I thought I had gotten a job, but when I went to the dealership, they said they realized I couldn’t do one important part of the job. I can’t drive the cars around on the lot. They said their insurance wouldn’t cover me.”
He told me he won’t give up. “I just need one person to hire me. I’m very good at detailing, and when I get my own business, I can hire someone to do the things I can’t do.”
#2 – I picked up a lady at the airport. She is a senior member of a military medical team. “Connie” had served for well over twenty-something years in two separate time frames. She left for a time to raise her children, and after they reached a reasonable age, she returned as an officer.
Part of her career included service in Washington, DC, where she worked with some very highly placed people in our government and military.
You sometimes forget that these people have real lives attached to their professional careers. Connie had adopted one of her nieces and helped to raise her because of her sister’s addictions.
As I dropped her off, I was happy to hear how much she valued her military career and her early decision to get her education using her GI benefits.
#3 – I love accents! All of them! Some riders have told me I have an accent. I especially get a kick out of the locals who tell me that they can tell I’m from Mobile, Alabama, because I don’t have that particular ‘Florida’ nuance to my Southernness.
So, when I picked up the next lady, I recognized her obvious Jamaican accent. After some delightful conversation, I asked her, “Do I detect an accent? Let me guess, Arkansas?”
She laughed, “No, I’m from East Africa, but I’ve always wanted to visit Arkansas.”
“I’m from ‘Kimmeron. ‘ “
I tried to fake knowing what she said, but finally gave up and asked how to spell it.
“C-A-M-E-R-O-O-N. As I said, ‘Kimmeron'”
Well, that makes Cameroon the 75th country my riders have called home! What a pleasure those folks from Kimmeron are! At least all the ones I’ve met!
#4 – Uber summoned me to the Santa Rosa County Courthouse. I saw a well-dressed Black couple and what I assumed was a female attorney carrying on a discussion. The ‘attorney’ summoned me to the curb.
After a short discussion, the attorney hugged the couple and ushered them to my car. They were all smiling.
This ride made me wish I had been recording. I tried some of my usual banter and some ad-libs. I don’t remember the details. I wish I did.
Whatever that attorney had told them put my passengers in a terrific mood—especially the wife! She let out a wonderful series of laughter that I enjoyed to the max.
They were in town from South Florida. They would drive home the next day.
“This is the most enjoyable ride we’ve ever had in an Uber!” they said.
I admitted, “This is one of my most enjoyable rides, too! You have made my week, if not my year!”
#5 – Another hospital ride. I picked up “Victor.” This guy was a true character!
He mentioned that he had owned a bookstore in the past. Of course, I brought up my books and my blog. Then, he became the storyteller!
“I also had a coin dealership along with the bookstore. I developed a business relationship with a lady from Baton Rouge. I don’t know how we got started, but someone told her I could get her good deals on precious coins.”
“Our first deal was for about $10,000.00. She was so pleased that we began to do business in higher and higher amounts. I was never that interested in charging the high fees other dealers charged.”
“My place was in Mississippi then. We usually met halfway at a Waffle House or other places like that. Over the years, she gave me more than $1,200,000.00 to purchase rare silver and gold coins.”
Victor spent the rest of the ride describing some of the rare coins he had purchased. I don’t know much about those, but I could tell he took pride in his knowledge.
We reached our destination, kind of. First, we pulled off onto a series of dirt roads, dodging puddle-filled potholes along the way.
“Take a right just past that big tree. That’s my driveway. You’ll have to pull in to get me close to the house,” he said.
“Here we are! Next time we get together, I’ll have to tell you my stories from my years of driving a cab!”
As he got out, I could only see three broken-down cars scattered around. He pointed to his house and told me he didn’t need help, but I saw nothing resembling a homestead, just clumps of trees.
Interesting guy. I hope I pick him up again. I’d like to hear those cab stories!
And, finally, #6 – I picked up one of the loveliest couples I’ve ever served. This was their first Uber ride ever. They used a service called GoGoGrandparent, which lets them call instead of using the app.
They were waiting in front of the house, waving as I drove up. She was in a wheelchair, and he was using a cane. Once I got them into the car, they proudly exclaimed, “This is our first Uber! Neither of us is allowed to drive anymore, so this will be our best way to get around.”
“We’ve been married for 65 years now!” Their conversation was so much fun. There was no doubt that they were as happy in their 80s as anyone I’ve ever met!
Lane and I have been married for more than 45 years ourselves. I hope we are that much in love twenty years from now!
I know this blog was a little long, but I thought it was time to share a few short stories and let you know why I like doing this so much. No, most of my rides aren’t to rehab!
God Bless,
Tommy