Umans of Uber

I am often asked if Uber driving is ever dangerous–if I ever get worried about creepy riders or driving in bad neighborhoods. After ten weeks of driving, I always answered, “No. I’ve never been nervous. People have been great.” After this week though, I have to change my answer. I’ve now been in one sketchy situation. I… Continue reading Definitely Sketchy

Bill summoned an Uber from Commonwealth Brewery–a local brewpub on Pleasure House Road near Chic’s Beach. The place was busy and it wasn’t obvious who was waiting for the Uber, so I gave him a call*. “Oh, hey! I see you!” He said. I spotted a middle-aged man holding a phone to his ear with one… Continue reading I Love You, Man

I picked up Claire at the mall and took her to her apartment near the Oceanfront. She was thin and petite with short, boyish black hair, the word believe tattooed on her arm, a pierced nostril. She sat in the front, which I like. I let people sit wherever they want to, but I like to… Continue reading Thanks for Listening

My first ride of the day is Omar, a quiet black teenager, who needs a ride to Mount Trashmore, where he’s going to join a protest over the recent police shootings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota and the retaliatory shootings of police in Texas. “I don’t really want to go.” “Why not?” “I’m sleepy. But I… Continue reading The Times We Live In

Charlie looked like a SEAL the second he stood up to get in my Corolla. Lean, taught, tattooed and bearded. He was good-looking enough to have been a movie character. It was two in the morning and Charlie had ordered a pizza from the only place in town that was still open–but we had to hurry.… Continue reading No Seatbelts

It’s a lightning rod issue today. I know because I just left what seems to be a never-ending debate on a Facebook page about race and racial bias. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat and I tend to be skeptical of both conservatives and progressives. I tend to criticize both, but I also… Continue reading Bias

Rebecca ordered the Uber for both of them. She and her long-time bestie Cheryl had already started drinking, but the night was young. They were heading to the Oceanfront where a plethora of clubs would welcome them. When I pulled into the driveway, Cheryl jumped in back and told me that Rebecca might be a while–she was embroiled… Continue reading Living in Sin

This morning I picked up Sherry at an auto repair shop that looked more like a junk yard. She was carrying one of those long, handled trash-grabbers. She had a neck tattoo and the sides of her head were shaved. She wore owlish round glasses. We had a good twenty-minute ride. I knew right away… Continue reading Wounded Too Soon