The life of an Uber driver is not easy, especially if he/she chooses to do it full time.
We get 75% of most ride fees and additional bonuses when we work certain hours in specially marked areas. After completing thousands of rides without accidents or customer complaints, we would find extra money deposited in our checking account. However, after paying for the maintenance of a car we bought ourselves, the profits are much less enticing. I understand why most drivers have another job and serve as drivers after finishing their day job or on weekends, to supplement their salary.
During the day, I work as a supervisor in a Best Buy store, and on many weekends, I drive Uber customers. Most people like to use Uber because they know all the details in advance - No money exchange, no surprise additional fees, and no going around and around to increase payment. Our direction is clearly marked on our phone map using GPS guidance.
As a 28 year old unmarried guy, I was comfortable with my working hours and saved enough money to rent a small house in the suburbs. There was nothing unusual about my personal life. My parents lived about 100 miles from me, and we zoomed in often. I visited them mostly on holidays. Over the years, I had three 'official' girlfriends, with one of them lasting five years. We separated about a year ago because she wanted to settle down and have children, but I wasn't ready yet.
On a Saturday evening, I got a request to drive a passenger from a place near my house to a home about half an hour away. I wasn't busy, and the extra money was a nice incentive. I accepted the ride and met the client six minutes later. It was a young woman around 20 or 25 years old. In the darkness, I couldn't see her very well.
I asked, "Are you Kelly?"
She mumbled, "Yes, sir."
She sat back on the other side and leaned on the door. I verified the door was locked before starting to drive. She was closed within herself. I did not want to bother her and stayed silent. Soft music was playing on the radio.
About 15 minutes into the drive, I heard her cry. I hesitated whether to leave her alone or talk to her. In the next five minutes, her cry was louder.
I turned up the inside light, glanced at her in the mirror, and asked, "Ma'am, is everything all right? Can I help you with something?"
She faced me, and I saw tears pouring down her cheeks, "No, sir. Unfortunately, I don't think so."
"Lady, I drove many passengers before and helped them whenever I could. If it's too personal, I do not need to know, but if you do not have anybody else to talk to and are desperate, you can try me."
She stayed quiet for a couple of minutes and blurted, "I don't want to go home."
I stared at the mirror again, "What are you trying to say?"
"The direction you got is to my house. I'd rather you do not drive there."
I stopped the car, and asked, "Where would you like me to go instead?"
"I do not really care, but not home."
"Lady, you do not look like a minor, so you can decide whatever you want, but my instructions were to take you to a certain address, and we'd be there in five minutes."
"Please, sir, don't..."
"Shall I take you to a hotel nearby?"
"When I got into your car, I thought about it but realized I ran out and forgot to take my purse. I have no credit card or money on me."
"Don't you have relatives or friends who will let you spend the night, and tomorrow, you'll decide what's next?"
"No..."
I thought for a moment before talking, "I live alone in a house near the place I picked you. My original plan was to drive you, return home, and watch TV until it was time to sleep. You can sleep in my spare room, but I tell you in advance that my house is a mess."
She whispered, "Will you, please."
I drove two more minutes to my destination, registered the ride out, and turned back home. Neither one of us spoke until we reached my house.
The thought of bringing her into my house may not have been a smart idea. I knew nothing about her. It could have been a trap. Was she a criminal? Would I be blamed as an accessory to a crime? I was anxious, but it was too late to regret it. I hoped for the best.
I parked near my front door and let her in. She looked scared, and her eyes inspected me for signs of danger. I hung my coat and asked her to feel comfortable in the living room. My clothes were spread around. I apologized, collected them, and shoved them in my bedroom.
"Kelly, would you like coffee, tea, something to eat?"
"I am not hungry, thank you, but I'd like tea."
I put the kettle on and checked the fridge. I pulled American cheese slices, tomatoes, and bread. When I prepared a sandwich for myself, I repeated, "Are you sure about eating? I can make you a sandwich."
"No, thank you. I am not hungry, just tired."
I served her the hot tea and rearranged my spare room for her sleep. I exited 15 minutes later and saw her placing the empty cup in the sink.
"Look, you can take a shower before you go to sleep. There is enough hot water for both of us. But you'll have to wear the same clothes because I do not have women's clothes here."
She smiled. With her smiley face, she looked very cute... "That's OK, sir."
I grinned, "If we are going to spend the night under the same roof, you better call me Ross and skip the 'sir." I gave her the softest towel I had and ensured the bathroom was (relatively...) clean and with enough soap and toilet paper.
When she was in the bathroom, I tried to make the house more presentable and then sat down to watch TV.
She came out 30 minutes later with the towel wrapped around her hair, "Sorry, Ross, I didn't find a hair drier."
I giggled, "I do not use one. My hair is short and dries within minutes after I shower."
She began walking to her room. I added, "If you want me to leave the lights on, in case you need to go to the bathroom or grab something from the fridge, tell me. I'll wake up around 7 am and leave at 7:30. Any idea what you wish to do in the morning?"
Kelly looked confused, "I'll go to work. I am not sure about later. But I leave the house when you do, and not going to bother you again."
"Good night then."
...
Sunday morning, Kelly and I ate breakfast together. She woke up before me, and made things I hadn't eaten in ages: She toasted my bread, found in the refrigerator two eggs I didn't know I had, and made them over easy. It was so perfect I was ready to joke, asking her to marry me, before realizing it would have sounded too cruel in her current situation.
I drove her to a Starbucks on Main Street, where she worked, and said, "Good luck, girl, and thanks for the tasty breakfast."
She blushed and muttered, "You are welcome here anytime you wish to see me."
It was a busy Sunday. Two grouchy morning clients ruined my perfect mood. At lunch, I went home to relax and prepare to continue driving after a short siesta. I got luckier in the afternoon: I had eight nice customers who needed short drives. At 6 pm, I decided it was time to return home, eat a microwave dinner, and rest in front of the TV.
I parked my car and saw Kelly sitting on the single stair leading to my house. She had on the same clothes she wore the day before.