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It was fate

From my Uber Chronicles

I’m on the highway heading home now. A ride request comes in. I take it.

I’m headed to a Walmart to get my passenger. He calls right away. His voice is gentle, masculine and lovely. He asks me if his bike can fit in the back seat of my car. I tell him, No, it can’t. Pause. Pause. Pause. But it can fit perfectly on… my… bike rack!

He’s easy to spot outside of Walmart. He is standing next to a brand new bike. I start the ride then get out and help him secure his bike on my bike rack.

He’s Black, mid to late 20s; he has a slight build and he’s not very tall. But, my oh, my, does he have luscious big eyes and his voice is rich with character. His bike now secured on the rack, he says it was fate I had a bike rack. I agree.

He purchased the bike mostly to get from his apartment to a nearby Metro station for his trip to and from work each day. He’s a graphic designer and works for a company that makes Irish dancing outfits. He interned there first and now is employed full time. He was a camp counselor before, which was something on his bucket list, he tells me.

Key experience: It was fate. How many Uber drivers drive around with bike racks on their cars? Getting my bike rack on and off my car is such a hassle; it’s a two-person job and quite challenging to do by myself. I don’t know how I’m going to Uber in the summer because I like having my bike rack on my car and at the ready. I know my car trunk should be free in the event I pick up a person or two headed to the airport with a lot of luggage (that hasn’t happened yet), or a mom with two kids and a dozen-plus bags from the grocery store (that has happened).

Originally published in Uber Chronicles: One Driver, 35 Rides, Countless Stories.

 

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