The future

At BWI, I hopped into a cab, and the driver said, ‘thanks for choosing me!’

He volunteered that Uber and Lyft made things very challenging, I replied, ‘I see.’

His Chrysler minivan was clean, but the seats were worn and every dash warning light flashed

He said, ‘Apologies, my card machine is busted, so I only take cash.’

He said, ‘You should think about what I want to do after I retire, now!’

I said, ‘I really haven’t given it much thought, wow!’

He continued, ‘before I know, you’ll be 75 just like me

The radio played, as I thought 25 years into the future and where would I be

‘F?$& you too!’  My driver shouted at another cab driver, visibly irritated 

When we arrived at the Baltimore Amtrak Station, my driver said, ‘That’ll be $25,’ he calculated 

I gave him $40, hoping for an explanation of the previous exchange

‘Thank you young man,’ pleasant again, ‘Are you sure you don’t need no change?’

‘No, it’s a tip’, I chuckled, ‘Thanks for the ride!’

‘You’re welcome,’ he continued, ‘Do you know your way inside?’

‘Yes, I do, thanks, I said.

The driver opened the minivan’s automatic doors and pulled out a cloth to rub his head.

We said our goodbyes, as I made my way to the train.

As I waited in the station, I wondered what made the driver complain 

Then I imagined driving a self flying cab, years in the future, and reminding my passenger to think about his retirement too.

9/23/26