Ride Sharing by Mike Monson

Author:Mike Monson [Monson, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mike Monson Books
Published: 2020-08-10T12:00:00+00:00

Needing to Learn

9 a.m.

Modesto Airport District.

Candace.

20-minute trip.

Pouring rain.

Candace is a young woman with a big smile and an almost constant giggle. She seems confused by her umbrella, and she struggles in the downpour to get it closed up.

I watch, and I’m tempted to get out and help.

She’s getting pelted and her red hair is soaked.

Just before I shift to park and release my seatbelt, she gets the thing closed, and jumps into the car.

Laughing.

“What was wrong with that thing?”

“I’m sorry?”

“My umbrella.”

“Uh, I don’t know. Maybe it jammed?”

“Probably hahaha.”

I find my way out of the maze of her apartment complex, and onto Lincoln Avenue.

“Buses were all late hahaha, so I had to get a Lyft!”

“On your way to work?”

“No, I’m going to see my daughter!”

“Oh, nice.”

I’d noticed earlier that there was something off about Candace. Something odd. I sneak a quick peek in the rearview.

It’s her head. It’s too big. Not in a measurable way, I don’t think. Still, it’s a too-big noggin for sure.

“She’s at my aunt and uncle’s, but I get to visit.”

“Just visit?”

“Yeah, hahaha. I got this Lyft Ride for only $5 cause I got a discount.”

“Great.”

“At least it’s not Foster Parents. I hear sometimes they aren’t good and just do it for the money.”

“I’ve heard people say that.”

“She’s just nine months old. Big, though. She’s wearing 18-months clothes already. Haha.”

“I guess you get to see her all you want? Since it’s your aunt and uncle?”

“No, they only let me see her once a week. At first it was every day because I was breastfeeding, then it was three days a week and now it’s only one hahaha.”

“I’m so sorry, that’s awful. Have your aunt and uncle had her since the hospital? Since she was born?”

“Yeah.”

I’m curious what happened, but I don’t feel comfortable asking any more pointed questions.

“They said I needed to learn.”

“Who did?”

“The hospital.”

“Learn what?”

“How to take care of her.”

“How long until you can have her?”

“I don’t know. They won’t tell me. They keep saying I have to learn.”

“Are they having you go to some kind of classes? Something at the County?”

“Yeah.”

We pull up to the aunt and uncle’s house – your basic hovel.

I have to ask, though I know it’s none of my business.

“How about the father? What’s he up to?”

“We’re still together, but he lives in Turlock.”

She gets out and struggles again with the umbrella.

“What does the County think of him?”

“They say he has to take anger management haha.”

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