Tuesday 20 August 2013

The Taxi Ride



Dave sat slumped in the back of the taxi, he couldn’t ever remember being this tired, his knees ached and he couldn’t get his legs comfortable in the cramped space. His shoulders felt like they’d been carrying the weight of the world all day not the weight of his laptop and his head pounded like a sub-woofer at full volume. It was only another 20 minutes until he’d be home but right now that third of an hour felt like a third of a day. The most galling thing was despite his extreme tiredness Dave knew that when his head hit the pillow he wouldn’t be able to sleep. His mind would still be wired with thoughts of the day; the conference, the flight and the argument with Amber at the airport just before take off. Another argument about nothing, another sulk another silence. He’d sent her a text saying he’d landed but she’d not replied.

This was the latest in a long line of arguments, sulks or dramas between the two of them, the inevitable was staring Dave in the face but Dave was trying to look in the opposite direction.

Finally the taxi turned into his street and pulled up outside his building. Home at last. As he leant forward to see the meter the phone attached to the driver’s dashboard lit up and a tinny ringtone filled the car. Dave couldn’t believe what he saw. The photo that accompanied the ringtone was unmistakably Amber, and if there was any doubt the words ‘My Amber’ came up on the screen.
Thoughts filled Dave's mind, how did she know he was in this car? How did she have the driver’s number? Why did it say ‘My Amber’?
The driver pressed the button, the voice came over the speakers.
‘Hi lovely, he’s definitely not coming over tonight.’ That was Amber’s voice all right and each word was like a kick to the head.
‘I’ve got a customer love, I’ll call you back’ the driver interrupted.
‘I’ll give you a call too...’ Dave said sadly just as the driver was about to kill the call.
‘Dave? Amber’s voice was full of surprise.
The driver looked at his passenger who threw some money on the seat and quickly got out of the car. 
You've got some explaining to do,’ Dave said to no one in particular.

1 comment:

  1. I love this stories.. like the dog chasing its tail..
    This reminds me a true one. I sent it to you by email

    ReplyDelete