Most drivers hated the Seniors. You had to help them with their bags, they were slow getting in and out, and on too many occasions, they didn't tip.
I figured it was the luck of the draw, and I might as well be pleasant. During the day shift, Seniors were a big portion of our riders, and why make yourself miserable about something you had no control over? It they tipped, fine. If not, at least they were pleased with the service, not complaining about the rudeness.
There weren't many cabs, so you got to know the regulars. I could see the joy on some of their faces when they recognized me. And so it was today, rainy, dreary, basically an ugly day, when I got the call from the dispatcher. It was a pick-up at the mall, coming back into town.
As I pulled up in front of JC Penny's, I recognized her right away. Her name was Ginnie, and she was more alive than most women half her age. She always had a smile, and when their eyes met, she beamed.
"Oh, Harry! I was hoping I'd get you."
Jumping from the car and opening the rear door for her, I smiled, Hi, Ginnie, how are you?"
"Fine, Dear, just fine...do you mind if I ride up front with you? I feel like Miss Daisy, riding back there alone."
"Well, I guess so, but you have to wear your seat belt."
"That's fine, Dear, just give me a hand with it."
I loaded her packages in the trunk as she slid in, then I reached in, from outside, across her, pulling the belt around her, and she said, "I hate to be such a bother."
"You? You're no bother, you're my favorite customer! I wish everyone was as pleasant as you."
"Oh Thank you, Dear, and you're my favorite driver, by far! Most guys hate us older people, one man even told me 'I know you won't tip, so why should I be nice?' Can you believe that?"
I could believe it, easily. The drive took about 15 minutes and we chatted, familiarly. Although Ginnie was in her 70's, she wasn't frail like most of the seniors. In fact, she was slightly plump. She had blue eyes that seemed to burst with life. I wondered what she was like at my age, and decided she would have been gorgeous.