They rode in silence for the next half-hour, James focused on the road, Olivia staring at her lap, her shoulders trembling slightly. When they reached the address—a bank branch—James couldn’t resist a quip.
— Don’t go robbing the place, or they’ll haul me in too.
Olivia waved him off and stepped out. True to his word, James didn’t charge her. He figured a pregnant ex-convict had enough to deal with. As she walked toward the bank, he lingered, half-expecting sirens or chaos. Five minutes passed—nothing. Satisfied she wasn’t up to trouble, he drove off.
But at the next intersection, he slammed the dashboard.
— So much for that VIP client. He’ll complain, and I’m screwed.
He reached the client late. The man said nothing, but his irritated glance told James trouble was coming. The ride was tense, silent, with the client buried in his tablet. Hours later, James returned to the office, dread pooling in his stomach. He knew Michael would be waiting.
As he parked, a coworker, Tyler Reed, shot him a smug grin. There was no love lost between them—rumors swirled that Tyler cozied up to Michael for better fares. James’s face twisted in disgust as he passed.
Michael emerged from his office.
— Well, James, just the guy I wanted. What’s with that scowl? Hate me that much? Come on, let’s make that face of yours even uglier.
James braced himself and followed Michael into the office. The room had changed—gone were the flowers on the windowsill, replaced by a battered desk and a rickety chair. Michael smirked.
— That’s right, this is your new reality. I brought in this chair just for you. You need to feel what it’s like to be nothing. Know why?
— No, James said, his voice unsteady. — Guess your sense of humor’s just top-notch.
— You’re half-right, Michael replied, patting his shoulder. — I can joke, but not with you. I know about your little detours. Thought you could sneak around the city, and I wouldn’t notice?
— Sorry, Michael, but I hit traffic, and this car’s falling apart.
James scrambled for excuses, but he knew it was futile. Michael’s ego thrived on control—he could spend hours preening in front of a mirror. Pointing to the chair, he ordered James to sit.
— No thanks, I’ll stand, James said, clenching his fists.
— Suit yourself. I had a GPS tracker installed in your car. I saw your whole route—stopping, weaving through alleys, ending up at a bank. Don’t tell me you were checking your balance.
— Yeah, because phones don’t exist, James shot back sarcastically.
The mention of the bank sent a chill through him. He’d joked about Olivia robbing it—what if she had, and he was now tied to it? Trying to stay calm, he asked.
— Did you see anything else?
— That’s enough to nail you, Michael said. — Just not sure how to make it stick for life.
— How about a warning? James pleaded.
— Too soft, Michael snapped. — That won’t teach you.
Tyler burst in without knocking.
— So, you told him yet?
— What’s going on? James demanded, glaring at Tyler.
— You’re fired, buddy, Tyler sneered.
James spun to Michael.
— You can’t do this. I’ve taken on the worst rides, done everything you asked.
— You crossed me, Michael said coldly. — Showing off in front of David cost me my bonuses.
— You think I’ll let this slide?
— No, James, you’re done. Take your last paycheck and get out.
James backed out, pausing to glare at Tyler.
— “Buddy,” huh? We’ll see about that.
His eyes caught the worn chair. Olivia’s words about change echoed in his mind. He didn’t want to stay in that office another second. Mechanically, he collected his paycheck and stepped outside. The wind hit his face, the uncertainty ahead chilling him. The bank lingered in his thoughts.
— What if she did rob it? Did Michael let me go knowing the cops might come for me?
Shaking it off, James trudged to the bus stop. Without a car, public transit was his only option now. If he didn’t find work soon, he’d be walking. But where could he apply? He had no other skills, no certifications. Despair hit hard, and he fought back tears as passersby glanced at him.
At the bus stop, an elderly woman with a heavy bag stopped beside him.
— Hey, young man, why so down? The rain’s stopped, sun’s out.
— You’re right, it’s nice, James said. — But I got fired today because I pissed off my boss.
She leaned closer, whispering.
— Don’t worry, you didn’t mean to. Your time’s coming. Don’t push it away—it’s your fate.
— Are you all in on this? James snapped, frustrated. — Everyone’s throwing riddles at me. Can someone just explain what’s happening?
The woman slipped away around a corner, leaving him baffled. He boarded a bus and headed home. At a corner store, he grabbed bread and milk for his cat, Shadow. As soon as he unlocked the door, Shadow greeted him, weaving between his legs.
— You’re the only one happy to see me, girl, James said, petting her.
Shadow purred, lapping up milk from her bowl. Her loyal eyes nearly broke him. Standing by the window, he fought back emotions. Then the doorbell rang.
— Odd, I’m not expecting anyone, he muttered.
Peering into the hallway, he called out.
— Who’s there?
— It’s me, Grandma Rose, came the reply. — James, open up, we’re having tea.
Confused, he opened the door.
— Were you crying or something? Rose teased. — Let me wipe your face. There, that’s better. No tears.
— Sorry, Rose, James said. — Rough day. Not in the mood for tea. Maybe another time?
— Oh, come on, James. It’s my birthday—seventy-seven years young. I couldn’t skip treating my favorite neighbor.
— You’re right, James said guiltily. — I’ve been so caught up in work, I forgot everything. And don’t give me that look—I know you’re not dating anyone. You should. You’re not getting younger, and living alone’s no good.
— Rose, what about your family? Shouldn’t you be at a big birthday dinner?
— Oh, James, you don’t get it, she sighed. — My kids and grandkids pop in for an hour, tops. They’ve got their lives. If my husband were still here, I wouldn’t be lonely. Now I just watch others with their families.
— I get it, James said sadly. — But I’m not built for family life. Always working, just surviving. And now I’m fired, so I’ll be scraping by.
— That’s awful, James. But don’t give up. Let’s go to the kitchen—I’ll take care of you.
They set up a makeshift table, Rose determined to keep the celebration going. She sliced cake and set it before him.
— Eat up—salad, cold cuts, cheese. I don’t eat much anymore, old age. But when I think back to my youth…
— Rose, does kindness come back? Like, you help a stranger, and good things happen?
— Of course, James. I’ve helped plenty, and some paid it back. Not many visit now, but I’m not bitter.
— Why’d you ask? Bet you gave someone a free ride.
— You know everything, James chuckled. — Yeah, I drove a girl who couldn’t pay. Had to let her go and wish her luck. She was in a rush.