It was about 12:15 on a warm Thursday night in August. I drove my cab down the street, humming to the tune on the radio as I aproached my detination.
By the time I reached the Sheriton, it had started raining. The windshield wipers slid back and forth in front of my face as the door opened and two passangers climbed in.
"236 Spruce Street please," said the gentleman.
"Sure thing buddy." I spat out my usual reply as I began driving and listening to the conversation unfolding in the back seat.
"I just don't see anything wrong with what I said," the gentleman remarked to his companion. She just looked at him, her eyebrows raised and her mouth shut.
"Well, ok, maybe I shouldn't have insulted his mother or pushed him like that, but he was asking for it."
"Tom, he was just being overly friendly. He didn't want to ignore me."
"Look, a wave or a casual hello is being friendly. Walking up and giving you a back massage is his way of trying more."
"Oh, don't get so upset about it. You know there's nothing between Jim and me any more."
"Which is exactly why he shouldn't be bothering you."
"Tom, sometimes you really over-react," she said and turned to gaze out the window. He just sat there and stared straight ahead.
In the rear view mirror, I could see a look of anger on his face. I watched her to see if she'd notice. However, I almost didn't notice the red light we'd come to and had to stop short. The sudden change in motion made my pasangers jolt forward slightly.
"Sorry 'bout that," I shouted to the back seat.
"Try to watch where you're going," muttered Tom and then restarted their conversation.
"It's just the way that he acted and the way that he spoke to me. I just can't stand him."
"I know you don't particularly care for him. I just wish you would be a bit more civil about it. I mean, he is still a friend of mine."
"Well, I'll see if I can behave better next time. Hopefully there won't be a next time though."
"All I ask is that you try," she rested her head on his shoulder and stayed that way, silent for the remainder of the ride."