The Lyft

I wake up hearing a phone ring. For a moment, I think it's just a dream but then my phone blares audibly again with the stupid default ringtone I never remember to change.

"Hello?" I try to reply as cheery as possible, not knowing who's on the other end.

"Hello Mr. Michael this is Susan calling from Lyft Driver Support, how are you today, sir?" She had a slight accent and though she spoke English quite well she didn't speak colloquially.

"I'm doing okay, how are you?" I take the phone away from my face and try to yawn as quietly as possible. I bring the phone back and look at the top corner for the time. 8:37 AM

"I'm doing fine sir. Unfortunately, this call is to tell you that, at this time, you've been suspended from the Driver Program due to recent negative feedback." Susan says so matter-of-factly, with neither glee nor sympathy.

"That...that is indeed unfortunate...uh..." I stumble, completely caught off guard. "Um...wha...I wasn't really made aware of any negative feedback from any riders in particular."

"Well sir, the recent feedback has lowered your Driver Rating below acceptable standards for Lyft as per the Driver Agreement."

"...is there any appeal process for this decision?" I say as I rub the sleep from one eye and breathe with quiet frustration.

"Mr. Michael, if you feel the decision has been made in error you may contact the Appeals Department by email. Typically they take from two to four weeks to review the case and make a final determination."

"I really can't wait that long, I mean I was hoping to go out in about two hours from now. I really need the money today, my car payment is next week and Saturday is always my big day." I stay calm but try to appeal to some human side in Susan over the phone.

"Sir there's really nothing I can do." She answers.

"Please." I firmly beg, desperate now. "This job has been a lifesaver to me. It's gotten me almost out of debt, pays my rent, and my car payment which is my biggest expense each month. I'm asking you, please, let me go out and make the money I need today. Please."

The line goes quiet to the point where I think she's hung up.

"Mr. Michael, I can overlook this file at the present moment but if there's another report of negative feedback then I will not be able to do that again. Okay sir?"

"Oh my god that's incredible, thank you so much. Yes, I understand completely, not a single thing negative." I say overjoyed.

"No problem sir, that concludes my reason for the call. Thank you for being a Driver Partner with Lyft and have a good day sir."

"Thanks, you too," I say as I quickly hang up the phone.

I stare off for a moment, grateful that I wasn't getting suspended and confused as to why this happened in the first place. I'm always courteous, polite, and accommodating. Maybe it's just people having bad days and taking it out on the driver as Yelp reviewers do with restaurants. But enough to suspend me?

I shake off the thoughts and head for the shower.

It's about 11 AM when I get out the door with a Coke Zero in my hand as I brave the mild 80-degree heat on the brief trek to my car, parked on the street about two blocks from my apartment.

I actually hate this job but the fact that I almost lost the thing that makes near the entirety of my income gives me a little skip to my step. I've sucked at getting any other type of job so when I found Lyft I was pretty happy to have found something I could start working at so quickly and easily.