Will to Way, Wilt Away

Chapter 22

I walked to the shopping center two blocks away where my Uber was supposed to pick me up. Though taking the bus would have been cheaper, I didn't want to deal with all of the stops in between. I had already dealt with way too many such detours.

My Uber driver was a white-haired, hunchbacked man whose wide smile and dimples accentuated his wrinkles. He wore an adorable orchid sweater vest on top of a baby blue collared shirt, a maroon bow tie completing this gentlemanly outfit. I waved at him politely through the window, and he adjusted his thin-framed circular glasses while waving back cheerfully.

"Hello," I greeted pleasantly while opening the backseat door of his mint green Toyota Prius.

"Hi there!" he said in a singsong voice. "Do you need help with your luggage?"

"Oh, I'm alright. Thank you very much, though."

Given its emptiness, my suitcase was light and I easily picked it up and slid it to the other side of the car. I then sat in the seat diagonal from my driver, having a clear view of the sweet old man's profile. He was still beaming.

"I'm Elmer! Like the glue!"

That had to be the cutest way he could have introduced himself.

"I'm Aspen! Like the city!" I copied, but immediately bit my tongue as Julius flashed into my mind. Luckily, Elmer distracted my thoughts and continued chatting.

"So are you an early bird, too?" he asked while gesturing to the crescent moon through his windshield.

I laughed, "Not really, actually. Just couldn't wait any longer to get going today, I guess."

"Well, we have a bit of a drive ahead of us, so let's start moving!" He stretched his neck upwards and adjusted his bow tie in the rear-view mirror. "Got to make sure we look presentable for the traffic," he joked.

I gazed out of the window at the streets that seemed so much bigger from the glass box, even though all of the buildings, lamps, and greenery looked so miniature from nine stories up. I guess everything shiny and new seemed grand at first sight. Elmer started the engine and slowly picked up speed. For a while, I rested with my head against the window, watching the quaint cafes, shops, and restaurants come into sight and then rush behind me the next moment. Although I was in the moving car, I felt as if I was staying still while the city surrounding me was in full motion, guiding me through its winding streets and out onto a road that I could only hope would lead me home.

"Are you going on a little getaway to Sacramento?" Elmer asked, his pale blue eyes searching for mine in the rear-view mirror.

"I actually don't know how long I'll be gone for," I answered, bringing my head away from the window. "But if all goes well, then my stay will be permanent."

"Oh, a little adventure, I see!" Elmer exclaimed while entering the on-ramp to the highway. "Are you going to see a specific person?"

I debated whether or not to tell him the truth, but I figured I would never see him again so there was no reason to lie.

"Yea, I'm actually going to see my parents for the first time in a while."

"Oh, that's great! I'm sure they'll be glad to see you!"

I nodded my head even though he couldn't see me with his eyes on the road. "I hope so. They don't know that I'm coming to see them, though," I explained. "I just made an impulsive decision this morning to head over there."

Elmer pushed his glasses up his nose and straightened his posture. I could sense that some wise philosopher shit was about to go down.

"If I've learned anything in my seventy-two years of life," he began, as expected in a sage, reflective voice, "it's that spontaneity keeps life exciting. Especially for an old man like me."