The app said his name was "Dmitri" and his car was a gray Camry. What arrived was a man who looked like he'd seen things. Things he couldn't talk about. Things that would change my understanding of the world.
He didn't say hello. He just nodded. Like we had an understanding. I did not have an understanding. I just needed to get to the airport.
The first ten minutes were silent. Then he turned off the GPS and said, "I know a faster way." This is either the beginning of a shortcut or the beginning of a true crime podcast. I was not sure which.
We drove through neighborhoods I'd never seen. He pointed at a building and said, "My brother used to work there. Before." Before what, Dmitri? BEFORE WHAT?
At one point, his phone rang. He answered in a language I didn't recognize, spoke for thirty seconds, then hung up and said, "Sorry. Business." What business, Dmitri? What is your business? Why did you say it like that?
He got me to the airport fifteen minutes early. As I got out, he handed me a card. It just had a phone number on it. "If you ever need anything," he said. I have not called the number. I'm afraid to call the number. But I've kept the card, because what if I DO need something someday?
I gave him five stars. I didn't feel like I had a choice.