The Briefest Encounter

OK.

That was weird.

Nice weird, but weird.

I was waiting in the lobby of our hotel for Joe to pull up front to pick me up. People were lined up at the concierge with questions and requests. It was bustling busy so I didn't notice him arrive. He waited, patiently, near the concierge desk, trying discretely to get attention. When there was a break he said quickly, "Some called for a taxi."

The concierge just shrugged his shoulders and moved his attention on to the next person. I was looking out the front window looking to see Joe drive up. Joe gets lost going around the block so I was wondering if I'd ever see him again. The cabbie noticed me and came over.

Came over.

I was sitting in my wheelchair.

I am clearly a big man.

He said, "Are you needing a lift?"

I looked at him, stunned. He misread my frozen face and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." I came to and said, "No, no, I was just surprised."

You don't take cabs if you are in a wheelchair in Toronto. Hell, when I was still walking, cabs didn't want to pick me up because of my size! I couldn't believe that this guy came over and offered me a ride. I couldn't believe that a random cab would be accessible to a wheelchair and even if it was I couldn't believe that the driver would be willing to offer the assistance that would be necessary. It was like ...

Like ...

Like ...

Like I was simply a potential customer.

I liked it.