(WARNING: MIGHT CONTAIN SEXUAL CONTENT!)

Based On a True Story...

It could use some more mood setting descriptions to enhance the feeling of loneliness or to contrast the Jokes

As an Uber driver you can see about every possible scenario you can think off, middle-aged couples organizing a foursome, a runaway bride, sweet old ladies gossiping about their husbands, heck I even had people high as a kite here yesterday. I just hope I don't get another one tonight, I just fucking cleaned.

"Hey Brandon stop dancing your ride's here," a drunk girl says. Oh no not again. "Goodluck with your new job buddy and remember to visit as soon as you can!" a guy adds.

"Of course! You guys are gonna miss this piece of ass," a handsome man, who I'm guessing is Brandon, shouts as he opens the door and shuts it after blowing them a kiss. This guy is definitely gay, not really a flamboyant guy but my gaydar is beeping like there is no tomorrow. I wonder if I could hook up with him like I did with the one last month... No bad Rafael, he's drunk!

"Sorry about that," he smiles as he adjusts his glasses. Definitely handsome. "It's no problem, no harm done" I reply smoothly, making him blush. My gaydar is on point tonight.

"Can we just drive around the city with the windows open before you drop me off?" he asks.

From the looks of it he just got out from a going away party organized by his friends or something, I guess he wants a last look of the city before he goes. That or he wants some fresh air from drinking.

"Sure! The scenic route it is," I answer.

I start up the car and we drive off in a comfortable silence, which I am grateful for. He isn't one of those tipsy people who can't keep there mouth shut with the random topics, and it adds to his shy type persona. I stare at him through rear view mirror and he's getting lost in the scenery, what a cutie.

"Didn't your mother told you that it was rude to stare," he says as he looks into the mirror making me immediately look back at the road.

"I...I... I am so sorry about that... Sir," I stutter. Where the heck did that Sir come from?

"It's alright, and drop the Sir it makes me feel older," he says as he looks out the window once more. Think Rafael think, he's looking out the window again, get his attention. "Oh, would you prefer Master instead?" I reply. Smooth Rafael smooth.

He shocked me by letting out the most unrestrained laugh I have ever heard. The booming laugher he's making doesn't sound like it's coming from a shy nerd and it made me smile that I could make him laugh like this. I stop at a red light and the laughter is gradually getting milder.

"I haven't laughed like that in a long time," he chuckles. "Not even at your going away party Brandon?" I reply. "Nope, and how did you know my name?" he asks.

"That drunk girl back at the club said it pretty loudly," I answer. Brandon smiles, but the smile isn't directed at me, rather I think it's for his friend. "I'm gonna miss her," he mumbles as he loses the smile.

"My name is Rafael by the way," I blurt as the light turns green again. "Brandon, but you already know that" he says before looking out the window again. You lost him. I can't help but stare at him and notice how sad he looks now. I sigh and give up on a conversation so that he can enjoy the view once more.

The silence has been deafening the last few minutes, I glance at the mirror again and see he's deep in thought, not actually seeing the beautiful city lights. He looks so alone and there's some part of me that wants to make him happy, that wants to be with him, to try to appease his loneliness, and too think that I just met this stranger tonight. I look at my phone and notice that we're almost at his destination, as I brood over my thoughts of not being able to make him smile again.

"Have... have you ever thought of death before?" he questions. His sudden question is shocking to say the least but I give him my best answer. "Yeah, I guess I have. Everybody has I think but I'm not too worried about it. As long as you fulfill what you want in life and making that impact in the hearts of your family and friends, death is nothing compared to the happiness you brought to somebody,"

"That was beautiful," he says as we arrive at his apartment building. I stop the car and our eyes lock against the reflection of the mirror and I can see the tears threatening to pour out of his eyes.

"I have cancer..." he whispers. My heart is pounding, reeling in the small detail as he continues. "It's in my brain, and the doctor's say it's too far gone to consider chemo..."

I tear my eyes off the mirror and finally get the courage to finally look at him directly. A tear stricken face, a face of a man that had been through so much, a face that has already given up, but what surprised me more was he suddenly starts chuckling.

"I told my work friends that I'm taking up a better position abroad, better opportunities for me..." he says.

"I just didn't tell them that abroad... was heaven," he adds as my tears start falling.

I was about to reply when he gives me a 100 dollar bill. "Keep the change... you have more use for it than I do. You can say it's a reward for listening to me," he opens the door to the car and gets out.

"I'm going to be okay..." he says, but we both know that's not true, he's not okay and he's only trying to be.

"Care for yourself and the people around you, and life won't just be worth living, it'll be worth dying for. Love yourself... love others. Just love Rafael." he concludes with the brightest smile he has ever given me as finally he shuts the door and walks towards the building, out of my sight, for the final time.

"Brandon, I wish you well..." I say to no one as I drive off to the night, tears threatening to fall.

~

Published April 19, 2018

Author's Note:

Well Hello there! Long time no publish it seems... did I play with your emotions? I'm sorry for the lack of sexual content... that tag was kinda misleading xD

I am also deeply sorry for all the emotional distress of not posting any new content of ASC (Art of Second Chances) but don't worry my Highs School graduation is only 11 days away and after that I'll start writing again in the summer! Not writing anything and focusing on school was worth it though and I'm in the Top 5 and currently running for Valedictorian! Well my best friend Carl guaranteed to be Valedictorian so I guess that I'm his Salutatorian! BEST FRIEND GOALS!!!

Anywhoooooo... thank you for reading this short story!