Some people who know me call me the Tuff Guy. Others call me Mr. Nice Guy. Today, the Nice Guy was needed.

Mr. Nice Guy

Took off yesterday because ice encrusted my vehicle. Today, waited until the sun came out to help me thaw the car.

10:00 a.m. – 24 degrees but sunny as I’m pulling out of the driveway – ding – get a request a couple blocks away – 30-minute ride to the northeast – nice trip – but oh, shit – out of petrol – no way I’ll risk the ride.

Ignore the request – shut off the app – fill ‘er up – pimp shuts off at $100 – tank almost full.

Turn the app back on – ready to roll – but wait 15 minutes for first ride.

Pick up middle-aged black female in Chester – same block as the old St. James High School – building’s still there – and she’s in the midst of an emergency.

Heater shut off overnight – like I said it’s 24 degrees – 2 minor children – repairman can’t come out till tomorrow – $150 to show up – fire company came – made her shut off oven to avoid risk of house fire – wanted to turn off her water to make sure pipes don’t freeze.

Only had enough battery on her phone to schedule this ride – to Dollar General 2 minutes away – to purchase space heater.

We get there – no space heaters – (technically, my ride ends there – so I shut off the app).

What now? – Mr. Nice Guy takes over – suggests Dollar Store right down the street – too early – doesn’t open until noon – what now? – Mr. Nice Guy suggests Walmart in Eddystone.  

On the ride there she tells me she just bought the house – got a discount for as-is.

Good news at Walmart – she gets 2 space heaters – then Mr. Nice drives her home – she’s so thankful – makes me feel good – then she lays a $10 on me – not necessary.

Pick up a young man, 20s, in Ridley – going to Springfield – nice guy, nice ride – but that’s it for now. Roads are jammed to make up for yesterday – plus lack of demand for rides – head home – gotta lotta shit to do, anyway – maybe I’ll go back out tonight.