Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 9. The taxi

It seemed like an hour before the taxi arrived, I was so tired I was dead on my feet.

“Emma James?” Asked the Taxi driver

“Yes, that’s me, the Red Roof Inn please” With that the taxi driver helped me load my stuff in the trunk and we where off, I was hoping he wasn’t too chatty.

“How long are you planning on staying Ma’am?” he asked friendly while steeling glances in the rear view mirror.

“I was thinking of moving near by, but wanted to look around the area first” I replied with a smile.

“Oh nice, where you from? It’s not a bad place, what makes you want to more here?” he pried a little more.

“I’m originally from Queens, New York. I just fancied a change of scenery, and I like Pizza so why not come and try a real Chicago style Pizza, although the name ‘the windy city’ makes me a little dubious” I began to regret being so friendly the 9 minute ride is already giving me a new profile I’ll need to remember.

“Jets fan?” He said looking straight at me in his rear view mirror.

“Uh-Yeah, who else!” I hoped I had saved that one. Hoping we would arrive at the hotel sooner rather than later, I glanced out the window, watching the city pass by.

As we pulled up to the hotel, I gave a sigh of relief, thank god that’s over.

“Here we go, Ma’am. Enjoy your stay; I hope you find what you’re looking for in your visit. I hope you enjoyed your ride, maybe I’ll see you around sometime. I’m Chad.”

“Nice, to meat you Chad, I’m Emma” I smiled. “And thank you” I gave him the fair for the ride, and a $5 tip, climbed out of the cab as Chad rushed round to the trunk to get my luggage for me.

“Emma, you don’t look like an Emma” she said laughing.

“I get that a lot, I guess my parents gave me the wrong name for my face” I laughed off his comment but it made me think, maybe I had picked the wrong now after all. “Bye, Chad. Thank you”

I whisked around with my luggage in tow and headed straight for the reception desk, undoubtedly for more questions. I could feel Chad watching me as I walked away.

Once through the doors of the hotel, I felt safer, less exposed. I rang the bell at reception.