Taxi Page

"That’s Sarah," the driver said. "She’s celebrating her first birthday without her father. He used to drive this cab."

Elias looked at the driver, then back at the woman. A strange feeling of recognition washed over him. He remembered this bakery from his childhood; he hadn't been here in twenty years. "That’s Sarah," the driver said

The car turned down a street Elias didn’t recognize—a narrow cobblestone alley lined with shops that looked decades out of date. Before Elias could protest, the taxi slowed to a crawl. Outside the window was a small, brightly lit bakery. Through the glass, Elias saw a woman sitting alone at a table, a single cupcake with a candle in front of her. She looked devastated. A strange feeling of recognition washed over him

It wasn't a business card. It was a faded photograph of a younger version of the driver, holding a baby girl in front of that very bakery. Before Elias could protest, the taxi slowed to a crawl

Elias felt a pull he couldn’t explain. He stepped out of the taxi and walked into the bakery. When Sarah looked up and saw him, her eyes widened. "Elias? From the old neighborhood?"

The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. His eyes were kind but incredibly tired. "Most people think they choose their destination. But sometimes, the cab chooses for them."