Tales from the Lyft

Photo by Anthony Roberts on Unsplash

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Dr. Maya Angelou

I meant to write this around Fourth of July weekend, but this story’s good any time. It’s a lighter one before I dive back into the heavier stuff I’ve been working on.

I hope your Independence Day was restful — or at least tolerable — considering how rough 2025 has been. I actually got outside, touched some grass and some water. Check out my yacht day photos on Instagram (linked in the navigation bar) — just me, a friend, and maybe a few potential new ones. 👀

Anyway, back to the quote. This one from the late, great Dr. Maya Angelou sticks with me because it fits so many situations. On the Fourth, I found myself thinking about a very specific one — the time I gave someone who ghosted me a second chance after the most random encounter. And yes, of course it involves technology. And dating apps.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you might know I used to drive for Uber and Lyft part-time. I stopped during the pandemic — drunk people and personal space don’t mix. (Let’s just say if I ever write a book, I’ve got material.)

But back on Independence Day 2018, I decided to drive since it’s a busy day and I wasn’t doing much. Why not make some extra cheddar for Weezer tickets, right? So I got dressed and hit the road.

My first ride of the day? A ghost from Tinder past.

Why do these stories always involve dating apps?

I pull up to pick up two guys. Didn’t really clock them at first — I was focused on confirming the ride. But once I was on the 8 heading toward the beach, I glanced in the rearview mirror and… yep, both were objectively attractive. So I did my usual small talk unless someone gave off “don’t talk to me” energy.

The one with dark hair started talking about his job schedule — and based on that, I immediately clocked him as law enforcement.

Me: "Oh. Are you a cop or something?"
Him: "Or something."
Me: "Which agency? SDPD? SDSO? CHP?"
Him: "CHP."
Me: "Oh, that’s cool. Since you were talking about dating apps earlier, I feel like I should mention — I got ghosted by a CHP officer once."
Them (in unison): "What’s his name? We probably know him."

I say the name.

Silence.

The music couldn’t drown out how awkward it got. The dark-haired one dropped his head. His friend stared at him and said:

"YOU GHOSTED OUR LYFT DRIVER?!?!?!"

I’ve never wanted to sink into a car seat faster. Apparently, I don’t just talk with my hands — I talk myself right into shoving both feet in my mouth.

His friend: "She’s gonna leave us on the side of the 8."
Me (laughing): "No, I’m a professional. It’s fine. Really. Things happen. You’re going to PB, right? It’s just funny that this is the first time I’m meeting him — in my car."

We finished the ride in casual conversation. When I dropped them off, I said, "Nice to meet you. Happy Fourth of July." Then I peeled out of Pacific Beach like my life depended on it — because if you know PB on a holiday, Garnet Avenue is always a shit show.

A little context: A year earlier, I matched with a highway patrolman on Tinder. He always wanted to get breakfast — but I worked nights, and mornings aren’t my thing. Also, every photo was just abs. Like… is that all you want me to know about you? I wasn’t impressed. Eventually, he ghosted — probably because I wasn’t down for early-bird pancakes.

Now back to 2018. A few days passed, and I hadn’t thought much about the ride. Then, out of nowhere, I get a message on Instagram. He realized he still followed me and said something like, “I don’t know why we never went out — you’re so cute.”

I mean… I had a few guesses. But I played along.

We messaged for about a week before — surprise! — he ghosted again.

Shocking. Truly.

After a few days, I sent a message calling it like I saw it: “You didn’t really want to go out. You weren’t sincere.”

Apparently, that struck a nerve. He replied with something about me being too hard on myself or whatever else gaslighters like to say — and then blocked me.

Honestly, dating in the digital age is like trying to keep a Tamagotchi alive — constant attention, confusing signals, and it still dies for no reason.

So yeah — that Independence Day chance encounter? Total Big Bay Boom 2012 vibes: All the fireworks went off in 15 seconds, and then… nothing but smoke and disappointment.

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