August 24, 2019 3:27 p.m.
As you all know by now, I meet some interesting folks when I'm out doing Uber and Lyft. However, this afternoon, I drove one of the worst people I've ever driven in nearly five thousand rides.
I received a ride request from Sam's in south county. As I pulled up, I saw a boy - maybe twelve years old - waving at me excitedly. He was with two adults and a young girl. I later learned they were his dad, his dad's girlfriend, and his younger sister.
The second the boy got in the car, it was clear he was on the autism spectrum. About 30 seconds after that, as his dad finished loading their purchases into the cargo area, the dad's girlfriend snaps at the little sister, who was having trouble buckling the seat belt, as she was also holding some of their purchases on her lap.
"Get your seat belt on! Are you retarded?"
The girl was silent. The dad looked uncomfortable. The boy yelled, "SHE'S NOT RETARDED."
As we drove to their destination - a worse-for-wear apartment building near Jefferson Barracks - nearly every time the boy said something, the girlfriend snapped back at him.
"Stop being weird!"
"Can't you just be normal for a little bit?"
"Oh my god, just stop fucking talking! You've been talking all day long!"
Look, I get it - it's exhausting being a parent or parental figure to any kid, let alone one with special needs. And I'm sure it's easy to snap once or twice. But the entire time I was with them, she was scolding him for simply making his existence known.
I've driven a lot of people who acted like drunk assholes, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt because they were intoxicated. However, this lady was completely sober and was being cruel to a child for existing in the only way he knows how. And, as far as I'm concerned, that is not what a decent person would do.
I hope the dad - who seemed exhausted - sees her for what she is. He can do better.
