William had been driving Ms. Jenni since she was a child. Now, in his late sixties, he knew that he had seen better days.
When he was first hired on, he had been in the aftermath of his divorce of his wife; whom he had shared the last twenty years with. He had all but given up hope when his son had shown him the ad in the paper.
'Seeking Driver.
Little to no experience required.
Must be good with children.
Must be prompt and readily available.'
Now, William had never expected to find himself driving around a child, yet alone a young girl. He had worked hard his whole life and always with his hands. Even as he looked down at his hands now, he could still see the callouses which seemed to be etched into his weathered palms.
He had almost laughed it off when his son had suggested it. "Me? A driver?" He snorted, a smile on his lips. "Are you off your rocker, son?"
Yet,
Here he was. Twenty-Four years later, still driving her around. Despite his reservations about taking the job, he knew as soon as he had seen the young girl sitting on the rug, playing quietly with her doll. That this is what he wanted to do. When her sad eyes looked up, he knew he had to do it.
He'd seen her grow up over the years.
Driven her to her first date, seen her first heartbreak, taken her to summer camp. He never said a word, he just watched her take each obstacle in with stride.
When she lost her parents ten years ago,
He was there. He brought her to each appointment and watched from the mirror as her tears painted her face. How desperately he wanted to take this young girl and shield her from pain, but as always, he remained quiet.
That was his job.
To be seen and not heard.
That's why it surprised him so much when he brought her back to her empty house, that she clung to him in a hug. He said his first words to her then, "There, there, Ms. Jenni. It'll be quite alright."
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