Carl Atlas is a grieving man at the end of his rope, after what he feels like as a lifetime of hopelessness and depression he plans on doing the unspeakable today. However, on a rideshare he will meet someone very special, someone who will teach him about love and survival.
Carl Atlas, a 47 year old man awakes at 7 am to start his day as a ride share driver. He sits up, letting out a solemn yawn and a stretch, before getting out of bed. He straightens and folds his sheets, placing the pillows in a nice stack. Carl takes a step back looking at his neatly arranged bed and flashes a gentle smile, before making his way into his apartment’s bathroom to brush his teeth, and shave. Afterwards, he enters his kitchen to make his favorite breakfast, pancakes with maple syrup and a tall glass of milk.
Today, he mixes in some blueberries as a special treat. He sits down and enjoys his breakfast, as if it’s the first time having a delicious meal. Once finished Carl makes his way over to the sink washing his plate, drying and then placing it back in the cupboard. Once again a gentle smile comes across his face as if a final exhausting task has been completed. Carl enters his bedroom picking out his clothes for the day, some slacks with a polo shirt and casual shoes. He grabs a light jacket as well from his closet. As always, he wants to look presentable to his customers today so that they remember his kindness and service.
Before closing his closet, he reaches onto the top shelf and pulls down a small box. He opens and removes a 38 caliber handgun, he double checks to make sure it’s loaded before placing it inside his jacket. Carl Atlas carries a weapon with him, not for protection but today he plans on it being his last day on Earth. Carl has suffered from severe depression since he lost his son, Jon Atlas in a tragic car accident when he was only 15 years old. Carl always blamed himself for the accident, which created resentment between Carl and his wife Catherine. The two separated, selling the house, and Carl relocating to a small apartment.
He always planned on going to counseling but he never accepted what he might hear from a psychiatrist such as, “It’s not your fault Carl, these things happen.” He prayed for the guilt to be taken away but it always seemed that his prayers always fell on deaf ears. He plans to enjoy one more day, one more day that his son should have had in the sun and then end it all on the very road where Jon lost his life. His affairs are all in order, he walks out his apartment turning around to give it one last look before closing the door and starting his day.
Now sitting comfortably in his car, Carl activates the Rideshare application letting potential customers know that he was now on duty. Mornings are always very busy for him, getting patrons to work to the airport and random ones who need to get from point a to point b. His first ride is with Melissa Smith, leaving on her way to work but running slightly late. The reason she gives Carl is that her alarm never went off and her car battery unexpectedly died last night. After work she plans on having a friend accompany her home to jump start the vehicle. She was grateful that he was available and accepted her bid for a ride. Carl relayed that he was happy to help and that he hopes that the rest of her day runs smoothly before she exits.
Ronald Wright is his next customer, a construction worker who is looking to make ends meet. He’s currently saving up enough money to purchase his own vehicle to get him to and from work. Carl offers him a discount as a kind gesture to which the stranger appreciates. The morning continues on with more individuals from school teachers to nurses, all thanking him for his kind generosity. Carl feels it’s the least that he can do for them as well as knowing what he has planned for himself later that night. As he drives he sees so many different people getting a start to their day, from a man jogging, to a pregnant woman walking getting some exercise. The unborn child reminds him of the joy that he had when he first learned that his wife was pregnant, and then of the tragedy that would follow years later.
The day of Jon’s passing has never left him. He can still see him getting ready to attend a concert with two other of his friends. Carl had originally planned to drive the trio however, Jon’s friend had just received his license and was looking to drive. The long day at work made the decision easy for Carl to let Jon’s friend Matthew drive them. At 6 pm he arrived to pick him up. Carl and his estranged wife both gave Jon a big hug and told him to have a great time at the show, 30 minutes later the parents would receive a frantic call from Matthew that he had lost control of his vehicle around a sharp curve causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crashing head on into a tree. Himself and the other passenger survived but Jon was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
By the time Carl and Catherine arrived, it was too late, Jon had been pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the intensive care unit. The two went through the 7 stages of grief, beginning with shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing but never acceptance. His shift is winding down and Carl begins to reflect on his day knowing that these will be the last people to have any interaction with him. Right before signing off a message is received from an individual named Emmanuel Ferguson, who is looking for a ride across town. Seeing as how this is his final shift, he accepts the request and heads to the patrons destination.
Upon arriving an older middle eastern man with a slender build is standing outside of an office building. The man approaches Carl’s vehicle and speaks, hello are you my ride share he asks, yes Carl replies. The man opens the door to the rear backseat and gets in. Oh thank you, it’s been a very long day. Where we headed, ask Carl, across town if you don’t mind. The car pulls from the front entrance of the building and into traffic. Sit back and relax, you’re in good hands, says Carl. Are you a doctor? No, I’m a psychiatrist helping those overcome unfortunate events.
Oh really a shrink? Yes, replies Emmanuel you can say that. However instead of minimizing the issue, we look for individuals to master it, as a form of overcoming. How so asks Carl, unfortunate situations happen in this world all the time he says, the majority of time as no fault of our own. We look to confront the crisis, process it, then find resolution in moving past it. By doing so it strengthens our will as it becomes stronger in this method. Carl ponders on his current life and the way that he has dealt with his own son’s untimely passing. So in a way you’re saying theirs good in the bad? Well, somewhat, life presents us with good experiences and bad ones. It has nothing to do with how good or bad of a person we are, but these things will always happen.
It’s about how we process life events. Jay continues, Some turn to alcohol, drugs or unfortunately violence. However none of these things allow us to process and move past the root cause. I do agree, says Carl, it seems like people at times choose the only way out that they see. Emmanuel replies yes, it’s about stepping outside of your situation and looking at the broader picture. Reacting positively to a negative situation is always more productive for our psyche. Carl then assesses his own grief and how he’s been coping with it.
After grieving, he thought abandonment was the solution, choosing separation from his wife, instead of strengthening their relationship. Then when he couldn’t deal with himself he chose to end it. Emmanuel continues, you see no matter what the issue is, life will always go on. The world is always better with you in it Carl. A confused look comes across Carl’s face. What do you mean? I know what you have planned later this evening and I highly discourage you from doing it. How did you know what I was thinking?
In my line of work, it’s important to be able to read people, to see their mannerisms when they speak, and when I speak. Would you please tell me what’s troubling you? Carl’s vehicle stops at a red light, giving him time to answer. I’ve been having a real hard time dealing with the death of my son Jon in a car accident. I’ve abandoned everything since he passed, to help me cope. I’m at my end now, I don’t know what else to do. The light then turns green. I see your pain Carl, but the taking of one’s life is never the answer. Death will come for all of us, but one of the cruel things about it is that it always comes when we’re not ready.
No matter if it’s when we’re old and gray, or young and full of life, death can come for us. No matter when though, we stay ready and be prepared. I’ve tried replied Carl, but I’ve lost my heart. Lost and never having one is two separate things, your acknowledgment proves your self worth. You just need to find it again. Do you remember that promise that you said to him, when he was first born. You looked him in his eyes and said that you would always love and be there for him, well guess what he’s still here. In your memories and in your spirit. It’s up to you to honor his memory by continuing to live, to love and share that with others.
Carl begins to cry when he realizes the stranger was right. What would his son think of him now? So willing to end his life over the grief of losing him, instead of choosing to push forward to honor his memory. He realizes now that his life is not over, though this chapter has ended but a new one will begin. Just as this realization comes over him, he suddenly wonders just how Emmanuel knew about the promise that he had made to his son Jon. Carl gathers himself and inquisitively asks, how did you know that? Emmanuel gently smiles and says he told me to tell you that, for encouragement. What, who are you? I’m sorry, let me tell you my real name, my nickname is Emmanuel but everyone who knows me, calls me Jesus. Just as suddenly as these words are spoken Carl slams on the brakes and quickly turns around to find the backseat empty.
At that moment he began to cry and be overjoyed. This divine meeting changed everything in Carl Atlas’s life, first restoring his broken marriage and reconciling with his wife. He started a campaign to have the city place a sign to warn vehicles of the dangerous turn of where Jon lost his life. Furthermore, the love and compassion that was once bestowed upon his son is now given to those in need. And he does still drive his ride share and with every chance that he gets, tells his customers of the strange encounter that he once had that changed his life forever.
Divine Gospel Ministry 