"Texting with... Riku" pt. 9

My head hits the steering wheel with a soft thud.

The client's text message stares back at me from my phone. Just “another thirty minutes” they said, and then this whole luggage situation should be sorted out.

It's not that I'm upset with the client. They are being put through this ordeal as well. But I can't help but indulge in the thought that this is some kind of sick experiment. Seeing how long I can sit in this car before I go mad.

My phone chirps in sweet salvation. Stimulation to rescue me from the desert of mundane boredom.

rikuBaby69: hellooo mr. stickshift! Wat are u up to?

stickShift90: Guess.

rikuBaby69: 😲

rikuBaby69: no! R u still waiting at the airport for ur client?!

stickShift90: This is where I'm going to die, Riku. They'll find my bones still clutching the steering wheel someday.

rikuBaby69: lol, oh no! Poor Mr. Stickshift90!

rikuBaby69: If stickshit90 is entombed in airport parking lot for all eternity, who will drive riku all around city and be flirty with her?!

stickShift90: If this is where it ends for me, Riku, I want you to move on.

rikuBaby69: Do not say such things, stickshift90! You will get through this!

stickShift90: You'll meet a new driver, and he'll take you where you want to go.

stickShift90: Sure he might not be as handsome, or as timely or efficient behind the wheel, but hell take care of you, Riku.

rikuBaby69: Riku is not giving up on u, Mr. stickshift90!

stickShift90: You deserve to be happy, Riku. And have all your driving needs met in a prompt and comfortable manner.

rikuBaby69: Riku will never use car service again after u. She will walk places!

stickShift90: Not in some of the heels I've seen you strut around in.

rikuBaby69: Riku will pack sneakers! Or take train!

stickShift90: Stay off the 4 train at rush hour, it turns into the Thunder Dome.

stickShift90: Remember me… Riku… you were the most Kawai passenger I ever had.

rikuBaby69: Awwwwww such sweet last words! 😚

rikuBaby69: So any idea how much longer j will be stuck at airport?

stickShift90: I'm told thirty minutes. But I was also told it would be fifteen minutes an hour ago, so who can say.

rikuBaby69: Well, Mr. stickshift90 cannot be 2 much use as driver for riku at the moment anyway.

rikuBaby69: Not unless Mr. stickshift90 has sexy spy car that can turn into submarine.

stickShift90: Oh? I'm guessing someone took a passenger ferry somewhere?

rikuBaby69: hehe, guess where riku is!

stickShift90: Hmmmm, is she standing near a very tall, green lady?

rikuBaby69: maaaaaaaaybe! 😉

rikuBaby69: Riku took Mr. stickshit90s advice and she go 2 see statue of liberty!

stickShift90: Very cool! You took one of the tours with the ferry ride?

rikuBaby69: Riku did! The crew was very helpful and nice 2 riku! Teh captain even lets riku come up on bridge and even drive boat partway! It was sooooo much fun!

rikuBaby69: captain said for riku not 2 tell anyone he let her steer, cuz it would make the coast guard very grumpy! So it was his and rikus little secret!

stickShift90: Oh yeah? Did he let you sit in his lap while you steered too?

rikuBaby69: He did! Captain said his seat was broken, so he had me sit in his lap so I could reach the steering wheel!

stickShift90: What a gentleman. And here you are telling me your illegal secret nautical adventures.

rikuBaby69: lol, riku is pirate! Yarrr!

rikuBaby69: But statue of liberty is soooo pretty! And big! Riku wishes stickshift90 could get away from work and come see it with her!

stickShift90: Are you streaming to your chat as well?

rikuBaby69: Of course! She wouldn't leave chat at home on fun, New York city adventures!

rikuBaby69: Riku is taking little break though to chat with just u tho! 😉

stickShift90: Really? I'm honored! I hope it doesn't make chat jealous.

rikuBaby69: Hehehe, riku loves her chat, but they require so much attention! Riku likes 2 relax and just chat with her special friends every now and then.

stickShift90: ”Special Friends”, huh?

rikuBaby69: Of course! Riku doesn't send cute photos to and get travel advice from just anybody!

stickShift90: I suppose not. Well I am very glad we became “special friends”.

rikuBaby69: yaaaaaaay!

rikuBaby69: hehhehehe, riku is gonna get so many free rides…

rikuBaby69: kidding, kidding.

rikuBaby69: but mr. stickshift90 must come hang out with riku 1 of these days!

stickShift90: Going by how much fun you are to just chat with, we'll definitely have to hang out in person one of these days.

stickShift90: You know what's a real fun place to hang out? Short Term Parking, Section E, at JFK International Airport.

stickShift90: A real party over here, I'll tell you what.

rikuBaby69: Awww, riku is sorry baby. She'd come keep u company if she could!

stickShift90: Haha, I'm just joking around with you. I don't think the airport parking is in the top ten tourist locations in the city anyway.

rikuBaby69: Well, riku is still sad that Mr. Stickshift90 is stuck at dumb old airport. So she thought of something that will make him happy!

stickShift90: Aw, you didn't have to do that, Riku.

rikuBaby69: Riku wanted 2! She likes 2 cheer stickshift90 up!

rikuBaby69: Riku wants 2 send picture she took at Statue. Riku hopes stickshift90 doesn't mind, Riku wanted to wear fun costume 4 photo, but the only costumes they had left at gift shop were extra, extra small!

stickShift90: Oh?

rikuBaby69: But Riku makes it work! Riku is very resourceful!

rikuBaby69: Thank you again, mr stickshift90! For being rikus personal tour advisor and being such a sweetie pie! We talk again soon, ya?

stickShift90: You bet, sweet-cakes.

rikuBaby69: hehehe yaaaaay! Miss u! Enjoy rikus pic! 😚

My phone beeps and I open the attachment from Riku.

My spirits… among other things… are lifted.

It's a photo Riku took of herself at the Statue of Liberty. Sporting a crop top with a ample amount of underboob, and a pair of…  shorts seems like a generous term.

I can't help but wonder… has she been walking around in that all day?