This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bunny Rivera, a 35-year-old Uber driver from Washington, DC, about her experiences working during the holiday season. It's been edited for length and clarity.
I only expected to do work for Uber Eats until I got back on my feet, but I wound up enjoying the experience and the flexibility couldn't be beat. Most of the time I worked between 20 and 40 hours a week, doing a combination of Uber Eats when Kaiden was with me and Uber rideshare when he was with his Dad.
Ever since I was first assaulted, I posted a sign in the backseat of my car with a photo of me and Kaiden. If a passenger is looking to start any trouble, my hope is that seeing I'm the mother of a small child will make them reconsider. In addition to the photo, I list my Instagram handle and Cash App information for gratuities.In my experience, tipping has gone down since COVID-19.
I'll never forget the day I picked Kaiden up from his dad's house and saw his lips turning blue. We rushed to the emergency room, where a series of X-rays revealed he'd swallowed a coin. On a trip to Walmart, Kaiden spotted a"Baby Shark" ride-on toy that cost $150 and fell in love. One evening, when Kaiden's dad took him for the night, I decided to Uber as long as I could to earn enough to buy that Baby Shark, assuming it would take five or six hours.
Nice feet lady