E.T.A. (microstory)

“Where to?” said Eddi as his next passenger climbed into his vehicle.
“Oh I don’t care anymore. Just drive me to Central Park. I need some fresh air.”
“Yes, Ma’am. No problem. ETA is 15 minutes.”
“ETA?”
“Sorry, ETA estimated time of arrival.”
“Oh, yes, thanks” her voice trailed off, his definition barely registering.”
“Something troubling you, miss?” his voice evincing a gritty voice betokening some bygone era.
She tried to shrug off his question replying “oh, no, I’m ok. Just a little tired.”
“Yeah, everybody says that.” Eddi smirked with a knowing smile. “It’s none of my business but you do look distracted. I’ll take a guess, marriage problem?, kid problem?, your parent of some other loved one is not doing too well health-wise? Money issues?”
“Well, quite a few of those.” She replied paying closer attention to her driver, eyeing him with some suspicion. “And you are right, it is none of your business.” She huffed.
“I’m no psychic, it’s almost always one of those.” The cabbie chuckled amusedly.
“Oh” she backed down.
“The things folks tell me, you’d be surprised. You’d think with all this technology, we’d be more connected. But we aren’t. Lots of loneliness out there.” His voice intoned wisdom beyond his years.
“I suppose so” her interest in him piqued. She looked like she was about to cry. “There is so much going on right now, I feel like I’m drowning.”
“Life can be overwhelming sometimes. But it is also so beautiful. You need to take time to stop to smell the roses, as the saying goes.” The grit in his voice really coming out. “Speaking of which, we are almost there, ETA 3 minutes.”
Realizing the time was racing away, she asked him a question. “How are you doing, if I may ask?”
He smiled “Hardly anybody asks me that.” He acted surprised. “I’m fine, I’m always fine Miss. I just remember that each day is a gift. You know what I mean?"
Even though he was giving cliche advice, somehow when he said it to her, it seemed somehow new to her. She went on to tell him how her mother was dying and that she hadn't come to grips with that reality. She felt like time flew by then. "Ok, we're here. Do remember to stop to smell the roses, Sara."
Somehow feeling much better but wondering how he knew her name, she alighted from the vehicle and walked towards the park. Eddi flipped his service light off. Then opened up his center console and said “This is EDDI, number 3929, uploading report on Sara Smith of 20 Maple Dr. citizen number 1,934,839,498. Signs of mental and emotional distress have been noted in her file. Recommend further observation followed by calibration of her medications."
The EDDI or "Emotional Development Driver-Intelligence" unit pressed the gas pedal and then hung a left at the next street. A white beacon on his map illuminated his next pickup and his ETA. A profile downloaded. "Ahh, another customer ready for some redirection." Even though he was a glorified toaster, he still felt good helping people. At least that's what his emotions module told him to feel.