Here They Come. There They Go‪.‬

Ben just wants a smooth anniversary night: a nice steak, a luxury rideshare into Chicago, and as little small talk as possible. Amy is mostly wondering what kind of driver they’ll get. Santiago, their driver from a small town in Chile, is just trying to do his job—and hold on to a dream that seems further away every year.

What begins as an awkward ride quickly turns into something deeper. As Ben fumbles for conversation and retreats to the passing view outside the window, Amy leans forward and listens. Santiago starts to share how he left his village of Puerto Natales, chased medical school in Chicago, faced dead bodies in anatomy lab, disappointed his uncle, and slowly discovered that his true passion has always been listening to people and writing down their stories.

By the time they reach their restaurant, Ben and Amy have heard a life’s worth of sacrifice, uncertainty, and hope—and Santiago found a couple of people who would listen to his dreams.

Here They Come. There They Go. is a warm, character‑driven short story about:

• How a routine car ride can open a window into another person’s world
• The quiet power of being truly listened to
• Dreams that refuse to die, even when life takes a different turn

Perfect for readers who enjoy gentle, slice‑of‑life fiction, this story from the What Ben Didn’t Know… series shows how one conversation on the way to dinner can change the course of someone else’s life.