A slight chill had settled over the city but Mary Ann found it refreshing. The summer had been unbearably hot and she had always preferred the cool, crisp air of autumn to the humidity of July and August in Chicago.

She wrapped herself in a cable knit cardigan, locking the apartment door on the way down her three storey walk-up, pausing to ensure she had her purse and cell phone before making her way down the steps toward the bustling sidewalk. It wasn't quite nine a.m. but the South Side was already awake and raring to go.

As her feet touched the pavement, she heard her name called out and Mary Ann turned to look at Mrs. Garber, wrinkled and hunched over, struggling to tackle her garbage can.

"Let me get that, Mrs. G," Mary Ann called helpfully, scurrying to relieve her neighbor of the troublesome can.

"I can do it, honey," Mrs. Garber lied, stepping back to allow Mary Ann to take the container. "I'm more than capable."

"But why would you when I'm right here?" Mary Ann replied lightly, knowing this back and forth all too well.

"You're such an angel, Mary," Mrs. Garber sighed, shaking her snow-white head as she peered at the brunette. "Too good for these parts."

"Now stop with that," Mary Ann chided, settling the lid atop the can as she placed the unit next to the older woman's decrepit house. "I'm as much South Side as you are."

"There ain't nothing romantic about living in these parts, honey. You need to find yourself a good man to take you out of here so you can live like a princess," Mrs. Garber insisted. Mary Ann stifled a sigh. There were just too many things wrong with her neighbor's words for her to entertain for the moment. She was going to be late as it was.

"Need anything, Mrs. G? I have to get to work but I can get you some groceries on the way home or—"

"Psh!" Elena Garber cut her off with an exasperated hiss. "You aren't my health care worker, Mary. I can take care of myself just fine…"

She paused.

"Maybe just some milk and honey for my tea if you're going already."

Mary Ann swallowed a smile and nodded.

"I'll be home around three," she replied. "With milk and honey."

"Homogenized milk," Mrs. Garber called out after her. "Don't get none of that watery stuff."

Mary Ann raised a hand in an acknowledging wave as she pivoted to hurry off.

"I remember, Mrs. G," she called, her steps quickening as she peered at her watch. She hoped she didn't miss the bus. It was her first day at her new placement and she didn't want to make a bad impression by being late.

To her relief, the city vehicle pulled up to her stop two minutes after she arrived and Mary Ann made her way toward the back, heading north on Halstead. The GPS on her phone had indicated that it wouldn't take more than fifteen minutes to reach her destination in Englewood but with Chicago transit being what it was, she could never be sure if she'd be on time.

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