I am always amazed when my city, a big city that can seem so anonymous and unfriendly, transforms itself and, even it if is only an instant, seems like a small town, a place where everyone says hello and knows a little bit about you.
It seemed this way just the other day.
Each day I try to make sure that Ewan and I have an outing. Even though it can seem like a hassle to bundle up and get out, it is worth it. It is good for both of us.
Sometimes the outings are ambitious. Long walks. Trips to museums. Parks.
Sometimes the outings are necessary. Grocery stores. Visits to pediatricians. Walks to the post office. The corner store for toilet paper.
Sometimes the outings are brief. A quick spin around the block.
Sometimes the outings involve food. And, when it comes to food, First Slice Cafe, a mere block from our house, is the place to be.
Just a few days ago Ewan and I were out for a walk. I checked my wallet and found two dollars and eleven cents, not much, but I knew it would be enough for a cookie. So, to First Slice Cafe we went.
I went up to the counter and eyed up the selection. My standby is the Molasses Cookie with the Carmelized Brownie coming in a close second. (Yes, I go often enough to have a standby) Anyways, this time I decided to branch out, or my wallet decided for me. You see my two favorites each cost two dollars and, well, I just wasn’t going to put a cookie on my credit card.
I grabbed a Snickerdoodle, a mere dollar seventy five, and handed it to the woman at the register. She and I recognize each other now and we are always friendly and say hello.
“No, no, no,” she said as she reached for a Cashew Snickerdoodle, “these are much better.”
“Well, I’m going to have stick with the plain one today,” I said as I showed her my two dollars and eleven cents.
“No, you’ve got to try the cashew one,” she said as she dug in the tip jar to dig out the balance, “really, it’s that much better.”
As I walked home, crunching on little bits of cashew, I couldn’t help but reflect on the whole exchange. For a moment there, this city seemed a little smaller. More approachable. Dare I say, neighborly.
For a moment I forgot that I was in Chicago.
For a moment . . .
