In the Beginning of April

DIARY

or rather the end of March,

I changed my work schedule

and began leaving Monday through Thursday

at around 5:30,

and left on Fridays at noon.

On Thursday evening,

I took the El north to Berwyn

and walked in mist falling from the purple skies

to Kopi Cafè,

read and wrote my novel,

sipping soup and chewing through the seven-grain bread

and cups and cups of coffee dispensed by

my smiling waitress.

Then I walked south,

in what had become a drizzle

through Andersonville,

through Uptown,

where I bought a White Sox cap,

through Wrigleyville and Lakeview,

and I stopped awhile at the Borders on Diversey

and read.

And drank coffee.

Then I walked south,

through Lincoln Park

and the Carl Sandberg Village,

always on Clark Street.

My shoes caused friction against my heel

and gave me a dime-sized blister

as I walked through the Cathedral District

and River North,

the Loop, the South Loop,

Dearborn Park and the Near South Side,

and Chinatown.

I turned from Clark and walked southwest along Archer

stopping at a gas station

for Dr. Pepper

and sour gummy worms.

I walked southwest through Bridgeport,

and the drizzle became heavy rain,

soaking me,

but I crossed through McKinley Park,

and was home.

The next day at work was over almost before it began.

I went to the Borders and read and drank coffee until five, and went home.

I was home an hour before traveling to Lawrence Fisheries and eating catfish and drinking pop while I worked on writing and my map.

Saturday, I do not remember well, for some reason.

But Sunday I went to church at St. Maurice, then bought a Sun Times and ate a lunch at the Archview, then went home and cleaned my apartment all day long.

This was during Spring Break at the U of C, so all my friends were gone, and I could not speak to them.

~ Connor

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