I Left My Back Door Open by April Sinclair

April.”
    â€œYou haven’t encountered the Hawk full blast then.”
    â€œThe Hawk?”
    â€œThe wind. It blows off the lake and it takes no prisoners. It cuts through you like a knife.”
    Skylar’s eyes widened. “It’s been windy, but I can’t say I’ve had that experience.”
    â€œMaybe that’s why I can’t dwell on every little thing. I’ve been through too many Chicago winters.”
    Skylar sighed. “Well, I hope I haven’t wasted your time.”
    â€œNot at all. When I came in here, I was pretty ignorant on the subject of mediation.”
    â€œWe’re all ignorant about something. Try moving to a strange city. And have everybody tell you how easily laid out it is.”
    â€œIt is,” I insisted, talking with my hands. “The streets here are all numbered and laid out like ladders. The corner of State and Madison, downtown here, is ground zero. State is the dividing line between North and South. Madison is the dividing line between East and West. The West Side is west of the Loop. And there is no real East Side, just the Lake. It’s very simple and to the point,” I said breathlessly.
    â€œEveryone gives you a similar speech.” Skylar smiled lazily. “I think I’ve finally got it.” He paused long enough for me to admire the way his lips curled when he smiled. “You know, the pace here is somewhat faster than I’m used to,” he admitted. “And I’m accustomed to pedestrians having the right of way.
    â€œAnd I’m not saying that the people here aren’t friendly,” he said hesitantly. “But their attitudes seem so cut-and-dried sometimes.”
    â€œChicago is called the city that works,” I informed him. “Everything seems so concrete here. I mean that figuratively more so than literally.”
    â€œWe may appear tough on the outside, but inside we’re like marshmallows,” I confided.
    â€œI always have to remind myself not to compare my inside with another person’s outside.”
    â€œTrue.” I nodded. “That’s one of the best things I learned in Psychobabble 101.”
    We both laughed. “You sure I can’t interest you in mediation after all?” Skylar asked hopefully.
    â€œJust because I’m passing on this one doesn’t mean that I don’t see the value in the process . After listening to your spiel, I would give mediation a shot if I had a conflict that was ongoing,” I conceded.
    â€œThanks, that’s good to hear. I really appreciate that feedback,” Skylar said, standing up. “Daphne, I’m glad that I met you.”
    I offered him my hand. “I’m glad that I met you, too,” I answered, appreciating the warmth of Skylar’s grip. “You see, it turned out to be a win-win situation after all.” I smiled.
    â€œYeah, but it all happened so quickly,” Skylar sighed. “I really enjoy talking to interesting people who are willing to say what’s really on their minds.”
    It was my turn to blush. “Well, you can always listen to my show on the radio. And you can call in if you like.”
    â€œWhat if I don’t want your listeners to hear our conversation?”
    I felt my knees buckle. “Then you can call me at home.” I reached in my purse and wrote my phone number on the back of my card.
    â€œHere, Daphne, would you like my card also?”
    â€œOkay,” I replied, nonchalantly, struggling to conceal my excitement. “It’s been real.” I tucked Skylar’s card into my handbag.
    â€œIt’s been more than real.” Skylar smiled. “It’s been serendipitous.”
    I didn’t need a dictionary to know what he meant. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I felt a glow that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. And it sure didn’t make me feel middle-aged. It made me feel like riding the