to the woman in River North who needed a hand today:

I’m sorry if my hat that says “Dead Inside” misled what I intended to be a warm, lively approach. I didn’t tell you that I initially overshot you by half a block, as if asking “can I help you with that?” required some form of bravery.

I’m glad I turned around to help you carry the “bunch of rubbish” you bought from Target; should’ve picked up on your British upbringing with that word choice alone. You referenced River North as home for 25 years, and I shared about it being my work home for two. Our conversation and walk were so brief, but I hope you know that by letting me take that load off your hands, you actually lightened mine… which is ironic coming from someone in a Dead Inside hat, who had no business feeling that alive afterward.