Lyft arrived at 6:40 am on West Dickens, Chicago – a woman driver! (I did not comment, ‘wow, a woman driver!’ thinking she must get that all the time. Let me normalize that a woman is a ride-share driver by saying nothing.)

She said she wakes at 3:45 am every day and goes to bed at 7:30 pm – ‘already been to the airport four (?) times this morning.’

At airport, 7:00 am, I noticed an earlier flight was boarding. Maybe I wouldn’t have to wait until 8:45 am.

Breezed thru security.

At 7:15, the k4 gatekeeper said, “No I cannot take you for standby.”

I said, amicably, “Oh well, I least I tried.” Adjusted my weekender shoulder bag nearby.

Suddenly, “Wait- have you checked your luggage?”

“No.”

“Good answer. Come on aboard.” She invited me.

On the flight, I had a row to myself (as did everyone pretty much.) Graded papers.

Almost home now, tapping this note in the backseat of a yellow cab, flying through Central Park. (11:20 am NYC time/10:20 Chicago time).

How long does it take to get from a pick up in Lincoln Park, Chicago, to the drop off on Upper West Side, Manhattan? The answer is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

‘Not that it’s a race.’

Thank you to all the drivers and crew on Lyft, American Airlines, and Yellow Cab. And to my family who welcomed me!

They welcomed me back and they welcomed me home.