A Girl's Guide to Chicago

by Kelly Russell

  Even on a gray and cloudy day, the city is still so exciting. Maybe it’s in my head, but I can feel the energy. I know when I finally move here I will never be bored. There is always something to see and do. I love the tall glistening buildings, the art-deco mixed with mid-century modern architecture and, of course, the beautiful lake. Even on a cold day like today, there are people running, biking, and walking along the lakefront path.

  I am coming up to the curve on Lake Shore Drive. Lake Michigan is on my right. It looks like an ocean. During the summer months the water turns a bright, beautiful turquoise. It is gorgeous, and I love being by the water. I am a Pisces so, it’s in my nature for me to feel better when I’m close to water.

  I approach the curve on Lake Shore. I gaze to my left, and there stands my favorite vintage condominiums majestically overlooking the lake and beautiful Lincoln Park.

  My dream to live close to Michigan Avenue is a little out of my budget right now, so I plan to find an apartment either in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. I absolutely love the historic homes that give these cozy neighborhoods their character and vintage charm. Both neighborhoods are fairly close to downtown, and I can easily get to my beloved Michigan Avenue.

  I checked out the two apartments on my list. I could tell right away none of them were for me. It was exhausting yet exhilarating at the same time. But, it’s okay. I know my dream is right around the corner.

  When I arrived home a few hours later, my Mum was at the kitchen table. She had just poured herself a cuppa tea. I pulled out a chair across from her, sat down, and sighed.

  “Hello love. How was the drive back? How did today go? Did you see any apartments you liked?”

  “The drive was good. Just a little traffic on my way back. But, no, today was a little disappointing. I was so excited this morning to be in the city to see both places.”

  I shift in my chair and continue.

  “The first apartment seemed so promising and it looked so nice online, however it backed up to the “L” train. The rumbling sound of the “L” through the city is such big part of Chicago. I love hearing the train, but it made the whole place shake, and I feel like I would get tired of that after a few months. The other one was not the same apartment they had shown online.”

  “I’m sorry darling. Would you like a cuppa tea with me? It seems pretty tough finding something right now. Maybe you could wait a few months. I’m sure you could get your old serving job back while you look.”

  “Sure Mum, I’ll have some tea. But no, I don’t want to do that. I just left my preschool. That was such a big decision to leave. I’m going to keep looking. I will find something soon, I’m sure. I have some money saved, so I still have some time. It’s only been a few weeks.”

  During the past few weeks, I applied for quite a few teaching jobs, and now I wait to get called for interviews. The public schools won’t start hiring for months, so I have also put in applications to a few private preschools in the city.

  I’m quite good at computers, and I’m a fast learner, so I put in applications for receptionist and front desk positions, just to give me more options.

  I see a call coming in on my phone. It is from a 312 number. I answer it quickly.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, is this Kelly?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Hi. We are looking for a receptionist for our digital marketing agency. I came across your resume, and I know it’s kind of last minute, but would you be able to come in tomorrow and interview with us?”

  “Actually, yes I can.”

  “Okay, that would be great. Let’s say for . . . hmmm looking at my calendar . . . for eleven tomorrow. Does that work for you?”

  “Yes, I can be there at eleven.”

  “Okay, great. I have your email here. I’m going to send you a confirmation with the time and our address, but we are located right on Michigan Avenue.”

  “Michigan Avenue? Wow! Yeah. Okay. Perfect.”

  “Okay, great. So. I will see you tomorrow and, oh yeah, ask for James. That’s me.”

  “Okay, James. Thank you so much. See you tomorrow.” I look over at Mum and give her a big smile.

  “So, who was that darling?”

  “Well, that was a call for an interview. One of the receptionist positions I applied for. They want me to come in tomorrow at eleven.”

  “Wow, that’s great darling! Fingers crossed.”

  “I know! See Mum, I told you it will happen. The office is also on Michigan Avenue. So, how cool would that be!”

  “That would be, and I hope tomorrow goes well for you.”

  The next morning, I am sitting across from James. He is asking me a few basic interview questions. You know the drill. Questions like: “Why would you be a good fit?” “What’s your background?” “What are your computer skills?”

  James is really nice and friendly. Our conversation is going well. I have a great vibe about this place and the job, and I really think I might actually be a good fit.

  “So, Kelly, it has been great talking with you, and I feel like you could be a great addition to our team. However, let’s go talk to my boss for a few minutes, because I’m sure he will have some questions for you.”

  “Sounds great!” I try to sound as cheery as I can as I follow him down the hallway to the next office.

  “Hey Vin, this is Kelly. I’m interviewing her for the front desk position. Do you have any questions for her?”

  I am standing right in the doorway and this Vin guy barely looks up from his computer. He is too busy with whatever he is doing. I instantly feel like I am bothering him. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he looks up from his computer, and he gives James a look, as he grabs my resume from his hand. He is clearly not interested in interviewing me at all.

  “Okay, so why do you want to work here, it says you are a teacher?”

  I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel really thrown off. This is obviously the last thing he wants to be doing right now. Why couldn’t James have prepared him first that I was coming into his office?

  Suddenly my mind is blank. I cannot think of what to say, so I just start talking about how the state doesn’t really support teachers, and I’m not sure teaching is the right avenue for me anymore.

  Oh my gosh! What! Who am I kidding? Where did all that come from? What am I talking about? I love teaching. But, I also really want this job, so I continue to say anything at this point to let him know that I do not want to be a teacher.

  After my horrible interview with Vin and having no idea what I have just told him, I thank James and leave the office. I head to the Starbucks right below the building to call my Mum. She answers almost right away.

  “How did your interview go, darling?”

  “It went pretty well. I think. They told me I will find out if I got the job in the next few days.”

  “Oh, that sounds great darling. Fingers crossed.”

  Trying to forget about my interview with Vin, I hang up the phone, order my favorite Starbucks, a tall white chocolate mocha, no whip, and get into a cab that is waiting right outside.

  “Union Station on Adams, please.”

  The cab driver quickly heads off. Just saying that gave me such a thrill. Maybe my interview didn’t go as planned, but I still love being in this city!

  It is late in the afternoon the following Friday, almost a week after my interview at the agency. I have been waiting for a call all week from James hoping to get the job. Since, it is almost five this obviously means I didn’t get the job, and I should probably give up entirely on the position. Oh well. I have a few interviews next week and maybe it is for the best since my interaction with that Vin guy wasn’t so good.

  I grab my phone to text my friend that I hadn’t heard anything, and it starts ringing in my hand with a call from a 312 number. My heart is racing, and I answer the phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello, Kelly! It’s James. Sorry for the late response. It’s been
a crazy week here. We didn’t forget about you, and we hope you are still interested in the receptionist position because you got the job! It would be great if you are able to start on Monday, January 28th.”

  “Oh! Yes! Thank you so much! Thank you for calling, James. I cannot wait to start, see you then.”

  “Okay, great. I’ll email you with a few details. Thank you, Kelly.”

  I hang up the phone, find Mum in the kitchen, and throw my arms around her to give her a huge hug.

  “Mum! Oh my gosh! I got the job! The one on Michigan Avenue! I’m going to be a receptionist in the city!”

  “I’m so proud of you darling. I knew you would get one.”

  “Thanks Mum.” I am grinning from ear to ear. “Now, I have to keep looking for my apartment.”

  “Well, you can always stay here for a bit longer and commute with your Dad.”

  I knew that was an option, but I really didn’t want to do that. My Dad has been commuting to Chicago from the suburbs for years. Although he works pretty close to Union Station, the commute is exhausting for him. Even if it is just for a few weeks, I really don’t want to do that unless I really have to. I want to move into my new apartment in the city and start my job around the same time. I want my dream and the whole city experience all at once. I got the job, now I need to find the perfect apartment. So, that means I have less than two weeks to find an apartment and move.

  “No. I think I will spend the next two weeks looking. I know my apartment is out there. I obviously just have to find it.”

  I meet up again with my apartment leasing agent, and we park right outside the apartment we are going to look at.

  “Okay, we are going to have a look at this one.”

  I get out of the car and look up to where he is pointing. It is a pretty white three-flat house with a red door. The house is located on, what will be in the summertime, a pretty tree-lined street in Lakeview. It is in a great location, right on George Street and Sheffield Avenue.

  I have a good feeling about it. I just know it is going to be the one the second we walk toward the building.

  The leasing agency tells me that it is a traditional-style Chicago apartment and that sounds okay with me. The apartment is on the second floor. We walk inside, and the apartment is quite large and spacious, but it isn’t updated at all. The kitchen is all white but definitely older. The apartment has a lot of character with crown molding and all the vintage charm that I love, including large bay windows in the front. There is a smaller bedroom in the front next to the living room and another just off the kitchen. The floors are creaky and uneven, but it is mostly clean. I know once I give it a good scrub and make it my own, it will be perfect. I am totally sold! I am so thrilled that it is in a neighborhood that I love and close to the train, so I can easily commute downtown to my new job.

  “I’ll take it. It’s perfect. So, what do I have to do now?”

  “Great.” He looks relieved after all the showings we have had over the last few weeks. “I think it’s a good choice for you. I don’t think you will find anything better with your budget. We can start heading back to the leasing office and get your paperwork started.”

  I nod in agreement and spend a few more minutes walking around, checking out my new apartment. I honestly do not want to leave. I wish I could move in right now.

  We get into his car and drive back toward the leasing agency on Broadway, and I sign the paperwork and lease agreement on my very first city apartment. About an hour later, I walk out of the office into the cold, dark winter days of January with a big smile on my face. I cannot believe this is happening. Between job searching and apartment hunting these last few weeks, I have found an apartment that I love. I am officially moving to Chicago in less than two weeks!

  Two

  It is the end of January and very cold, but it is a bright, beautiful day in Chicago. I am really nervous, but I could also squeal with excitement as we drive along Lake Shore Drive. Today is the day! I am doing it! I am following my dream. One that I have had since I was a little seven-year-old girl. I am finally moving to the city! I gaze out the window and see the Lake and the lovely vintage apartments along the lakefront, and I think to myself that this view will never get old. After years of wanting to live here, it is actually happening. This city is going to be my new home.

  My Dad, brother, and I pulled onto George Street with our rented U-Haul. My parents have been so generous about our move. Stored in the basement was a set of their older couches, an old kitchen table, boxes of kitchen plates, pans, and utensils. They said we could have it all. We packed up our bedroom furniture and, of course, all our clothes and personal items into suitcases and boxes. A few of mine and David’s good friends are meeting us in the city to help us move and lift some of the bigger items. Later on, we plan to celebrate and go out to dinner.

  We open the door to our new apartment and go inside. David right away starts yelling, “Okay, this room is mine!”

  I follow him to see which room he is claiming. Of course, it is the bigger room with two closets. He is such a brat, but I am too excited to argue with him. I grab one of my boxes and head into my new room. The other bedroom is at the front of the apartment, right next to the living room. It looks a lot smaller than I remembered, and I instantly notice that it does not have a closet. I walk out of the room disheartened, and Dad asks me what’s wrong.

  “My room doesn’t even have a closet!”

  My brother hears me and walks out of his room. He points to the closet next to the front door in the living room. “Well, you can have that storage closet right there. It’s really big.”

  “Geez, David, thanks a lot!”

  “Okay, kids, let’s not yell. This is supposed to be an exciting day for both of you. Kelly, you can get a rolling rack for your clothes if you need extra room.”

  I roll my eyes at my Dad, turn and walk away from both of them. My friends Heather and David just arrived and follow behind me. I will figure it out, I told myself. I will not let this ruin anything. But trust my brother for taking the good room!

  I give my two friends a hug and let out a big sigh.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Oh, just my brother is being a brat. He doesn’t even wait two seconds before he takes the better room with two closets.”

  My friend David rolls his eyes.

  “That doesn’t seem fair,” says Heather. “You found this apartment, put in all the work, and it’s your dream. You should get to pick.”

  “Yep, I agree. Oh well, I will make it work in here.”

  We all turn and look around my tiny room. They both give me a look as if to ask what I can do, and I shrug my shoulders feeling agitated.

  “Come on. Let’s get this move over with so we can celebrate.”

  Dad has gone home. We take a much-needed break and decide it is time for dinner. My brother’s friend suggests we all go to a place called Osteria Via Stato on State Street downtown. I’m still upset with David about the room situation, but it not his friend’s fault, and it sounds like a fun Italian restaurant. We all take a few minutes to freshen up, change, and ride in separate cars downtown.

  Osteria Via Stato is the perfect place to eat after spending the day moving boxes and lifting furniture. We are all seated, and one of the servers delivers to our table glasses of water and warm, crusty French bread with fresh garlic and oil for dipping. We polished off the first loaf just as the waiter comes to the table. He must have watched us devour it all and greets us with another loaf of bread. We are all starving, so we order our meals straightaway. After dinner, David decides to stay out with his friends. Heather, my friend David, and I are tired from the day. I am also stuffed from all the meatballs, calamari, and penne pasta that we shared. It is getting late, and they are ready to head back to the suburbs.

  I give them each a giant hug goodbye. “You guys. I really, really appreciate you helping us today.”

  “You’re welcome,” Heather replied. “It was fun
to see your new place. I can’t wait to come up and spend the night.”

  “Please, anytime, Heather, and we’ll have a fun girls night soon.” I look over at David. “You are welcome too of course.”

  “Okay, we will see you soon then.”

  I wave goodbye and watch David and Heather as they walk toward their car. Okay, now what? I am standing outside the restaurant and wondering how I will get home. I really have to figure out public transportation at some point. But obviously not tonight. It is late and best to just take a cab home.

  I raise out my hand to signal a cab. Several pass me by. It is a busy night on State Street, but finally one slows down toward the curb and stops. I hop in and give him my new address. I cannot believe it cost almost twenty dollars to get back to my apartment. I cannot afford to do this every time I want to go somewhere. Geez! Cabs are really expensive!

  I stay up 'til the early morning hours and have unpacked almost everything. I just want to get it done, and I really hate living out of boxes. My brother strolls in around two in the morning and is so surprised that already our apartment is almost completely put together.

  “Wow! Kelly, you have done a lot. It looks so nice in here.”

  “Yep, it does, you’re welcome.”

  I am still a little upset with him and didn’t feel like talking. I get up from the couch and head off to my bedroom.

  “Good night!”

  I mumble goodnight back to him and walk into my tiny, no closet of a room. Okay, who was I trying to kid? I am living in a den!

  The next morning, we sort out the last of the boxes. I know that tomorrow is Monday, and I have to take the ‘L’ downtown to my new job. David and I agree to take a practice run before I take the train by myself. We walk to the station, pay for a week-long pass, and walk up the stairs to the side of the platform that says The Loop. Okay, that seems easy enough.