“Not a bad night so far. Going to be a good night.” I said thinking about my tips. “ Okay, where is this address at” I took out my phone to check my G.P.S.  “Here we are.” I whispered, pulling my car over to the curb. I pull down my skull cap and open the warmer bag to check the delivery order. “ That’s everything.” I grab the delivery from it’s bag and open my car door.  Stepping out of my car and making sure my delivery was secured - I turn to close the door, looking at my silver Dodge Caliber. This car has been through alot and even though it was over one and half hundred thousand miles it was still as dependable as the first day my wife and I took it off the lot. A little older but still dependable..hmm,I guess I can relate. It was cold that night. colder than it has been at least. We have had quite a warm spell for this late in December but not tonight. I approached the front door and  I zip up my jacket as I ring the doorbell. “Probably should have worn my big coat.” I thought as the door opened. “ Hello.” I said as the lady appeared at the screen. “

“Hi!”  she said excitedly.

“ It’s going to be $25.18 please.” I informed her.

“ Ok. here it is, go ahead and keep the change “ She said handing me the money.

“ Thank you.  Have a good night and a good holiday.” I responded and she returned the sentiment.  

Christmas was only 5 days away and my Wife and I had just finished buying the boys their gifts. Santa was going to have to take the credit this year for them because the rest of our money was going into buying our first home.  As I drive back to the restaurant I reflected on my year as I usually do during this season.I have always enjoyed delivering- not only is it great side money but it is also a great way for me to think and float away into revery. “This has been a good year”.  I thought as I stopped at a red light on the corner of route 83 and  170th street. There was the usual ups and downs that most families have but for the most part, a very good year. This was my first full year back at my profession after being laid off from it and forced to work at a factory for the last six years. I had a very productive and lucrative summer- probably the most profitable of my life since I started Surveying 14 years ago. I spent my fall coaching my 10 year old’s football team after work. Coaching the Linemen has always been a huge part of my life and I enjoy it so much and after taking 2 seasons off from my last coaching position, I was very happy to get back to it.

I make the usual right turn into the parking lot of the restaurant. The restaurant shares a large section of the block with other establishments- a law firm in the middle and a popular Bar and Grill on the westerly corner of the block and to the easterly corner was a  Walgreens store. All but the Walgreens share the same parking lot so you can imagine the crowd of vehicles one would have to maneuver through to get to the delivery parking spots.

I park and get out of my Caliber and look west to see a crowd of mildly inebriated youngster walking to their cars and enjoying each others company. As easy it would be for me to envy them for enjoying this time of year in each others company instead of working, I don’t. I enjoy watching however and remembering the times I would take these opportunities to be with my friends and then , girlfriend.  I have spent almost every winter delivering since I was about Twentysix. My oldest son was about one back then and the winters usually brought with it seasonal slow downs so I would make up the loss with this second job. I have never minded the responsibility I had with a new and growing family. I would happily give up some jolly times to provide for them and make sure they are comfortable and protected.

“ Hey, Adan.” said Mike. “I got a stack ready for you to go.” He said again.

Mike was the dispatcher in charge of getting orders and routes together for the drivers. He was very good at it. He should be, he had worked here since he was a teenager. I remember when he first started as a driver a handful of years back. “So young” I thought with a smile.

“ Damn man. It got busy!” I said. “ Not bad though. About Forty bucks in 3 hours. Going to be a good night.” I said again patting Mike in the back. “Where are you sending me- not North again right?” I said with a smile.

“ Nope. One on 199th st . One on 192nd Street and One on School Street- easy route.” He said.

“Cool, I’m on it!” I replied. Grabbing the order and placing them carefully in the heater bag.

I walk out of the restaurant and place the delivery on the passenger's seat and close the door. I I get in and turn it on. The radio pops on as usual to a commercial.

“ A man was killed in Chicago South side this morning. More news on ABC at 9” The voice said.

“ Damn man.” I thought. I was working the South side this afternoon. The violence has been very bad in Chicago this year and has only gotten worse because of the holidays. I have spent so much time in the worst areas of Chicago for my job. Walking through the streets and between houses and I have never really been nervous doing so. Every now and then I have a bad incident that usually involves some sort of harassment that forces me to leave a site but nothing really that has made feel as if my life was in danger- until recently. The Murder rate in Chicago has been spreading like a disease and the scum of the streets no longer only shoot at each other. Recently a utility worker was shot in the face and about two months ago a child was lured into an alley and assassinated. The daily reports of gunshot victims and murders are enough to drive a person mad.

Violence and crime has never been anything new to me. I grew up in an urban area and spent my young adulthood doing things that I shouldn’t have. Putting myself in situations that could have cost my life. Maybe that’s why working in these places that would usually cause people anxiety has never bothered me..I know how to be aware of my surroundings. I know how and when to avoid situations when I’m in those areas….”Maybe that’s why I was such an asset to my employers.” I whispered. My wife and I have discussed getting licensed to carry and I will eventually-We’re closing on our first home in about 10 days and our money is tied up on that. besides, I have two more days of surveying then I’ll be out of the Chicago for two weeks. It can wait till after the new year.

I pull up to the home in 199th street. A large brick home with a long driveway. “Damn, where is that Credit Card receipt?” I ask myself, looking in my jacket pockets and only finding cash from prior deliveries. I usually keep cash in different pockets. just in case. I grab the delivery from under two large deep dish pizzas. “ Damn, those are heavy.” I said. I look at the receipt to the deep dishes. “Sixty bucks! Someone is having a party!” I thought.  They were both for the next house on the route. “Call when you get there.” The note said. I looked at the phone number and thought how odd it was for it to have a Chicago number for a house in in the suburbs -” Probably a cell phone, it happens. “ I thought. “ Now where is this damn Credit slip!” I said walking to the front door and ringing the doorbell.

“ Alright, My man!” Said the voice that approached the door. “ Come on in!” He said as he opened the door for me and invited me in.