Chapter 2
Parker headed home, took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes. She grabbed her Cubs cap and tossed it on her head, sliding her pony tail through the adjuster band of the cap.
She drove to another section of Bucktown and stopped at an apartment building. Her passenger was waiting out on the sidewalk. She put the car in Park and went to help the woman to her car. "Hi, Grandma," she greeted as she gave the frail woman a hug and a peck on the cheek.
"Hi, Baby. Ready to go?"
"Sure am. I just need to find an ATM if you don't mind a quick stop?"
"If it means you have to get money so we can have hot dogs and nachos, I don't mind at all."
"Great," Parker said as she held open the car door and took her grandmother's arm to assist her into the car.
"Park, I don't need help. I may be old, but everything still works."
"I just don't' want you to fall, Grandma. I've been looking forward to this game all month."
"Stop worrying. Nothing is going to keep me from watching this game. By the way, I hate the Cardinals."
Parker laughed. "Everyone in Chicago hates the Cardinals."
She drove to the bank and got out of the car. Someone was using the ATM, so she kept a respectable distance to give the customer privacy. When he turned around, her breath caught. "Kelly, hi."
"Hi," he said as he stuffed some cash into his wallet. "Dinner's still open."
"I can't tonight. I have Grandma in the car. We're going to the Cubs game," she explained.
"You have a date with your Grandmother?"
She nodded. "We go to one game a month. Tonight is our night."
"That's cool."
"Would you like to come with us? I'm sure they aren't sold out."
He thought about it for a few seconds. "I'd like that. And I can't wait to meet your Grandma. She sounds like fun."
"She is great. 92 and thinks she's 60."
"Now I really can't wait to meet her."
"Let me get some cash and I'll introduce you."
She approached the machine and slid her card in. She punched in her PIN number and waited while the machine made its usual noises and spit out twenty dollar bills. She took the cash, card, and receipt, and stuffed them into her purse.
"Grandma, I'd like you to meet Kelly," Parker said as she opened the car door. "Kelly, my Grandmother, Mary Alice Parker."
"Ma'am, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kelly Severide."
Mary Alice looked over at Parker. "Good, God, Girl! You're keeping a stud like him under wraps? What's the matter with you?"
Parker groaned and covered her hands for a few seconds before looking over at Kelly. He was smiling and charming the pants off of Mary Alice.
"Well, you know Parker," Kelly said, not sure what else to say to her. "I guess she didn't want to share me quite yet."
Parker wished the street would open up and swallow her whole. She felt one inch high. She cleared her throat. "Kelly's going to go to the game with us, if that's all right?"
"Of course it's all right. Get in, young man. The Cubs will win for sure tonight. You're our good luck charm."