Younger Days

When she was younger, she stayed out all hours with Gretchen. They were best of friends for nearly their entire lives because they grew up in a couple of two flats next door to each other. On a bus to the L and downtown they went, often dancing with sailors who trained on Lake Michigan for World War II.

Working all day in factories making war supplies, she was tired before going out. A quick catnap and a good meal before getting ready was all she needed. A shower and a fix of her hair, before the brand new dress. This is how she met her husband, whom she later divorced but not before having five children. He was in the navy during the war, but only at the tail end, as he was younger than she.