“Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.” — From the poem “Chicago” by Carl Sandburg

“Chicago is a hellhole right now.” — Donald Trump

It was an awkwardly charming moment.

I had met my friends, Carol and Mickey, at a legendary breakfast place on Chicago’s South Side.

A frequent customer at the Steak and Egger, Mickey exchanged hugs with the owner. When he introduced me as his friend back visiting Chicago after having moved to Florida, she hugged me as well.

I felt my face redden. The woman — full of bubbly energy and mischief in her smile — was either good at acting or genuinely warm hearted. Mick later affirmed the latter.

I had been overdue for a road trip. I missed my friends, my brothers and my hometown of Ch

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