"Here is your book, it was interesting," Helen handed Joan her adventure book.
"You seem to really like reading.Why don't you get a library card?" Joan suggested, while eating candy.
"I used to think that I don't have enough time or energy to have a hobby, but maybe I should start with reading," Helen replied as she stood from the chair.
"Do you need me to get anything for you tomorrow?" Joan asked her, as her weekly day off came again.
"No I got what I needed the day before, but I think jinen needs a notebook, although I don't think she will want you to get it for her, as she loves shopping"
"Good night,"Helen said as she headed out.
"Good night," Joan answered before closing the door after her.
Unlike the restless evenings, the city in the early morning felt softer somehow.
The streets were still waking. A few cafés had only just opened their doors, allowing warmth and the smell of coffee to spill faintly onto the sidewalks.
Women carrying market baskets walked carefully over damp pavement while workers hurried toward the tram lines with collars raised against the cold wind.
Joan looked around quietly, realizing how long it had been since she last saw Manhattan in the early morning.
As a sudden change, Joan got her break today in the morning instead of after lunch.
"Oh, Good morning miss " the energetic man greeted enthusiastically, like usual.
"Good morning Mr Bailey" Joan replied, holding her mailbox key where he could easily see it. Seeing the key, Bailey returned to read his newspaper.
Thankfully, Joan's article had been accepted again, though the payment was slightly less than last time.
"Well, it got to pay the bills"
Joan headed out after taking her cash and submitting the new article.
"Morning papers! Morning papers!"
A young newspaper boy's voice echoed through the nearby street corner as he hurried past with newspapers and weekly magazines tucked beneath his arm.
"Broadway crowds return after the holidays!" he shouted.
"Factory strike delays wages again!"
"Give me one," Joan called before handing him a few cents.
The small bell above the café door rang softly as Joan stepped inside.
Taking the fresh newspaper, Joan entered a nearby cafe, although different from last week, it had the same menu.Unlike the grander cafés farther uptown, this place carried the same modest charm and familiar menu found in many small Manhattan establishments.
As Joan already had breakfast she wasn't hangry, so she ordered only coffee with milk, her usual.
Joan unfolded the magazine carefully before her eyes paused over the printed title.
Observations from a Women's Ward.
Her fingers lingered briefly over the inked words.
"Patients spoken to gently often appear calmer during recovery…"
Seeing her own writing printed so neatly still felt unfamiliar.
The article spoke about the quieter side of hospital work—lonely patients, restless nights, and how small acts of kindness often comforted women more than expected.
Joan sat quietly by the window, taking her time flipping through the magazine while sipping her coffee. Spacing out, not thinking of anything in particular. Simply enjoying the rare quietness of the morning.
The small bell above the café door rang softly as another customer stepped inside.
"Two cups of coffee, a slice of apple pie, and a slice of cheesecake, thank you " ordered the young man on behalf of himself and his companion. A young girl around his age, or younger, possibly a relative, as they both have similar striking features.
Finishing her coffee and losing interest with the new place, Joan decided to go to the park, although it's a winter day, she wanted to see what the central park looked like at this time of the year. Taking a walk may give an inspiration to a new work or lead to a new path.
Seeing a nearby tram station, Joan waited for ten minutes, then boarded the tram after paying a few cents.Unlike her quieter rides before, the morning tram was filled with workers heading across the city. Men in worn coats stood shoulder to shoulder near the doors while tired women clutched baskets and handbags carefully against the constant movement of the carriage.
The air smelled faintly of damp wool, coal smoke, and cold winter air carried in each time the tram stopped.
Joan found a corner close to the door, raised her left hand to grip the metal rail above her head whenever the tram lurched forward.While shielding her bag with her left hand, she had to be very careful in crowded public spaces like this, especially when the tram comes to a stop.
"When are they paying us?Why is it late again?"
"I heard from Johnny, they will pay as our by the end of the month double, as compensation for these last few months"
"Hah, what a pipe dream,"
"What can you do about it? If you leave without a pay wouldn't that mean ,all that work was done for free? What about your children? What are you going to do with them?"
"Sigh…..I don't know anymore, maybe you are right, maybe I should wait another month, in the meantime I will continue with my side jobs" The man replied to his friend with a hunched back.
"Dont worry, I will contact you the moment I hear something" His seemingly reliable friend, raised his hand patting him.
That was the hushed conversation, Joan heard behind her. As much as it was sad and heavy for its owners, another reminder of the exhausting burdens carried by the working class in every era. Although this country's citizen situation is better than many.
After two stops, within a fifteen minute ride, she descended the tram while trying to put a safe distance around her. Thankfully, she was more vigilant, Joan heard someone cursing and yelling about catching a thief.
The park was five minutes walk from the tram station, Joan took her time strolling towards the entrance.
Winter left most benches cold and half-empty, though the park still carried quiet traces of life despite the season.
Children bundled in wool coats chased one another near the pathways while a few gentlemen sat reading newspapers beneath the pale afternoon sun.
Joan had barely walked farther down the path when she noticed a small boy standing alone near one of the benches.
He looked no older than six or seven.
Though he tried to appear brave, his eyes wandered anxiously through the passing crowd.
Joan slowed her steps slightly.
"Are you lost?" Joan asked gently after approaching him.
The child hesitated before giving a small nod.
A new character appeared, will he have an impact on Joan character?
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