July evenings in Chicago run long, and the breeze off the water finally comes inland around six, cool over hot sidewalks. That is the hour Ray's Lawn Care works toward — grass just cut, the smell of it hanging in the gangway, somebody's sprinkler throwing water across the walk. The work itself is mowing, edging along drives and walks, and trimming fence lines and the tight ground around the garage. Summer here asks for consistency more than heroics: come back before the lawn gets ahead of you and it never has a bad week. Then the light goes orange down the side street and the day feels finished.