Read Online Manhattan Dreaming by Anita Heiss - Free Book Online Page B

handed her the advertisement for the fellowship and she immediately screamed with delight.
    â€˜You’re going to New York New York? Oh my god, I am so jealous! Take me with you.’ Libby was even more excited than Emma.
    â€˜I haven’t said I’m going yet. I have to think about it. What about my family? What about Denise? What about my work here? I’ll be letting too many people down.’
    â€˜You won’t be letting anyone down – unless you don’t go and then you’ll be letting us all down, including yourself.’
    â€˜What about our program here?’
    â€˜Emma wouldn’t have suggested that you go if she thought it would jeopardise our program.’
    â€˜What about Denise, then?’
    â€˜You’re Denise’s flatmate, not her girlfriend, unless you’ve become one of those Canberra statistics and just haven’t told me.’
    â€˜Oh, you’re hilarious. What about Mum and Dad, then? Dad didn’t even want me to go to Sydney to study. You can imagine how he’ll flip over the thought of me going to New York.’
    â€˜Lauren, you’re thirty years old, you’re not Daddy’s little girl any more. And I’m sure Mum Jules will be thrilled you’re going to New York with all that shopping.’
    â€˜Well then, I still need to think about Nick. He needs me too, even if I don’t see him that much.’
    â€˜Both your brothers would be happy for you to go. You know that.’ Libby was making it difficult to argue with her.
    â€˜Maybe you’re right.’ I sat down and tried to look at the emails that had come in while I was away from my desk, but I couldn’t concentrate.
    â€˜I don’t get it,’ Libby said, confused. ‘Don’t you want to go to New York? Are you mad? Didn’t you watch Sex and the City ? The place is crawling with men and bars and good fun.’
    â€˜I’m not interested in men right now, and you know it.’
    â€˜Okay, then. While Mr Fullofhimself didn’t help you get much shut-eye, at least New York City is the city that never sleeps, so it will be perfect for Loz-the-insomniac.’
    I couldn’t think straight. It was only lunchtime but I needed to go home to Goulburn. I switched off my computer and finished up for the day.
    â€˜I’ve only got until Monday to decide. I need to go see Mum and Dad.’

    As I drove around what used to be Lake George it looked like climate change had dried up all the water between Canberra and Goulburn. I loved the country – my country. I would miss the sense of peace it gave me if I went to New York. I sighed deeply. A few hours with Mum and Dad and my brother Max would help to clarify everything for me. I wouldn’t have time to see Nick, and wasn’t emotionally strong enough, but I’d write him the usual weekly letter on Sunday.
    I turned off the Hume Highway, passed the Big Merino and headed into town. As I turned left into Auburn Street I saw a banner saying the Wiradjuri Echoes – my mob – would be performing in Belmore Park for NAIDOC Week. I’d miss them if I went to New York. My heartbeat settled when I saw home. The red brick house always gave me a sense of peace and security that I never felt anywhere else. As I pulled into the drive, Jerry – our family dog – came running towards me, and nearly bowled Dad over – he was working out in the garden. I was home, and didn’t know how I could ever move too far from it.

    â€˜Oh, your father and I have watched all the old movies set in New York, haven’t we, Graham. I loved An Affair to Remember and Breakfast at Tiffany’s . It looks like a wonderful city.’ Mum was pouring tea for all of us as we sat at the kitchen table. ‘You know, I always wanted to go to America, but your father wouldn’t even discuss it, and we could never afford it anyway. And here you are having someone else fly you