Read Online The City of Your Final Destination by Peter Cameron - Free Book Online

nudge him.”
    â€œWell, you just admitted you were mean to him.”
    â€œI know. I was. And that’s why I’m upset. I don’t like it when I’m mean to him.”
    â€œThen don’t be.”
    â€œI tried, really I tried. But you see, it’s impossible to be with him and not be a little mean. Sometimes. He’s so exasperating. He fucked up his fellowship and now he might lose it.”
    â€œSo. You have to realize that what happens to him happens to him. That he’ll learn from his mistakes or he won’t and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
    â€œYou don’t think I can hurry him along that learning curve a little?”
    â€œNo. You have to accept his pace. As a teacher you should know that.”
    â€œBut he’s not my student.”
    â€œThen don’t treat him like your student.”
    â€œYou think I treat him like a student?”
    â€œYes. Like a student. Or dog. Like a dog student. A dog student in obedience school.”
    â€œBut when he does something, well, something stupid like this, like fucking up his fellowship, how should I respond? I mean, assuming you know everything?”
    â€œBe understanding and encouraging. Be sympathetic. Be helpful.”

    â€œWow. Understanding, encouraging, sympathetic, and helpful. Simultaneously? I think that’s a little beyond my ken.”
    Marc Antony was glancing at his book.
    â€œSo do you think I should call him?” Deirdre asked.
    â€œYes,” said Marc Antony. “And your three minutes are up.”
    Deirdre went into her bedroom and called Omar. His line was busy. She waited about five minutes and then called again. This time he answered.
    â€œIt’s me,” she said. “Who were you talking to?”
    â€œWhen?” he asked.
    â€œWhen? Now. Five minutes ago. I called you and it was busy.”
    â€œOh,” he said. “I was talking to the airline. I called to get information about flights to Uruguay. It’s not that expensive. I mean, it’s expensive, but not as bad as I thought.”
    â€œAre you going to go?”
    â€œYes. I think so. I reserved the ticket. I have twenty-four hours to decide. I’ll go right after New Year’s.”
    â€œListen, Omar. I called you because I feel bad about the way I was tonight. I’m sorry if I was mean to you.”
    â€œNo,” said Omar. “I don’t blame you. If I were you, I would be disgusted with me too.”
    â€œI’m not disgusted with you! Omar! I could never be disgusted with you. You can never be disgusted with someone you love. You can be annoyed. I was annoyed, I admit it, and I’m sorry that sometimes when I’m annoyed with you it triggers these other, negative emotions, but I want to stop that, really I do. I want to help you. I want to be understanding. I want to be understanding and helpful and a few other things I can’t remember at the moment.”
    Omar said nothing.
    â€œListen, maybe I should come with you. I think I could help you. I’ve had more experience than you with stuff like this, and—”

    â€œNo,” said Omar. “I think I should do this myself. In fact, I think it is very important that I do this myself.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause. It’s important for me. I got myself into this situation and I should get myself out.”
    â€œBut if somebody else can help you—If you need help from somebody, it’s okay to take it. It’s stupid not to.”
    â€œDo you think I’m stupid?”
    â€œNo,” said Deirdre. “Of course not! That’s not what I meant. I meant letting pride stop you from accepting help, when you need help, is stup——isn’t wise. There’s nothing wrong with letting people help you.”
    â€œI appreciate your offer,” said Omar. “But I don’t want help with this.”
    â€œYou appreciate my offer?” said