Manhattan Dreaming (8 page)

I took a deep breath and walked to the front door, trying to see through the frosted glass for any movement, particularly any female movement. There was none, so I pressed the doorbell. Adam answered the door holding a newspaper in front of him, naked. He didn't open the door fully until he realised it was me, dropping the paper, pulling me into the house and embracing me immediately. He squeezed me so tight my glasses almost popped off my head.

‘I've missed you so much, babycakes. It's so good to see you.' He started kissing my neck and running his hands down my body, trying to get me out of my jeans.

‘Wait,' I said reluctantly.

‘What is it? Haven't you missed me too?'

‘You know I have.' I closed my eyes and allowed myself the momentary pleasure of him nibbling my ear but then pried him off me as my glasses started to fog up.

‘What is it, babycakes?'

‘I didn't come here for this.'

‘Why did you come here then?' He spoke gently.

‘I'm moving to New York,' I said. ‘Next month. I've got a great job offer. They'll fly me over, help me find a place and I'll be curating my own exhibitions. It's a dream opportunity.'

‘Wow.' He rubbed his head. ‘This is out of the blue.'

‘Not really. If you'd called me sometime you'd know.'

‘You broke it off with me, babycakes. You ended it, remember?'

‘You were splashed all over the newspapers fornicating with triplets on the Gold Coast,' I yelled, because it still infuriated me.

‘You can't believe everything you read in the press, babycakes, I told you that already.'

‘So, you weren't with triplets?'

‘Not technically, no.'

‘What the hell does that mean?'

‘They were twins and just another girl who looked a lot like them. That's all.'

I shook my head in disgust and should've walked out, but I wanted to give him one last chance.

‘I'm going to New York – the dating capital of the world.' I wanted him to get jealous. ‘People go on dates there – to classy bars, and restaurants and the theatre.'

‘Classy bars and theatre, not really my cup of tea, but I'm sure you'll love it.'

My plan wasn't working.

‘I just want to be clear about something. You don't mind if I go, then, to New York? All the way over there in America? It's like a twenty-five-hour plane ride away. That's a lot further than from Manuka to Bruce.'

‘Do I mind? Why would I mind? It's a great opportunity for you – you should go and have a good time. I would if it was me.'

‘You would?' I glared at him angrily.

‘Of course, it's New York. It's a 24/7 party town.'

‘But wouldn't you miss anything here? Or
anyone
?'

‘There's nothing in Canberra I would miss enough to turn down a trip to New York.'

At that very moment I hated Adam, and I hated myself for being so stupid.

‘I'm going to New York,' I declared, walking into the office.

‘YES!' Libby nearly flew across the room and hugged me so tight her enthusiasm made me laugh. ‘What? I'm excited for you. And for me.' I saw a cheeky look in her eye.

‘How does that work? You're not getting my job while I'm away, if that was your sly plan.'

‘Hell, I don't want your job, but I do want to visit you in New York, and
that,
my dear tidda,
was
part of my plan. I'm going to take some leave and I'll meet you there for New Year's!! And we're going to shop and go to bars and the theatre and shop and go up the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building, and shop some more.'

‘Wow, you've been thinking about this more than I have!'

‘One of us had to be excited about all the opportunities coming your way.' And she pulled a Lonely Planet guide out from her handbag.

‘I got this on the way home yesterday. I knew that after the films there was no way you could stay here and not go explore the Big Apple.'

When I told Emma she was so happy that I agreed to go she punched the air like a gold medallist Olympic swimmer. Everyone else's excitement was starting to infect me but I only had two weeks to prepare. I got on every website possible trying to learn about New York – some facts and figures, the layout of the city. I read and re-read the National Museum of the American Indian website – otherwise known as the NMAI – and Googled galleries in New York, looking for the ones that showed Native art. I didn't even own a decent set of luggage so I went shopping for that and other bits and pieces I'd need.

HR arranged to get my passport processed quickly and sorted out my accommodation for the first week I was there. I started communicating with Maria, my new boss at the NMAI, by email. It was all systems go and I was glad, as it gave me less time to think about Adam. In fact, I was too busy to think about him during the day at all.

Emma said she would also line up meetings for me with other key Native organisations while I was there so the NAG could establish relationships outside the art sector as well.

‘Wow, you're making me feel very important,' I said to Emma, feeling proud.

‘You're a VIIP – a Very Important Indigenous Person.'

Joel from security emailed me to say his cousin Kirsten was working at the United Nations in New York and was always glad when Blackfellas were in town. He gave me her email address so I dropped her a line and told her what I was doing.

Kirsten had a room to let in Chelsea. She had just advertised, but if I wanted it it was mine. She sent me some photos and it looked great. The area was home to hundreds of galleries, so I'd be right in the arty district. It was on a subway line, too, so it was convenient. I could walk to Macy's and Madison Square Garden, and you could see the Empire State Building from the bathroom. It was meant to be.

‘I'd love to move in, it sounds perfect,' I emailed back immediately.

Kirsten and I agreed to meet at the NAIDOC event at the UN the week I arrived and I'd move in the following weekend.

‘I'm so happy all my accommodation is sorted out – I was getting a bit stressed about it,' I told Mum down the phone.

‘And how wonderful you're moving in with another Koori. I mean, what was the chance of that happening?' Mum echoed my thoughts. New York was a massive city. I was lucky to connect with Kirsten, but that was the Blackfella way, looking after each other, especially when there's only a few of you.

‘I know your father will be relieved, that's for sure.'

My last day at the NAG arrived too quickly. I couldn't believe how fast I'd tidied up loose ends, packed most of my personal belongings in the Manuka flat and organised my gear for America.

As I wasn't actually leaving the gallery completely, I insisted on a low-key farewell, so Emma, Libby and I just went for lunch together.

After lunch Emma handed me a box. ‘It's not really a farewell gift – after all, you have to bring it back. But at least I convinced the purchasing officer to order something practical but at least a little arty.'

I admired the stylish wrapping of gold paper and red and black bow and then tore it all off. ‘Oh my god, it's great.' It was the newest, sleekest, fastest laptop around. And it was pink! ‘Mine has just about worn itself out.' The wear and tear no doubt from thousands of MySpace hits.

‘This is from me,' Libby said, and handed me another box that was much lighter. Inside were leather gloves and my own Lonely Planet guide. Before I had the time to tear up, Amy was at the table with sparklers blazing on the biggest pavlova I'd ever seen.

‘What? How did you know? This is my favourite dessert here.'

‘Yes, all the kitchen staff are aware of that. We've gotta get extra passionfruit when we know you're coming in.'

‘You do realise I can probably eat all of this myself,' I said to Amy.

‘Yes, we know that too, and we just wanted to wish you well.' I looked past her to see the kitchen hands hanging out the kitchen door blowing kisses. I blew one back. I was a very good dessert customer.

Before I left the building completely I went to the sculpture garden one last time and just stood still, admiring the community mural on the western wall. It carried the handiwork and stories of Kooris from right across Canberra, expressing their ownership of the space. I smiled, knowing I was helping to develop the cultural heart of the nation's capital, and as we were the national space promoting to the world, my work helped artists from right across the country. The adrenalin started to pump at the thought of being able to develop more international links for our artists as well.

Libby and Denise had planned my one last hurrah in Canberra before I headed back to Goulburn and left for the US. We had dinner at Sammy's, my favourite restaurant in Canberra.

‘Thank you for booking this for me – I'm going to miss this place,' I said through a mouthful of san choy bow.

‘New York has an entire China Town – you won't miss anything,' Libby said.

‘I bet they don't have rock salt squid like this, though, and pass me that san dong chicken, please.'

‘Drink up.' Denise refilled our wineglasses.

‘Yes, drink up,' I said, holding my glass up to say cheers.

We spent the next hour eating and chatting until the serving dishes were all empty.

‘I'm so full,' I said, pushing my bowl as far away from me as possible.

‘Now, we drink cocktails.' Libby could eat and drink like no-one else I knew.

‘No, I can't. I'm going to be sick as it is. Really, I have to finish packing tomorrow.'

‘Packing schmacking, we're having cocktails – we're not going to see you for a year. Come.' Denise dragged me across Northbourne Avenue to the Kremlin bar, where we were greeted by doorman in uniforms that made them look like firemen.

‘I'm on fire,' Libby said sleazily as we entered the dark space.

‘Scrubba dub dub, three firemen in a tub,' Denise added.

‘Oh, you girls really are on fire, aren't you? I'm glad I'm going to New York, you're both bad news, really.'

Several drinks later I was so tired I could've made my bed on the couch there and then.

‘Who can manage to drink one more Soprano?' Libby asked.

‘I CANNOT drink another cocktail. Actually, I can't drink anything at all. Please, I want to lie down.'

‘You drink or we go to Mooseheads.' Denise was surprisingly chipper and I wondered if we were all drinking the same amount.

‘No-one's going to Mooseheads. It's dodgy and full of bogans,' Libby said sternly.

‘You're a boganist,' Denise told her.

‘Yes, I am. Let's just go back to Manuka, have a cocktail at Caph's.'

Back at Caph's, Denise and Libby ordered strawgasms and I had a peppermint tea. Depression was setting in. I wouldn't be saying goodbye to Adam properly before I left. I could feel tears well and took my glasses off and rubbed my eyes as if I were just tired. I didn't really want to leave the country having not made peace, but I had no choice.

‘What's wrong with you?' Libby slurred. ‘You need a strawgasm, let me buy you a strawgasm, please.'

‘No, I can't, really.'

‘It's a going-away present. Waiter, I need a moregasm strawgasm please, for my sad, bad, mad friend here. She's going to New York New York and leaving me alone here on this barstool.' The waiter looked at me and I shook my head and mouthed the words: ‘
No more drinks for her
.' He smiled and winked back.

‘Why don't I bring you a special drink on the house, with more straw than gasm.'

‘Good-oh.'

The waiter walked off and Libby's eyes followed him.

‘I'm scared, Libs.'

‘Why, tidda? What you scared for?'

‘It's New York City, there's like fifty million people there.'

‘There's just over eight million,' Denise corrected me.

‘Well that's sixteen times more than Canberra and hell knows how many more than Goulburn.'

‘Ah, but it's a bigger place, so more room for all those Yankee Doodle Dandies.'

‘It's just I've got five days before I move into the apartment after I arrive, and I don't want to bother Kirsten before then either. She seems like she's got heaps on her plate as it is.'

‘I'm sure Kirsten will be thrilled to have another Blackfella in the city with her. How lonely do you reckon she's been the last couple of years? I reckon you should call her as soon as you arrive. Maybe send her an email in the next few days and line something up.'

Libby was practical, even when she'd had too many drinks.

‘And,' she said, rummaging through her huge tote, ‘I'm going to help you work out a schedule of things to do until you start work, so you can get a feel for the city and the subway.'

‘What? Not now, it's two in the morning. Let's do it tomorrow.' I was ready to leave.

‘You're right, too late for scheduling meetings. Waiter!' Libby clicked her fingers and the waiter came over. ‘I need a multiple strawgasm, please, with extra strawberries and double gasms, pretty please.' The waiter looked at me for approval. I nodded and mouthed, ‘
Half everything.
'

‘Are you flirting with that waiter? If I didn't know better I'd say you fancy him,' Denise said to Libby.

‘Don't be ridiculous. I'm on a man-fast, forever!'

‘Me too then!' I said.

‘Me three!' Denise raised her glass.

‘You girls are mental. It's seven-thirty, why aren't you in bed? And why am I the only one who ever has a hangover?'

‘Sit, drink mocha, listen,' Denise ordered.

The kitchen table was covered with maps of New York City and tour books and butchers paper covered with what looked like lists being created.

‘
I'm
working out which touristy sites are where, so we can narrow down sections of the city you can do a day at a time.' Denise put a mug in front of me.