EIGHT: New York, New York

SEPTEMBER 1998

"Ma, look, I'm leavin' for three months to New York, not Alaska!" June sighed as she picked up her dark blue duffel bag and threw it carelessly into the trunk of their aging dirty mustard family Volvo.

"June Abigail Wynters" her mother hollered commandingly. June pause in her tracks, just as she was giving Ruski, her golden retriever a kiss goodbye.

Uh Oh. She stood up apprehensively, turning to face her mother's reddening facade, climbing with anger.

"Who ever taught you to speak to your parents that way?" her mother demanded crossly as she pressed her hands on her hips, glaring at her daughter. "Don't forget you're still living here, and your Father and I are still paying for your tuition...." she droned on, tirelessly.

 June tuned out, instead turned her thoughts to the types of adventures that she and Caitlyn would have when they reached New York. Nick had pleaded with the two at the end of July to come with him on tour, but they were apprehensive- Caitlyn had to spend some time with her cousins who had come all the way from Finland to visit and June had to finish her semester at college. Simultaneously, both tried to convince their parents that the capitalist and commercial New York would 'toughen' them up for 'the real world' . After weeks of pleading and doing all chores imaginable around the house, their parents reluctantly allowed her to go.

"Ma, I'm sorry" she tuned back in as she apologised sheepishly, embracing her mother in a hug.

"I just want a little respect from you that's all" her mother explained, smiling as she pulled away and looked at her daughter. "You're growing up so fast-"

"Ma..." June groaned in exasperation. "I'll be okay, trust me on this. I'll ring you every second day and I'll even write using snail mail" she comforted as she opened the passenger side to retrieve some old magazines.

"Drive safely, honey" her mother reminded, just as Caitlyn jumped out energetically from her parent's metallic blue FWD and bounded into the Wynter's yard.

"Hi, Mrs Wynters" Caitlyn greeted cheerily. "How's Mr Wynters?" she asked as she threw Ruski a plastic ball.

"He's fine, dear" she replied distractedly as she spotted her three year old grab a handful of dirt from her yellow chrysanthemums, and stuffed it in his little mouth with his chubby little hand. "Lionel- No!" she yelled as she picked up her blubbering son and pulled him inside. "Excuse me, I have to wash this little rascal up" she apologised to Caitlyn.

"No problems Mrs Wynters" she replied as she jumped up on the bonnet of the Volvo just as June emerged from behind the shed.

"Never thought I'd see the day that you'd be late" June grinned as she greeted her friend in a warm hug. "Thought I could jump on that plane all by myself" she added mischievously as she grabbed her friend's bags from the lawn and tossed them into the trunk, banging the flailing boot shut.

"You wish you were!" Caitlyn interjected humorously punching June in the arm.

"If you want to make it to the Big Apple, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself all the way there" June teased dryly. "Get into the car now or his 'royal highness' will never forgive me for making him wait".

Caitlyn grinned widely at the sound of seeing Nick again and got in the passenger side of the car, slamming the door shut.

June sighed and turned on the ignition. "Freedom, here we come!" June yelled in exaggerated enthusiasm as the mustard car spluttered off into the distance, leaving only petrol stains as a reminder of what dreams once were.

 

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