Manhattan Dreaming (21 page)

Nate called me the following week to say he was staying in town a while longer – some international buyers wanted to meet him about his work. The memory of his kiss was still close to the surface but I didn't want to pursue something with someone who didn't live in New York, didn't live in Canberra and who was also technically a professional connection of mine and Wyatt's. I couldn't have Wyatt or Maria thinking I was running around with visiting artists, so I declined Nate's offers for dinner and drinks.

Time was moving quickly anyway, and I loved living in Chelsea, working at Bowling Green and exploring Manhattan generally. I was going to the gym regularly and felt healthy, I'd almost mastered the subway, and because the girls were so busy with work, even on weekends, Wyatt and I had started hanging out. We'd explored all the galleries around Chelsea and had a few bagels along the way. Later he took me to a Yankees game and I had so much fun, taking photos for Max back home. He also introduced me to Union Square and its Saturday morning ‘Greenmarket', which sold locally grown produce to New Yorkers and had the best organic goats' cheese
ever
.

Wyatt and I commuted to work together more often than not, talking about what was planned for the day ahead, and then debriefing on the way home. I tried to ask a couple of times whether he was seeing anyone or not, but he always said he was ‘between dates' and never elaborated.

It was starting to get cold as we headed towards the end of October. I was thinking of spring in Canberra as autumn arrived in New York City. I'd started wearing tights and the fashions were changing in the shops. The cooler weather didn't bother me, although it was colder when I went out of a night. It certainly didn't affect my excitement about the Thunderbird Indian Singers and Dancers Community Social on Saturday night. I was looking forward to meeting some of the local community members and hearing some deadly music. I hadn't helped organise it, so I needed a quick briefing on the way there.

When the buzzer went from downstairs, I knew it was Wyatt.

‘Hello there, come up if you're good-looking.' It was what Denise and I used to say when we buzzed people into our apartment back in Manuka. Vicki and Kirsten were eagerly awaiting Wyatt, keen to check him out. I hadn't told them he was gay because I didn't think his personal life was for me to discuss with others, especially when he hadn't even discussed it with me.

‘Not sure if I fulfil your entry requirements, but I'm here anyway,' Wyatt said cheekily. He knew he was good-looking.

‘Girls?' I turned to my flatmates. ‘Does he pass?'

They both gave the thumbs up and walked over to be introduced properly. I could see the naughty glint in both women's eyes. They didn't even try to hide the fact they were looking him up and down. He looked good in his suede jacket, jeans and boots. He was always casually sophisticated. And he smelled good too.

‘Did you girls want to come to the social? It's open to the public,' Wyatt said.

‘Oh, I've already got plans. We've got plans, haven't we,' Kirsten said to Vikki. She was clearly trying to ensure Wyatt and I had time alone together. As if it mattered.

‘That's a pity, there'll be lots of guys there who would've loved to meet you, I'm sure.'

Both girls looked disappointed. Just then Wyatt's phone rang. Wyatt's phone was
always
ringing, and I must've rolled my eyes out of habit.

‘Americans never turn their phones off, I know, sorry, but it's work.' He excused himself and stepped back out into the hall while I grabbed my bag and coat.

‘He's hot,' Vikki said.

‘And so lovely,' Kirsten added. ‘If you're not going there, Lauren, then I might try.'

I laughed. ‘He's gay,' I whispered.

‘Oh!' they both mouthed in response and nodded knowingly.

‘Figures,' Vikki added.

The girls waved us down the stairs and we headed to the station on 23rd Street.

‘So what's the plan for tonight then?' I asked.

‘About 5.30 pm we'll meet with the Hopi-Winnebago choreographer Louis Mofsie, who directs the troupe of singers and dancers, before they set up and get organised. At 6 pm, all the families will come along and have a great night of moving and shaking Native style.'

‘Sounds awesome!' I said.

‘Yeah, too deadly, as your mob say.'

‘Wow, deadly and mob, you've picked up the lingo all right.'

‘And the drumming group Heyna Second Sons are too solid.'

We both laughed at Wyatt's attempts at Koori slang.

By seven o'clock the pavilion was in full swing. It was fun seeing all the local community and people who had travelled from far and wide fill the space. Wyatt was moving about the room like he was the main man. Kids were dancing and playing, elders were seated and being tended to like royalty and people were dancing all different styles of traditional dance. I wanted to have a go myself but Wyatt came over with Nate in tow.

‘Look who I found,' Wyatt said, surprised.

Nate stood there in a ribbon shirt and blue jeans that looked fancy enough for a powwow with a smile right across his face. ‘Couldn't miss a good dance, and the chance to see my favourite Aboriginal Australian,' he said with hope in his voice.

‘This is great, isn't it?'

‘Sure is. Your first social?' Nate asked.

‘Most of the things I'm doing in New York are firsts.'

‘I'm going to leave you two to catch up, I've got some guests to see to.' Wyatt walked off.

‘It's good to see you, Lauren. I've been thinking about you a lot,' Nate said, looking straight into my eyes. I couldn't keep his stare up – it was penetrating and a little overwhelming, and his mouth was so inviting that in a more private setting I could easily have kissed him again.

‘Wyatt's a great guy,' I said, looking at my friend on the dance floor. He could move like the professional dancers who travelled from powwow to powwow performing in competitions. I wondered if he'd been to the workshops the museum also ran.

‘He is, and very good at his job, but let's talk about you. What are you doing for Halloween?' Nate asked, smiling and wide-eyed.

‘I was going to see what my flatmates were doing, but Vikki works in film and is hardly ever home, and Kirsten works really long days at the UN, so it's unlikely they'll be around. I haven't given it much thought, really.'

Nate started rubbing his hands together. ‘Great, then I think it would be the perfect New York experience for you to go to the parade in the West Village with me. It's on every year and it's awesome.'

It sounded awesome but I didn't want it to be anything serious. I was sure of that.

‘Nate, can we just be clear that I'm not interested in dating while in New York?' I hoped I didn't sound ungrateful, because I knew both Kirsten and Vikki and Denise and even Libby would've jumped at the invitation,
hoping
it was a date.

‘I always get dressed up in a costume, Lauren – and trust me, it's not the way I would ever take a woman out on a date.' He laughed and I breathed a sigh of relief and gratitude at the hospitality of my Native brothers, just taking care of me.

‘Well then, I'd
love
to do that,' I said.

‘Cool, I'll text you the address and see you on the 28th then.'

I borrowed a witch's costume from Vikki, who had an array of items to choose from thanks to working in film. I'd never done Halloween before. It wasn't something that I had grown up with. Only once did someone buzz our door in Canberra and we had to give the child dressed up as Spiderman a whole packet of Tim Tams. As it turned out neither Vikki or Kirsten were working so I asked them if they wanted to come with me, as it wasn't a date, but they were both too tired and had stocked up on trick-or-treat delights themselves: packets of chips and dozens of bars of candy.

‘I just hope all of that is gone by the time I get home!' I said as I walked out the door, knowing the consequences to my waistline if anything was lying around the apartment late at night.

Nate and I started early evening, watching the Village Halloween Parade that went for about a mile. It was like Mardi Gras crossed with street performers and backpackers, puppeteers and pet-lovers. I loved it and took so many photos I filled my memory card quickly. Nate was a vampire for the night and looked like he was having a great time, clapping as every character walked past. There were very traditional costumes while some others were dressed up as Amy Winehouse and 50 Cent. I couldn't imagine a Halloween parade ever hitting Northbourne Avenue in Canberra.

After a couple of hours of intense entertainment and energy we both felt exhausted.

‘I'm beat and I've got to get this wig off, my head's itchy,' Nate said, scratching his hairline. ‘Let's go back to my place, we can order some delivery.'

‘Cool,' I said. I was still buzzing from the colour and sound of the parade. ‘Nate, do you think it's odd that even Native Americans have adopted Halloween? I mean if it's from Ireland anyway?'

‘I think there's lots of odd things that have happened with colonisation, and now both our nations have a whole new set of traditions we embrace.'

‘True – we never had cricket before whitefellas arrived.'

There were orange and black streamers in the doorway and jack-o'-lanterns in the window of Nate's cousin's brownstone.

‘I just need to get changed, and then I'll order some Chinese, that okay with you?' Nate asked.

‘Perfect.' I took off my witch's hat with attached wig and Nate took off his plastic Dracula hair and we simultaneously scratched our heads. We both laughed and then there was an awkward moment of silence. He walked towards me and said in a Dracula accent, ‘I want to suck your blood,' and started to kiss my neck. I closed my eyes and let him push me gently against the fridge in the tiny kitchen.

I wanted to kiss Nate, but I knew I wasn't going to have sex with him and I hated to lead him on. All too quickly Nate's hands were in the back of my knickers and he was trying to get them down. I pushed him away.

‘I'm sorry, Nate, I told you I didn't want to have a date. I just wanted to enjoy Halloween and Chinese, and I like hanging out with you, really, I do. But you and I aren't going to happen.'

Nate looked disappointed and confused, and slumped back against the kitchen sink. ‘I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disrespect you, really. It's just you looked so lovely there, and I thought maybe you wanted to play as well.'

‘Even if I did it would be a bit too fast for me, and I don't have one-night stands, I told you that already.'

‘But technically, this is, or would've been, our second date. And I'd like to see you again, so not really a one-nighter.' He grinned. ‘Anyway, there's lots of ways to play, we don't have to do them all in one night. We could have many nights.' He raised his eyebrows as if to say,
Don't you agree?

I laughed, embarrassed, but there was nothing I could be but honest. ‘I'm afraid I've lost my groove, or perhaps I just left it back in Canberra.'

‘Lauren, you are so amazing. I can't believe an Australian man hasn't married you already.'

‘Nate, we should really keep this professional, especially if we're going to be exhibiting your work soon.'

‘Fair enough,' he said, pushing out his bottom lip like a child. ‘I'll order us some food, shall I?' And he went to the phone and started dialling.

The Chinese came in the cardboard boxes I'd only ever seen on the television, not like the plastic containers we used back home. We sat on Nate's couch, both of us trying to ignore the chemistry between us as we ate our beef with broccoli and General Tso's chicken. Every time Nate looked longer than necessary into my eyes, I asked a question about the proposal to exhibit and sell his beautiful jewellery internationally.

It was hard not to be attracted to him, as he spoke with passion about his work and his community, and asked me lots of questions about Aboriginal arts back home. It was wonderful to have someone be truly interested in my work and mind and not just sex. Adam and I never sat for hours talking that way. He was always trying to get into my knickers the minute I got in the door – and when we did talk it was only ever about him.