Sally in the City of Dreams by Judi Curtin

Author:Judi Curtin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The O’Brien Press Ltd
Published: 2023-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

‘Have a lovely day, girls,’ said Julia, as she grabbed a slice of bread and an apple from our cupboard, pulled on her shawl, and headed out the door.

I was sorry for Julia that she had to work some Saturdays, but also, I liked having Bridget to myself for the whole long day. Catherine had gone to stay overnight with a friend, and wasn’t back yet. Having the flat to ourselves was a very special treat.

‘What should we do?’ I asked, propping myself up on one elbow.

Bridget stretched out on our mattress, into the warm space Julia had left only a few minutes before.

‘For the next few minutes I’m doing nothing,’ she said. ‘Not a single thing except lying here enjoying the rest. Then ...’

‘We could go to the park?’ I suggested.

‘We do that every weekend. Let’s do something different today.’

‘Like what?’

A slow smile came over her face. ‘Catherine’s always going on about how great Macy’s department store is. Why don’t we go see for ourselves?’

‘All the way to Manhattan? How will we get there? Will they let us in to Macy’s? Isn’t it just for rich people?’

‘We’ll go on the subway and of course they’ll let us in. We’re customers, just like everyone else.’

‘But we can’t afford to buy anything in a fancy shop like that.’

‘Looking costs nothing,’ she said, sitting up. ‘Now go wash your face, brush your hair and put on your best clothes. Yesterday we were working girls. Today, we’re young ladies out for a day’s shopping.’

* * *

‘This is all one shop?’ I could hardly believe my eyes. It was huge! I looked up and the American flags on the roof seemed miles away, fluttering in the blue, blue, sky. I looked along the street, and the building seemed to go on forever. In front was a striped awning stretching from the building right out across the footpath as far as the street. Motor cars with uniformed drivers were pulled up in a line outside the shop. Very fancy people were stepping out of the cars, and walking inside.

‘Look at those people,’ sighed Bridget.

‘Look at all that space!’ I said. ‘What on earth could they be selling in there?’

‘One way to find out,’ said Bridget. Then she took my hand, surely realising I was almost in a trance and could easily have stepped under a tram or a motor-car or something.

Safely across the busy street, we walked under the awning. The big glass doors were open, and people were wandering confidently in and out. Still I was afraid. Anyone could see we were only two poor, country girls from Ireland. What if a man in uniform were to appear and block our way?

‘Hold your head high, Sally,’ whispered Bridget. ‘Shops are for everyone. We deserve to be here just as much as anyone else – and don’t you forget it.’

So I did as my sister said. I held my head high, and as departing customers walked towards us, I forced myself to look them in the eye.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.