The Road Back Read Online Free PDF

first starting out as a journalist, he had done a series of stories on the homeless kids that hung around Kings Cross. Runaways, kids with drug and alcohol problems, kids with nowhere else to go who relied on the soup kitchen, shelters and the Wayside Chapel as they drifted aimlessly, lolled in doorways, zipped up and down on skateboards or sat on the edge of the gutter, stunned and zombie-like, oblivious to passing cars. For a moment he feared this could happen to Megan, but then decided that such a thought was nonsense and he relaxed. Megan had two parents who loved her and cared for her welfare. As he walked to the edge of St Leonards Park and marvelled at the view of the magnificent harbour and the Sydney skyline, he pondered Megan’s situation. She was really unhappy and he had to sort out some kind of solution. He decided he would call Jill as soon as he got home and discuss the situation with her.
    *
    â€˜But Jill, she is dreadfully upset. I can understand how a teenager would hate to be uprooted,’ said Chris, pacing around his living room.
    Jill was nonplussed. ‘Megan can be a frightful drama queen. It goes with being fourteen. And Perth is not exactly another planet.’
    Chris tried again. ‘I’m thinking of her schooling. She’s happy there and doing well. Maybe we could see our way clear to pay for her to board. It’s a crucial time.’
    â€˜Don’t be ridiculous. Boarding would be way too expensive and besides, they have perfectly good schools in Perth,’ Jill snapped.
    â€˜It won’t be easy for me, Jill. It will be very hard to see her in Perth if I’m working between Bangkok and Sydney.’
    â€˜Chris, this is not about you. Trev has been offered a great job. Megan lives with us, so she’s coming to Perth.’
    Then Chris heard Megan in the background, shouting at her mother. ‘I don’t want to go to Perth! I hate Trevor and his evil little trolls!’
    Their voices became raised as Jill responded. ‘Do not speak about Trevor like that, or his sons. Trevor is very good to you and he’s my husband. We’re a family now. This is what is happening. Understand?’
    â€˜No! I want to stay with Dad. Here in Sydney.’
    â€˜Megan, don’t be ridiculous. I can’t see your father staying in one place, let alone Sydney. It’s out of the question.’
    â€˜I’ll run away!’ Megan yelled.
    Jill sighed. ‘Don’t be so dramatic, Megan.’ She addressed Chris in a tight voice. ‘Look, she’ll just have to learn to live with us in Perth and be a bit more flexible. She’ll have to adjust.’
    Suddenly Chris heard himself saying, ‘What if I offer to have Megan stay here with me? I’ll turn down Bangkok if it’s offered and stay in Sydney. Megan is clearly unhappy, so perhaps that’s best.’
    The idea had seemed to spring from nowhere, or was it the guilt he always buried that had finally cracked through the lid he kept firmly on top of family matters?
    â€˜No. Because, frankly, Chris, I’d worry about her being with you. Your place is way too small. Megan can’t sleep on your lounge indefinitely and besides you have no idea what it’s like to raise a child, let alone a teenager. You haven’t had to weather the storm of puberty, which, I have to say, is ongoing. Megan seems to expect to have things her way all the time. Whatever current fad there is, she’ll expect to be part of it,’ Jill warned, her voice sharp. ‘Whatever new gadget appears on the market, she’ll want one. It’s all very well you swanning in here as Mr Nice Guy and making out that I’m the Wicked Witch of the West, but you won’t be doing yourself any favours by taking Megan in. She’ll wind you around her little finger. Even if you stay in Sydney, what happens if you suddenly have to race out of town to cover a story? No, Chris. It’s simply