Allison
snorted. “I did nothing of the sort. You’re stretching the truth.”
Charlotte
slammed her hand on a small coffee table. “Time out, ladies,
time
out!”
Michela and Allison blinked at her in surprise. “Both of
you, come and sit down before I have Ella throw a bucket of water over
you.” They obediently followed Charlotte to a small couch and sat at
opposite ends.
Charlotte
stood before them and rubbed her hands together. “Alli, did you not
mention to me the other day that you were in between jobs?” Allison
nodded. “Do you remember the man I introduced you to last night? The one
from Lindstrom Holdings, the one I wanted to buy a building from?” Allison
nodded again. “There’s a very good reason why I want to buy that building.
I’ve decided to establish a museum. But this one’s going to be a little
different. In fact, truth be told, I don’t know why I didn’t come up with the
idea years ago.”
She
turned to the painting of her great grandmothers and smiled. “The human
race has been around for such a small period of time and yet within that time
both men and women have made such great progress. Unfortunately, we rarely hear
about the accomplishments women have made because most of the accolades go to
men. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not suggesting for a moment their discoveries
haven’t been seminal in their own right, but where is the history of women?
Where are their discoveries lauded, their papers kept, their deeds remembered?
One only has to look back over the past one hundred and fifty years or so to
realize how remiss society has been in retaining such history.
“Look
at Madame Curie, a double Nobel winner in both physics and chemistry. Then
there’s Amelia Earhart and Australia’s own Nancy Bird - aviatrixes’ in their
own right, the latter learning to fly when she was merely thirteen. Of course
there are the explorers such as my own great grandmother that more than dot the
canvas of the past one hundred and fifty years. What about Maria Mitchell, the
first American professor of astronomy, discovering a comet in 1847. In the
field of sport there are so many women whose feats are rarely mentioned, if at
all. Babe Didrikson-one of history’s most famous all-round athletes. The
Australian, Fanny Durack, who won the only ladies swimming event at the
Stockholm Games of 1912, despite the obstacles put in place by her own country.
For each one of these women, there are ten whose stories have never been told.
I want to create a legacy and ensure young men and women get not only history,
but herstory as well.”
Charlotte
tapped to her chest. “So, where is this old woman going with this? Well,
the answer’s simple. Alli, the museum has a patron and that’s me, but if this
project is to work then I need a Chairman to run the Museum and you’re the
first person I want to offer the job to.” She held up her hand to halt any
comment from Allison. “No, you won’t be tied to a desk for your time here.
I would see you continuing to engage in archaeological exploration, for at
least half of your year. You can choose your staff as you see fit. All I ask is
that you make my vision come alive. Give the opportunity for the young men and
women of tomorrow to realize the depth and color in the tapestry that is the
history of this world of ours. Oh, and of course, there’s always the benefit
that you and Michela will only be slightly separated, rather than a hemisphere
apart. But if the argument I walked in on is any measure, maybe you two need a
hemisphere between you.” She smiled and headed to the door. “I’ll
leave you to think about it for a while.”
As
the lock clicked into place, Allison scooted over and took Michela’s hands.
“She’s right. We argue like cats and dogs. Can we ever live in the same
hemisphere, let alone the same continent?”
Michela
smiled and cupped Allison’s cheek in her palm. “Do you want the job?”
Allison
turned to the portrait above the fireplace, her eyes distant as she
contemplated such a mammoth task. She returned her gaze to Michela. “More
than anything I’ve ever wanted, in the professional sense that is.”
Michela
pulled Allison into her arms and lightly kissed the top of her head. “Then
the only remaining question is can you bear to live with me?”
Pulling
back, Allison chuckled. “After what I’ve been through, that shouldn’t be
too difficult. I hope in six months time, you’re not asking the same question
about me.”
They
kissed and relaxed in each other’s arms, secure in their future and the myriad
of challenges that lay ahead.