Lucy Zeezou's Goal Read Online Free Page B

laughed. ‘Times change, Lucy! My parents were so dismayed when I started to dabble in the acting world. I was in a few television commercials and TV shows, and performed on stage in theatrical productions, you know.’
    â€˜I know, Nanna. Mama’s told me she got it from you,’ I’d said.
    Nanna and Grandpa married at just nineteen years of age and had never been apart since. Two years later, their only child, my mama, was born, and Nanna gave up acting. Mama was named after Frida Kahlo, Nanna’s favourite artist. Nanna’s been painting since before Mama was born. We had many of her paintings on the walls at home. They were absolutely beautiful – I had a few of them in my bedroom. She used a stunning ruby-red colour in many of her works, and the magical thing about them was that they were so childlike and playful. They always made me feel closer to her.
    Mama always encouraged my relationship with Nanna. I think the two of them quarrelled, but loved each other really. That sounded familiar. Talking with Nanna helped me get through a very difficult time after Nonno Dino passed away, and she and Grandpa shared my secret about playing football with Pino and the other guys. She always told me to follow my dreams no matter what my parents have planned for me.
    Now I was here for her and that felt good. After all, family came first.
    Poor Grandpa. It was killing him seeing his beloved wife fighting for her life. The store was the only thing keeping his mind off the horrible accident that put Nanna in hospital. He loved his fruit shop, meeting people from all walks of life and getting to know the locals. Many of them had become close friends, frequently popping in for a chat and asking after Nanna. He was so engaging and hospitable, it was no surprise that he was so popular with his customers.
    Nanna once told me that he’d have Elvis tunes playing in the shop. He’d sing along and swing his hips while serving customers, or grab them for a spontaneous dance in the middle of the store. Nanna said she preferred to look on and admire his zest for life and love of people. She was more of an observer, very private and in her own world, even though she was a different person on stage.
    When she was hit by a car while crossing the road in front of the shop, Grandpa tried to get a glimpse of the number plate but the driver sped away into the night. Now she was hooked up to a machine in intensive care. She’d already been through three operations; at this point it was still touch and go.
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    â€˜Lucy, what are you thinking about?’ Grandpa gently asked as we walked home from the hospital one evening. Mama and I had been in Sydney for three weeks and visited Nanna every day and most nights. She was still weak, but slowly improving. She was perky enough to tease Mama about her dressy outfit tonight. That was definitely a sign she was on the mend.
    â€˜Oh, I want Nanna to be able to walk out of here with us. I just wish that I could help her,’ I replied.
    â€˜You’re helping her by staying with me. I’m so glad that you and your mother are here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
    Grandpa hugged me close as Mama looked over with tears in her eyes.
    Poor Mama. She and Nanna had argued over the phone just a few days before the accident, and I suspected Mama was probably feeling guilty about it now. They had been close when Mama was growing up, but when she decided to live in Italy it caused problems in theirrelationship. Nanna was constantly trying to persuade her to come and live in Sydney, especially after I was born. But Mama was reluctant to give up her glamorous life in Italy. She couldn’t come without Papa, either. Grandpa and Nanna visited nearly every year, but they were starting to tire of the long trip, even though Mama had them travelling first class. This time, Nanna was begging Mama to bring me over for an extended holiday and even