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Tully kept her head down and stayed away fro to upset her chances for success Instead, she kept the focus on her job If she worked harder than anyone else, she et a replacement shot on the early, early show, NBC News at Sunrise Froet a crack at the Today news nook, and from there, the world would be her oyster

Eighteen hour workdays didnt leave her much time for a personal life but she still had Katie, even with all the miles between them They spoke at least twice a week, and every Sunday Tully called Mrs M She told thes and life in Manhattan; they responded with details about the new house Kate and Johnny had bought, the trip Mr and Mrs M had planned for the spring, and—best of all—the news that Kate was pregnant again and it was going well

The days passed like cards falling from a deck, so fast that sometimes they were just a blur of sound and color But she was on her way She knew that, and the knowledge kept her going

Today, an icy cold late December one, just like each of the countless days that had come before it, she spent fourteen hours at the station, then headed tiredly home

Down on the street, she was captivated by Rockefeller Center at the holidays Even in the fading gray of an overcast evening, there were people everywhere, shopping, taking pictures of the giant Christ in the seasonal rink

She was about ready to start walking hoht, What the hell? Shed been in New York for h she had

Maybe it was the Christhed at her when she asked for the holidays off; she wasnt sure All she kneas that it was Friday night, only a few nights before Christ to her quiet apartment CNN could wait

The view fro shed heard and reat nificence of Manhattan at night

It was still early, so there was plenty of seating at the bar and at the tables She chose a table by the , sat down, and ordered a arita

She was just about to order another one when the bar started filling up Men and woside overdressed tourists, co up three deep at the bar

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Tully looked up

A good-looking blond man in an expensive suit sh the yuppies to get a drink "

An English accent She was a sucker for that

"Id hate to think you were going thirsty " She kicked the chair across froh for him to sit down