My Spare Heart

Jared Thomas

‘A story with grit, authenticity of voice and characters who show strength in identity and culture.’

Anita Heiss, award-winning author of Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray

‘My Spare Heart navigates the mess, chaos and complexities of life with grace.

This story will move you.’ Rebecca Lim, award-winning author of Tiger Daughter

‘A compelling exploration of complex families and messy friendships. Jared Thomas’s writing is honest, raw and full of heart.’

Tobias Madden, author of Anything But Fine

Titlepage: My Spare Heart, Jared Thomas, Allen & Unwin

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

First published by Allen & Unwin in 2022

Every effort has been made to ensure that, at the time of publication, information in this book pertaining to First Nations Australian cultural references is correct. Please contact the publisher with any concerns.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Australian Copyright Act 1968 (the Act) allows a maximum of one chapter or ten per cent of this book, whichever is the greater, to be photocopied by any educational institution for its educational purposes provided that the educational institution (or body that administers it) has given a remuneration notice to the Copyright Agency (Australia) under the Act.

Allen & Unwin

Dharug Country

83 Alexander Street

Crows Nest NSW 2065

Australia

Phone:(61 2) 8425 0100

Email:[email protected]

Web:www.allenandunwin.com

ISBN 978 1 76063 183 3

eISBN 978 1 76106 450 0

For teaching resources, explore www.allenandunwin.com/resources/for-teachers

Extracts from Understanding Ourselves and Alcoholism, copyright 2003 by Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Permission to reprint these excerpts does not mean that Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. Al-Anon is a program of recovery for families and friends of alcoholics – use of these excerpts in any non-Al-Anon context does not imply endorsement or affiliation by Al-Anon.

Cover and text design by Jo Hunt

Cover and internal illustrations by Desirai Saunders

Set by Midland Typesetters, Australia

For those who have had their life impacted by addiction.

‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.’

Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr,

Book of Prayers and Services for the Armed Forces