Chapter 4

An unexpected howl of laughter erupts in the room, between Freddie and myself because neither of us saw that answer coming, not from my ever so serious business tycoon father, after a few more minutes of laughter and watching him suffer, I walk over to the lower cupboard close by the kitchen sink and pass my foot under it and the door slowly slides open to reveal the dishwasher hidden inside.

I load them up, drop the tablet in and set the machine to wash alright while the machine is doing it’s thing, follow me to my studio with folded arms, my dad grumbles behind me as I pass by which makes me smile and they both follow me.

I took some space from the gym and added a partition enclosure for my mini studio, I open the door for them then turn the lights on, both of their eyes widen as they take in all my work that’s littering the room.

You really made all these Sorie?

Yes, yes I did

Which one is mine pumpkin?

I walk over to the corner and pull a horizontal canvas with a cloth covering it, I lean it up then remove the cover.

Incredible! I love it Stormie! By the Gods! I know just where I’m going to hang it!

I’m glad you like it dad, now help me wrap it so you can take it with you tomorrow

Okay, okay!

Uhm, Sorie?

Yeah?

I answer with my back turned to Freddie, trying to get the brown paper and twine under the painting to wrap it while dad holds it up.

Can I buy one of your paintings please?

I stop what I’m doing and turn to face him, you see one you like Freddie? He nods and points to a medium sized canvas, one of my abstract pieces, I lean my head to the side studying him what do you like about it? I like the way it makes me feel…

How? How does it make you feel?

Calm and warmth for some reason

I smile and I smile a big smile because that is exactly the feel I wanted to achieve when I made that painting bring it over so I can wrap it up for you too. He brightens then carefully takes it from it’s hanging position and brings it over, after I’m done wrapping my dads I wrap his.

How much is it Sorie?

Consider it a gift Freddie, you felt what I hoped persons would feel when they look at it, I’ve shown it to others and for some reason they did not get it at all, so it take that to mean this painting is meant to be yours, whenever you need to feel this way again I hope this painting will remind you of the moment you first saw it and give you that continued calm and warmth

Thank you very much, that means a lot to me Sorie, more than you’d ever know, I will surely treasure it.

I look at him and I believe that he will indeed treasure the painting, once we moved the paintings to the walk way, I unload the dish washer and pack the dishes away, I bid them good night as I’d have to be early the following day to get breakfast going, then them and myself.

I plop down on my bed after taking a nice cold shower and brushing my teeth, I crawl up to the middle of my bed and slide under the covers, after my comfortable position I slowly drift off to sleep.

My alarm goes off and I sit up, stretch and turn it off before sliding out of bed and trudging to the bathroom to get my business done, I wrap my robe around me and make my way down to the kitchen. Alright what am I feeling for this morning, it has to be something to fill the stomach of two grown men, I get to work on some sausages, omelettes and blueberry waffles, I also make my morning blend with a bit extra for them as well.

Once I'm done I place their food on plates and cover them to keep them warm then head back up to shower and change into my work attire.

Today I feel cheery after having my dad visit so I think I shall go with my pink plaid dress with my tan jacket and Mary janes, yes! I roll my stockings on then slide my heels on and grab my bag, I close my bedroom door behind me and realize those two are not up yet so I decide to do some door pounding!

Once they're up I tell them it's time to get going which they responded from behind closed doors, they emerge when I'm almost finished eating, both immaculately dressed and they sit to have their breakfast, we have a bit of small talk and put our dishes away, I usher them out the door and into the elevator with the paintings.

They insist on having their car dropping me off at the gallery which I accept and head in after bidding them farewell.