FAMILY

“You should’ve told me. Then I’d have come and helped” they were now at a secluded place in the party, talking.

“ I helped out because I wanted to” Samuel expressed. A short silence enthused between them.

“What?” He asked her after a while.

“Thank you”

“For what??”

“For everything”

“You don’t have to thank me” Samuel said and this made her smile disappear.

“It makes me feel bad” his expression was now dark.

“Okay” Anna still held her smile.

“Then don’t you apologize either. I’ll stop thanking you and you can stop apologizing. Whoever lasts longer what’s a wish”

“Okay, let’s do that” Samuel agreed.

“I should help out. See you later” and with that, Anna started walking out.

“Anna” somehow called, making her stop.

“Yes” she turned to face him.

“After the event, I must tell you something. I hope you wiener be angry”

“Why would I be angry? You just have a reason. I trust you. See you later” she went off .

Samuel stood there and stared after he retreating figure, a sad look his face.

*

*

“How should that” Mrs Donalds said.

“Hello, I’m a bit late” a grey haired man walked in and said.

“You made it” she beamed.

“Yes”

“You’re late” Mrs Donalds smiled.

“I am” the man chuckled.

“Thanks for inviting me”

“I’m glad you could come” she said.

“How’s your business doing?”

“It’s doing great”

All this while, Anna stood at a corner watching them.

She sighed deeply, turned and then went to look at the painting she had brought with he which she kept on the floor.

She squatted, her eyes turning red. She doin a picture and sent to someone.

“Grandpa, it’s Anna” she started typing.

“ I hope you’re in good health. I’m not that great an artist, but I painted our family. I hope that one day we can take a photo together. Until then, I hope you’re well…” she paused and re-read.

“ I hope you do well” she read aloud.

“No” she shook her head and deleted.

“I need you to be well” she wrote instead and was going to send the text but hesitated.

“I doubt he likes me texting him” she bite her lips.

“What are you doing here?” Anita jumped on her back excitedly, making her press the send button before she knew it.

Her heart skipped a beat. Her Louth wide agapsed. She turned in shock to look at her sister, who was also surly to see that look on her face.

Anita suddenly noticed the painting the ground behind Anna.

“What’s that?” She asked in bewilderment.

Anna turned to see what she was staring at. Anna turned back to look at her, gulping hard.

*

*

Mrs Donalds stared at the painting with disdain and contempt on her face. She didn’t even try to hide how much the painting repelled her.

The painting was a family portrait, consisting of Anna, Anita, her husband, Samuel, both their parent band their grandfather.

“How do you like my painting?” Anna asked with a faint hearted smile.

“ I didn’t know you were such a goal getter” Anita replied instead.

“What?”

“Did you bring it to hang it here??” Anita asked her.

“All the such madams will ask about it” she went on with an annoying tone.

“Gosh! Is this a picture or a painting? Who’s the artist?” Anita mocked teasingly.

“You should know better when you run a gallery. This is so old fashioned. No one wants to hand paintings like this one these days” Mrs Donalds lashed out with her cold stone face.

“I wasn’t planning to hang it up?” Anna said.

“Then why did you paint it” Mrs Donalds scowled.

“Well…we don’t have a proper family portrait. I saw the picture of you and Anita at home. It looked nice. I thought it would’ve been nice if we had taken one all together “ Anna rasped.

“Don’t you know you’re no longer our family when you get married off? You should think about your family now that you’re married. You shouldn’t be so greedy” Mrs Donalds scolded.

“ I’m sorry” Anna apologized.

“Hurry up and get rid of it. We don’t want anyone to think our exhibition is lousy”

“That’s harsh, mom” Anita butted in, laughing mockingly.

Anna stood there as her mother and sister made to leave, her head down and her palm against eachother trembling.

Suddenly, the words from the lady on radio came flooding her memories.

“Whether you’re ‘good enough’ or not isn’t important. I’m sure your heart will reach them because they’re your family”

“But I’m family too” she said lowly, but loud enough for her mother and sister to hear, which made them turn to look at her.

“What?” Mrs Donalds enthused.

“Instead of looking at the painting, can’t you see how I feel?”

“Sure, I may not be up to your standard, but I worked hard on it with all of my heart”

“Hey, listen” Mrs Donalds started, but just before she could continue, a lady rushed in on sighting the painting.

“Gosh! What is this?” She exclaimed.

“Why did you bring your family portrait here?” She turned out to be one of the women with Mrs Donalds at the round table.

The white drsssed lady was with her also.

“Wait a minute” the white dressed lady held up her hand, staring closely at the painting.

“Is this a picture of a painting?”. She asked, completely stunned.

Anita burst out laughing but held herself.

“What is it?” The lady asked her.

“It’s a painting” Anita told her.

“My sister painted it”

“I see, your big sister? What was your name again?” The red dressed lady turned to Anna and asked.

“It’s Anna”

“It’s joe a big deal. She majored in art. So she’s an aspiring aeletiay” Mrs Donalds quickly came in and was abound to go take off the painting.

“Gosh! What do you mean an aspiring artist? She’s a professional for sure?” The purple dressed lady who just came in held her, preventing her from getting rid of the painting.

“ I bet she’s one of the best in the country. Why have you been hiding such a talented daughter?” The lady bursted out.

“ I wasn’t hiding anything. You have such profound knowledges paintings. I know you’re just being nice since she’s my daughter” Mrs Donalds grimaced.

“You should thank her. Go on” she turned to Anna.

“Thank you” Anna beamed.

“This is an amazing painting. Can you draw one each of us?” The purple dressed lady went on.

“It’s so detailed”the other lady added.

“I like how delicate it is” they went on while Mrs Donalds had this uneasy look in her face.

TBC