Amethyst by Rebecca Henry

Author:Rebecca Henry [Henry, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: YA Young Adult LGBTQIA Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

I woke up the next morning with the frantic realization that I’d forgotten my sketchbook by the lake. I stopped by the shore on my way to Charlie’s, but the sketchbook was gone. I hung my head low, hoping Billie didn’t go back for it on her way home after our argument. I felt sour at the way we had left things. I tried to shrug it off, as there was nothing I could do about it—we had said what we said, and that was that. But my aunts had always warned me to be careful with what I said, because words were something I couldn’t take back once I’d spoken them.

When I arrived at Charlie’s house, I watched him stirring a fresh can of green paint as he whistled “You’re almost finished,” I said, as I hopped over his fence.

Charlie took off his hat to wipe the sweat from his forehead. “Hey there, String Bean! Ain’t you a doll coming back for a second day to help me with my shed.” He turned to admire the work we’d got done the day before. “Looks so nice that I’m glad we painted that small barn, too.”

I grabbed a paint roller and dipped the brush into the seafoam paint. “The color is great, Charlie! I’m glad I can help.” Charlie gently ruffled the top of my hair.

I’d just climbed up the ladder when a small voice below said, “Hi.”

I glanced down and saw a little boy, paintbrush in hand, painting the side of the shed in wide strokes. Paint dripped from the brush and formed a puddle by his sneakers. I came down from the ladder to introduce myself. “Hi! I’m Zinnia. Who are you?”

Charlie chuckled as he walked out of the shed. “You haven’t been back in some time, String Bean. Meet my grandson, Jack.”

My eyes grew wide, and the corners of my mouth stretched across my entire face. “This is your grandson!” I rested my hands upon my knees, squatting down to get a closer look at the cute kid. He couldn’t have been any older than three. Jack smiled and handed me the paintbrush. I laughed, dipping it into the can of paint. “You’ve got to wipe off the sides against the rim of the can to remove any excess paint. That way it’s less likely to make a big mess and get on your shoes.” I handed the paintbrush back to Jack. “Okay?” I said, and Jack nodded back eagerly.

Charlie joined us as we all worked on the last side of the wall with Jack. “Geez, Charlie, I’m sorry I didn’t ask about Marie having her baby.” I craned my neck, smiling at little Jack, and felt oddly connected to him. “Mom never updated me on your daughter and her family.” I hung my head, hot with the realization that I wasn’t as good to Charlie as he was to me. “I should have asked.” I shrugged apologetically.

“You stop that now, String Bean. You’re here, ain’t cha? You know you’re family to me.

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