Silver Meadows Summer by Emma Otheguy

Author:Emma Otheguy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2019-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

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They moved more quickly through the woods on their way back to Jennifer’s house. Carolina didn’t worry about getting lost anymore: she was starting to recognize individual trees, their knobby spots and the particular twists of their branches. The ribbons Jennifer had tied easily marked the way down the hill. It was a little cumbersome carrying the empty paint cans, but the cabin was so small, and they wanted space for their art supplies. They tucked away the paint cans in the garage and headed inside.

Jennifer’s mom was in the kitchen drinking coffee. “You must be Carolina! I’m Fiona. Have a seat. I’ll make you kids some sandwiches.” She started spreading peanut butter on toast. “Jenn, what are you working on? You have white paint all over you.”

Jennifer turned beet red. “You know. The same thing as always.”

Fiona sighed. “You’re not onto those elves again, are you, Jenn? You’re practically a teenager, honey.” She pulled the jelly out of the refrigerator. “What are your interests, Carolina?” She said it hopefully, like maybe the answer would be “algebra.”

“Carolina’s a painter, like Daddy.”

“That’s not true,” Carolina said quickly. “I just like to paint.”

“Now that’s the kind of art a young woman should be interested in. What do you like to paint? Landscapes or figures? Or abstract?”

“L-landscapes,” Carolina stammered.

“My favorite!” Fiona exclaimed. “That’s why I fell in love with Jenn’s dad. He kept painting me these landscapes—first it was the ocean, then it was farms: green pastures and red barns, and before I knew it I was packing my bags and moving out to the country with him. A landscape artist.” Fiona propped her chin in her hand and looked at Carolina in a way that made her a little uncomfortable, and also bubbly inside, like she’d just heard some unexpected and wonderful news.

Caro took a bite of the sandwich that Fiona had made for her, and set it down on her plate. She liked how everyone was eating however they wanted; Fiona was leaning over the counter, and Jenn was perched on a kitchen stool. “I think Jenn’s elves are cool. I wish I could do something like that, but I only know how to paint.”

“You keep doing your painting. And show Jenn’s dad your paintings next time you see him. He loves talking to other painters.”

Carolina didn’t bother to tell Fiona that they weren’t paintings, that she hadn’t done anything but draw in her sketchbook for weeks and weeks. Instead she shoved the rest of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich into her mouth, and washed it down with a big gulp of milk. “Okay.”

Jennifer patted Carolina on the back. “Don’t choke on that sandwich, Caro, my mom will never forgive herself.” She leaned forward, her braid swinging in front of Caro’s face, and whispered, “You should show my dad, though. Then you can get to work on the painting—for our cabin.”

After Fiona left for her afternoon shift, the house was quiet, and the girls stayed inside for a while, enjoying the empty space and the dusty sunlight, how cool and still it felt.

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