The Icing on the Cake by Elodia Strain

Author:Elodia Strain
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc
Published: 2011-06-14T18:07:09+00:00

Patrique led me into the cement-floored fairgrounds building, which smelled like animal feed. Just inside the doors, I noticed a sign that said Fine Visual Art in block letters.

“Wow,” I said, surveying the place as we stepped inside.

Large eggshell-colored partitions were placed strategically on the open floor, displaying oil paintings, watercolors, and photographs. Also dotting the floor were wooden pedestals on which were displayed sculptures of everything from seagulls to bicycles. Obviously a lot of preparation had gone into the festival, and a lot of talented artists had come to exhibit their work.

“I see Tempest over there.” Patrique unbuttoned the two top buttons of his silk shirt. “She’s showing some of her things here today. I’ll be right back.”

I gave Patrique a weak wave and began slowly walking the perimeter of the building. I had just finished admiring a group of gorgeous oil paintings of various seascapes and was looking at a sculpture of a sea lion when the sound of something behind me caught my attention. It was a giggle. A giggle that sounded oddly familiar. I turned around, looking in the direction of the sound.

And then I saw them.

Rona and Isaac. Standing next to some photos that looked like the ones I had seen in Ethan’s piano studio. I gasped and quickly ducked behind the sea lion sculpture. The solid wood stand was just tall and wide enough to conceal my crouched body as the sea lion perched atop it hid my face.

So this is where you two were going today, I thought.

I watched. My eyes narrowed. “Now I can see just what you’re up to, Rona,” I whispered, almost scaring myself with how much I sounded like a witch from a Disney movie. “And I can see how Isaac reacts to it.”

Soon, a woman, probably in her fifties, with long, graying hair and a multi-colored crepe dress appeared at my side. “Trying to get a better look?” she asked in a kind, soft voice.

“Uh, yeah” I said, my voice strained due to the unnatural position of my body.

“This one took me a year to finish,” the woman said, her voice filled with nostalgia. “I found a group of naturalists who were studying a sea lion they called Arnie. I studied alongside the group. When I finished the sculpture I just knew I had to name the sculpture after Arnie.” The woman pointed to a plaque attached to the front of the pedestal which read Arnie of the Sea.

“Oh, so you made this?” I asked, still crouching.

“Yes,” the woman answered. “Viola Waters,” she added, introducing herself.

“Good to meet you. It’s lovely.” When I didn’t stand up to talk to the woman like any normal person would have, she looked at me curiously.

Just then I saw Rona put her hand on Isaac’s arm. I immediately clenched my fists.

“You’re looking at the whiskers, aren’t you?” Viola asked. I had forgotten she was standing there.

“Um . . .” I muttered as I counted the seconds that Rona’s hand was on Isaac’s arm.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.