Chapter 13 - OLIVIA’S ART SHOW
Olivia’s school held an art show in March.
She used the replacement markers Alyssa had purchased.
Her drawing showed six people standing around a house.
Two figures stood outside.
Four stood inside.
Above them, she painted a bridge.
The title was:
A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE TO FIT IN ONE ROOM.
Alyssa attended.
Jason refused.
Daniel arrived alone.
Melissa attended unexpectedly because Alyssa had shared the invitation.
She stood near the back of the classroom.
The court order allowed attendance at public school events.
It prohibited direct contact with me.
Alyssa’s painting hung beside Olivia’s.
It showed two houses beneath one sky.
Between them was a girl holding a suitcase.
The title was:
DO NOT MAKE ME CARRY YOUR WAR.
Melissa saw it.
Her face changed.
For once, she did not speak.
Daniel looked at his daughter’s work and began crying.
Alyssa noticed.
She did not comfort him.
The painting had already carried enough adult emotion.
After the show, she approached me.
“Olivia said I can come to her birthday.”
“That is her choice.”
“Is it okay with you?”
“Yes.”
“Mom says you’re pretending.”
“What do you think?”
Alyssa looked toward Olivia, who was showing Susan her drawing.
“I think you stopped buying things.”
“But you didn’t stop speaking to me.”
“No.”
“Are you still mad?”
“Yes.”
She seemed surprised.
“You can care about someone and remain angry.”
“I wish adults had taught all of us that earlier.”
Alyssa nodded.
Then she gave me a small envelope.
Inside was the remaining thirty-two dollars from her savings.
“What is this?”
“For the old markers.”
“You already replaced them.”
“I know.”
“This is for when I said Olivia’s art was childish.”
I handed the money back.
“Apologies are not fines.”
“Then what do I do?”
“Treat her work with respect.”
May you like
“That costs more than thirty-two dollars.”
She almost smiled.
