“Oh, my God.” I put my head in my hands.
Brayden puts his hand on my thigh. “It’s okay,” he says softly.
“But he was very articulate and intelligent,” Dad says. “He does a lot of work with foster kids, which is a cause I’m not involved in but really admire. He’s taking the time to call attention to the foster care system and get people interested in adopting children who have nobody to care for them. He seems like a very good man.”
“He is.” Brayden speaks with pride. “And playing with him for three years is something I’ll always treasure.”
“Do you still work out a lot, Brayden?” Mom’s eyes have shifted to his chest. “You certainly look like you do.”
“Mom,” I say sharply. “Filter.”
Dad starts talking quickly. “Lei, what are you going to do for work?”
I turn to him. “I actually got hired yesterday. It’s a work-from-home job for a consulting firm.”
“So Leleila has time to paint,” Brayden pipes in.
I shake my head at him.
Mom’s eyes widen in surprise. “You’re painting again, honey?”
“For fun right now. That’s it.”
“That’s how my research started,” Dad says. “I picked up a microscope one day for fun, just for the heck of it.” He chuckles. “Haven’t put it down since.”
“Leleila’s really got a talent for painting,” Brayden says.
Mom’s eyes brighten. “You know,” she says as she peers at me, “I think that’s wonderful.”
“Really?” I say.
“I do,” Mom says.
Brayden smiles at me and then quickly turns his focus to his tea as Dad’s eyes lock in on us. I smile casually at my father, who looks like he’s dying to ask me where the hell Phillip is right about now.
I bring the mug of tea to my mouth.
* * *
I work all morning and then stop into Big Sky Grocer for lunch.
Brayden sees me and immediately grins. He comes over and gives me a hug just as Sophia calls out to us.
“Hey! Fancy running into you two here.”
June comes running down the aisle and nearly crashes into me. “Lei!” she says with a smile.
I look at her suspiciously. “You never get this excited,” I say. “What do you want?”
“I don’t want anything,” she says, still smiling. “But somebody does. Guess who was just in here asking who painted that mural on the wall?”
I shrug. “Who?”
“Gus Newton, owner of Perks Coffeehouse. He’s the one who puts up local art in his shop. He wants yours, Lei.”
I shake my head. “I don’t get it.”
“Oh my God!” Sophia yells. “Those paintings that are hung up in there? They’re all for sale,” she explains to me. “Some of them sell for hundreds of dollars.”
