Page 35 of The Singing Trees
Emma pulled the brush from the page. “Welcome to the Barnes family. We’re like the Cleavers on the outside, but once you crack us open, there’s a whole world of crazy to explore. He was the nicest guy in the world for a little while, trying to keep me on his team, until I broke his trust. Then he flipped. On all of us.”
Was that why Emma was on the cliff that day?Annalisa wondered. “So when did Thomas find out?”
“I told Thomas first, and then we told my mom together.” Emma showed her hurt as if it had happened yesterday. “That was the day our family fell apart. Thomas started hating our dad and started sticking up for me. That’s why he didn’t move out, to protect me. And I guess to be with me ...”
“What a good brother he is,” Annalisa said. “God, I bet you want out of Davenport as badly as I want to get out of here. Maybe you should come with me.”
Emma glanced over. “Oh God, I’d love that more than anything.”
Realizing Emma had taken her too seriously, Annalisa backtracked, “As soon as you graduate, Portland and I will be waiting.”
Emma deflated. “Yeah, I know. Three more years. Then I’m definitely leaving. I mean, I think so. I hate to leave my mom with my dad alone, but I can’t take it.”
Annalisa tried to lift Emma back up. “So where would you go? If you could go anywhere in the world after you graduate.”
Emma dabbed her brush into the paint and took it to the paper. “If my brother goes to NYU, then that’s where I’d like to go. I just have to keep my grades up.”
Thinking Emma had to let go of Thomas at some point, she said, “Let’s switch brushes.” Taking the fan brush from Emma’s hand, she dropped it into the water and handed her a small round one. “This is what I use most. If you’re steady, you can paint some wonderful detail with this brush.”
While Emma tested out an even lighter shade of blue, Annalisa said, “Before New York then, you just need to find something you love to do. I’d be happy to keep teaching you to paint, or you might find something else. Maybe buy a guitar. If you’re like Thomas, you can start watching hockey, though I think we both feel the same way about sports.” They shared a knowing smile.
There was a knock on the door, and Thomas poked his head in. “Hi, guys. Having fun yet?” He was like a ray of light entering the room.
“You’re already back?” Emma said with disappointment. “We’re not done yet.”
He took a step back. “No rush, sis. I can hang out with Nonna for a little while.” He looked at Annalisa for approval.
“Give us a few more minutes,” Annalisa said, smiling at her boyfriend.That’s right, her boyfriend!
After he closed the door, they finished their conversation. Then Emma dropped her brush into the can. “Maybe I could come back and finish it one day?”
Annalisa studied what Emma had done. There was a beauty in the circular motion of the painting and in the colors Emma had come up with. Emma had certainly followed her one lesson: to put her heart into it. “I think there’s an artist in you just begging to get out.”
Emma loved that comment. “I had a lot of fun.”
The two girls hugged, and Annalisa said, “We’ll do it again soon.”
When the girls left the room, they found Thomas sitting on the couch, talking to Nonna in her recliner. Annalisa wondered if he was slowly chipping away at her grandmother, or if she was holding strong. Either way, he was very sweet to make an attempt.
“Thank you for having me,” Emma said to Nonna.
“You’re welcome,” Nonna replied happily. “Come back anytime.”
After walking them out, Annalisa returned to the house, wondering what Nonna was thinking about all this, these two Davenporters in herhome. Apropos Annalisa’s own opinion, she thought that she had a lot in common with Thomas and Emma, and she enjoyed having them in her life. Both of them gave her a sense of purpose outside of her art.
Back inside, she settled onto the couch. “So? I know you have something to say.”
Nonna pointed to the door. “I’d be careful with that one.”
“Who?” Annalisa asked. “Thomas? I think you’ve warned me enough.”
Nonna sat up and started to stand. “No. Emma. She likes you a lot. You’ll break her heart if something happens between you and Thomas.”
“As if I can control that.”
Nonna pressed up. “I think it’s very nice of you what you’re doing, but she’s troubled, Annalisa. Maybe more than you ever were.” With that, her grandmother disappeared down the hall.
Thomas returned every few days through the winter, and Annalisa craved time with him. He brought Emma over twice more, and the two girls spent an hour or two painting and chatting while he killed time in the Mills or hung out with Nonna. He always made it a point to tell Annalisa how grateful he was for her help with Emma and that Emma had been in such a better mood lately.
