Page 15 of Family Bonds: Carter & Avery

“Josie, Laine is an artist. She owns a studio on the island. She paints and gives lessons and does group events. She also does pottery and ceramic classes.”

“Can kids do those things?” Josie asked, hopping around as if she still had to pee.

“Yes,” Laine said. “Avery was telling me you like to draw and paint. Can I see some of what you’ve done?”

Josie turned and ran to her room without a word, her feet pounding on the stairs. “I take it that’s a yes,” she said. “I’m going to start making her pancakes. It’s her favorite. Would you like some?”

“Who could turn down pancakes?” Laine said.

Josie returned with two of her sketch pads. “Here are some,” Josie said. “One is only for black and white or pencil drawings. The other is color. I’ve got more upstairs that I painted and can go get them.”

“Let’s look at these,” Laine said, lifting the cover. “Wow. You’ve got some serious talent.”

Avery looked at Laine’s face and saw the shocked look. Her friend wasn’t just being nice, but being honest.

“Really?” Josie asked. “My mom always told me I’d be famous someday.”

“You can be or do anything you want,” she said to Josie.

“I’m going to so that my mom is proud of me,” Josie said.

Avery sniffled a little. “Your mother was so proud of you and you know she still is.”

“Yes,” Josie said. “She always told me too.”

“You know she constantly bragged about your artwork to me when we were getting our nails done.”

Josie looked down at her fingers and toes. “Can we go and get them done? I’ve never had it before, but I think it’d be fun.”

Avery wasn’t sure why it never occurred to her to bring Josie. It might be what they both needed.

“Is there any place on the island for that?” she asked Laine.

“Yes. In the strip mall not far from here there is one place. There are a few places that do it scattered about that are salons, but that is one of those walk-in places.”

“Then I think that is what Josie and I need to do today after we pick out the paint for your room. What do you think, Josie?”

“I think it’s fun living on this island,” Josie said. “Now I’m going to get my paintings for you to see too.”

“Thank you,” she said to Laine when Josie ran out of the room again.

“Avery, she’s got talent. Has she had any lessons?”

“No,” she said. “She draws what comes to her.”

“Damn,” Laine said. “I hope I can do her justice.”

“I know you can,” she said. Laine was pretty famous in her own right but never boasted about her artwork being in galleries in Boston, New York City and LA.

“You tell me when you’re ready to get started on lessons, but she is way more advanced than my kids’ groups.”

“It’s more about socializing,” she said. “That is what she needs too.”

“Got it,” Laine said.

Josie brought down four pieces of large paper and set them on the table. “I did these a few weeks ago. My last few pieces living in Danbury.”

Avery turned her head sharply. “That is why you did so many?”

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