My Aunt, Valerie

Lawrence Serrano

VALERIE’S POV

“Dear? What are you doing laying on the floor?” I heard Raven’s voice inside my studio. When I opened my eyes, I saw my wife looking down at me with a worried expression.

“I’m just tired. How did it go? Does Gloria likes the academy?” Raven nodded.

“The child said she will try to make new friends make unforgettable memories with the school. Gloria saw our picture inside the administration office.” Huh? What picture?

“Wait- the picture where I won the international art festival?” Raven nodded as she helped me up to a sitting position.

“How did your meeting with the director? Did that old man scold you again?” I shake my head no.

“The director was impressed with my portfolio, and he wants to display every single one of it in his museum. But I told him I have a final piece that I need to prepare.” Raven seems confused.

“What final piece? I thought you’d completed it.” I shake my head no before pointing at an ongoing painting on the easel.

“I called it ‘The Last Memory.’ What do you think?” Raven seems speechless at first.

“Raven?” I called out.

“Valerie- it must be hard for you to create such a masterpiece. The smile on your sister’s face while holding her children- amazing. And the expression on your brother in law face, why is it painful for me to see?” I shrugged my shoulders.

“I try to express the emotion I thought Horace and Cleo felt when they faced their death. Raven, am I a bad sister? Look at me- I’m exploiting my sister’s death for my benefit. Do you think Cleo will get mad at me for doing so?” Raven kneels before placing my head on her chest.

“Don’t say that. Everyone has their way of grieving. It turns out your way is unique for others. Anyone who doesn’t know you will say that yours taking advantage of Cleo’s death, but for me, it’s just your way of showing your sadness of losing your older sister. And since when did you find others' opinions valid?” I sighed.

My wife’s word is wise. I made the right decision to marry this woman.

“Have you eaten?” I shake my head no.

“Do you want to eat together?” Raven asked as she pulled away from the hug.

“Sure. What’s the menu?” Raven told me the menu for today’s lunch.

“What about the kids?”

“Gloria and I had lunch at the bank. Lawrence had his lunch with the nanny.” Wait- the bank?

“You went to the office? Why? I thought you had the day off because of the enrolment.” Raven explained to me what happened at the office, which angers me.

“I think it’s time for that woman to taste her own medicine. So what if you called the asylum? That woman will find a way to come back and cause more trouble for you. Just use the Forest family resources and make her pay for her mistake.” Raven chuckled.

“Dear, I can fight my own battle. So don’t worry about it. Anyway, let’s go to the dining hall.” Raven helped me up from the floor, and we walked towards the dining hall together.

On our way, I saw Gloria walking out of the elevator with a smile on her face.

“Did you have fun in the gaming room?” Raven asked when she saw Gloria walking towards us.

“I did- hello, aunty.” I nodded my head before continuing to walk towards the dining hall.

“Sorry about that- your aunt is hungry. That explained how grumpy she looks.” I heard Raven say before excusing herself from the child.

“You shouldn’t do that when the child greeted you.” Here we go again.

“I did nod my head. Isn’t that enough?” Raven sighed before she took a seat at the dining table.

“That’s not how you treat a child, dear. Anyway, did your assistant send you a message?” A message? I don’t know.

“What kind of message?” Raven sighed.

“It’s about the dinner to celebrate the debut of the city’s newest talented sculptor. I thought you would be the first to know about this. Didn’t the director mention anything about the dinner when you met him?” I shake my head no.

“Why should I attend this dinner?” Raven waited until the maids prepared our meals on the table.

“You’re a senior. It would be best to show your face, so the media doesn’t think you’re bitter about his success. Come on- let’s go. It’s been a while since we attended any dinner. I even free my schedule for this.” I sighed.

“Fine. Prepare my attire for the occasion. What about the children? Should we-,” Raven shake her head no.

“Gloria and Lawrence need to adapt to their new environment. Exposing them to those vicious people will only make it hard for the children.” Raven is wise. I should follow her plan.

“I believe you will do wonders in helping them get the exposure they need to survive in such an environment, right?” Raven nodded.

“I’m not worried about Gloria, but I am worried when it comes to Lawrence. What is our plan for him? What did the doctor say about his condition?” Raven hummed.

“The doctor said that there’s nothing wrong with him. It’s normal for children to act the way he is because of the shock from losing his parents.” I see.

“So what shall we do?” I asked while eating my food.

“Be there for him. That’s the only thing we can do for him at this point. We don’t know what he truly feels since Lawrence refuses to say anything. But he’s a good child.” Hmmm- he is.

“Pour me a glass of wine,” I said to one of the maids.

“Are you sure about that?” I shrugged as I waited for the maid to pour me some.

“Oh, come one- it’s just one glass. I won’t get drunk from it.” Raven sighed.

“Fine- just do whatever you want.”

***

“Is that you, Lawrence?” I asked while keeping my eyes on the canvas. I might have turned on the music, but I could hear someone opening the door. When I turned around, Lawrence smiled at me while waving his hand.

“Come- have a seat.” I patted on an empty stool next to mine while focusing on my work. Lawrence seems surprised to see the face of her parents in my painting.

“What do you think, Lawrence? Is it beautiful?” Lawrence nodded his head. What is he doing? Lawrence suddenly showed me a notepad with words he had just written.

“Am I able to do the same?” I read out loud.

“Of course. All you have to do is practice. It doesn’t matter if it looks hideous or looks abstract. This white canvas represents your inner self. Only you can do whatever you want on it.” I even prepared a mini canvas for him since he wants to paint.

At first, Lawrence seemed confused, but the moment he grabbed on the brush, I could see how his eyes suddenly lit up. Is that how I acted when I was working on any project? While Lawrence was expressing himself through the canvas, I decided to make final touches on my painting.

When I peek at Lawrence’s work, I begin to analyze every stroke he made and how precise it seems to my eyes. This boy might be a genius.

“Lawrence, what do you think of enrolling in an art school? Or perhaps to the academy where your sister is. The academy has a great art program.” Lawrence shakes his head no.

Should I tell Raven to find a teacher instead? Or should I call my old friends instead?

“What if the teacher comes to the house and teaches you?” Lawrence seems intrigued. I shall make the proper arrangement for the child’s tutor then.

“Lawrence? How did you end up at the studio?” Raven walked in with my refreshment. Lawrence smiled at Raven elder continue to paint.

“I didn’t expect you to teach him yourself.” Why not? He’s learning from the best.

“He’s a genius. Instead of sending him to school, why don’t we hire a private tutor for him?” Raven hummed.

“That’s a good idea. That way, he can learn how to interact with others. Should I make some calls?” I nodded.

“I’ll give you a list of names. Would it be too much if I ask you to do the interview?” Raven shook her head no.

“I should interview the candidates because if it's you, I don’t think anyone would even consider being Lawrence's private tutor.” My wife has a point. People think I have no sense of mercy whenever I try to be myself.

It’s not my problem that I was born with a natural grumpy expression on my face. I stood up from my stool and went to my art supplied closet while Raven watched Lawrence continue to paint.

I was sure to restock most of my paint, though. Why can’t I find crimson red on my shelf? Did I forget to include the color in my list?

“Dear, how much would you put a price on my portrait? Do you think there are people out there who would pay to have my picture displayed on their wall?” Of course, there is. Who wouldn’t want to have Raven Hudson in their home?

I was lucky enough that she accepted my proposal. Both of our parents were devastated when we announced our engagement. It’s a wonder that my parents died not long after our marriage.

“Raven, I would pay millions to have you on my wall.” Raven chuckled.

“What is it? Do you want something?” This woman is my wife for a reason.

“I seem to be missing the color of crimson red. Once you leave the studio, please inform the driver to get me a box lot of that color immediately.” Raven sighed.

“Sure. Have fun teaching Lawrence.” Raven kissed me on the cheek before excusing herself. I took a piece of freshly baked cookie and went to stand behind Lawrence, who seemed to be in his world. Just what is he trying to say with his painting right now?

At first, I thought he wanted to paint a sunset, but it’s more than that. Is it- a car? No. That is not a car. A building, perhaps? Nope- that’s not it either.

“A cemetery?” Lawrence nodded.

“Does it remind you of your parents’? Do you miss them?” Again Lawrence nodded his head.

“You know- the best thing you can do when you miss someone is when you pray for them. Your grandparents aren’t the best people, but now that they’re gone, I feel there’s a void. At first, I was happy to meet my sister again, but now she followed our parents’ footsteps. Praying for their soul would help a lot. Try it. I promise it will make you feel better.” I messed up the child’s hair before taking a glass of water that Raven had brought together with the refreshment.

“Would you like to have some cookies?” Lawrence nodded. I grabbed the plate and offered the child some.

“Do you want to have a tour of my studio while you eat?” Lawrence nodded as he got off the stool and followed me closely.

As I begin to tell Lawrence a bit of the story behind my painting, I notice how excited he looks. That reminds me of when I was a child.

“Lawrence, I will find you the best art teacher that can teach you about the basics and theories of art. What do you think about that?” Lawrence begins to write on the notepad again.

“Does that mean I don’t want to go to school?” I shake my head no. The child smiled from ear to ear.

“Is there a reason why you hate going to school?” Lawrence didn’t write anything on the notepad. Should I investigate his old school? I’m beginning to think something happen to the child even before my sister and her husband died.

I will get to the bottom of this.