Chapter 63 If pictures could talk
Chapter 63: If Pictures Could Talk
For the first time in a very long time. Allan slept peacefully, well almost peacefully.
The first night in Parkview felt surreal. It was like a beautiful dream and he was scared to wake up and realize it was all a dream.
Allan took a few days off work to assist his family settled into their new reality.
He helped his mother apply for her driver's license and prepare for the test.
It had been a while she drove and seeing she had a new car it was necessary to get her license.
The apartment was a smart house so he helped his family get accustomed to its operating system.
Allan sat alone on the back patio with his sketch book and his pencil deep in thought.
Apart from sketching images for his clients who came to be inked, he had been doing a lot of random sketches.
Although the gap between he and Golden had gotten wider, he thought of giving her a Christmas gift.
Since he couldn't afford to get her an expensive gift, he decided to go for something thoughtful instead.
He browsed online and found a picture of her late parents and an idea suddenly formed in his head.
He opened his sketch book and began to sketch.
He created a skeletal image of what he intended to draw to make sure he could translate the image in his head.
Next, Allan picked up a plain canvas and began transferring the image he had sketches onto the canvas.
Allan had wanted to draw an image of Mr & Mrs Nixon. But he suddenly had an inspiration.
He decided to draw Golden and her mum together. What they would look like if her mum were still alive.
Allan had not known Golden before she lost her parents but his mum had told him they were pretty close.
She had even died trying to protect her.
Allan knew it was going to be very difficult to draw this particular image because he didn't know Mrs Nixon.
If he didn't capture the right expression in the picture, then it would be just another picture.
He had wanted to do a fauve art, but decided that pencil art would better express the art.
Allan put on his headphones and chose a soundtrack. He centered himself and soon began to draw.
It took him two hours of careful sketching and stroking to produce the first image.
It was the image of Mrs Nixon. Each stroke, each line, each shade was careful and deliberate.
He proceeded to creating Golden's image. He had thought it would be easier drawing her but he found out he kept getting distracted.
He took a break and went back into the house.
His mum and siblings were back. They had gone to see a Christmas movie at the theater.
Then they stopped by the mall to buy ornaments to decorate their Christmas tree.
Allan joined his siblings to decorate the tree. This was the first time they were having a Christmas tree.
After that, they went to make cookies.
While they were in the kitchen dancing and making cookies, Allan went back to his drawing.
Seeing his family dancing happily in the kitchen, Allan found his center again and continued drawing.
He was so focused that he didn't realize when an hour passed.
Octavia had come to get Allan for dinner and saw him engrossed in his drawing.
He didn't even notice her presence.
She had been standing there for almost 10 minutes, quietly watching him add stroke after stroke.
Octavia quietly watched the image on the canvas come alive. She could feel the love and deep affection pour out from the image.
It was an image of a beautiful woman smiling at a younger lady.
Octavia realized the younger lady in the picture was Golden.
The older lady gently raised Golden's chin to look at her.
Although the picture was a pencil art and the color used was the dark shade of a pencils lid,
Octavia could feel every emotion expressed in the picture.
She could feel the love in Golden's eyes. Her eyes were wide and clear, but at the same time giving the illusion that it had tears in it.
The look in the images eye gave off the feeling of expectation and longing.
The woman in the picture gently raised Golden's chin. In her eyes Octavia could feel the love it held.
She could feel the warmth and assurance from the woman. Like a mother assuring her child that everything would be okay.
The smile on the woman's lips as she looked at her daughter felt peaceful.
Octavia breaking out of the trance she held on due to the picture gently patted Allan on the shoulder.
“Who is the woman in the picture Allan?”
“That's Golden's mother Tavia. What do you think of the picture?” He asked, putting his final stroke and taking a step back.
“It's beautiful. It's deep. It feels real. I am sure they would love it.” Octavia said.
“Well Tavia, Golden's mum is late, but I hope Golden likes it.” Allan said hopeful.
“Oh I'm certain she will” Octavia said very sure Golden would like the painting.
“I think I might need your help with something later.
I can perceive dinner, let's go in and have some.”
Allan gently put his art away and led Octavia back into the house.
On the other side of town, Varney took Alex to have a late night snack.
They settled for glazed doughnut and a comically large cup of juice.
They sat on the hood of the car and ate. One in a bunny hoodie and matching bunny slippers, the another in a two piece olive green lounge wear.
“So about tomorrow's dinner, what kind of boyfriend do you want me to be?” Varney asked.
“No need to stress, my Nana already thinks you are a hunk. Impress her a little and she would marry me off to you right away” Alex said casually.
A bit of chocolate smeared the side of Alex mouth and Varney on impluse leaned in and licked it off.
That caused Alex to look at him weirdly.
This was going to be a very challenging trial relationship.