Once in Every Life

"Come on," Tess said with a laugh, "put them on. We're painting."

Savannah's smile came back. She dropped her lard tin and books on the ground near the bottom step and hurried over to Tess. Katie followed right on her heels.

205

"Okay," Tess said. "Put them over your head like this." She slipped into one as an example.

The girls put on their sheets and followed Tess to the oak tree, where the paint, paintbrushes, and bedroom curtains were carefully laid out. "There you go, girls. Go to it."

Savannah cast her a confused glance. "Them are our curtains."

"Those are your bedroom curtains," Tess corrected. "And don't you think they're a little ... dull?"

Both girls looked at the curtains, then back at Tess. Neither of them said a word.

"Well, I do," Tess said. "No child should grow up in a blah room. So fix it."

"You want us to paint our curtains?" Savannah asked. Tess grinned. "Isn't it a great idea?" She bent down and snatched up two paintbrushes. "Here, take 'em."

Savannah studied the brush as if it were a two-headed snake. "I really don't think?" "Paint," Tess said firmly.

Savannah kneeled in the lush grass and cautiously dipped her brush in the red paint.

Then, careful not to spill a drop, she started painting a solid red border along the bottom.

Tess waited for a spark of creativity, but none came. Savannah was focused on the border with the concentration of a brain surgeon.

Tess squatted down beside her. "Savannah, honey, do you like borders?"

The paintbrush lifted. There was a long pause, then:

"No."

"What do you like?"

She shrugged. "I never thought about it."

"Think about it now. What sort of things do you like?"

"I like ... stars."

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"Okay."

"Okay what?"

"Okay, paint stars."

Savannah gave her a surprised look. A smile hovered in the corners of her mouth. "Really?"

"Really. Go on."

Savannah turned back to the curtain. Dipping her brush in the red paint, she scooted closer to the fabric and started her first star.

Tess glanced over her shoulder. Katie was standing as far away from the sheet as she could without losing sight of Savannah's star. Her small hands were curled into fists at her sides.

Tess got to her feet and walked toward her. Katie stiffened and stared at the curtain.