Nadine

Tre finds my bear and then we fly over to my house. There's no wind. I start jumping up and down. "I WANT TO PAINT OUTSIDE."

Tye looks at me. "Ok."

"Why would you say ok to that?"

"Why wouldn't I? And now there won't be paint all over the house."

"And if it rains?"

"We can take the easels inside. Why are you being so difficult?"

"Because he won't help. He refuses to send her for help. All he wants to do is drug her. I'm just pissed." He kisses my head. "I'm going to go make sure the house is clean for all the doctors baby. Why don't you go feed the chickens." I take off for the chickens. "And be careful where you put the bear down."

When I get back from feeding the chickens Tye is standing there with Marcus talking. The servants have my painting stuff set up right beside them.

I run by them and in the house. "TRE'S NOT IN THERE BABYDOLL."

I come back out. "Where did he go?"

"He went to find some stuff for lunch. Just come out here and paint for now. You'll be alright."

Marcus looks at me. "Oh I found you some black canvas. Now you won't have to paint them black if you want a black background."

I grab onto Tye and hide my face. "What do you say babydoll?"

I look at Marcus. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Nadine. I put them over with the white ones."

I run over and look at all the brushes and stuff he brought. There's so many. And so many colors of paint.

I grab a black canvas and put it on the easel. Then I get the bright red paint.

I get a couple sizes of brushes then I paint 2 bright red eyes looking at me. I stare at them for a long time. Then I take the little brush and make sure they are the right shape. No other marks just 2 big red eyes.

Then I start painting another one. This time on a white canvas. I start with the deck of the boat.

Then I go back to the eyes. They're about dry. I put my palms on the eyes and I push them straight off the canvas. So the eyes are still there. But now there is a trail of paint off the page.

I go back to the other other one and draw the ocean. All the big waves. Then the sky with the dark clouds and lightening.

"Come sit down baby. The fish is almost done."

I run over and sit down by Tye. "Am I good?"

"You're a very good girl babydoll." I smile and lay my head on his shoulder.

Tre sits on the other side of me and feeds me a bite.

I sit between them and we all eat fish. I look over and Marcus and Omar are looking at my paintings.

"Whose eyes are those babydoll?"

He'll think I'm losing my mind. I just shrug my shoulders.

Tre kisses my head. "Are they mine?"

"No."

"Tye?"

"No."

"Dipak?"

"No."

"Kane?"

"No."

"Mary, your dad, my dad, Tye's dad?" Tye starts laughing. "Well I didn't want you to feel left out." Then he starts laughing.