Briar's Patch

Chapter 5

The next morning, I give dad a weak smile as I enter the kitchen after performing my morning routine, and dressed for the day. Pouring myself a cup of coffee with creamer before I let Duke outside to use the bathroom. Walking outside behind Duke to sit on the wooden swing while sipping my coffee, and watching Duke. 

The slider door opens, and dad joins me on the swing; "Briar, do in life that will make you happy, and not what people think you can or cannot do."

'I guess I will see if my photography can take me anywhere,' I sign with my left hand as I hold the hot cup in my right.

Dad softly sighs at me before saying; "Oh, papa and paw-paw said you can stay with them while I'm on shift."

'I changed my mind about staying with them as I will be fine here on my own with Duke,' I sign with a fake smile. 'I have a couple of paintings I want to work on.'

"Briar, you don't have to stay here alone," he replies. 

"I won't be alone as Duke will be with me,' I instantly reply. 

"Briar, I can't help you if you don't open up to me," he gently says as we watch Duke play with a stick. 

'I need to man up, deal with my issues on my own, and move on without being a problem to anyone,' I reply looking him in the eye. 

"Just remember I'm here if you need anything, so are Halsey, Marley, your granpa's, and uncle Kenny, and aunt Kacee," he says giving up on the topic, for now at least. 

I nod turning my attention back to Duke as we drink our coffee in silence. 

"So, Kenny, Adam, and I are going fishing today, do you want to come with?" he asks several minutes later. 

'No thanks, I'mg going to work on my paintings, and my violin piece. Hope you have fun,' I reply with a tiny smile as I stand to head inside for more coffee and Duke follows. 

Wandering into a room that dad let me turn into my art room, I open the blinds to let in the natural light with Duke following. I set up my easel, and canvas to sketch out the image I want to paint of a shirtless cowboy. The man is standing in profile, has a cowboy hat with his right hand tipping the hat down over his eyes, and his left hand is curled into a fist, and his thumb is hooked a belt loop. He's wearing worn denim jeans, and worn cowboy boots. 

Dad knocks on the open door as he steps inside to stand beside me to look over the image; "Very nice, Briar. Who inspired this?"

'No one,' I reply with a small grin up at him. "Thanks, by the way.'

He hums in reply as he continues to study the outline with a serious expression; "Once you finish this piece, we should see if an art gallery will let you place it there. Snap pictures of the process for your portfolio."

'No art gallery will want to display this,' I sign with a frown, but I do grab my cell from the shelf behind me, and snap several pictures. 

"Briar, I'm sure a gallery will. Believe in yourself, my dear son," he quietly replies. "By the way, Kenny and Adam will be here soon, are you sure you don't want to come?" 

Shaking my head as I place my phone back on the shelf before signing; 'No thanks. I want to work on this.'

"Okay. I will let you know when I leave, and I'll be back sometime tonight. Don't forget to eat lunch, and I'll bring home dinner."

Nodding I grab the paints I want to place on my pallet, and squeeze out the colors to mix together several for the flesh tone, jeans, boots, hat, and hair. Grabbing several different paint brushes, I set to work after turning on music from my phone as dad leaves the room. I become so lost in my painting that I jump when a hand lands gently on my left shoulder. Turning my body to my left, I find dad, uncle Kenny, and Adam in the room.

"Hey, this looks great, kiddo," uncle Kenny praises with a smile, and Adam nods in agreement. 

'Thank you,' I reply with a deep pink blush coating my cheeks before placing the brushes and pallets down. 'Are you guys leaving know?'

"Yeah, last chance to come with?" uncle Kenny hopefully asks.

'Nope, you guys have fun,' I smile while stretching my arms over my head, and crack my neck. 

"Alright then, we will be home by 7 p.m., and we will have dinner with us," dads says. 

'Bye,' I say before walking out of the room behind them to the front door where dad's fishing pole, and tackle box are. 

Locking the door behind them, I wander into the kitchen to grab a glass of water and a snack, and realizing that it's already noon. I then make myself a turkey sandwich to go along with my small bag of pretzels and water. Sitting at the counter, I scroll through my social media while eating, clicking and commenting on several posts. 

A message pops up on the screen, and I click on it without looking, as I think it's Halsey or Marley. Well, I was wrong as it is from Emmett; "Hey Briar, how are you today?" 

Sighing, I exit out of the message, and turn the screen off with an eye roll. Groaning, I turn the phone back on to answer him, and then perhaps he will leave me alone; "Hello. What part of 'leave me alone' don't you understand?" 

"I just want to see you, so I can explain a few things to you. Can I see you soon, please?" he almost immediately replies. 

"Fine. Come over today before 6 p.m., and we can talk for a little while," I send back; I will listen to him, and then send him on his way if I still want nothing to do with him. 

"Great! I'll be there in twenty!" he replies, and I let out a long sigh that causes Duke to look at me weirdly.