Colors of Rain

Chapter 18: White petals

It was a pleasant Sunday if one might point out. The earth was basked in warm sunlight and the flowers swayed gracefully with the wind. Fresh air filled the old Victorian mansion's garden. The garden was painted in various hues of red, orange, blue, and green. With the flowers in full bloom, one could mistake the place for paradise.

The Blanchard's were particularly busy that day as they were to hold a barbecue as a celebration for the art exhibit's success. It was a couple of days ago, but Elton felt the need to do something more lively than pestering his sister and father, so he thought of a party. But a party for what? After hours of pondering and pestering his sister, lo and behold, the awaited barbecue party. However, it served more than being a petty excuse to host a party, as the group needed some time off from their lives at the university.

Evelyn arrived at 8 am to help with the preparations as she figured they needed the extra set of hands. To her surprise, they didn't, as Eliza was pretty much a team of her own. Upon arriving, Evelyn saw that the young woman was all over the place cooking, decorating, cleaning, and setting up. She couldn't believe the speed Eliza was showing. From the corner of her eye, she saw Elton sitting on the couch watching his sister as if watching a movie. Evelyn walked towards him and asked, "Mind telling me why you're not helping her?"

Elton swallowed his last spoon of cereal before answering. " Well, basically my sister is a machine." That was all he said before slurping the milk. Unbeknownst to both, Roger was walking behind Elton and without a second thought smacked him with newspaper mid drink causing him to choke. "Boy! You know better than to relax while she does all the work." Roger scolded in disbelief.

After recovering and regaining his composure, Elton placed his hand on his father's shoulder in an attempt to explain his situation but failed as his hand earned a newspaper smack. "Ow! That hurts. I think you broke a bone." he whined.

"And I think I have a concussion. I think the milk went to my lungs. Oh, God! I think I'm suffocating! Help! I'm dying." he said, dramatically holding his heart.

"Quit whining and go help your sister," Roger ordered, causing the young man to sigh and walk away in defeat.

Evelyn, on the other hand, was amused by the events that played out. An interesting family indeed. Roger and Elton's closeness somehow reminded her of her father. "I've never seen her radiate this much energy since her mother died." Roger's soft voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"She really is like her mom. A force of nature. When working together, it feels like they could do anything. Like they could take over the world." he chuckled at the thought. Evelyn eyed Eliza as beads of sweat dripped from her forehead yet she still looked effortlessly beautiful. She was breath-taking amid the haggard appearance.

"You really have an effect on her." The old man's words made her look at him in confusion.

" You gave her the light we couldn't provide. She's been in the abyss for so long and I am ashamed to admit of having the thought that she might not ever get out of it. You are a savior." Evelyn's face softened at the thought, letting out a small smile.

Looking back at her lover, she replied "I am anything but a savior as I too was stuck in the abyss. I provided no light. If anything, I think she provided me one." Before Roger could reply, a running Elton interrupted the pair.

"The hell is wrong with you, boy?! You look like you've seen a ghost!" Roger exclaimed.

"It's worse." That was all Elton could say. The pair then looked behind him to see an angry Eliza holding a slipper in one hand.

"What did you do?" Roger asked with the same horror written on his face.

"I just wanted to wash the bowl, but when I got there. The sink. Was. Already. Clean!" Roger could only gasp at his answer and look at the bowl in his son's hands. Evelyn could not comprehend what the fuss was about, but she knew their emotions were genuine. Feeling the need to do something, she walked towards her lover and motioned her to calm down to which the young woman obliged. Setting down the slipper, both women made their way to the kitchen, and to both men's relief, the threat was over. For now.