Let tomorrow come

Chapter 2.

I twirled in front of the mirror again to check if there were any flaws. Suddenly a hair fell out of my two braids or my dress got dirty somewhere, but everything was perfect. Having meticulously examined myself, I went down to my dad, who was already waiting for me.

"Christie, incredibly long. You become like the average girl, they all take a long time to get ready," he laughed.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I grinned, "besides, what's the new nickname, dad?"

"It's always welcome for my daughter! Miss Aela, are you ready?"

"Of course, sir, I'm always ready for you," she answered flirtatiously.

Aela is our new housekeeper. She has been working with us for the last three months. She's a funny girl. She is red-haired, has freckles, has a normal build and loves to laugh. She is twenty-seven years old. And dad seems to like her. He grieved for a long time after the death of his mother, but Aela came and gradually everything began to change. He became more cheerful.

Where did Ann go? My dear Ann got married. So we had to let her go. She left for the province, and we have only seen each other a couple of times since then. But she simply glowed with happiness. So if she liked this life better, I'm happy for her. If only someone would love me as much as Bill loves Ann. But I didn't dwell on this thought for long.

Today the three of us decided to go shopping. I needed new canvases. Last year, my dad and I went to Greece; he had long promised to take me there. There is so much there that is historically important and has survived to this day. Old civilizations are very interesting. I painted three landscapes, two of which dad sold to our friends. And he kept the one he liked the most. It hangs in our living room. Last week, my teacher and I drew two more paintings: a garden with roses and a photograph of Keira Knightley, and sent them to the competition in different categories. My teacher always believed that I would achieve a lot in this field.

Dad and Eila chatted the whole way about something that they alone understood. So I didn't interfere and just kicked pebbles under my feet if they came across me along the way. I wondered how Peter was doing, since he was still my only close friend. Dad promised to buy me a computer. This was for training purposes so that Mrs. Olson would no longer have to spend entire days tutoring me. We decided that studying remotely is much better. Besides, if I had a computer, we would connect to the Internet, and I could correspond by email with Peter. He returned to his parents twice a year, and not for long. He came to us once during all this time, and the other times I went to visit the Wilsons. They, of course, were always happy to see me, but their son was much more important to them, and of course, they are right. Sometimes they went to campus during school hours to see him. But it wasn't enough, and they missed him, I guess. Peter always brought me some souvenirs from Glasgow. I may not have said it, but his studies are taking place there. And in a year he should already become a bachelor's graduate. Dad promised that we would go to his graduation together. So, immersed in thoughts about Peter, I walked to the store with dad and Aela.

"Well, girls, shall we meet at the store at the entrance in half an hour?" Dad asked cheerfully.

"Christina, should I go with you to get some canvases?"

"Thank you, Aela, I can do it myself. You and dad can buy everything you need," I answered.

And with that we parted ways.

In the evening there was a brand new laptop on the table in my room. We still thought it was more compact and portable. So the decision was made unanimously. I was terribly happy. It has finally happened. We burst home with noise and laughter. At that moment, the grandmother came out, and it seems that she was unhappy that her peace was disturbed. But she was crazy about her only son, and therefore remained silent. In addition, Aela always managed to do everything, although she was younger than Ann, and was just learning how to properly distribute finances, without having much experience behind her. She always listened to the advice of those who had lived in this house for a long time, but did not follow them literally. She chose the average of all the opinions she received, and therefore easily found a common language with everyone. And my grandmother really liked it, even with her unhealthy love for the male and underestimation of the female half.

***

Two days later, I was connected to the Internet. Dad was pleased, besides, he was going to leave for work in a few days and wanted everything to be done before his departure, and I didn't need anything. He also wanted to go to Belfast before the end of his vacation; my brother is studying mathematics at the university there. Dad wanted to send him to one of the Scottish universities, but grandmother insisted that he go to Northern Ireland to her friend Grandma Agnia and to that unpleasant Mrs. Mabel, because of whom everything happened to my mother. I don't think I'll ever forgive her for this. And then there was Amber, her daughter and John's friend. I was sure that he would not be bored there. But it doesn't matter. It was easier to breathe at home without him, nobody could jump out from around the corner and scare me or trip me up. So peace and order reigned at home. Only one thing did not change: grandmother's love of exaggerated conservatism, walks on Sundays and overly formal lunches and dinners every day. I was really tired of this. I think dad did too, but he respected grandma and came home rarely, and therefore didn't change anything, although sometimes he argued with her. He was completely focused on John and me. John came last Christmas for the last time. For some reason he decided not to come in the summer, but grandmother was not very upset after she talked about something with grandmother Agnia. Well, okay, there will still be winters ahead.

I decided not to delay, called Mrs. Wilson and asked for Peter's email, after which I immediately sat down at my laptop.

"Hello. This is Christina. How are you doing? P.S. Dad bought me a laptop, now we can communicate if you want."

I waited about ten minutes, and there was no answer.

"He's probably busy. I'll check later," I thought and went to the greenhouse. Claude was always glad to see me. He was moderately sociable. And since his wife Marie was often busy cleaning the large house, I kept him in good company. I often sat down and sketched flowers. Sometimes human faces appeared among the outlines of flowers. Merging into one picture, they told their story. It seemed to me that flowers perfectly convey people's emotions. Luckily, Alice was busy and I didn't have any lessons. So I sat until the evening, tilд they called me for dinner. I quickly glanced at the sketch: a young girl with a thin, pointed face was looking up with a cold and slightly desperate expression. And her body was replaced by a slender delphinium. It looks like the idea was a success, and I was pleased with myself.

Dinner passed with the grandmother lamenting that her son was leaving again, and at the same time, she gave instructions on what to convey to John, including from her.

"It's as if dad has never seen his son, and he is not able to figure out what to say or what to do. My brother wouldn't mind the lack of attention at all, since he doesn't want to come," I thought irritably.

At the end of the evening bustle, I wished my father a good night's sleep before the journey, then I went upstairs and hurried to check the mail. A message was waiting for me:

"Hi Chris. I'm glad you wrote. I'm doing great, you know I love to study. It's like I'm in my element. I read constantly since the university library is nearby. This is my final year and I will already have a bachelor's degree. I don't know if I want to continue studying or stop. But soon I will know for sure. I'll come in winter, and we'll definitely go for walks together, because you haven't seen a lot of things yet. I respect Grandma Eugena, but it seems she's too hard on you. But you know I'm your friend, so we'll fill in those gaps.

P.S. How are your paintings?"

"It's good that you're okay. I was bored without communication. Now dad is visiting, but tomorrow he will leave. I have to see him off, so I'll go to bed early today. I will write to you in my free time. Now I also have to study a lot. Pictures... Well, there is progress. Today I was in Claude's greenhouse, and I'm finally happy with the sketch. Good night!

P.S. We will definitely take a walk if I'm allowed. But it's too early to talk about this, it's only September."

The power sensor has stopped lighting. closed my laptop and smiled to myself. Even from a distance, I was no longer alone. Also, now I could not lose touch with my dad. I brushed my teeth, undressed and dived into bed.