The Realm Painter

Chapter 1

"Happy Birthday Uvania!" my family says to me in unison at the table.

I hear a plate being placed down in front of me. The scent of pancakes with maple syrup greets my nose. They are hot and very much ready for me to dig into them. I can't wait to taste their fluffy goodness.

"I made your favorite breakfast for your special day." my mom points out.

"Thanks, mom but there's no reason to spoil me. I'm only turning seventeen. Really it's no big deal." I stuff a pancake in my mouth "These are delicious. You're such a good cook."

"Nonsense. Your birthday is always going to be important your my first child, my only girl, and a very smart one at that."

"She's right." my dad chimes in with his deep voice. I hear him adjust his newspaper "You will always be my little girl. My only girl no matter how old you get."

"I'll always be here you know. You still have me. You know Menic, your son. Who by the way would also like breakfast." my younger brother points out sounding a bit envious.

"Don't worry son we haven't forgotten about you." my father reassures him with a nice hard pat on the back.

"Uhhuh sure." Menic says with his mouth stuffed.

"So Uvania do you have any plans for today? Any ideas on how you will be celebrating." my brother says to me smiling.

I feel everyone's eyes on me when he asks that question. My head falls so I'm looking at my pancakes. I know the answer they want me to give them. Truth be told I don't have the type of plans they want.However, I do have plans to enjoy myself. Even if it's the same thing I do every day.

"No,"I say lifting my head up "I was just going to sit home and finish my painting Rebirth."

"But you paint every day." my mom says aloud with a bit of sorrow in her voice. She got her hopes up.

"Well, mom I can't help but do what I love. The fact that I get to do what I have a passion for with every passing second is a blessing." I explain to her.

"You can't even -" she catches herself mid-sentence.

Silencefalls upon the room. Tension feels the air.

"What...I can't even see whatI'm painting. It's okay to say it, mom. I was born blind. It's not like I know any different. I can't see. However, when my paintings are dry I can feel the brushstroke patterns. I can feel the different layers. I can feel the painting that I imagined in my head." I say calmly.

Ihear my mom's footsteps get lighter and lighter. She must've left the room. It kills her on the inside when she makes mistakes like this.She's still not used to my lack of ability to see even though I was born this way. Yet she still makes the mistake. I'm sure she's even harder on herself right now for bringing it up on my birthday.

"She'll be fine." Menic says.

"Iknow," I state while continuing to eat my pancakes.

The chair on my right makes a cacophonous scratching noise across the floor. It's then followed by a plop and air being released from the cushion. Menic just moved closer to me if I know better.

"Well, HetakesI guess there's no time like the present then." He says He takes

lightly takes the fork and knife out of my hand. Slides the plate away from both of us. Then he takes my hands and places them both palm side up flat against the table in front of me. It's then light pressure. A birthday present. A smile runs across my face.