Golden Child, Chapter Two (standard:other, 5109 words) [2/2] show all parts
Author: Sare	Added: Nov 12 2001	Views/Reads: 2638/1969	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Kendall recalls her first big sale and how she and Victor first met.

“Come on, sweetie, wake up.  Come on...”  Eva stirred but didn’t open
her eyes.  She clutched at her teddy bear, whimpering in protest.  
“Come on, Eva!  Eva!  Wake up!”  At last, Eva’s eyes fluttered open, 
and she glared at Kendall. 

“What?!” 

On their way back from the bathroom, Eva asked, “Kendall?  What does
‘shunting responsibility’ mean?” 

Kendall stopped walking and turned to face Eva.  “Why do you want to
know?” 

“’Cause Brittany’s mom says that you’re shunting responsibility.” 

“Oh, really?  Well, first of all, that’s a very inappropriate thing for
Brittany’s mom to be telling an eight-year-old.  Secondly, this is a 
pretty funny time for you to be asking me.”  As she spoke, Kendall 
searched for words that and eight-year-old might understand.  “Okay, 
Eva.  You know that I love you, right, but I don’t get to stay home 
with you as much as I would like to, right?” 

“Mm-hmm.”  Eva yawned. 

“Well, you know, and I know that that’s because I have a lot of work to
do, right?” 

Eva nodded sleepily.  “Right.” 

“Well, I guess Brittany’s mom seems to think that it’s because I don’t
want to spend time with you, so I want to make you stay with someone 
else.  It’s not true, though.  Right?” 

“So Brittany’s mom was being mean when she said that?” 

“Well, more like she doesn’t understand.” 

“I understand.  Painting is the most important thing.  Can I go back to
bed now?” 

Kendall’s eyes filled with tears.  “No, honey, hold on.  Painting isn’t
the most important thing, sweetie!!  You’re the most important thing!” 

“Then why do you spend more time at the studio than with me?” 

“Oh, sweetie...”  Kendall knelt down and gathered Eva into her arms. 
“I’m so sorry...  I don’t mean to.  It’s just that I feel like I have 
so many paintings inside of me, and I have to paint them, I have to put 
them on the outside of me.  I know you can’t understand that...  What 
can I do to make you feel more important?” 

Eva shrugged.  “Can I come to your studio sometimes?  Like on a Saturday
morning?” 

“Well, I think that could be arranged.  Not this weekend, because you
and Jill are going shopping, and not next weekend, because we’re going 
to Natasha’s, but the week after that, I’d love for you to come to the 
studio.  And listen, I’ll try to come home for dinner more often, 
okay?” 

“Okay,” nodded Eva. 

“Good.”  Kendall kissed Eva’s forehead and carried her into her bedroom,
setting her on the bed and tucking her in.  She kissed her cheeks, 
saying, “I love you, sweetie.” 

Eva returned the kiss and said sleepily, “I love you, too.” 

“Good night, Eva.  Sleep well, and have sweet dreams.” 

“Mmm...”  Eva fell asleep quickly, and Kendall headed out to the living
room to watch TV. . The next morning, Friday, Kendall woke up a half 
hour before her alarm was set to go off.  She got out of bed and went 
to the bathroom, and brushed her teeth.  She padded barefoot out to the 
kitchen and put water in the kettle to boil, and put a tea bag in her 


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