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“I apologize. Again.” He let the spoon fall into the container. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”
“You’re forgiven,” Eric said, speaking on behalf of both of us. “Oh! I have something for you.” He raced to his bedroom.
“Whatever happened must be bad if you’re on our doorstep needing ice cream.” I leaned forward and put my elbows on the counter, letting some of my irritation with him go.
“I should’ve called.” He scooped a bite into his mouth and savored it when it hit his tongue.
“No. You actually did it right. Ice cream emergencies aren’t phoned in.” I pointed to the nearly empty container. “But I hope you can hold off a few days before you have another one because that’s all we’ve got left, buddy.”
He made a noise I couldn’t figure out what it meant. “And a replacement can’t be bought.”
Ah. Lincoln was used to being able to purchase whatever he needed on a whim.
“Not available in stores.” I found myself smiling because I had something he couldn’t get anywhere else.
“Can you help me, sis?” Eric was breathless as he dragged the canvas into the room.
“Allow me.” Lincoln stood from the barstool.
“No,” Eric said quickly. “You sit so I can show you.”
Albeit in slow motion, Lincoln did as instructed.
I picked up the end of the canvas that was on the carpet.
“Don’t let him see yet,” Eric whispered urgently.
“I won’t.”
We toted it a few steps closer.
“On three,” Eric said. “One. Two. Three.”
We spun, revealing the painting Eric had completed in art class. Lincoln’s expression was back to unfeeling rock as he took in the cabin on a lake scene.
“It’s for you.” Eric lifted up his end a little. “I made it.”
“I can’t accept this.”
When Lincoln finally spoke, Eric’s face fell.
“But I made it for you.”
Lincoln’s expression turned to confused rock. “It’s fantastic.”
Eric perked up again. “I knew you’d like it.”
“It is amazing,” I said brightly, trying to keep my brother from being disappointed when Lincoln rejected him again. “We could hang it right there.” I pointed to an empty space above the old television set.
“No.” Lincoln’s voice was sharp. “It’s a gift. I’m taking the painting.”
I nearly dropped my end of the canvas. Where had insistent rock come from?
“We could deliver it to you in the van. There’s lots of room in there.”
I smiled at Eric’s thoughtfulness as we carefully propped the painting against the sofa.
“Thank you, but I believe I’ll carry it with me this evening.”
