A Secret for a Secret (All In #3)(71)

We set ourselves up in the back row with drinks, and the girls fill me in on what I missed while Lavender and I were finger painting.

Violet drops down into the seat beside mine a few minutes into second period. “Thank you so much for indulging Lavender: she would spend all day in that room if she could, and she adores you.”

“It was really my pleasure. And I adore her too,” I tell her. “How long have you had the art room?”

“Alex had one of the spare rooms converted about six months ago, when we started taking Lavender to art therapy classes with Kody.”

“They go together? That’s so cute.”

Lainey nods. “We thought we’d give it a try. Kody likes working with clay the most because he’s more kinesthetic, and he only makes hockey pucks, but it’s been so good for his anxiety, and mine to be honest,” Lainey says.

I know this about Lainey, that she worries a lot. She’s brilliant, has three master’s degrees, and has already completed a PhD, but she wants to start a second one. She’s kind and sweet and lovely, but crowds are not her thing.

“Lavender loves it, and it’s definitely helping bring her out of her shell.” Violet then addresses me. “She’s constantly asking about you, so feel free to drop by and get your finger paint on anytime.”

“I’d love to, if you’re serious.”

“I’m totally serious. She likes the instructors at the therapy center, and she’s making such great gains with the other kids, but for one on one, we still can’t find someone she’s willing to open up to.”

“I’d be happy to come over anytime.” I drum on the arm of the chair for a few seconds before I confide, “I actually went to college to become an art therapist.”

“Why aren’t you doing that now, then? You’re amazingly talented, and you’re like a kid whisperer. They love you,” Violet says. “I poked my head in while you two were doing your thing, and Lavender was talking up a storm. She only ever does that with us. We’ve tried three different therapists, and no one has gotten her to open up like that.”

“I didn’t finish the degree, but I made an appointment with one of the course counselors at the college to see what classes I still need and if they have any openings in their program.”

“How long do you think it will take to complete it?”

“Not long: a semester, plus an internship.”

“We’re taking Lavender and Kody to the art center tomorrow if you want to check it out with us. She’d be over the moon if you came along.”

“Yeah. Okay. That would be great.”

I can’t fail if I don’t try, but I can’t succeed, either, and this seems like a baby step in the right direction.





CHAPTER 26





DONE DEAL


Queenie

The next morning Violet gets the two older boys off to their respective activities. Robbie requires zero prodding. He wanders around the kitchen with a book in front of his face, barely sparing a glance at the bowl as he fills it with some kind of homemade granola, covers it in almond milk, and slowly shovels it into his mouth while still reading.

Maverick isn’t so easy. He complains about not being able to eat Froot Loops for breakfast and then points to the Pop-Tarts sticking out of her purse, saying he knows those ones aren’t for Lavender and River, because they only like the strawberry ones. Eventually Violet gets them ready and sends them on their way with their nanny.

Lainey shows up five minutes later in her giant seven-seater SUV. Kody’s sitting in the middle seat—he only has a booster now because he’s freaking huge for his age. I help get Lavender’s seat secured and get her buckled in while Violet argues with River about where he’s sitting.

She finally says something to him that seems to placate him, and he gets in the car, albeit grudgingly.

When we get to the art center, Lavender wants to show me around. When she reaches for River’s hand to drag him along, he crosses his arms and plops into a chair, sulking.

Lavender shrugs and leaves him there, too excited to be bothered, I suppose. She shows me all the pieces she’s done since she started coming here. Once I’ve had the full tour—it’s an amazing space—Lavender grabs a smock and takes a seat at one of the painting tables, and a still-grumpy River does the same, settling in the chair beside his sister.

Kody heads for the clay tables. Once they’re settled at their stations, we hang back and watch them for a few minutes.

“Do they always come together? The three of them?” I ask.

Violet shakes her head. “I only bring River about fifty percent of the time, because I think it’s important for Lavender to do things on her own, without him. It forces her to have her own voice and not rely on him so much.”

One of the staff comes over to say hello, and Violet and Lainey issue an introduction. We start talking about their programs, how they have informal drop-ins, classes, and a special art therapy program with both group and private sessions.

By the end of the half-hour session, I’ve already filled out their volunteer forms and assured them I can make the three-month minimum commitment. I’m excited by the prospect of volunteering in a place that’s in line with what I’ve always been passionate about.