Page 90 of Painted Dreams


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By the time they returned to their rooms, Kat wondered if Nana would be up for that late-night chat. She almost hoped they could just go to sleep—it was the only way Kat’s brain completely shut out the voices she didn’t want to hear.

“Nana, do you want a cup of tea before bed?”

Her brows shot up. “I certainly do. I’ll have my bath, then we can have tea, and I brought good chocolates. You call for a pot of hot water.”

Thirty minutes later, Kat sat cross-legged on Nana’s bed and unwrapped a dark chocolate truffle.

“That little speech you gave your dad this evening… Did you mean it?”

Startled, Kat stared at Nana, the chocolate still in hand. “Mean what?”

“That you’re done trying to prove yourself to your mother? No more pretending?” Nana closed a hand over Kat’s. “I hope so, love. I know it hurts to see your mother take an interest in your siblings and their kids, but you’ll never change her. You might need to let go.”

Kat took a small bite of the chocolate and slowly chewed while Nana’s words sank in.

“This weekend, the show…you wanted your mother to see your paintings in a gallery. But did you really want her company? Would she have added to your joy?”

Kat looked past her grandmother. The truth was they’d have more fun without her mom around. She lifted her eyes to Nana. “No. Mom is a constant source of frustration.”

Nana reached out and placed a hand under Kat’s chin. “Stop letting her have so much influence, honey.”

Kat pressed her lips together, nodding.

“Honestly, I have to share some of the blame for your mother’s attitude.” Nana blew out a long sigh. “When you were young, I jumped at every chance to take care of you, to be with you. I enjoyed you so much.” Nana shot Kat a soft smile. “But the more I volunteered, the more your mother withdrew.”

“No, Nana. She’s the only person responsible for behavior. I can’t imagine where I’d be if I didn’t have you.”

“I think one day your mother woke up and realized that you and I have a wonderful, close relationship. That she missed out, and it made her jealous. So she built a wall to keep from dealing with her emotions. I’m so sorry, darling girl. But you’re your own woman now.” Nana took a sip of tea but kept her eyes on Kat. “Now, this break-up with Nick, it didn’t have anything to do with your mother, did it?”

Kat nearly spit her tea.Boy, did it. She shook her head. “Not in the way you might think. Turns out we don’t see eye-to-eye on some things. I’d rather not get into it. I’m not sure where we stand. I’m sorry you won’t get to meet him this weekend, but we both needed some space.”

Nana took Kat’s hand. “You’re upset about losing the show, but I sense there’s more to it. You’re discouraged, unsettled.”

Kat blinked back sudden tears. “Everything seems difficult right now. I feel like a hamster in a box, spinning my wheels.” She’d lost so much so fast. Thoughts of never seeing Nick again, as much as the hits to her career, made her feel empty inside. She just wasn’t sure what to do about it.

The rest of the weekend, Kat bumbled through as best she could. At least her mother’s absence meant she didn’t have to endure the impatient heavy sighs or I-told-you-so expressions. Like Nana had pointed out, Mia was far better company. She filled the void left by Nick’s absence as well.

Nick’s absence. Before Kat tumbled down the rabbit hole wondering if he was still in town Friday night, Nana linked her arm as they approached the door to their hotel “That was a lovely day.”

“Not too much?”

“It was just right. Shopping tomorrow?”

“If that’s what you want to do.” Kat was happy to leave the decision-making to Nana.

“Good thing I brought a book,” her dad cut in.

Nana swatted at him. “Just as well. You can find a bench while we get lost in Bloomingdale’s. We can shop a little before lunch, have a nice, relaxing meal to revive our spirits, then go to the museum.”

“We can always modify the plan if it gets to be too much,” Kat told her.

Inside the hotel lobby, Kat’s dad gestured toward the bar. “Ladies, would you care to join me for a nightcap?”

Kat didn’t, but she turned to Nana. “Up to you.”

“I think I’d better get upstairs and rest up for our next adventures.”

“All right. Goodnight.” He kissed them each on the cheek. “Sweet dreams.”