Free Freeform by Xavier Neal Page A

about you and your artwork.”
     
    “There would be more to tell if you would let us put one of your pieces in the hotel lobby here in town,” Aunt Brandi tries to tempt me with the same offer I always refuse. “Or maybe in the offices?”
     
    I shake my head at her. “Not happening.”
     
    Aunt Brandi shrugs. “It was worth a shot.”
     
    “I think it would be sweet seeing your work every morning on my way in,” June quietly agrees from beside me. My hand, which is still on her thigh, begins to give it a gentle stroke as our eyes connect. “It would give the building a little extra something special.”
     
    We linger in the moment and for a brief moment I forget there are other people outside of us.
     
    “Would it help remind you that you're not as invisible as you think are? Would an action like that be valued ?”
     
    June slowly nods. “Every day.”
     
    David interrupts, “Your mother did mention none of your artwork was displayed at the offices or hotels and that her parents hope to someday change that. I think I'm with everyone else. Seeing your artwork on a daily would definitely unite this family.”
     
    I have a chomp of my salad. “Implying we're not united now.”
     
    David tries to correct, “I didn't mean it that way. What I meant was-”
     
    “Because I refuse to paint something commercial to sit in a case like an NFL trophy- no offense Uncle Brett-”
     
    “None taken.”
     
    “-that means I'm wishing division upon my family or are you simply implying there is division already here and it's my fault, so the only way to undo it, is by creating a miraculous peace painting?”
     
    June's thumb tries to give me a soothing rub.
     
    “Tucker,” Aunt Brandi fusses. “Relax. I think David was just...trying to...offer his opinion and be part of the conversation.”  
     
    David nods and extends his hand her direction. “Precisely.”
     
    I give his small, squirrel like appearance a small glare.
     
    No. I didn't think I was going to handle all this this poorly, but he needs to remember his place. No matter how long he screws my mother in the sheets or out of cash, he will never belong here. This will never be his mom or his family.
     
    “You said she told you about my artwork?”
     
    “She did.”
     
    “She tell you the painting to your right was a present I gave her and my father for their twentieth anniversary?”
     
    “Tucker,” my mother fusses.
     
    David's brown eyes soften. “She did not. It's a lovely creation.”
     
    “It's a pop art rendering of their first kiss.”
     
    “Tucker!” She squeaks louder.
     
    “I listened to that story, over and over and over again growing up.” Despite her pleas for me to stop, I continue, “I listened to that story so many times, I could retell it in my sleep. He loved every minute of that day like it was the moment his entire life began.”
     
    “Tucker!” The appalled sound in her voice causes June to tap me as if to say it's enough.
     
    Fine. A little out of line there.
     
    “So where ya been?” Uncle Brett speaks loudly to grab my attention.
     
    A heavy sigh escapes and I pick my fork back up in an effort to refocus my attention on eating. “Hawaii.”
     
    “Love Hawaii,” Aunt Brandi coos before turning to my mother. “Remember, that one vacation we all took together when the boys were still little before Brennan was born.”
     
    “Pretty sure Brennan was conceived on that trip,” my mother laughs and the rest of us snicker.
     
    “So what were you doing there?” Uncle Brett waggles his eyebrows. “Swimming with exotic animals or exotic women?”
     
    Unable to resist chuckling again, I reply, “Both.”
     
    June unexpectedly shifts beside me.
     
    An odd feeling of guilt grabs me.
     
    I shouldn't have to be ashamed for loving women the same way I love art. You're right. I don't have to rub it in her face.
     
    “And of course studying art. That's the true point of traveling around the