Chapter 32- Childlike Pink

Rae gave Skye one of her nightgowns again but said she would take her shopping the next day for a couple new outfits and pajamas after they visited Myrtle since Skye lost all of her belongings in the fire. Rae was going to take another day off both to be around for Myrtle and to spend time with Skye. Skye didn't complain about the nightgown or her room this time but did make the comment that she would be buying some paint while they were out shopping. She didn't ask, she just stated she was going to get the paint even though it would be Rae paying for it. But Rae really didn't mind because her daughter was home and was making baby steps in her attitude and behaviour, plus she felt like she owed her much more than just clothes and some paint.

When John heard them talking about their shopping trip, he said he would be going with them until they caught the person threatening Skye. This didn't please Skye and she grumbled about it for over an hour, but then finally agreed because she didn't want the person to go after Rae.

Stuart was released the next morning and Adam wouldn't even look at Skye when she said bye to her uncle. Joe wanted to keep Myrtle a little longer but thought she would be released either that evening or the next day.

John agreed to keep a little distance at Skye's request while they shopped, but he would keep close by just in case. Skye's clothing taste was unsurprisingly expensive. Rae could only afford to buy her two outfits right now and one nightgown. She offered to buy clothing a little cheaper, which really weren't that much cheaper, but Skye said she could wait. Rae also suggested to by some sweatpants and a t-shirt for painting, but this left Skye appalled. She claimed she doesn't sweat and would never be seen wearing them. But after arguing back and forth, Skye finally agreed that she shouldn't ruin one of her new outfits, so she picked out some leggings and a t-shirt instead of sweatpants.

Skye looked horrified when they arrived at the hardware store. She'd never stepped foot into one in her life and couldn't understand how such a run-down looking store was sanitary or legal. She took over a half hour to decide what colour of paint to get. She finally decided on childlike pink. (When they told John, he muttered that it was appropriate for her).

They finally arrived home mid-afternoon and Skye said she wanted to paint her room right away.

"Okay," Rae said. "I'm heading up to see Mama in an hour though. Do you want to hang back with John and paint?"

"Oh no, I want to go too. It should only take me like ten minutes to paint."

John sniggered.

Rae raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah, it'll be a piece of cake," Skye said.

"I could help you paint, Skye, if you'd like," John offered.

"No! Grandma said I should paint it myself, so I'm going to prove it to her that I can. I don't want anyone to help me."

"I would really suggest doing it when you have a full free day," Rae said.

"No, I'm going to start right now."

"Okay, well I'm heading out in an hour so, if you're not ready… which I'm telling you that you won't be, I'm going to head out on my own."

Skye rolled her eyes and carried the paint and brushes up to her room.

"This will be interesting," John said.

Rae sighed. "That's an understatement." She gathered some newspapers and carried them up to Skye's room.

Skye was already changed into her leggings and t-shirt and held the paint brush out in front of her as she sized up the wall.

"Sweetie, I brought you a bunch of newspapers," Rae said.

"Newspapers? What for?"

"To protect the floor and your furniture."

"Oh. Okay."

"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Rae asked.

"Nope. This is my project."

"Are you able to push all the furniture by yourself?"

"Why do I need to push—Oh…"

"John can push the furniture for you, and you can still paint by yourself," Rae suggested. "It'll still be your project."

Skye agreed to this. By the time John pushed the furniture to the middle of the room and Rae set down the newspapers for her and placed duct tape along the base boards and electrical sockets, it was time for Rae and a police guard to leave. It was raining out and a thunderstorm was expected.

Skye could not understand why she timed this all wrong. But she decided to keep at it and figured it would be a surprise for Myrtle. She used to paint with Uncle Stuart when she was little, though that was just on small pieces of paper. This was a whole other ball game. She started in one corner and found her arm was sore and she was sweating after just five minutes. John hung out downstairs while Skye painted. But she just couldn't understand why it was coming out so blotchy. The run-down hardware store must've sold them bad paint. She even tried the rolling brush, but it kept falling apart on her.

FargateFargateFargate

Rae and the guard arrived at Pine Valley Hospital as the storm started to pick up. As Rae stepped onto the elevator, the guard was about to join her, when Erica came out of nowhere and hopped in before he could, and she closed the doors quickly leaving the guard behind. By the time Erica realized that Rae was in there with her, she groaned and threw her head backwards. "Could this day get any worse?"

Rae sighed. "Here to visit Mama?"

"Yes, I am. She's a confused woman right now and I'm going to fight for her."

Rae crossed her arms. "You don't need to protect her from me, you know. I would never hurt her."

"I know that Skye caused the fire, and she won't get away with it."

Rae rolled her eyes. "She did not cause the fire and you have no proof that she did."

"Why was she not in the house then?"

"Because she was trying to free Colby Chandler and Lila Quartermaine."

"Well, that's awfully convenient," Erica said.

"Convenient that her sister and grandmother were abducted?"

Erica stepped closer to Rae. "Myrtle is like a mother to me and I will not let you come between—"

They heard the sound of lighting and thunder roaring and Erica cradled her head.

"Erica, are you all right?" Rae asked.

The lights flickered and the elevator rumbled and shook. Rae grabbed onto the bar on the wall and tried to reach for Erica, but she dropped to her knees crying as the elevator came to an abrupt stop.