CLAIREMBER 2022
Day 27 - red

Ann glanced up from her sketchbook.

Claire was still playing with her Barbies and Chris's action figures on the carpet. It seemed Barbie had taken the action figures' guns and was using them to fight the action figures. Claire grabbed one doll and smacked an action figure, like the doll was beating him up.

"Hey now, go easy on that thing," said Ann. "It belongs to your brother. He's gonna be real upset if he comes home and sees you broke his toys, especially after he said you could play with them."

Claire looked at the figure and set it down. Ann returned to her sketch. The girl climbed on the couch and snuggled next to her.

"Whatcha doing, Mommy?" she asked.

"I'm designing a mural for a new business that's about to open. They sell plants, so they want a mural of a garden. See? Here's the flowers, the vegetables, and fruit."

Claire studied the design. "What's a mural?"

"A mural is like a big drawing, but it's on the wall, from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. It makes the room pretty. When people see a mural, they feel like they're where whatever the mural shows."

"You can draw on walls?"

The doorbell rang.

"Hold that thought." Ann capped her red Sharpie, stood, and put it in her pocket. "I'll be right back."

She glanced at Claire. Her daughter was still on the couch, gently flipping through the big sketchbook.

Ann went into the foyer and opened the door. Fran from down the street and her little girl Cecilia stood on the doorstep.

"Well hey there," said Ann.

"Good morning," said Fran.

"Good morning!" repeated Cecilia.

"Good morning, good morning. What can I do you lovely ladies for?"

"We're just dropping by to return your dish." Fran handed Ann her ceramic bowl. "Thank you again for making something for Michael's Boy Scout troop's fundraiser. Your baked beans were delicious. Weren't they, Cecilia?"

"Yeah," the girl answered.

"Yes," Fran corrected.

"Yes," Cecilia repeated.

"Well, sure. Wasn't any trouble at all. Say, Lee took Chris shopping for school supplies and clothes, so it's just me and Claire today. I'm working on a commission, so she's kind of by herself. I'm sure she'd love some company. Would it be okay if Cecilia joins her for a little bit? I can walk her home whenever you'd like."

"Please, Mommy?" said Cecilia.

"Well, as long as it's not any trouble for Mrs. Redfield."

Ann smiled. "No trouble at all."

"Alright then. Please have her home by five for dinner."

"Five it is." Ann stretched out a hand. "Come on, Cecilia."

Closing the door, Ann guided Cecilia to the kitchen to put away the bowl, then they entered the living room. Claire had left the couch and sketchbook but hadn't returned to the toys.

"Claire?" called Ann.

"I'm here, Mommy!" Claire appeared on the other side of the couch. "Hey Cecilia!"

"Hey," Cecilia answered shyly.

"Mommy, come look what I'm doing!"

Claire was holding a red Sharpie with the cap off. Ann patted her shorts. The Sharpie must've fallen out and Claire found it.

Shit.

Ann rushed around the couch. Lopsided flowers and trees, drawn in red permanent ink, covered the whole corner of the room.

Claire smiled brightly. "I'm making the room pretty!"