In the early afternoon, under a gray sky . . . Ib, her parents, and her sisters when on their way to an art gallery . . .
"Did you remember everything, girls?"
"Oh! Ib, do you have your handkerchief? You know, the one you got for your birthday? Keep it safe in your pocket, okay? Don't lose it!"
We entered the gallery. My eleven-year-old sister, Kasey, held my hand as we walked in. She had auburn hair and dark eyes, like our father. My fifteen-year-old sister, Terra, had ash brown hair and crimson eyes, like our mother. I resembled both Terra and my mother.
The museum was large and inviting. Music played in the background, matching the artistic scenery and giving off a good vibe.
"Well, we're here," my mother said. "Terra, you've been to an art gallery before, right?"
"Once," Terra replied, shrugging. She was a bit grumpy because she was being forced to go to an art gallery with her parents and two little sisters.
My mother focused her ruby red eyes on me and Kasey. "This is your first time, right, girls?" After we nodded, she went on to say, "We're here today to see an exhibition of works by an artist named Guartena… And they don't just have paintings, but sculptures… and all kinds of other creations!"
"I don't doubt that even you'll enjoy it, girls," she said, smiling at me and Kasey. Her eyes flashed uncertainly at Terra for a second, but then she said, "And that goes for you too, Terra."
Terra opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, our father turned to us and said, "Should we get to the reception desk?"
My mother nodded and said, "Ah, yes. Let's get some pamphlets as well."
The five of us walked over to the reception desk. While my father asked about the schedule, I looked around the room. I saw two windows near the entrance where we came in. A man was gazing intently into one of the windows. I also saw a poster behind the receptionist. It had a picture of a large fish head, the letter G (which I assumed stood for "Guartena"), and some text above the picture. There wasn't much for me to do, so I turned to my mother and asked her if I could just go on ahead.
"Hm? You want to go on ahead? Really, Ib…" My mother glanced at me, looking uncertain.
"Can I come?" Kasey quickly chimed in.
My mother seemed to mull over this for a moment before she finally looked at Terra. "All right, you two may go. But only if Terra comes with you to supervise."
"What?" Terra said incredulously. "But I –"
My mother shot her and she piped down. Then my mother said to me and Kasey, "Just make sure you're quiet in the gallery, okay? Don't make a ruckus." She looked at me and said, "Not that there's any need to worry about you, Ib, I suppose… As for Kasey…"
"Hey!" Kasey said.
My mother cracked a smile. "Stay close to Terra, okay, girls? And don't cause the other visitors any trouble, now!"
Kasey grabbed my hand and we hurried off, Terra rushing up behind us. She hissed at us, "Kasey! Ib! Don't run!"
Kasey giggled and we slowed down. Terra caught up to us, and together, the three of us went on to observe the rest of the gallery.