Chloe found her foster daughter Alicia at home, covered in oil paint. She knew Alicia had been at Orin’s studio. Orin, their neighbor, was an artist in his fifties, and Chloe was in love with him. To stop Alicia from making a big mistake, Chloe was ready to reveal an old family secret.
Alicia stepped off the bus, her college diploma snug in her backpack but her heart filled with unease. Returning to the small town she called home meant returning to Chloe’s house, where every rule stifled her like a tight collar.
Chloe, her foster mother, had always been strict, keeping a lid on her dreams like they were wild things that might escape if given half a chance. The evening of her return, Chloe organized a small dinner party. Orin, a recent returnee to the neighborhood, caught Alicia’s attention.
Chloe had an interest in Orin, but Alicia, encouraged by Orin’s support, confessed her desire to paint. Chloe’s disapproval was clear, but Orin gently defended Alicia’s passion.
