Liisa. Sioux Dallas

She continued dancing and I opened my first business. We both loved children, but it seemed as if we would never have our own little angel. The time was just never right because of our work.

      We had been married fifteen years; Johanna was thirty-eight and I was forty-six when we were thrilled to know we were having a baby. Your mother stopped going on tours and opened her own dance studio. My work was more successful than I had dreamed.” She smiled remembering that her parents did truly love her, but they had been so in love with each other, that there was little room for anyone else. They didn’t purposely leave her out; they just didn’t think.

      Liisa called a cheery greeting to the doorman and to the guard at the desk. She took the elevator to her penthouse apartment and thankfully entered. The Johnsons had been sad when she decided to get a place of her own and reminded her that she always had a home with them.

      She blessed the warm air blowing and kicked off her heels as she thankfully walked shoeless on the thick, white carpet. Bright burgundy pillows with subtle black swirls dotted the blue leather furniture. An L-shaped desk sat in one comer with a computer and a telephone on it. A printer was on one end. Potted plants were placed in an attractive arrangement around the large, open room. Wide French doors with white on white sheer curtains opened onto a small balcony with a filigree iron railing.

      Liisa walked into the coral and mint-green kitchen to heat water for herbal tea. She then walked across the living room to a large, airy bedroom painted cream and peach. She undressed and put on a warm robe. There was a high four poster oak bed with a bright-colored handmade wedding ring quilt on it. A comfortable lounge chair sat in front of a television set and a matching chaise lounge was in front of a wide, floor to ceiling window with drapes made to match the quilt. White vertical blinds covered this entire wall on which the window was located.

      The adjoining bathroom held a pale, green sunken tub. All the other fixtures were attractive in a pastel green. Light cream wallpaper with bright, colorful birds, complimented the room. A large room running the length of both the bedroom and the bathroom, contained a storage space at one end and a large walk-in closet at the other end. There were easels, high tables with lamps and stools for Liisa’s work. Lots of shelf space held art supplies, and a steel safe held personal papers and jewelry. A long window on the side and a skylight gave the room a feeling of being outdoors.

      Liisa walked back to the kitchen to fix a hot mug of Wild Berry Zinger tea and took it to the bedroom. Checking the time, she saw that she could spare twenty minutes to relax. She turned on the television to get the news and see if the spot that was done on her paintings was showing. How good it felt to lean back against big, firm pillows and put her feet up to relax.

      She opened her eyes to discover that the news was off and almost thirty minutes had passed. Jumping up, she took a quick shower and dressed in a red jumpsuit with a twisted gold belt. Big gold, hoop earrings and gold low-heeled shoes completed her outfit. She ran a comb through her hair and quickly braided it behind in one French braid. Grabbing her purse she got a heavy, warm, black cape with a hood from the closet and put it on. Rushing down to the underground garage, she quickly backed her silver BMW out and headed toward the Johnson estate on Blueberry Hill.

      Gloria met her at the door with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. Liisa got a sloppy kiss from Gloria’s fourteen-month-old son, Jerome. Ronald Johnson ran out of the den, hugged her tightly and lifted her off the floor to whirl her around.

      “Put her down and stop this racket.”

      All of them jumped to obey the short, plump, sweet-faced woman standing in the dining room doorway. Liisa was hugged and kissed by Aunt Ellen who had a grin on her face and moisture in her blue eyes. Short pepper and salt hair curled in the moist heat.

      “Honey, we’re all so proud of you, but not surprised. We know you are oozing with talent. Of course, we’re proud of you regardless, but we’re so happy for you.” Aunt Ellen swiped at her eyes and waved a hand in the air. “Well eat as soon as Paul gets here. Ben is upstairs trying to control his glee. He came home bursting with happiness and pride with the news of your success,” she giggled, sounding like a girl instead of a sixty-two year old woman.

      Gloria’s husband, James Williams, ambled into the hall and shyly hugged Liisa. “I’m proud of you, too, and very happy.” Long ago he had explained that Gloria considered her as a younger sister and now that he was married to Gloria, he would do the same.

      “Thank you, James. It’s so good to be here tonight with family.”

      Ben came clattering down the steps in a run and swooped Liisa up to hug her and whirl around.

      “Put her down and stop that racket,” Gloria and Ronald laughingly said at the same time. Ellen playfully swatted at them and went back to the kitchen.

      “Is there something I can do to help, Aunt Ellen?” Liisa asked, following her.

      “No, thank you, dear. Everything is ready as soon as that rascal Paul gets here.”

      Paul was now a well-established, successful labor law attorney. Ronald had completed his training for family law and was ready to take the bar exams. Gloria had trained for an elementary teacher, but was staying home with the baby and writing stories for children. The two books she had published were illustrated by Liisa. James was a successful pediatrician. Ben was still practicing family medicine, but not full time. Ellen was a surgical nurse but had not worked in years because she wanted to stay home and care for her children, Paul, Gloria and Ronald and Liisa.

      Ben could well afford to hire housekeepers and cooks, but Ellen wouldn’t hear of it. She loved to cook for her family and tend to her own house. A firm did help with the lawn, flower beds, washing windows and all outside work.

      “At last! I’m ready to chow down on the furniture,” Ronald yelled as Paul breezed in bringing cold air with him.

      “Aaarg! It’s cold. Mom, I hope you cooked your usual barrel full. If everyone’s as hungry as I am, we’ll need it. Where is she? Where’s my girl?” Paul spoke rapidly as he took off his overcoat, gloves, hat and overshoes.

      Everyone laughed as Liisa ran out of the kitchen and jumped into Paul’s arms He hugged her tightly and kissed both cheeks. He then gently stood her in front of him, took her face between his hands and tenderly kissed her full on the lips. “I could hardly wait to get here,” he whispered.

      “Well!” Gloria said explosively, placing fists on her hips and smiling teasingly at them. “What’s this?”

      Ronald snaked an arm around Liisa and steered her into the dining room. “People! Didn’t you hear me say I’m starved? Umm. Smell that roast beef.”

      After a delicious dinner, Ellen ordered everyone into the den for coffee and homemade apple pie. Liisa stayed in the kitchen to help. Paul came in, shooing his mother out and winked at her as she left. Now what was that about! Liisa thought.

      Puzzled, she kept her thoughts to herself as she and Paul rinsed the dinner dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. They had made a fresh pot of coffee while they cleaned the kitchen and put leftover food away.

      Liisa cut seven pieces of pie and placed them on small plates with forks while Paul set a silver pot of coffee on a tray with sugar and cream. Liisa set the plates on a tray with napkins to be carried into the den. Paul carried the heavier tray in behind her. Ellen looked at Paul and raised one eyebrow, but he slightly shook his head so that only his mother saw it. Gloria got ice cream and cheese for those that wanted something on their pie. Jerome had a small bowl of ice cream. He had been bathed and dressed for bed.

      There was a great deal of talking laughing, teasing and reminiscing. Gloria shifted on the floor where she sat beside Liisa. “Tell us what all the people said about your paintings. I bet they were the best any of the people had seen.”

      “Oh, no,” Liisa blushed. “It will sound like I’m bragging.”

      “It isn’t bragging when you’re telling the truth,” Ben assured her. “Besides, you’ve earned the right if you wish to brag.”

      “Liisa,”