by Lynn Elder

 “For Christmas I wanted…,” “Where is it?” “I hate you all!.”

A mop of wayward blonde curls was tossed hither and thither as the little girl stomped her feet in anger. The angelic demeanour of an hour ago was but a distant memory for her parents now.

Sipping on a Yule-tide mulled glass of wine, the older woman winched as she remembered her behaviour from so many years ago. It was like she was born into the wrong family because no one understood her passion and took her seriously. She smiled while surveying the unwrapped gifts beneath the Christmas tree. Now, she was able to tick off her wish list.

One painting easel.

Half a dozen paintbrushes to suit different strokes and mediums.

A collection of acrylic and oil paints.

Blank canvases of assorted sizes.

Sketchbooks for forays into the countryside.

A tin of watercolour pencils.

A box of pastels.

A giant workbook.

A large coffee-table sized book about Renaissance painters.

She turned around at the sound of her daughter’s voice.

“Oh, Mum, Dad and I and my brothers hope we didn’t forget anything on your wish list.”

Her mother responded joyfully, “ I have everything I need now for my painting trip to Italy in July. Thank you so much, my darling.”

• Day 1 – The 12 Days of Christmas Writing Prompt. Prompt provided by author and writer Melissa Gijsbers.