I know I told him that I would pray about the new venture. I know I should have prayed but when something feels so right is it necessary to pray? I mean when you feel the peace of God and a calmness encompassing your soul is that not a living prayer?

I have learned that justification of my own will is not prayer. I know that now but as a young woman I still had so much to learn.

When he left he took the paints with him. Mama did not know about the paints. She didn’t say a word about the house not being cleaned or the food not being made. She looked at me with a quizzical look but not a word of chastisement was spoken.

Papa and Mama whispered late into the night. I tried but I could not hear what they were saying.

It did not matter though. I started to think of which items I would paint which would look good on canvas. I yearned to have the paints which he had brought me as a gift.

I had never been one to covet but I was in full covet now. I wanted those brilliant paints to work with. I also wanted to be with this man.

I had never felt passion or desire like this before. I seemed to have the world in my hands and I wasn’t about to let go. This man held my destiny.