Legacy of Silence
Page 23
She sank to her knees then silently held up the portrait that had remained hidden for so many years. The model was a young Virginia Radinski.
“She was beautiful,” Russ said with awe.
“Virginia was always elegant. She was already in her seventies when I met her but I can clearly recall telling her she looked classy and gorgeous, which is quite something for a child to say. Kids assume anyone over the age of eighteen is an old toad.” Miranda tried to smile. She pointed to the bottom of the portrait. “Look. He signed it. Virginia. Benjamin A. 1945. This must have been done not long before he was murdered. I wonder... Let me check the other side of this dress.”
She pulled the basting loose and discovered a second painting. “Russ. This must be a companion piece to Performance.” She squinted. “Tuning. Benjamin Auttenberg. 1945.”
Russ stared down at the work, which depicted the children at Terezin quietly tuning their instruments in preparation for a concert for men who would later destroy them.
“It’s even sadder than Performance. The emotion pours through every brushstroke and every line. You know, I think we should sell this one to Darci and the proceeds could go to causes that benefit children. A refugee camp in Afghanistan, perhaps? Maybe a little left over for the Masquerade Theater and The Cooper School?”
Russ nodded. “Great idea.” He gestured toward the second mannequin. “I’ve been so struck by Virginia’s portrait and this piece, I’d almost forgotten. Let’s check the other dress.”
Miranda rose, carefully draped the dress holding the two portraits over one of the few chairs still in the attic, then started undoing the stitches from the second dress, a faded beige wool, until she revealed a third piece of art.
Russ’s jaw dropped. “It’s Jesse!”
Miranda bit her lower lip. “It is. That black curly hair. The huge brown eyes that can’t hide the imp even through the sadness caused by the cruelty meted out in an adult world.”
Russ smoothed out the fabric. “Look at the title.”
“Ariel Auttenberg. 1942.” Miranda stared at Russ. “Ariel. Virginia’s only child.” She didn’t bother to wipe away the tears flowing down her cheeks.
Russ knelt down on the floor next to her and held her as she cried, rocking her against his chest. Finally he lifted her chin and calmly said, “We’re keeping these. We’ll frame them and put them up on either side of Silent Sunlight.”
Miranda’s eyes widened. “I thought Abra and Yusuf didn’t want to sell it.”
He shook his head. “They don’t. It’s their wedding gift to us.”
She tried to smile. “I may start crying again, but if I do it’ll be because even in the midst of horrors good people still exist in this world and we’re lucky enough to know more than one.”
Russ helped Miranda to her feet. He lifted her into the air and began to twirl her around before letting her slowly slide down exactly as he’d done the day they went hot-air ballooning. He stopped when her lips were in the perfect place to receive his kiss.
After they parted he quietly said, “We’ve all been told that when one loses one of the senses, another becomes stronger. Well, when I’m with you all my remaining senses are stronger. I love looking at you and inhaling that sweet scent of Miranda. I love feeling your soft skin against mine and most of all I love that tingle my entire body gets every time our lips meet. Which I intend to repeat as often as I can. Definitely at least once more this hour.”
He kissed her again, setting her pulse racing.
“If it means anything to you, Russell Gerik, my own senses have been in overload since the moment I met you!” She glanced at the portraits of Virginia and Ariel and spoke to the air around her. “Thank you, Virginia, for willing us this house.”
Miranda turned to Russ. “I forgot to tell you, but I met Judge Winston Rayborn today. The so-called nutcase? I gather that he knew Virginia quite well. I think the two of them decided to play matchmaker. They set something in motion...making sure you and I met and were forced to work together. Maybe she does haunt this house?”
Russ laughed. “Wouldn’t surprise me. Virginia loved both of us and love as strong as hers doesn’t die. Her love for Benjamin and Ariel lingered in her soul and it was freely given to you. She knew your love would be given to someone else and I’m so grateful that someone is me. If that’s haunting, then I’m a believer.”
Russ put his arms around her again. She looked into his eyes and chose to sign instead of speak. It has. That love has been given to you. And it will be yours for the rest of our lives and beyond.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781460335574
LEGACY OF SILENCE
Copyright © 2014 by Flo Fitzpatrick
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