Infant Paintings

"Grandma, what about Rachel? Did she fail to learn?" I asked.

"Yeah," Grandma replied noncommittally.

I had no choice but to post the job opening like she had asked.

Soon, someone showed up to apply for the job, which was not surprising because many would give the job a try for the high pay that Grandma offered her apprentices. But Grandma only took in females as her students.

This time, a young woman, Beth Hoffman, got the job. Grandma was satisfied with Beth when she first laid eyes on the latter. Beth stayed with us for half a month before Grandma finally brought her into that dark room.

At the same time, I was chased out to the courtyard.

I didn't hear Beth screaming from that room, but ever since that day, something within her had changed. She was no longer the woman who loved to smile.

And this might be my illusion, but sometimes, I felt that she slowly grew to resemble Grandma.

…

Another couple visited Grandma one day. The balding man was decked in gold chains, looking like a man made of gold from afar.

As usual, the female companion was pretty. She was practically hanging on him.

"Madam Albright, I have too many requests. What do we do?" The man spat out his gum before politely consulting Grandma.

She looked at him before turning to Beth.

Finally, she replied, "Well, if we draw one extra painting for you, that means you'll get one more option."

"Madam Albright, do you mean we could request a few paintings?" His eyes lit up.

Nodding, Grandma stated, "Each extra painting is worth five million dollars."

The balding man waved at her dismissively. "Money is not a problem."

After that, the man rattled off a series of requests, and Grandma painted four paintings for him. This was her first time creating this many paintings at the same time.

In my eyes, they all looked the same except for their expressions and some minute details. However, Beth was keenly observing the paintings from the side as if she knew a lot about it. Sometimes, she would discuss it with Grandma.

"Madam Albright, this child has lovely eyes. The second child has a cute nose. The other two paintings are unique in their own ways."

Beth's remark confused me because I thought the babies all looked the same.

Grandma not only brought the pretty female companion into the dark room, she even led Beth inside.

Only the balding man and I were outside waiting for the three women.

Soon, the young woman screamed from within the room for an unusually long period—to the point I started to grow concerned.

After a while, the screaming finally subsided.

Later, Grandma showed up with the young woman. She was sweating from head to toe but beaming happily.

"How was it?" the balding man asked.

"It's done!" The pretty young woman sneaked into his arms.

The balding man laughed heartily. "Great! It's Madam Albright, after all! I'll pay you another five million dollars as a token of gratitude!"

He generously paid for Grandma's service before leaving with his pretty companion.

Even after all these years, Grandma never failed to surprise me with her ability to make money. With just four average-looking paintings, she made more than ten million dollars, which was very impressive.

That begged another question. Grandma had been nice to me over the years and bought me everything I asked for, but why did we still live in this shabby house in a mountain village?