Chapter 13 — The Path of Remembrance

"Not only was I selected. The judges also specifically mentioned my work, saying that among all the contestants, I was the youngest but my ability to express emotions in my paintings was the most outstanding." “Express your emotions?” "That means when people look at my paintings, they can feel something. They say that mountain road was not drawn by me, but that I walked by myself." I said nothing. Because that path is truly my own to walk. From the mountains to the city. From one roof to another. Every step is real. Ms. Ton said one more sentence. "The exhibition opens next Saturday at the city museum of fine arts. You and your family can all come." “Your family members?” “My parents.” The faces of two sets of parents appeared in my mind at the same time. The couple in the mountains were painting and chopping firewood. Couples in the city are driving and cooking. “Is it okay for both families?” "Of course." That evening, I called both houses. Hearing the news, my mother was so happy that she banged the table on the other end of the line. "Mom told me to draw with feeling! Just wait, I'll come!" My father shouted next to me. "Dad's going too! Dad's bringing Gray Gray with him!" “Dad, calm down a bit, Gray Gray can't enter the art museum!” Luc's father and Luc's mother were also very happy and said they would definitely come. But after hanging up the phone, Luc Uyen Dinh knocked on my door. “Come in.” She pushed the door open and walked in, holding a glass of milk in her hand. “Nien Niem, I heard that your painting was selected for the exhibition, congratulations.” "Thank." “The exhibition next Saturday… can you come see it too?” “You want to come?” "Yes. I want to see the picture you drew." Her voice was very sincere. But I wasn't sure if she wanted to see the painting itself, or if she wanted to see if she needed to worry. “Of course, let's go.” She smiled. Put down the glass of milk and gently close the door. After the door closed, I drank all the milk. Regardless of her intentions, milk is not sinful. The day the city children's art exhibition opened, many people came to the art museum. In addition to exam students and parents, there were also people from the education department, media reporters and several famous local artists. My paintings are hung on the east wall of the second floor gallery. The words "Mountain Road" are written next to the picture, below is my name and school. To Niem Niem. Fifth grade. My parents came from the countryside. Dad wore the only shirt that wasn't covered in mud, Mom wore a flowery dress and light makeup. Normally, my mother doesn't wear makeup, but today she especially wears makeup. Luc's father and Luc's mother also came. Luc's mother dressed very delicately, wore high heels, and as soon as she entered the door, she became the center of attention. Luc Uyen Dinh followed her, wearing a light blue dress, her hair in a half bun, as obedient as a porcelain doll. When the two parents meet, the atmosphere is a bit delicate. But everyone is an adult, so they should greet each other politely. My mother held Luc's mother's hand and said she had worked hard to take care of Niem Niem. Luc's mother said it was not difficult, Niem Niem was very obedient. My father shook Luc's father's hand. After finishing the pleasantries, everyone went to see my paintings. Standing in front of the painting, my mother was silent. Mom looked at the warm colors on the left, the woman painting by the window and the donkey standing in front of the yard gate. Mom realized it was her, it was Gray Gray. Mom didn't say anything, but her hand found mine and held it tightly. My father next to me kept clearing his throat, perhaps afraid that he would make an unpleasant sound. Luc's mother looked at the cold colors on the right, at the girl standing in the last row in the classroom. She said softly. “Nien Niem, is this girl your child?” "Yes." “Why is the outside of the window gray?” “Because you can't see the mountains here.” Luc's mother did not continue. Neither did Luc's father. Luc Uyen Dinh stood outside the crowd, watching from afar. Her position is just so the right half of the picture can be seen. The classroom with cold colors. She sat in that classroom for four years. But the classroom I painted in was not warm at all. I don't know what she saw. But for the first time, her expression was not gentle. Which is empty. At this moment, a small commotion arose in the crowd. Someone recognized my mother. “Isn't that Ha Tieu Man?” “Ha Tieu Man? Ha

Did Tieu Man draw the picture book 'The Gray Donkey'?" “That's her! My daughter likes that book series the most!” A few parents gathered around. “Miss Ha, hello, I am a reader of your picture book!” “My daughter has read ‘The Gray Donkey’ no less than fifty times!” My mother smiled and greeted them. Mom has a few readers, not many, but the picture book series "The Gray Donkey" is actually quite famous in the community of families with young children in this city. A mother suddenly realized. “Wait, the donkey in this picture isn't the prototype of the donkey in 'The Gray Donkey', right?” My mother looked at the picture. “Yes, it is our donkey.” “So the student who drew this picture…” “It's my daughter.” “Is Ha Tieu Man's daughter also good at drawing?” This time, the surrounding noise was even louder. “Ha Tieu Man's daughter?” “No wonder drawing is so good, it turns out it was taught in the family.”