Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Stella suddenly got a strange feeling about Larry.
Here was a guy with just a middle school education, yet he had impeccable handwriting.
He had a wife with mental health issues and a son with hearing impairment, and he was the sole provider for the family.
And yet, he somehow managed to afford his son's lessons in painting and calligraphy.
Instead of cutting back on his son's expenses to save for a cochlear implant, he took on extra jobs on the side, even if it meant
risking his main job.
Stella had seen parents sacrifice and scrimp to give their kids the best education, but something about Larry's situation didn't sit
right with her.
She couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Even as she met up with Keegan, her brow stayed furrowed.
When Samuel finished his shift and went home, Aldor took over driving duties.
Keegan tossed his jacket onto the front seat and joined Stella in the back.
"What's up? You look troubled," Keegan asked, buckling his seatbelt.
Stella shook her head.
"It's nothing." "What's that you've got there?" Keegan asked, nodding toward her hand.
Stella unfolded the drawing for him.
"It's a drawing from Larry's son, thanking me for the box of chocolates I gave him." Keegan frowned.
"You're mingling with the youngsters again?" Stella's mouth twitched.
"Larry's son is only fourteen! I'm not mingling with anyone! I haven't even met him! I just gave hima box of chocolates for his
birthday, and the kid was thoughtful enough to send a thank-you gift." Keegan cleared his throat.
"Ah, I see.” Stella huffed.

Keegan scrutinized the drawing.
"This is pretty good.
Especially for a fourteen-year-old." Stella brushed off the jealousy in his tone.
Keegan went on, "I remember you're handy with nature painting too.
That tiger you did in the study was impressive." Then he added, "Better than this, even." Stella's face darkened.
"I painted a British Shorthair.
It's a cat! A cat!" Keegan was speechless.
Aldor stifled a laugh and stepped in, "Tigers are tougher to paint than cats.
If Madam can make a cat look like a tiger, she must be a pro at painting tigers." With that one sentence, Aldor had Stella feeling
praised, and even if her tiger paintings were rubbish, she'd still have to modestly say, Not bad, just passable." Keegan shot Aldor
a jealous glance, wondering why he hadn't thought to say that.
Keegan looked back at the drawing.
"This style seers familiar." Stella glanced at him.
'You can't even draw an egg, and you're recognizing painting styles?" Keegan clicked his tongue.
"Just because I can't draw doesn't mean I can't appreciate art.
I've been to plenty of exhibitions." "Then where have you seen this style before?" Keegan hesitated.
"Can't remember right now." Stella didn't take him seriously.
Beginners often mimicked others, and their early work often showed traces of those influences.
Even if Keegan had seen this style before, it wouldn't be surprising.
She carefully folded the drawing and put it back in the envelope.

Keegan suddenly asked, "Didn't you say the driver was saving up for his son's cochlear implant? How can he afford painting
lessons? tt Stella shook her head.
"That's what I can't figure out.
Maybe he's just really invested in his kid's education."