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to say. We all promised to keep our lip zipped, that’s all on you.” Flynn stood, dusting off the back of his jeans. He offered Henri a hand, but like usual he waved him away choosing to help himself.
     
    Henri followed him back up to the old house. Old, but well maintained.
     
     
     
    “ Good to see you at dinner, Henri.” Henri’s uncle said around a mouthful of mashed potatoes and gravy. Henri nodded, shoveling his own into his mouth, the smell of the food making him queasier. He hung his head, doing his best to clean his plate so he could take off to his room or someplace in town.
     
    “ So Henri, how are things going with Maven Wilder?” His aunt asked. She spooned another helping of carrots on his plate.
     
    “ She wants to hang out again.” He poked at the steamed carrots.
     
    “ That’s nice. She is a very nice girl.”
     
    Sandra and April both agreed. Henri knew that would be the case for April until she was dumped by her brother. And Sandra was only being polite around her parents. He had heard the things she said about Maven with her friends.
     
    “ I think I am going to paint her.” Everyone’s eyes filled with delight at the mention of painting.
     
    “ Oh that’s wonderful, Henri. You were always so good at painting.” His aunt smiled, she hurried to fill his glass with another round of iced tea. He shooed her away.
     
    “ You’re going to make me sick.” They all laughed and the doorbell rang. His uncle rushed to the door, his heavy boots thumping across the wood.
     
    Everyone listened. “Well hello there.” Henri shot his aunt a confused look. She was in view of the hallway. The smile on her face told him it was for him. He dropped his fork to his plate twisting around in his seat.
     
    There she stood with a big smile on her face and a bundle of pencils in her hand and a sketchpad.
     
    “ Hey there, Maven.” His aunt stood up. “Are you hungry?”
     
    Maven shook her head. “No ma’am, I just ate dinner. Henri promised me an art session. I came to take him up on that offer.”
     
    Everyone smiled at Henri and the girl willing to take what she wanted. Henri rose from the table with his plate. He took it into the kitchen gesturing for Maven to join him.
     
    “ Hi.” She whispered, looking at his family nearby all around the dining room table. Henri quickly scraped his food into the trash and placed his dish in the dishwater.
     
    “ Hi.” He whispered back, amused she was being so cautious as if she snuck in. He leaned in, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. Her hair grazing his nose, she smelled of lilac shampoo.
     
    “ Where do you want to do this?”
     
    “ Wow, how forward of you.” They both laughed. “I prefer the bedroom, but wherever you like.”
     
    Maven’s cheeks were hot from his flirty intimation. She followed Henri up the old staircase, looking at all the family photos that lined the green wallpaper, the floor beneath them beautiful wood. He opened the first door on the left switching on a light.
     
    Maven looked around at the average sized bedroom. A bed in one corner with tousled sheets, the comforter practically on the floor hanging on for dear life, in one corner sat a wooden writing table with a pile of books on top of it. On the other side of the room was a big window with a window seat, with an assortment of pillows situated on top of the bench. She stared at the walls, a number of posters showcased. Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, The Doors.
     
    Henri opened the closet next to his desk. He pulled out a suitcase. Inside were a few blank canvases. He took one out as well as some black paint and a paintbrush.
     
    “ Sit over there.” He told her, pointing to the window seat. She did as he asked. Watching him gather his supplies and sit down across from her on the opposite end. He drew up one knee, resting his back against the pillows. And quickly he went to work.
     
    “ Should I pose?”
     
    Henri shook his head. “Do whatever you