Page 21 of Eleven of a Kind

“That’s Freya,” I said.

“Oh shit, really?”

“Watch your mouth.” I pointed at her.

“You must be Riley.” Freya smiled as she walked over, holding a paintbrush in her hand. “I’m Freya.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Freya.”

“I heard you went shopping today for bedroom furniture. When is it coming?” she asked.

“Two weeks,” Riley said.

“I have the best idea. I can paint a mural on one of the walls in your room. Anything you want.” Freya smiled.

“Really? That sounds cool.”

“Come on. Let’s go take a look at your room, and we can discuss it. Grayson, can you hold my paintbrush for me?”

“Sure.” Grayson smiled as he took it from her hand.

They went inside, and I looked at my brother.

“Are you okay with that?” I asked.

“Of course. You know that’s Freya’s thing.”

* * *

Two Weeks Later

Gabriel

I wasn’t allowed to go into the bedroom where Freya was painting the mural until it was finished. I had no idea what she was painting because, for some reason, it was a secret between her and Riley. The furniture was coming tomorrow, and I was getting nervous.

“It’s done, Dad.” Riley ran down the stairs. “Come look.”

I walked into her bedroom and stared at the wall with the large Eiffel Tower painted pink, decorated with a floral design, and the words “Bon Jour Paris” written above it.

“Wow. That is really cool, Freya.”

“Thank you, Gabriel.” She grinned. “I do believe my work here is done.”

“Thanks, Freya. I love it.” Riley hugged her.

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. I need to get home and bring Ava back to Grayson. They have plans for tonight. Au revoir, you two.” She smiled as she walked out of the room.

“I love it.” Riley smiled.

“Freya did a beautiful job. Why that?” I asked her.

“It’s all my mom and I talked about. She told me that when I graduated from high school, she was going to take me to Paris as a graduation present. Her parents took her when she was twelve, and she said Paris was a place everyone should experience at least once in their life. She told me that she opened a special account at the bank for our trip. I guess I wanted this as a tribute to her.” She looked down.

I hooked my arm around her and pulled her into me.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“Shit happens, right.” She pulled away from me. “I have some homework to do.” She started to walk out of the room.

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