Page 135 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

SPRING SUMME R FALLING | 135

I see Sanya first. She wears ripped jeans, a white tank top, and a tan lightweight
cardigan. I am slightly disappointed from the lack of a theme until I notice the silver
and turquoise feathers in her necklace, bracelet, and earrings. She wears a braided
leather strap across her forehead, and her curls are in two French braids.

“Feeling native?” I joke. Sanya smiles. She loves when I notice her themes.
She waves her hand at me “Hau.”
We smile at each other for a moment until her eyes focus on my knee.
Concern erases her friendly, almost flirty demeanor.

“Henry, what happened to your knee?” she probes, moving closer to inspect
it.
My dad bristles. “Why does she call you Henry?” he asks me in French. “It’s
the English pronunciation of my name,” I respond in French with the same hint of
irritation he’d just displayed. I pull in the irritation until I have a chance to ask him
about his statement. “She has difficulty saying Henri.” I flinch when she touches
my knee.
“We have to take care of your leg. I can’t believe you didn’t clean it.” Her
concern is touching.

“I’m fine; it will heal.”
She places her hands on her hips and glares at me with as much irritation as her
little body can muster. I think it is supposed to be intimidating, but I just fight the
urge to kiss her.
“Henry…” She glances at my amused mom and sister for assistance. “Emil,” the
traitors supply in unison. She nods her gratitude.
“Henry Emil Zidane. You will meet me in the master bathroom, now. I will

clean that wound before it gets infected.” She shoos me until I start walking.
“You’re even limping!”
Sanya turns to address my family. “Sorry, we will be back.” I hear her apologize.
I make it to her bathroom; I am surprised to find that she isn’t directly behind
me. I sit on the bench at her vanity and stretch my leg to ease the tension. It hurts
worse than I thought. I’d never admit it out loud.
Sanya appears with clean clothes and underwear for me. She also has my
laundry basket and fresh towels. She puts my basket in front of me and the clean
clothes on the vanity. She starts the shower and adjusts the temperature. I have