The Little Painter

Humming along with the tune on the radio, I slap some more paint on the window sill, coloring it a nice tan hue. Spreading the paint over the window sill slowly, I sit back and admire my work for a moment, just in time to see a pair of bright blue eyes and golden pigtails peeking out at me. They disappear immediately after I spot them, making me chuckle at the curious child inside the house. I finish this window and pack up my paints to take a lunch break.

I take my first bite of a ham and cheese sandwich, noticing that the curious blue eyes are looking out of a patio door now. Smiling again, I rummage around in my lunch box and pull out a candy bar, setting it down on the bench a few feet away from me. I continue to eat my sandwich, pretending to be oblivious to the little girl who is slowly creeping outside. A rag doll dangles from one hand, but she quickly brings it up to hide her face when I glance at her.

My sandwich is gone just in time for the little girl to sit down on the bench next to me. The doll slips out of her hand as she picks up the candy bar reverently, turning it over in her hands. I take a drink from my canteen, watching her out of the corner of my eye as she looks down shyly at the candy bar and glances up at me.

"Would you like that?" I ask, smiling warmly at her. She nods, still looking down. "I would be honored if you would have it then." The little pig-tailed girl giggles, ripping open the candy bar and taking a big bite of it. She scoots slightly closer to me, murmuring a thank you.

"You know, I had a little brown hair girl who use to be your age," I say, taking another drink. "I use to bring her to help me paint all the time." I pause and ruffle her hair, making her giggle again. "She's not here anymore, but would you like to help me paint?" The little girl smiles and nods, mouth covered in chocolate as she finishes the candy bar. She grabs her doll again and holds it up as if to ask a question. "She can help too. I even have a special little paintbrush." I stand up, pack away my lunch, and take the little girl's other hand. She swings it lightly and skips along as we moved on to the next part of the house.