Harley, Like a Person by Cat Bauer

Author:Cat Bauer [Bauer, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-48582-3
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2000-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

I am in the art room. I let myself in with the heavy brass key on the red shoelace. I am alone. I am an artist, and I am alone. Finally I can breathe. I walk over to the dinky record player and put on the Imagine album. John Lennon's music fills the room. I imagine my painting onstage in front of a huge audience.

“Hey, I love John Lennon.” I spin around. Lena, who is playing Anastasia, is in the room. “Did I scare you?” I nod. “Sorry. I had some free time, so I thought we could work, if that's okay.” She has long brown hair and a perfect nose. She will be easy to paint, I think.

“Sure. I've … uh, never had anyone pose before, so … I don't know…. Just stand over there.” I get my supplies together. I haven't quite finished the first acrylic with no features, but having Lena here in person is too important to pass up. Luckily, I have already prepped the canvas. I pick up my favorite sable brush I brought from home, one that Granny Harley got me. I have a good feeling about this; I don't know why.

“Well, I've never posed for anybody, so it should be interesting.” Lena laughs. She has straight white teeth. I will paint her smiling, I think.

She strikes a pose and I begin. I thin the oil paint with a little turpentine and sketch lightly, directly on the canvas. I have no fear. If I make a mistake, I fix it. I use my paintbrush like a sword, thrust and parry. While I'm working, Lena and I chat like we are old friends, even though she is a senior. The time flies and I cannot believe it when the bell for the next class rings. Neither can Lena.

“That was fun!” she says. “Can I see?”

“Sure. It's just the preliminary….” I step back, and she comes around the front. I watch her face.

“Wow! It's incredible! It looks just like me. You're really good, Harley.”

I grin. “Thanks.” I should be humble, but I know it's good. I wish I could stay in this room forever.

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