Usually, I’d visit my parents or my sister, but I can’t. The next time I visit, I have to bring Claire with me or have a good excuse why she’s not with me. My last resource is picking a book and heading to the balcony to read. The peaceful moment only lasts a couple of seconds.

“Who are you?” a sweet little voice asks. When I turn to find out who is talking to me, I spot a small girl stretching her neck from the other side of the balcony.

Her brown, curious eyes remind me of Claire. This little girl has a button nose too and a sweet smile. She’s like a small version of her, though her hair is a lighter shade of brown.

“Hey there,” I greet her, getting closer. She’s not tall enough to jump over, but what if there’s a chair close and she climbs?

“Valerie, don’t talk to strangers.” I hear Claire before I see her on the floor, on top of a big white cardboard, drawing. Next to her is a boy.

“What are you guys doing?” I ask, fascinated by Claire’s ass.

The boy next to her, who I assume is Lucas her nephew, answers, “A mural.”

“Do you want to help us?” Valerie, who hasn’t been informed that I’m not welcomed into Claire’s space, invites me.

“Do you know how to draw?” Lucas asks with a serious face.

“I do. I have a minor in art if that helps.”

“Like you, Aunt Claire?” He verifies my credentials with his aunt, who nods. He turns to look at me and says, “Then, you can help.”

“No,” Claire yells immediately. “He’s a stranger.”

“That’s the guy from your pictures,” Valerie says, pointing at me.

Have I mentioned how much I love children? They never lie and always make the grown-ups look like fools.

“You have pictures of me, stalker?”

“She was three at the time, I can’t believe she remembers.”

“Are you going to open the door? I could jump the wall, but it might set a bad example with Lucifer and his minion.”

“Please, Aunt Claire?” Lucas begs. “Thomas isn’t coming to help us.”

Claire tilts her head toward the glass door. “Fine, go ahead, I’ll open the door.”

“Clarice,” I greet her when she lets me inside.

“If you suck their souls, I swear I’ll push you off the balcony, Hannibal.”

“Kids love me,” I say and walk outside where the kids are drawing.

Even when Claire isn’t happy about my presence, she introduces me to her niece and nephew.

“Val, Lucas, this is Miller. He used to be my boss.”

“Hi,” Lucas says, not paying much attention to me.

“He’s going to help me,” Valerie says.

“Are you okay with that?” Claire asks before she sits on the floor.

“Yes, I’m here to serve.”