Benjamin instructed Bob on how to pose as he modeled for him on the staircase. "I need you to lean forward, like you're peering into the dark."

Bob placed a hand on the wall to keep his balance. "It's hard to stand this way, with where I have my feet. I wasn't really peering down the stairs. Mahui was acting weird, and if anything, I reared back. Especially when she came charging at me with a can of paint."

Benjamin fussed with the position of a narrow beam spotlight he had mounted on a pole, using it to cast a sharp shadow. "Let's see what we can do with the angle. And don't touch the wall. It throws off the perspective and draws attention to your hand."

He got the light to shine in a way that made Bob's shadow fall far down the stairs. Satisified, he approached to demonstrate how Bob should hold his arms.

"Crook your elbows a bit, but keep them tucked in. Maybe make it look like you've got your hands in the pockets of your pants."

"Those stupid pants I was wearing that night didn't have any pockets."

Benjamin busied himself with a carpenter's pencil, outlining the shadow on the wall. "Well, you know what I mean." Using his height, he reached over Bob. "Did you have fun getting to know Mahui?" he asked as he labored.

Bob made a face. "We didn't do anything when we went upstairs, if that's what you mean. I only washed her feet."

Benjamin stopped working and blinked, looking deep into his friend's eyes. "Ah. No. That isn't what I mean. It's just that it can sometimes be a little hard getting to know her. She doesn't always make a very good first impression."

Bob silently agreed, looking at the yellow paint splattered on the stairs.

"But she's really swell!" Benjamin added, sensing Bob's disgruntlement. "I'm sure everyone knows that!"

Bob smiled as his big gay friend bent low, fussing with outlining the shadow his legs cast on the stairs. "Everyone's going to know her now, with you and this project of yours."

Benjamin stopped again and stared up, crouching at Bob's feet. "You like it, right?" he pleaded. "I mean, with what we're doing?"

Bob smiled. "I think it's really fun. I can't believe that instead of getting mad about having paint splashed all over your house, you instead decide to keep it and make something of it."

Benjamin returned to his work. "It's great, Bob. You're going to be famous. And I'll forever have right here the highlight of the evening following your first gig."

"I don't see Mahui feeling the same way."

"Oh yeah!" Benjamin said, agreeing. "But that might be the best part." He stood close to speak in confidence, as if someone might be eavesdropping, despite the two of them being alone. "She's hard to get to know, right? She doesn't make good impressions. And she does what might be the most horrible thing one person could do to another, yet instead of you getting upset with her, you become her best friend."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Bob laughed. "If she had gotten as much paint on me as she got on herself, that might not have happened. She looked ridiculous!"

"And that's what makes the story great. A humorous turn of events."

"What do you think her husband will say? Does he even know?"

"I bitwatched him to make sure he was okay with the project. He laughed so hard when I told him the story that I barely got all of it out."

Once finished with modeling, Bob stood by Benjamin's side to assess the art. "Has either of them seen it?" he asked.

Benjamin readied a can of black paint to begin filling in the outline of the shadow.

"They'll be here any minute," he said.

Bob did his best to act cool while shaking the hand of Makani Tuigamala. "It's a pleasure meeting you, sir," he said.

Makani laughed. "Oh please. Call me Mak."

His grip was firm and his hands large, with long arms to go with what might be expected of a professional football player. He was lean and lithe, despite his chiselled body, with perfect white teeth showing through in a smile much like the one Mahui possessed. Her smile was huge, nearly spanning ear to ear, as her husband and Bob conversed.

"I'm sorry, sir," Bob flustered, fumbling with being humble. "I've never met a big football star."

"You're the star here, mate!" Makani countered. "I'll bet most of the people Ben knows couldn't even describe what a strong safety does."

"Oh. So they switched you from playing corner?"

Makani nodded while continuing to smile. His complexion was not as dark as Mahui's jasper brown skin, but he definitely had the look of a Pacific Islander. Part of a solid black tattoo peeked out from the collar of his shirt on the right side of his body, speaking of his Samoan heritage.

"Wow," he said, impressed by Bob's football knowledge. "You pay attention to the game."

Bob shrugged. "I like sports."

"Our long game's a little weak," Makani confessed. "So we often give a four corner look, to keep the play in tight."

"I see. Well, I think moving you inside is a good idea. You're too good a tackler to be left hanging out to dry."

Makani reared back and released a loud laugh, before giving Bob a chuck on the shoulder. "Hoo boy! I like this guy!" he said to Benjamin. "I might have to come to your parties more often."

Mahui grinned so hard it looked like her face hurt. She rocked on her heels with excitement, while Benjamin clasped his big hands together.

"So. Um, would you like to see our project?" Benjamin asked of Makani, hoping the talk about football was over.

"Do you know what happened?" Bob asked Makani, as Benjamin led them towards the portico.

"I sure do!"

"Mahui told you?" Bob whispered.

Makani tapped his temple. "Better than that. She showed me. I hear you brainboard too."

Bob nodded. "My wife and I sometimes have sessions."

"Aren't they great?" Makani enthused. "It's been like a godsend for me. It really helps cut through the barriers we have with communicating. Mahui is a primary English speaker, and my first language is Samoan. But none of that makes any difference when we board together."

As Mahui and Benjamin discussed the paint on the stairs, Bob continued to talk with Makani about brainboarding. "I haven't told my wife yet what happened with me and yours."

"You haven't?" Makani pursed his lips. "Oka e! You better."

"It's dificult to explain, and easier to show in a link."

"Mahui was impressed with how well you handled her outburst."

Bob smiled as he reminisced. "Your wife is a special person. She's amazingly unique. Funny and very intelligent."

Makani held out his hands to get Bob to stop. "Okay! No need to lay it on thick!"

"You're lucky to have her as your wife."

Makani agreed. "It's why I let her talk me into getting a brainboard. But kind of keep it to yourself. There's a lot of stigma attached to being boarded, as they were first used on crooks. Some people just don't understand."

"Well, you have a believer in me," Bob said. "I wish I were boarding with Seas right now."

"That's your wife?" Makani asked. "Cecilia? I know her."

Bob looked down. "In a few hours she'll be gone for two days. Three if she takes on more flights."

"That's because she's a flight attendant, right? Doing long hauls overseas?"

Bob nodded. "I miss her already."

Makani tapped at his bitwatch. "Well then. Ola. It is done." He looked at Bob and grinned.

"What?" Bob asked. "What is done?"

"I contacted Tylene and asked her to bring our therapist over. We'll have you linked with your mate in no time."