XXV

Eleven covers her eyes with her palms, obviously uncomfortable.

Henry, for his part, had considered that, in his quest to become the incarnation of a god, he had long since put feelings like shame behind him.

This extremely mortifying situation convinces him otherwise.

After a few minutes, he licks his lips and whispers: "Hey, Eleven."

He makes out her brown eyes watching him through her fingers.

"This is something you haven't been taught," Henry tells her in an excessively soft manner, like someone trying to calm a frightened little animal. "And it's okay, it's all right," he repeats his words from earlier hoping that they will get to Eleven: "Your body and mine being different is normal."

Eleven still looks at him doubtfully. Henry gives her time to process what he has said.

"B-but," she finally stammers, "I saw…"

"I know what you saw," he assures her without losing his smile. "I'm telling you, it's my body. I know what it looks like. And although I've never seen you… without clothes"—it occurs to him that this choice of words is more delicate than outright saying 'naked'—"I also know what your body looks like."

The girl finally removes her hands from her face, but her furrowed brow betrays her confusion: "How can you know… that? If you haven't seen…" She shrugs.

"It's biology," he explains. "I didn't mention it in our classes because I thought you already knew it or, in any case, that you would learn about it in school. I thought that would be the best thing to do. I apologize: apparently, my decision has not been the right one, since it is quite common for people living together to face these types of accidents and that… well, questions like yours arise."

Even if he hates comparing the situation to one from his old life—he and Eleven are not like the others at all—he thinks this will give her the most peace of mind. Besides, it helps that it's true: he still remembers, to his extreme annoyance, when he had opened the door to his sister's room without knocking and the series of questions this had generated afterwards.

I didn't think I would be feeling empathy toward Victor Creel, of all people, he tells himself, remembering his father's anguished expression at his string of questions.

Eleven tilts her head to the side: "So… There's nothing wrong with me?"

Henry shakes his head: "No. Not at all."

"Oh."

Since she doesn't say anything else, Henry opts instead to get up and search his library for one of the textbooks he had bought before Eleven started school. When he finds it, he removes it from the shelf and walks over to lay it on the desk in front of her. However, he does not take a seat, but remains by her side.

"Let's see…" Henry runs his finger down the table of contents until he finds what he's looking for; Eleven's eyes follow its path intently. "Ah, here it is: page 74." He proceeds to open the book on that page. "See?"

Since it's a book for third graders, the illustrations are childish: a girl and boy, both naked and smiling. The arrows indicate the names of their anatomical parts. Eleven carefully examines the page.

"So," Henry explains, pointing to the girl, "this drawing shows what girls' bodies look like; this one, on the other hand"—he points to the boy now—"illustrates what boys' bodies look like. Do you see the differences?"

Eleven nods and runs her fingers around the outline of the drawings.

"Is that its… name?" Eleven asks, pointing to the word 'penis.'

Henry nods.

"Yes, in my case. In your case"—he points to the girl—"the part that is inwards is called 'vagina' and the part that is outward is called 'vulva'."

"The girls'… Is it inside too?" Eleven asks.

"That's correct."

"Why?"

Henry thinks about how to answer that question without being too graphic.

"Because… girls can be mothers later on," he elucidates. "In other words, a woman can carry a baby in her belly. So, her body is different."

"What about boys?"

It is the logical question. Henry chews on his lower lip thoughtfully.

"There's a reason why men and women have different body parts." He decides that he can at least reveal that much to her. "But you're still too young to know the details; when you're older, you will understand."

Eleven nods. Henry is a little irritated by how easily she settles for such a vague answer, but he supposes that breaking out of the habits Brenner has instilled in her isn't an easy thing to do. He also knows that he should be pleased that he is not forced to delve into such a sensitive subject with a nine-year-old girl.

However, Eleven seems to remember something else, as she lowers her head again with a disheartened expression. Henry suppresses a sigh and asks: "Is there something else?"

"It's just…" Eleven seems to search for the right words; Henry waits patiently for her to continue. "It's just that in these… drawings… Well, the boy has no hair… down there."

Eleven throws him an awkward glance. Henry stares at her, more out of reflex than wanting to convey anything to her, since… Well, since his brain has gone blank once again. After a few seconds, he responds as parsimoniously as possible: "Since this is a book for children, the pictures show what these body parts are like at that age. When children become adults, it is normal for hair to appear in areas where there wasn't any before."

"So… I'm also going to…? Well, that."

Henry nods: "Yes, as I've been saying, it is normal. Does that put you at ease?" he adds, because that's the point of this incredibly awkward conversation.

Eleven nods up and down vigorously.

"Well, if that's settled," he concludes, "I'll go make dinner; you will surely be hungry."

"Yes…"

He is just about to leave when Eleven grabs the cuff of his shirt. It's a gesture to which he has already become accustomed to; he doesn't hesitate to stop and offer her a smile.

"Yes?"

"Thank you… for explaining."

Eleven's shy smile is a clear indicator that she no longer feels as awkward as she did hours ago. Henry gently squeezes her fingers between his for a moment before letting go.

"You're welcome, Eleven."