Iain Kelly

Lise blinked as the light glinted in the small window. The sheet beneath her was cool against her skin.

She lay on her side and watched the sun play on her pale flesh. Lifting her hand she placed it on her stomach. Auguste would notice the broadening abdomen soon.

Today he promised to finish. He had gone ahead to begin without her. She could tell he was pleased with the painting although they would never accept it at the Salon.

Putting on her peignoir she wandered outside. The bright sun warmed her as she followed the path through the trees. Her spirits lifted as she felt the new life growing inside her.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Lise Trehot modelled for most of Pierre-Auguste Renoir‘s early works and was rumoured to have been his mistress. She is believed to have given birth to a boy, Pierre, in 1868, but it is unclear what became of him. In 1870 she gave birth to a girl, Jeanne, who Renoir supported financially for the rest of his life. After she stopped posing for Renoir, Lise never spoke to him again, and Renoir never mentions her in any memoirs or interviews.