The fear in her eyes fades slightly.
I gesture to the chair beside my desk. "Do you want to sit?"
She nods and climbs into the chair.
Her legs dangle above the floor as she watches me take a bite of the cookie and waits for my reaction.
It's an average cookie, but to her it's everything.
"It's very good," I say.
"I made six more. Three stars and three trees. Marta said we can decorate them later with icing."
"That sounds like fun."
She swings her legs and looks around my den.
Her gaze lands on the bookshelves and the desk and the fireplace.
"This is where you work?"
"Yes."
"What do you do?"
"I manage businesses. I make sure everything runs smoothly."
She considers this.
"Is that why you were shouting? Because something isn't running smoothly?"
"Yes. But I'm going to fix it."
She nods and continues looking around my office like she's investigating.
"Since you're my father, will you be buying me gifts for St. Lucia's day?"
When her eyes meet mine, I wink at her.
"St. Lucia's day?" I ask, feigning ignorance.
"It's in a few days. Mama always gives me small presents. Candy or a book or something special. Will you give me something too?"
I look at her small face.
Her brown eyes are so earnest.
So hopeful.
She's asking me to be part of her life in a very real way and it does something to my heart.
I feel like the Grinch.
"Yes," I say. "I'll get you something."
"Really?"
"Really."
