"Katya, I really don't want to—"
"Mommy, what swimming event?" Sofia suddenly appeared in my bedroom doorway, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Is Godmother back? She promised to bring me a present!"
Damn it.
"Nothing, sweetheart. Go back and play." I tried to brush it off.
But Sofia had already scrambled onto the bed beside me. "Mommy, can I go swimming? Please! I haven't been swimming in forever! And I want to see Godmother!"
Yekaterina laughed through the phone. "You hear that? Sofia wants to go. Anna, you can't disappoint the child. Besides, I've got her present waiting at the pool!"
Looking at Sofia's expectant eyes, my resolve crumbled. She was right—since we'd moved here, Sofia had only gone to daycare and stayed home. No social activities whatsoever. And Yekaterina had just returned from Paris. I wanted to see her too, hear all about her trip.
"Alright," I finally gave in. "But just for a little while."
"Yay!" Sofia cheered, bouncing on the bed. "I get to see Godmother and my present!"
"Starts at two," Yekaterina said. "Bring swimsuits. I'll be there waiting with Sofia's surprise!"
After hanging up, I watched Sofia's excitement with mixed feelings.
Maybe this was a good opportunity for her to play with other kids, and for me to catch up with Yekaterina. Besides, the community was enormous—Alexander probably wouldn't show up... right?
At one-thirty, Sofia and I arrived at the community center.
Sofia wore a pink little swimsuit under her bathrobe, clutching herswim ring like a treasure, excited as a songbird. I'd chosen the most conservative black one-piece I could find—the least attention-grabbing style possible.
"Mommy, hurry!" She tugged my hand. "I can't wait to see Godmother! And my present!"
The pool area was expansive, featuring a standard pool and a shallow children's pool. Plenty of parents and children were already there, kids' laughter echoing throughout the space.
"Anna! Sofia!" Yekaterina waved at us, holding an elegant pink gift bag. "Over here!"
"Godmother!" Sofia ran toward her with pure joy.
Yekaterina knelt to embrace Sofia, then presented her with the gift bag. "This is a very special present I brought you from Paris!"
Sofia eagerly opened the bag to reveal an exquisite French doll dressed in a gorgeous little gown, complete with a set of changeable outfits.
"Wow! She's beautiful!" Sofia's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Godmother!"
"From Paris's most famous toy store," Yekaterina said proudly. "Every French little girl dreams of having one."
I smiled watching this tender scene, grateful for Yekaterina's thoughtfulness toward Sofia.
"Go ahead and play," Yekaterina said, "but keep the doll away from the water."
We weren't particularly early—the pool area was already bustling with activity. I scanned the surroundings as we walked, relieved not to spot Alexander anywhere. Maybe he wouldn't attend this kind of family event...
"Mommy, can I get in the water now?"
"Of course, but stay in the shallow end and don't leave my sight."
Sofia nodded solemnly, entrusted her precious doll to me, then carefully waded into the children's pool. The water came up to her chest as she splashed excitedly, sending up cascades of sparklingdroplets.
I sat poolside watching her joy, feeling my tension ease. Maybe Yekaterina was right—Sofia truly needed activities like this.
Then commotion erupted behind me.
