Her eyebrows furrow.
"Come with me." I extend my hand to her, but she doesn't take it. Maybe it’s too soon. Nonetheless, she follows me to the entrance area, where I retrieve an old light brown stuffed dog from my bag.
I keep it hidden behind my back for now. "Yesterday, I had the feeling that Fridolin was a bit lonely," I cautiously begin.
Sophia looks down, her fingers entwined. Surely, she realizes I'm not really talking about her faithful companion.
"He needs a friend." Now's the time to reveal the stuffed dog. "Felix, this is Sophia. Sophia, this is Felix."
She glances up at me with skepticism in her eyes. Her fingers fiddle with the fabric of her pajamas.
I give her time since she seems to need it now.
Suddenly, she takes a tiny step closer. "May I pet you?" she whispers directly to the stuffed dog in my hand.
I make sure that Felix nods.
Hesitantly, she extends her fingers toward him. Though it's hard for me, I make sure not to rush her. I don't want to pressure her.
"Hello, Felix," she murmurs, running her hand over his back. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
It's better for me not to interfere anymore. That Sophia has thawed this much is a real breakthrough. Relieved, I turn away.
I spot Josh.
With his hands deeply buried in his pockets, he leans against the doorway to the living room. A worried expression dominates his face, his attention fixed on his daughter.
What's he doing here? How long has he been watching us? And why?
He lifts his gaze, and our eyes meet. He doesn't say anything; he just looks at me.
This isn't right. Instinctively, I meet his gaze with a punishing look. Then I turn away and hang my bag neatly back on the coat hook.
When I turn around, he's gone.
I exhale in relief. Sophia settles comfortably with Felix in one of the large leather armchairs.
"My name is Sophia, and this is my dad's house," she explains to him while constantly stroking his fur.
I shouldn't interrupt this conversation. As inconspicuously as possible, I slip away toward the living room.
"My dad is a pianist." I hear pride in Sophia's voice, but there's something else, too. Frustration. "He has to work a lot, so we can't disturb him. That's important, do you hear?"
Abruptly, I stop. My heart grows heavy. I wish I could cheer her up right away, but we aren't that close yet.
"We have to be quiet. He doesn't like it when we laugh loudly or scream while playing. In fact, he doesn't like anything we do." Her hand pauses, and she chews on her lower lip. "Don't be sad. Daddy loves us anyway. He surely does," Sophia says over and above everything else. She sounds like she has to convince not only Felix but also herself that this is the truth.
I clench my fists until my knuckles turn white. A wave of nausea washes over me.
What kind of terrible father is Josh? Doesn't he realize the damage he's doing to his daughter with his behavior?
It's high time for a serious talk with him.
