Chapter 25 - SOPHIE ASKS THE QUESTIONA year after the haircut, Sophie asked:
“Did Claudia love me?”
We were building a dinosaur puzzle.
Apparently dinosaurs are where my child conducts emotional interrogations.
I put down a cardboard femur.
“I think she did.”
Sophie frowned.
“She cut my hair.”
“Yes.”
“You can’t do that if you love someone.”
I thought.
“You shouldn’t.”
“That’s not what I said.”
Six-year-old logic had evolved into seven-year-old prosecution.
I answered more carefully.
“People can love someone and still do harmful things because they believe their anger or authority matters more than the other person’s safety.”
“That’s bad love.”
I almost corrected her.
Then didn’t.
“That version was unsafe.”
She fit two puzzle pieces together.
“Do you love Claudia?”
“I cared about her very much.”
“Now?”
“I don’t know what word fits now.”
She nodded.
Then:
“Do you love me more?”
Dangerous question.
I did not want love to become ranked combat.
“You are my child. My responsibility to protect you is different.”
She considered that.
“More.”
I laughed.
“Yes, Soph.”
“Good.”
May you like
Then she found the tyrannosaurus tail.
Case closed.
