She didn’t demand visits or insist that Sophie hug her.
She asked before coming over and accepted it when Sophie wasn’t interested.
Sometimes they talked briefly.
Other times, Sophie preferred
to stay with Nate or me.
Travis came with Amanda occasionally. He treated Sophie warmly without pushing her to interact.
Several months passed before I saw the first real change.
We were having a small family dinner when Sophie came downstairs wearing her pink dress.
She’d recently discovered it still fit.
“I wanted to wear it,” she announced.
“You look lovely,” I said.
Amanda smiled.
“That color really suits you.”
Sophie smiled back.
After dinner, I suggested taking a family photograph.
Everyone gathered near the living room window.
Sophie hesitated.
“Should I stand at the end?”
Amanda looked at her.
“You can stand wherever you want. I’d love to stand next to you, if that’s okay.”
