โIris, tomorrow I have the day off.โ
โHuh? Really!?โ
Irisโs eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, eager to hear more from Aldo. Whenever he had a day off, he always took her somewhere, and she was hoping that would be the case this time, too.
โI want to introduce you to Clara, a fellow digger I mentioned before.โ
โOh, okay.โ
At that, Iris felt a bit disappointed. She had been looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with her father, but the idea of having someone she didnโt know there dampened her excitement.
โI thought it might be awkward for you to be alone with Clara right away, so Iโd like you to meet her with me. That way, you can get comfortable around her.โ
It was Aldoโs way of being considerate. He wanted Iris to get used to being around different people for her future independence. This meeting was set up with her growth in mind.
Despite her reluctance, Iris knew it was something she would have to face for her future. She went to bed with mixed feelings, and the next morning, when she woke upโฆ she pretended to be asleep.
โIris, wake up. Clara is coming today.โ
Aldo shook her gently to wake her. Iris could no longer keep up her act and had to get up.
โCome on, change out of your pajamas into something for going out.โ
Aldo left the room, and Iris reluctantly began changing, her movements slow and unwilling.
Once she changed into her outdoor clothes and completed her preparations, Iris took Aldoโs hand, and they went outside.
On the way to the meeting spot with Clara, Aldo reminded Iris about manners.
โAlright, Iris. When you meet Clara, greet her first. You know what to say, right?โ
โHello, nice to meet you.โ
โGood. Then introduce yourself. Letโs try it.โ
โIโm Iris, nine years old.โ
โPerfect!โ
Aldo was thrilled to see his daughter greeting so well, but Irisโs tone was flat and uninterested.
โAnd remember, Iris, Clara is like an older sister to you. Be sure to add โMissโ when you call her.โ
โYesโฆโ
Irisโs response was half-hearted, but they finally arrived at the meeting place. Clara was already there, doing shadowboxing moves for some reason.
โSh-shu-shush!โ
โClaraโฆ what are you doing?โ
Aldo couldnโt ignore her unusual behavior and spoke up.
โOh, Mr. Aldo, hello! Well, itโs a dangerous area, you know? As a young lady here alone, I thought Iโd do a little intimidation practice. Shu-shu!โ
She threw some sharp jabs into the air. Iris watched with her mouth open, shocked.
Sheโs strong. If I try anything, Iโll get beaten up. I shouldnโt cross her. Irisโs instinctive survival sense warned her to be compliant.
โOh, a cute young girl! You must be Iris.โ
โH-helloโฆ nice to meet youโฆ Iโm Iris. Iโm nine years old.โ
She managed to say it, though her greeting was stiff and awkward. She had initially seen Clara as a rival for Aldoโs attention, but now, face-to-face, she was too nervous to do anything.
โHa ha, you donโt have to be so tense. Let me introduce myself properly too. Ahem. Hello, nice to meet you! Iโm Clara, 14 years old, and Iโm a digger. I work with your dad.โ
Clara, trying to ease Irisโs nerves, mirrored her polite speech. It was a way of connecting with Iris by matching her behavior.
โO-ohโฆโ
โIris, itโs alright. Claraโs not going to eat you or anything.โ
โR-really?โ
Iris clung to Aldoโs leg, thinking that if anything happened, she would rely on him to protect her.
โDonโt worry, Iris. If we run into trouble, Clara can handle it. Sheโs actually stronger than me.โ
โStronger than Daddyโฆ?โ
Irisโs face fell, as if the world had ended. There was no one left who could stop Clara.
โNow, now, Mr. Aldo, donโt say things like that,โ Clara whispered to him.
(At least try to look cool in front of your daughter.)
Aldo got the hint. Even though Clara was indeed stronger, Iris probably saw him as a hero, and he didnโt want to shatter that image.
โHa ha, just kidding, Iris. Sorry, that was a bit much.โ
Iris relaxed a little, reassured, butโ
โWell, itโs true I am strong, though. Shu-shu!โ
โEek!โ
Iris let out a small shriek at Claraโs jabs. It was then that Aldo realized why Iris was acting scared.
It wasโฆ a memory of past trauma. Aldo had no memory of it, but the old him had sometimes frightened Iris by pretending to hit her. He had never struck her, but even the act of a grown-up faking a hit could be scary for a child.
โClara, could I have a word?โ
โHmm?โ
He leaned in and whispered to Clara.
(It seems Iris has a fear of violence. Iโd appreciate it if you could avoid the shadowboxing.)
Aldo was uncomfortable admitting it, but he couldnโt deny the possibility that the old him may have scared Iris. He vaguely explained the situation to Clara.
(Oh, Iโm so sorry!)
Clara looked down, crestfallen. She hadnโt meant any harmโit was just a playful gesture, but she had no idea it would affect Iris this way.
She was desperate to make amends and lighten the mood with Iris.
โLook, Iris, peek-a-boo!โ
Iris just stared at her, unimpressed. Clara broke into a nervous sweat.
โClara, Iris is nine now. Thatโs a little too young for peek-a-boo.โ
Of courseโthis was obvious. Peek-a-boo was for babies.
โJ-just kidding! It was a little joke, ha haโฆ haโฆโ
Claraโs attempt was completely off the mark. Irisโs wariness only increased.
โHa ha, well, Iris is probably feeling shy, and Clara, maybe try relaxing a bit. Iโm sure that after spending the day together, youโll get along well.โ
Aldo was doing his best to bridge the gap between them. It would take time. Even he had been met with Irisโs initial wariness, but he had gained her trust by waiting and following her pace. He was sure Clara could do the same, with effort.
But he knew Clara was only 14, still young herself. He worried whether she could handle it all as smoothly.
With that, Aldoโs somewhat nerve-wracking holiday began.