How she hated spiders.
How she loved chocolate.
How she danced whenever she heard old music.
How she could make everyone laugh.
Sophie listened.
Then she asked:
“Was she brave?”
Gideon nodded.
“Very.”
“More brave than you?”
Gideon smiled.
“Much more.”
Sophie laughed.
“Grandpa.”
“It's true.”
Then Gideon reached into his wallet.
He pulled out an old photograph.
Elena stood beside her motorcycle.
She was young.
Smiling.
Happy.
Sophie stared.
“She looks pretty.”
“She was.”
“She looks like me.”
“She does.”
Sophie touched the photograph.
“I wish I remembered her like this.”
Gideon shook his head.
“You don't have to remember everything.”
“Why?”
“Because I remember too.”
He placed the photograph beside her.
“When you forget something, I'll tell you.”
Sophie looked at him.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
She smiled.
Then she placed the photograph beside the princess castle.
For the first time, Gideon realized something.
He had not been replacing Elena.
He had been helping Sophie build a bridge back to her
A week later, Sophie came home from school with an idea.
“Grandpa?”
“Yes?”
“Can we have a princess party?”
Gideon looked around the room.
“You have enough princesses for a kingdom.”
“I know.”
“How many people?”
“Everyone.”
“That sounds expensive.”
Sophie smiled.
“Please?”
Gideon sighed dramatically.
“All right.”
The party became bigger than expected.
Gideon invited Sophie's classmates.
Sarah, the neighbor, helped.
Rachel from the toy store came too.
She brought cupcakes.
Gideon's motorcycle club arrived.
Twenty large men in leather vests stood in a backyard decorated with princess banners.
The sight was ridiculous.
And wonderful.
Children ran everywhere.
Some wore crowns.
Others wore princess dresses.
One little boy wore a plastic tiara.
Gideon looked at him.
“Excellent choice.”
The boy grinned.
“Thank you.”
Music played.
Food covered the tables.
The enormous biker who once looked frightening was now carrying a tray of pink cupcakes.
Rachel laughed.
“Never thought I'd see this.”
Gideon shrugged.
“I've done stranger things.”
“Like what?”
“Rebuild a motorcycle in twelve hours.”
She laughed.