After walking my daughter home, I pretended to leave. I parked on a nearby street and returned ten minutes later.
The front door was open.
The house remained completely silent.
Then I heard my father’s voice coming from upstairs.
—Stand up straight. Exactly like that. You have perfect proportions.
Emily let out a giggle.
—When will Mom be able to see him?
—Not yet. It might scare him. We have to finish it first.
My heart began to beat violently.
I went upstairs and saw that the door, which had been closed, was now ajar. I put my hand on the doorknob and entered the room.
—Stay away from my daughter!
My father turned around startled.
Emily stood in the center of the room, dressed in completely ordinary clothes. Beside her was something large covered by a sheet. Scattered across the floor were pieces of wood, paints, and tools.
“Mom, you shouldn’t have seen this!” Emily exclaimed.
I immediately pulled her towards me.
—What’s going on here?
