Suvi held the phone between her shoulder and her ear while she flipped through a magazine of historical patterns.
“Mm hmm,” she said. She didn’t have to listen anymore to know where the right pauses were. Absently, Suvi pulled her sketchbook to her lap and started on the lines for something light and summery. It had been a few seasons since she’d experimented with Empire waistlines.
“Suvi. Girl, are you listening to me?” The voice on the other end of the line was blurred from the long distance call and from drink.
“I’m listening, Daddy,” she reassured him, crossing her fingers to forgive herself the little white lie. As long as he was on the phone with her, Suvi knew he wasn’t out somewhere he could get into trouble. If it weren’t for that, she’d have hung up forty-five minutes ago. She bit her lip and frowned at herself for thinking such things about her father. He wasn’t right in the head anymore. He’d never done anything to hurt her. He was just a sad, lonely man.
His loneliness was no more deserved than anyone else’s, but it was still very hard to forgive him the mistakes which left them both alone.
“I didn’t call you on your birthday.”
“That’s okay, Daddy. I got the card you sent me. It’s very sweet.”
“You send me a very nice card, Daddy. I’ve got it on the fridge. There’s a picture of a cat with a tiara on it.”
“Oh… I’m glad you got it.”
“Me too. Are you okay?” Suvi checked the clock by her bed. If it was late here, it was even later in Helsinki.
“Maybe you should go to bed, then, Daddy. Make sure you call Auntie tomorrow so she can take you to see the parole officer. She won’t forget to pick you up, but it makes her feel better if you show a little willingness.” Suvi felt like a nursemaid or a mother. She stopped that thought cold.
“Happy birthday, Suvi. I love you,” said her father.
“Thank you. I love you too, Daddy. I’m gonna hang up now. Goodnight, Daddy.” Suvi waited until he’d said goodbye and ended the call. The swan maiden pulled her knees up and rested her chin between them, thinking.