Sophie’s encounter at the playground

The sound of laughter filled the air at a public playground as children ran and played together. Sophie, being only seven years of age, played Tag with a group of other children. Her dark dirty blonde hair bouncing as she shrieked and giggled, running from the others. Her mother watched from afar, casually making small talk with the other parents as she played. Sophie chased after one of the boys of the group and reached out to tag him. Missing him, she stumbled into the grass. Sniffling she sat up to sulk, when a man came up beside her and kneeled down.

“Hey there, you ok?” he asked with concern. Sophie’s bottom lip trembled slightly as she nodded. The man had dark hair that was combed back, dressed in a high priced suit. Eye’s the color of a stone with a stern deep, yet gentle, voice.
“Well good, don’t cry now. You’re too pretty to be sad.” He ran his thumb over her cheek and grinned at her before pinching her nose.
“I’ve got your nose! Oh no!” he pulled his hand back, pretending to keep her nose. Sophie gasped as her small hands flung up to her face, searching for her nose.
“Want it back?” he asked with a chuckle. The little girls’ face nodded quickly, never uncovering where her nose was. The man leaned closer to her as his hand neared her face and poked the tip of her nose.
“Boop! There you go! You have your nose again.” The small girl bursted with giggles as she touched her face. Suddenly a child called out the girls name. Sophie looked at the child and quickly stood up to run to him. Before going, she turned to the mysterious man and waved. “My name is Sophie, thank you mister!” she dashed off with a giggle back to the group of children.

As she played, Sophie would occasionally notice the man sitting on a bench. He sat alone, watching the kids play. Never saying a greeting or a word to any of the passing parents. A couple times, some curious infants would wander up to him, yet he never seemed to notice. She would wave to him when he looked in her direction. He wouldn’t wave back, but always seemed to smile when she did. After some time the man stood up and walked down a path that lead into some trees. Sophie noticed the mans’ departure. Looking to her mother, who was in deep conversation among the adults, she scampered off toward the direction of the man. Her little feet padding along the path as her summer dress swayed. The man turned off the path and deeper into the tree’s. She followed. Peeking around a tree at him, she watched him sit under a tree. Leaning back he let out a sigh. She wasn’t sure why she was hiding but after a few moments the man smiled.

“I see you little Sophie. Come out, don’t be shy.” he coaxed her out with a smooth smile as she slowly appeared from around the tree. He patted the space next to him inviting the girl to join him. She moved her hands behind her back and hesitated, bashfully looking down before biting her lip and scampering over to him to take her spot he offered.
“Why are you following me missy?” he asked in a gentle voice and poked her nose.
“Why were you alone?” she questioned with a tilt of her head.
“Alone?”
“Yeah, you didn’t play with anyone or anything.