My hand reaches for the keys in my pockets. As quietly as possible I proceed to open the door. I know she isn’t a light sleeper, but better safe than sorry. The standard creaks of the rusty hinges mark the end of another mystery solved.

I hang my coat back on the rack, the same autistic way as always. My stomach protests to the lack of food. I turn myself to walk to the kitchen, but there she is, sat on the sofa.

“Had a good night?” Sophie asks.

My mind races, quickly trying to find an excuse. She was supposed to be asleep, though, I guess that comes with puberty too.

“Just had to run some errands.” I replied with a distinct sound of unbelievability in my voice.

The TV in front of her is turned on. It’s the news about the robbery this evening. The one I had been involved in.

“Crazy how this stuff always happens when you are running errands,” Sophie says as she turns her head to the screen. Before I can reply, she continues. “I am not stupid, dad. Not anymore at least.” There is both anger and sadness in her voice.

“I just don’t understand why you would have to lie to me about it. I’m your daughter after all.” She says as her eyes start to tear up.

I knew this would come. I take the keys and levitate them over the palm of my hand.

“I know you’re not, Soph. You’re the brightest girl I know.” I say as she looks at the levitating keys in awe. “I’m sorry.”

Suddenly she shoots ip from the sofa, runs towards me and tightly squeezes me in an embrace. The keys fall onto the tiles below and all I can think is: “what now?”