Gideon, meanwhile, has yet to grow used to being anyone's father, particularly since he has no one to pass the child off to if he needs a break from her. He doesn't yet want to throw the baby out the window, but he's not fond of how his usual routines have been blown to smithereens for the week. Zipporah, it so far seems, does not share her father's fondness for libraries. (He assumes she's simply too young.)

When he comes to the playroom, it's with a book, though he knows that's wishful thinking on his part; even if Zipporah is content with her toys, the noise will be a force to reckon with. And then he sees Felix, mercifully alone save for his young son, and he supposes he needn't worry about reading.

He approaches, setting Zipporah down on the floor to crawl where she will, and gives Felix a questioning, all too hopeful look. They've had some tense meetings in the recent past, but Gideon really would like to spend time with him; he's decided that friendship is better than no relationship at all.