The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
What do you want for your 16th birthday? I wish I knew you better. I have no idea what you like. I even Googled gift ideas for 16 year old girls and it all seems like shit; cell phone chargers and cheap jewelry and cheap makeup and stuffed animals. And everything is pink and “FABULOUS”. Oh, please.

One good thing I can say about your mom is that she has great taste. She inherited some of it from her mother, just as I assume you’ve inherited some good taste from your mother.

I tried to send you something classy for your last birthday. BTW, there was a hidden message in it. I had hoped to be able to explain it one day.

Maybe my tastes aren’t as sophisticated as your mom’s. But I know better than to send you cheap jewelry and pink shit.

More than anything, I’d love to treat you to a nice dinner, in person, in Paris or Mexico City. We can talk and learn and listen and maybe laugh.

Unrelated, sorta, but I was watching a movie called Burnt the other day. I like the scene where the chef makes a birthday cake for a little girl. Here is the scene. She calls him an “ogre” because he’s known to his employees to be loud and harsh and demanding in the kitchen.

I know you and your sister aren’t children anymore. But I haven’t seen you in ten years. Part of me will always see you this way.

Love,
Dad