Read Online Sophie Under Pressure by Nancy N. Rue - Free Book Online Page B

families falling apart, Dr. Peter,” she said.
    â€œIs that because you’re afraid your family is falling apart?”
    Sophie nodded.
    â€œYou want to tell me about it?”
    No, she didn’t. But the words came out anyway, in one big blurt.
    â€œZeke is acting out all over the place like he’s Terrible Two again,” she said. “Lacie is being all weird about boys. Daddy says I’m the only sane one left in the family.”
    â€œWhat about your father? Is he being ‘all weird’?”
    Sophie shook her head. “We’re getting along better than ever in my whole entire life.” She hugged the pillow until its nose dug into her stomach. She knew what Dr. Peter’s next question was going to be.
    â€œAnd how about your mama?” he said.
    â€œI think she’s gonna leave us! She hardly laughs or talks, and she acts like she’s always mad at Daddy. And it’s all my fault!”
    â€œYour fault?” Dr. Peter said. “You want to tell me why you think that?”
    â€œDaddy told me if I kept making good grades and staying out of trouble, she would feel better. That’s why I didn’t tell her about what happened today. She might just pack her suitcase and go. I would hate it without her. She’s my mama!”
    Sophie didn’t realize until then that she was crying. Dr. Peter handed her a Kleenex out of a box with moons and stars on it.
    Sophie plastered one over her eyes and cried into it some more. Dr. Peter just waited. When she looked up at him, he was studying her carefully.
    â€œYou know, Loodle,” he said, “I almost never tell you that you’re wrong.”
    â€œAre you going to now?” Sophie said.
    â€œI am.” He leaned forward. “You are so wrong about anything between your mother and father being your fault. Or Zeke’s, or Lacie’s.”
    â€œBut I don’t want her to leave for any reason. I’m trying to fix it. I’m helping with Zeke when he starts acting like a little brat, and I’m not fighting with Lacie. But I already miss Mama, and she isn’t even gone yet.”
    Dr. Peter nodded. “Do you feel like she’s gone because she isn’t with you like she used to be with you?”
    â€œYes!” Sophie said.
    â€œYou know something, Loodle?” he said. “You sometimes know things about people they haven’t even figured out about themselves.”
    Sophie felt the pain in her chest again. “Then she is going to leave. I have to stop her!”
    â€œNow hang on,” Dr. Peter said. “All I’m saying is that you seem to understand that she is taking a little mental trip right now, just like you do when you get scared about things and go into Sophie World.”
    â€œWhat’s she scared of?” Sophie said.
    â€œThat I can’t tell you. But I think you’re the best person in the house to understand about wanting to escape.”
    Sophie straightened her shoulders. “I can help her then.
    I’ll give her a signal when she starts drifting off, like Fiona coughs when she sees me zoning out in school.”
    Dr. Peter’s face grew serious. “I don’t want you to try to fix your mother, okay, Loodle? First of all, that isn’t your job. It’s God’s.”
    â€œBut I keep asking him to fix it and he doesn’t!”
    â€œI think he’s working on it. In fact, I’m sure of it. What do you say we let him do his job and you do yours? Just like the astronauts on your crew.”
    â€œBut what’s my job?” Sophie said.
    Dr. Peter’s eyes twinkled again. “I think it’s time to get to know Jesus a little bit better so you can see how God handles stuff like this.”
    â€œBack to the Bible,” Sophie said.
    â€œYou’re brilliant,” Dr. Peter said, handing her a piece of paper with Bible verses written on it. “That must be why they made you