Her black hair bounces br as she dances through discarded papers, br kicking the Metro section into the corner br where she houses a baby doll with bright clear eyes. br She was once such a baby br housed in a faraway house, br before us. br br Her doll's hair bounces, too, br when our child walks her, br step by step, br a marionette without strings attached, br each foot in turn br awkwardly carrying the weight of the child's body, too, br pressing into the soft red carpet, br br soft color and soft texture, br a cushion for both doll and child, br as they waver across the room, br rebalance their steps and then plop down. br 'O, wow! she walks fast, Daddy. br Look out. Here she comes! ' br I look at them and laugh br br because I'm expected to. br There are strings attached now, br binding me and doll and daughter. br And I notice tiny lines br crease the carpet, bent fibers looking white, br where she dragged herself and doll br along the only available road toward family.