<P> Bernadette "Bernie" (called Dette by Sophia): Heidi's next - door neighbour who acts as mother or guardian to Heidi . She has agoraphobia . </P> <P> Alexander "Zander": An older boy who lives in Heidi's apartment building . Though gruff, Heidi enjoys his company because he tells outlandish stories she likes to analyze their truthfulness . </P> <P> Elliot Hill: Heidi's father and Sophia's best friend . He is also mentally disabled . Calls Sophia "soof" because he cannot pronounce "Sophia". </P> <P> Thurman Hill: Heidi's grandfather . He works at Hilltop Home, a place for the mentally disabled, where Heidi's mother lived for a year . </P>

What does soof mean in so be it