Sydney went to the car and pulled out the bag holding her doll and the overdue Christmas gift. She wasn't sure exactly what her next step should be. She couldn't just grab her father and blubber out the story.

She let herself back in and made her way to the den, listening as her father came down the stairs. She gave a start as she heard the phone ring. "Not again," she thought.

She heard the murmur of her father's conversation and then the sound of the receiver being returned to its cradle. She half expected her father to dial Nanny Smith. She was still smiling at this thought when her father entered the den.

Sydney looked at him inquiringly. "Kendall," her father said briefly. "He needs to see us tomorrow at 2pm."

"Why?"

Her father shook his head. "He wouldn't say." Jack looked at his watch. "Have you eaten yet?" Sydney shook her head no. She was surprised to realize she was hungry.

"There's a Chinese restaurant not too far from here. We could walk there. Is that ok with you?"

"Sounds good, Dad." So far, thought Sydney, so good. Walking with her father would be nice. It was one of the things she missed from her childhood.

They walked in silence. Sydney reached out and put her arm through Jack's. She knew she caught him a little off guard, but he didn't pull away. As they arrived at the restaurant, Sydney realized she and her father had frequented this place often when she was a little girl. The owner had a daughter her age and the two of them would play together while their fathers conversed. Michelle. That was her name. She had taught Sydney Chinese.

Her father opened the door for her. As she walked in she felt a tiny girl fly past her and into her fathers arms. "Uncle Jack." The little girl reached up and gave him a kiss. Sydney felt a pang in her heart. She used to be able to do that with her father. "Mommy, mommy, come and see. Uncle Jack is here." A woman in her late twenties greeted her father with a hug and kissed his cheek. "Uncle Jack. We've been worried about you. Dad will be happy to see his old friend" The woman removed the little girl from Jack's arms.

"Come, sit." The woman looked at Sydney and frowned.

"Michelle, you remember my daughter Sydney." Jack lightly touched Sydney's back, directing her toward the table.

"Oh, yes, how are you, Sydney? We are honored to have the daughter of our Uncle Jack dine with us tonight." Sydney wasn't sure, but she thought there was a hint of disapproval in Michelle's voice. Michelle turned and asked her daughter to find her grandfather. "He would be very unhappy with me if I did not tell him of his good friends arrival." She left them and returned to the kitchen.

"It's been hard on Michelle the past two years." Sydney started as she realized her father was speaking to her. "Her husband died in a car accident, so she's been raising Sukey on her own. Her father had a stroke about a year ago. She not only has the huge task of running this restaurant, but also the care of her father and her daughter." He shook his head. "I don't know how she manages. I've never seen her complain."

A waiter came by and poured their tea and took their order. He, too, seemed to know my father well. "Michelle's younger brother," Jack explained. "He's in his last year of college. He helps his sister out whenever he can and the tips come in handy for extras at school."

While they waited for their meal, Jack's friend entered the room. The man had two metal canes and walked in slowly. Her father pulled a chair out and the man sat down gratefully. "Chan, you remember my daughter, Sydney." His friend bowed and said "It is a pleasure to see you again, honorable daughter of my old friend." She saw her father's frown. Chan was treating her very formally. "I will leave you two for now. Please don't be absent so long again, my friend. We were all concerned." Chan smiled at Jack and bowed once again to Sydney.

Their dinner arrived and they ate in silence. Sydney had once thought her father too cold to have friends. And yet, it seemed, everywhere she went she found people who held him not only in great esteem, but deep friendship.

She held her father's arm again as they left the restaurant. She was surprised at the number of people out walking. She was even more shocked by the admiring stares woman threw her father's way. Some of them were pretty blatant. One woman in particular had been incredibly rude. Sydney thought she heard her say yum as they passed by. She looked up at her Dad, sure that he would be angry. He, apparently, was clueless. Sydney smiled. Perhaps her mother did still have a chance. Dad was never oblivious when he was with Irina.

When they returned to the den, Sydney pulled the Christmas present out of the bag. She hesitated for a moment, then handed it to her father. "What's this?" Jack asked, curiosity tingeing his voice. "A surprise." Sydney smiled at her father. He looked a little startled. "It's wrapped in Christmas paper, Sydney. Perhaps, I should wait."

"No, Daddy." Sydney's voice shook a little. "You've already waited. I wrapped this for you sixteen years ago."

Jack read the tag on the present. She saw her father's hands tremble as he unwrapped her gift. The drawing had yellowed a little with time. Underneath the drawing she had written "I love you Daddy". Her father's head was bowed, so she couldn't see his face. Sydney sat next to him. He turned and she saw his tears. Sydney's own tears started to flow.

She reached up and kissed him on the cheek, then circled her arms around him and tightened them into a hug.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I was so angry at you for leaving me. I had lost Mom and every time you left, I was afraid you wouldn't come back, too. I've missed you so much."