At the sunset of a Saturday in June 2008, Lynn Jr. just saw a local baseball game with her mother. At that time, Lynn Sr. promised to see a baseball game with his daughter on that very day. Her motivation came from a time when she was enamored of the game itself as she had discovered her hand in playing baseball. But it was just wrong timing that day because of sudden fallout of the economy of that year.

After the game, Lynn Jr. skips to the field when the audience left the premises. She kicks the sand to rid of her boredom from waiting for her dad to arrive to fetch them. Time flies that she sits by the pitcher's mound. All the time being, Lynn Jr. was being stubborn for the fact that her dad did not show up as promised.

Rita tries to cheer her up. "Lynn, sweetie, get out of the field. You might get dirty from the dust. Or even sneezes. Though I haven't check of your inborn allergies."

But Lynn Jr. mulishly ignores her mother's pleas and keeps kicking the sand around.

"Lynn, listen to me. We don't want your father to worry about you now," she insists, but Lynn keeps being stubborn. Just the mention of her father angers her right now. Rita sighs deeply out of hopelessness.

Moments go by, and Lynn Sr. arrives after a disastrous day at the bank. He runs around the local built-in bleachers in search of them. But he is only able to spot Lynn Jr. by the field.

At that revelation, Lynn Sr. runs to the benches below and comes across his wife. "Sorry, came late. What's going on with Lynn?"

"Oh good you're here," Rita replies. Referring to Lynn Jr., she says, "Well, she's not happy when you' didn't show up."

Hearing that, Lynn Sr. becomes upset to himself.

"Are you alright?" Rita asks, "What happened in the bank?"

Just the sullen expression of Lynn Sr.'s face says it all. "I lost it all dear. I lost it all." He was definitely referring to his investments that he lost to a high-profile New York-based bank founded by wealthy brothers. It was a big blow on his part to lose his lifelong investments, not because he lost his hard-earned money but because he does not know how he can secure his family on such a disaster. "I'm sorry."

At that news, Rita embraces her husband to comfort him. "It's okay dear. I had enough negativity for the day. I had to wait in line to get Lynn hotdogs. And some guy cut the line to in front of me."

"Not sure if that helps."

"Don't worry about it. I'm more worried about Lynn." The husband and the wife then turn around to see their daughter upset and sitting at the pitcher's mound behind face.

"I'll talk to her," Lynn Sr. says as he enters the fields to approach his daughter. As he named her daughter after his own name, Lynn Sr. easily sympathizes from Junior's disappointment. "Lynn…Lynn…"

Though she recognizes the voice, Lynn Jr. is irresponsive towards him.

"Look Junior, I know you're upset. I know stuff didn't work your way."

"But you promised," Lynn Jr. mutters. "You promised."

"I know I promised," Lynn Sr. replies, "I wanted to see the game with you. I really wanted to know."

"And the team lost!" Lynn Jr. replies, "The team always wins when you were with me. And they lost!"

"Look honey, the team could have win or lose, even when I don't show up."

"But you promised!" After her venting, Lynn Jr. faces behind.

Feeling hopeless of his current situation, Lynn Sr. resorts to revealing his entire situation to his daughter. "Look Lynn, I know I promised. I am really excited for the game. But your father had to face hard times. Without him doing it, you wouldn't be in the game in the first place. Lynn, I'm not expecting you to understand. But I just want you to know that I love you. I really do. That's why I need you right now."

But she remains despondent, making Lynn Sr. more upset. He lands his head towards a concrete and stares at an abandoned but useful baseball glove and ball. And from there, he thinks of an idea.

He throws the ball towards the pitcher's mound, making it roll to Lynn's position. She notices the ball and looks behind to see her father at position in home base. "Come on, I know you want to. Come on. Get the ball and let's play."

Easily, the still stubborn Lynn grabs the ball but rolls it back to her father before she goes back to the mound. "Go away."

Not wanting to quit on his daughter, Lynn Sr. throws the ball once more in an amateur way. This time, Lynn Jr. actually notices and gets angered by it.

Lynn Sr. keeps motivating him her, "Come on Lynn. You know you want to play."

"That's not how you play, daddy," Lynn Jr. grumbles.

"Then pitch me how to play baseball. Hehehe. Get it?"

Angrily, Lynn throws the ball at her father, hitting him by the chest. It is definitely what the Loud patriarch is asking for.

"Good throw. Now one more!" As Lynn Sr. throws the ball back to her, Lynn Jr. realizes that her father is challenging her. With that, she throws the ball one more time, and Lynn Sr. catches it this time. There is a surge of excitement growing inside of Lynn that she continues on with the catch-and-throw. "Now you're getting it!"

"Yeah!" Lynn screams in exhilaration.

Another genuine father-and-daughter moment comes between them. Rita cannot help but feel proud at them as she watches by the bench.


Flash to present day, and Lynn Sr. and Lynn Jr. are having the same bonding on the 3rd Sunday of June.

One throw from Lynn Sr. and the younger Lynn catches it easily but halts the game after feeling tired. "Okay dad, let's stop it right here."

"You sure sweetie?" he asks.

"Yeah," she replies. "Hey dad, thanks." At that statement, Lynn Jr. embraces her father to complete her expression of gratitude. In return, Lynn Sr. tightly embraces her back.

"Okay dad, that's good. You can let go now."

"Oh, sorry."

"How about we hit for some ice cream cake?"

"I thought you're on strict diet?"

"I would do this for you, daddy."

With that, Lynn Sr. smiles brightly. And they leave the field for an ice cream treat for the remainder of the day. Lynn Sr. is satisfied.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers and father figures!