Laura was waiting in the living room when Rob and Ritchie walked through the front door. And she smiled at the sight of them.

"Hi, Mommy!"

She stood and went to greet them. "Hi Ritchie! How was school today?"

Ritchie gave his mom a quick hug but then took off for his room, leaving Laura absolutely baffled.

"What was all that about?"

Rob shrugged. "I have no idea."

Laura wrapped her arms around her husband. "Oh Rob, was it terrible?"

"Was what terrible?"

"The Father of The Week Presentation! I know how much you were dreading it and I hated to make you go, but Rob, it meant so much to Richie. Even so, you

barely had enough time to prepare."

Rob smiled, making Laura even more curious. "Actually I was a big hit!"

"Really? I mean, not that I thought that you couldn't-I mean, wouldn't be, but Richie didn't even want you there! So how-."

"Well, I don't want to brag, but from the moment I stepped onto the platform, or rather, stumbled I should say, those kids and Mrs. Gibbons were laughing their

heads off! Even Ritchie! And some of those kids wanted to take me home with them!"

"That's a relief. But if you were such a big hit, what's the matter with Ritchie?"

"I don't know. We were having such a good time. I played with him at recess, and Mrs. Gibbons even let me stay for the rest of the day."

Laura was on the verge of tears, worrying about her son. "Well, you saw him, Rob. He just ran out of the room! He barely spoke to us!"

"Honey, he's just a little boy!"

"Little boys can have manners, too! I'm going to have a word with him!" Before she could storm off to his room, Rob put his hand on her shoulder.

"Laura, wait a minute. Now he's had a big day and I think we ought to just let him work out whatever it is he needs to work out!"

"I know, but-."

A small head poked around the corner. "Daddy?"

Rob and Laura looked up to see Ritchie standing in the living room.

"Ritchie, that wasn't nice to run off like that! Daddy and I want to talk to you!"

"I'm sorry, Mommy. But I wanted to do this first."

"Do what? And what could possibly be more important than saying hello to your mother and father when you come home?"

Ritchie produced a piece of paper and handed it to Rob. "This is for you, Daddy."

Rob glanced at the paper and smiled. Laura smiled as well when she saw the colorful crayon stick figure with hearts around it and the words 'To Daddy' at the

top.

"Ritchie, this is very nice." Rob said. "What is it?"

"It's not a what, it's a who. And the who is you!"

Laura and Rob nodded in understanding. "Oh, now I see! I wasn't looking at it clearly. Yes, this is a very nice… portrait of me. It's wonderful, Ritchie, but what's

the occasion?"

"For coming to my class and making us all laugh." Ritchie replied.

"Oh, well, it was my pleasure. Are you sure I didn't embarrass you?"

"No Daddy. They want you to come back all the time!"

"Well, I don't know about all the time because I have my work to do but if Mrs. Gibbons doesn't mind, I'd be glad to come back sometime."

"Yea!" Ritchie cheered.

"Now, why don't you get ready for dinner and I'm going to do the same. I can't wait to see what Mommy's cooked up for us!"

"Okay, but I have something else for you too, Daddy."

"Something else? I can hardly wait! Can I see it?"

"No."

"I can't see it? Why not?"

"Because you can't see it, you feel it!"

Rob looked at Laura and smiled. "Okay, I'm ready."

Ritchie threw his arms around Rob and hugged him tightly and then kissed his cheek.

"Thank you Ritchie. Those were the best gifts a dad could ever receive. And the picture, too."

"I wish you could be Father of the Week every week!" Richie said.

"He is." Laura replied, hugging Rob and Ritchie.

~Fin~