"Edith, do you think Daddy is ever coming home? He's never been gone this
long all at once. I really miss him."
Whenever she asked Edith this, she always got the same answer.
"Your father will come back."
"But what if something has happened to him? I'm worried."
"If something happens, they will let us know. Don't worry dear. He's fine." Sydney didn't believe her, of course.
"I wish I could write to him. Silly me, I didn't ask for his address."
"You aren't allowed to communicate with him when he's on business. That's probably why he didn't give you his address in the first place."
"Is he allowed contact with me?"
"Not while he's away, Sydney."
"But it's not fair. He's my Daddy, not anyone else's. He should be able to write or call if he wants to!"
"I don't know why he can't, but it must be some rule he has to follow. I'm sure that if anything happened someone would get in touch."
"And what if he's all right but they just aren't letting him come visit? What if I don't see him again??"
"Calm down Sydney. You will see your father again." Sydney didn't believe her still, but she decided to stop bothering her about it. She was beginning to sound annoyed. Sydney realized that she hadn't looked forward to summer at all because she somehow knew that her father wouldn't be back until after she'd gone back to school. What was she supposed to do over the summer? In previous years, she had read the books on the lists they had given them for the following year. This year, she had a much harder list than usual, mainly because she was going to seventh grade instead of sixth.
She figured she would finish the list within the first month of summer. This disappointed her and made her proud at the same time. She also spent a lot of time thinking about starting next year with people she didn't know was going to be like.
Sydney hoped she'd make more friends next year. All through grade school so far, she'd only had one really good friend, and she had moved away over a year ago. She didn't think she had real problems getting along with people, but she never seemed to have close friends. At least not friends her age. Most of the people she spent time with were grownups. Besides Edith, there were a couple of the neighbors. And Emily.
And that's when it hit her. She could visit Emily. Emily, unlike her husband, was always very kind to her. Sydney was very sure that Emily wouldn't mind her visiting. Her husband worked very long hours at the same company Sydney's father worked at and was rarely home. In fact, she decided to call that very day, to see if a visit would be alright.
Sydney did some of her reading upon arriving home, then picked up the phone. There was no need to look up Emily's number first. She dialed quickly, without even looking at the keypad. It was answered on the 3rd ring.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Emily. It's Sydney. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"No, I'm glad you called. Is there something wrong? You sound sad."
"I'm fine, just a little lonely, so I was hoping I could come for a visit."
"Of course you can. You're welcome to stay for dinner, as always. If she wants to come, Edith is welcome too. You can come by in about an hour, all right? I'll see you later, Sydney."
Sydney thought Emily had ended the phone call rather quickly and hoped that things were alright there.
Edith was glad to be invited for dinner. She liked Emily just as much as Sydney did, and she hoped it would get Sydney's mind off her father for a little while anyway. They got ready and left a few minutes early, hoping to be tehre right on time.
When Sydney arrived, Emily invited her into the kitchen to help getting the dinner ready. Edith, on the other hand, was told to relax, and Emily served her tea while she sat at the table and watched them.
Edith was always amazed at how talkative Sydney was when they came here. Oftentimes at home, it was very difficult to get her to open up. Lately, she had grown even more quiet, to the point that it worried Edith.
Emily, for her part, seemed to know enough not to bring up Jack's name. She had guessed why Sydney had sounded so sad on the phone. Even as they talked, though, Sydney kept throwing her odd glances.
"Sydney, is something wrong?"
"No... just when I called you seemed in such a hurry to hang up. Did you mind, that I called?"
"No, not at all Sydney."
"Were you busy?"
"You didn't interrupt me at all dear."
"All right," she replied, satisfied. They talked for a little longer before it was time for dinner. The food was delicious, and Sydney felt much better when her stomach was full. Her mind had been off her father for a few hours now, which helped a great deal.
After dinner and dessert, Sydney went to the family room so that Edith and Emily could talk alone. She started out watching television, but was soon scanning the shelves for something to read. A short while after that, she was settled in a chair reading A Tale of Two Cities. She was still there when Edith came in and said they should be going home now.
"Can't I please stay? Just for tonight. Please?"
Edith protested before Emily could even answer. "Sydney, you can't invite yourself. And besides, you don't even have a change of clothes or anything with you. Maybe another night."
"That's quite all right Edith," Emily assured.
"She doesn't need to stay over Emily. Maybe another night."
"She may stay if she likes Edith. Sydney?"
"Yes, I'd like that very much. Thank you."
Edith sighed. "You really shouldn't push people into things like this, Sydney. It's very rude. I'm sure Emily would have invited you herself if she wanted company."
Sydney began to look upset by all of this and Emily glanced at Edith, telling her with her eyes that it was perfectly fine if Sydney wanted to stay.
"I'll enjoy the company. I'm sure I have some pajamas around here that she can use. One of Arvin's neices left them, or something. Really, Edith, I don't mind at all."
"What about a change of clothes for tomorrow?"
"I'm sure she won't mind wearing the ones she's in just to travel back to her house, do you Sydney?"
"No, not at all."
"If she does mind, then I'll come get something for her. Besides, you look like you need a night off Edith."
"All right, she can stay. But if she becomes a burden, please bring her back or I shall come for her."
"She won't be a burden. Goodnight Edith."
Sydney sighed with relief once Edith had gone. "Thank you. I thought she was going to drag me home with her!"
Emily chuckled. "She's just afraid you'd be imposing. But I'm very glad to have you. What are you reading there?"
"A Tale of Two Cities. I like it so far. I really like to read, and I would have brought one of the ones I have due next fall, but I finished them."
"All of them, already?"
Sydney blushed. "Well, I like to read a lot. And I don't really have friends except you and Edith, and Daddy. And he.... well, you know how that is."
"Yes, of course." Emily knew very well that it was better not to talk about Sydney's father. She knew that her husband liked Jack, and enjoyed having Sydney around. In a way, she was like their own daughter. Or at least Emily liked to think about it that way sometimes.
"What would you like to do?" Emily asked her.
"I haven't really thought about it. I'm just so glad to be here. I love Edith, but it gets lonely at home and she works so hard. She needs some rest. We can do anything you want, really."
"You're the guest, honey. You choose."
Sydney smiled just a little. "Well, all right. Do you maybe have Scrabble? I like that game."
Emily did like Scrabble, and Sydney knew this. Sydney liked it too, but she mostly picked it because Emily liked it.They played the game for a few hours, and when they decided to quit, it was a little after 10.
"Would you like some ice cream?"
"Yes, please!"
Emily smiled and told her to take a seat at the table while she made the sundaes. Sydney was really enjoying herself, and was very glad that Emily's husband wasn't home just yet. She hoped he wouldn't get home until after she'd gone to sleep, really, because he scared her. She did believe Emily when she said she was like a daughter to them, but she felt she would always be intimidated by him.
Not long after they finished the sundaes, Sydney started to yawn, and went to get ready for bed. After she'd changed, finding the pajamas on her own, she also found a new toothbrush and some toothpaste. Then she simply went and got into bed, not even asking Emily to give her a hug. Seeing Sydney cross the hall, Emily went to ask her what was the matter.
Emily really didn't have to ask her that, and Sydney knew this. Emily always knew what was wrong, sometimes even before Sydney knew.
"Is this about your father?" She nodded.
"A little."
"You didn't ask for your hug. I know you miss him Sydney, but he'll be back. You've got to understand his line of work. It's a lot more complicated and a lot tougher than you might think."
"I know, everyone tells me that. I just wish he didn't have that stupid job. Why can't he just have a regular job, like everybody else's Daddy?"
"His job is special, Sydney. There aren't many men willing to do his job so you should be proud."
"I am, I just wish he was here more."
"I know you do sweetie. But you know you always have us, and Edith."
"I know. Thank you."
"Would you like that hug now?"
"Yes, please."
Emily hugged Sydney tightly, and held her like that for almost thirty seconds. Sydney showed no desire to pull away, and soon, Emily realized she was crying, without making a sound.
"Sydney, he really will be back one of these days. Honest. I'm sure he misses you."
At this, Sydney only cried harder. "Not as much as I miss him. If he doesn't hurry up, it will be my birthday again!"
"Oh Sydney, I'm sure it won't be that long."
"It's been almost four months already, Emily! I don't know what to do. I got used to a few weeks, maybe even two months, but never this long. I'm worried that something went wrong and those people won't tell me!"
"Sydney, shhh. They will tell you if something happens to him while he's away. I'm sure of it. Your father will be back soon."
Whenever she asked Edith this, she always got the same answer.
"Your father will come back."
"But what if something has happened to him? I'm worried."
"If something happens, they will let us know. Don't worry dear. He's fine." Sydney didn't believe her, of course.
"I wish I could write to him. Silly me, I didn't ask for his address."
"You aren't allowed to communicate with him when he's on business. That's probably why he didn't give you his address in the first place."
"Is he allowed contact with me?"
"Not while he's away, Sydney."
"But it's not fair. He's my Daddy, not anyone else's. He should be able to write or call if he wants to!"
"I don't know why he can't, but it must be some rule he has to follow. I'm sure that if anything happened someone would get in touch."
"And what if he's all right but they just aren't letting him come visit? What if I don't see him again??"
"Calm down Sydney. You will see your father again." Sydney didn't believe her still, but she decided to stop bothering her about it. She was beginning to sound annoyed. Sydney realized that she hadn't looked forward to summer at all because she somehow knew that her father wouldn't be back until after she'd gone back to school. What was she supposed to do over the summer? In previous years, she had read the books on the lists they had given them for the following year. This year, she had a much harder list than usual, mainly because she was going to seventh grade instead of sixth.
She figured she would finish the list within the first month of summer. This disappointed her and made her proud at the same time. She also spent a lot of time thinking about starting next year with people she didn't know was going to be like.
Sydney hoped she'd make more friends next year. All through grade school so far, she'd only had one really good friend, and she had moved away over a year ago. She didn't think she had real problems getting along with people, but she never seemed to have close friends. At least not friends her age. Most of the people she spent time with were grownups. Besides Edith, there were a couple of the neighbors. And Emily.
And that's when it hit her. She could visit Emily. Emily, unlike her husband, was always very kind to her. Sydney was very sure that Emily wouldn't mind her visiting. Her husband worked very long hours at the same company Sydney's father worked at and was rarely home. In fact, she decided to call that very day, to see if a visit would be alright.
Sydney did some of her reading upon arriving home, then picked up the phone. There was no need to look up Emily's number first. She dialed quickly, without even looking at the keypad. It was answered on the 3rd ring.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Emily. It's Sydney. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"No, I'm glad you called. Is there something wrong? You sound sad."
"I'm fine, just a little lonely, so I was hoping I could come for a visit."
"Of course you can. You're welcome to stay for dinner, as always. If she wants to come, Edith is welcome too. You can come by in about an hour, all right? I'll see you later, Sydney."
Sydney thought Emily had ended the phone call rather quickly and hoped that things were alright there.
Edith was glad to be invited for dinner. She liked Emily just as much as Sydney did, and she hoped it would get Sydney's mind off her father for a little while anyway. They got ready and left a few minutes early, hoping to be tehre right on time.
When Sydney arrived, Emily invited her into the kitchen to help getting the dinner ready. Edith, on the other hand, was told to relax, and Emily served her tea while she sat at the table and watched them.
Edith was always amazed at how talkative Sydney was when they came here. Oftentimes at home, it was very difficult to get her to open up. Lately, she had grown even more quiet, to the point that it worried Edith.
Emily, for her part, seemed to know enough not to bring up Jack's name. She had guessed why Sydney had sounded so sad on the phone. Even as they talked, though, Sydney kept throwing her odd glances.
"Sydney, is something wrong?"
"No... just when I called you seemed in such a hurry to hang up. Did you mind, that I called?"
"No, not at all Sydney."
"Were you busy?"
"You didn't interrupt me at all dear."
"All right," she replied, satisfied. They talked for a little longer before it was time for dinner. The food was delicious, and Sydney felt much better when her stomach was full. Her mind had been off her father for a few hours now, which helped a great deal.
After dinner and dessert, Sydney went to the family room so that Edith and Emily could talk alone. She started out watching television, but was soon scanning the shelves for something to read. A short while after that, she was settled in a chair reading A Tale of Two Cities. She was still there when Edith came in and said they should be going home now.
"Can't I please stay? Just for tonight. Please?"
Edith protested before Emily could even answer. "Sydney, you can't invite yourself. And besides, you don't even have a change of clothes or anything with you. Maybe another night."
"That's quite all right Edith," Emily assured.
"She doesn't need to stay over Emily. Maybe another night."
"She may stay if she likes Edith. Sydney?"
"Yes, I'd like that very much. Thank you."
Edith sighed. "You really shouldn't push people into things like this, Sydney. It's very rude. I'm sure Emily would have invited you herself if she wanted company."
Sydney began to look upset by all of this and Emily glanced at Edith, telling her with her eyes that it was perfectly fine if Sydney wanted to stay.
"I'll enjoy the company. I'm sure I have some pajamas around here that she can use. One of Arvin's neices left them, or something. Really, Edith, I don't mind at all."
"What about a change of clothes for tomorrow?"
"I'm sure she won't mind wearing the ones she's in just to travel back to her house, do you Sydney?"
"No, not at all."
"If she does mind, then I'll come get something for her. Besides, you look like you need a night off Edith."
"All right, she can stay. But if she becomes a burden, please bring her back or I shall come for her."
"She won't be a burden. Goodnight Edith."
Sydney sighed with relief once Edith had gone. "Thank you. I thought she was going to drag me home with her!"
Emily chuckled. "She's just afraid you'd be imposing. But I'm very glad to have you. What are you reading there?"
"A Tale of Two Cities. I like it so far. I really like to read, and I would have brought one of the ones I have due next fall, but I finished them."
"All of them, already?"
Sydney blushed. "Well, I like to read a lot. And I don't really have friends except you and Edith, and Daddy. And he.... well, you know how that is."
"Yes, of course." Emily knew very well that it was better not to talk about Sydney's father. She knew that her husband liked Jack, and enjoyed having Sydney around. In a way, she was like their own daughter. Or at least Emily liked to think about it that way sometimes.
"What would you like to do?" Emily asked her.
"I haven't really thought about it. I'm just so glad to be here. I love Edith, but it gets lonely at home and she works so hard. She needs some rest. We can do anything you want, really."
"You're the guest, honey. You choose."
Sydney smiled just a little. "Well, all right. Do you maybe have Scrabble? I like that game."
Emily did like Scrabble, and Sydney knew this. Sydney liked it too, but she mostly picked it because Emily liked it.They played the game for a few hours, and when they decided to quit, it was a little after 10.
"Would you like some ice cream?"
"Yes, please!"
Emily smiled and told her to take a seat at the table while she made the sundaes. Sydney was really enjoying herself, and was very glad that Emily's husband wasn't home just yet. She hoped he wouldn't get home until after she'd gone to sleep, really, because he scared her. She did believe Emily when she said she was like a daughter to them, but she felt she would always be intimidated by him.
Not long after they finished the sundaes, Sydney started to yawn, and went to get ready for bed. After she'd changed, finding the pajamas on her own, she also found a new toothbrush and some toothpaste. Then she simply went and got into bed, not even asking Emily to give her a hug. Seeing Sydney cross the hall, Emily went to ask her what was the matter.
Emily really didn't have to ask her that, and Sydney knew this. Emily always knew what was wrong, sometimes even before Sydney knew.
"Is this about your father?" She nodded.
"A little."
"You didn't ask for your hug. I know you miss him Sydney, but he'll be back. You've got to understand his line of work. It's a lot more complicated and a lot tougher than you might think."
"I know, everyone tells me that. I just wish he didn't have that stupid job. Why can't he just have a regular job, like everybody else's Daddy?"
"His job is special, Sydney. There aren't many men willing to do his job so you should be proud."
"I am, I just wish he was here more."
"I know you do sweetie. But you know you always have us, and Edith."
"I know. Thank you."
"Would you like that hug now?"
"Yes, please."
Emily hugged Sydney tightly, and held her like that for almost thirty seconds. Sydney showed no desire to pull away, and soon, Emily realized she was crying, without making a sound.
"Sydney, he really will be back one of these days. Honest. I'm sure he misses you."
At this, Sydney only cried harder. "Not as much as I miss him. If he doesn't hurry up, it will be my birthday again!"
"Oh Sydney, I'm sure it won't be that long."
"It's been almost four months already, Emily! I don't know what to do. I got used to a few weeks, maybe even two months, but never this long. I'm worried that something went wrong and those people won't tell me!"
"Sydney, shhh. They will tell you if something happens to him while he's away. I'm sure of it. Your father will be back soon."