"Pop! Oh, Pop, are you here?" Of course he's here, he's got to be here. Just because he was out this morning doesn't mean he's gone. His stuff's still here. He's here, but for how long? Peter Caine shook his head to clear it of all negative thoughts. A quick survey of the first floor of the kwoon proved it to be empty. He raced at breakneck speed up the stairs, stumbling on the short step at the top. A strong hand reached out quickly and seized his arm, preventing a bad fall. "Whoa! T..Thanks, Pop."
Kwai Chang Caine pulled his son to his feet. His son! He could say those words again. Peter lived, but for how long? "You are welcome, my son, but do not call me 'Pop'."
"Sorry, P..Dad." An awkward silence developed as the younger and older Caines struggled for common ground. The reunion of father and son after fifteen years of believing the other dead, had been at once joyful and pain-filled.
"You were here..."
"I came by..."
Both men grinned in embarrassment as the words were spoken in unison. "You first, P..Dad."
"No, my son. You have sought me out. Please go on." Caine settled back against the wall, drinking in the sight of his long-lost child, analyzing the changes of the last fifteen years.
"Uh, yeah, well, I came by this morning to see if you wanted to g..go to a Fourth of July picnic with m..me. It's our first Fourth t..together again." Why am I so nervous? He's my father. He's alive, but does he really want to be with me? He's always been polite. "but you weren't home." A hint of accusation played in Peter's tones.
"I have many errands that must be handled in the early morning, my son. I am sorry that I missed you." The day would not have been as long if you had been here, my son. My son lives; for too many years I have longed to say those words.
"Oh, well, that's okay. I should've asked you earlier." Okay, he had a reason not to be here. I hope it's true. He never used to lie, but after fifteen years...
"Did you enjoy the picnic?" Who were you with, my child? Your foster family? Have they replaced me in your heart?
"Yeah. It was okay. I was hoping to introduce you to the Blaisdells. You'll like them. M..Annie makes great coleslaw and Paul cooks a mean hamburger."God, Peter, that was stupid, he doesn't know you call her Mom. He won't understand. Distract him, quick. "Oh. I'm sorry, you don't eat meat, do you?"
"I do not." Caine suddenly noticed a faded red stain on Peter's shirt. He fought to control his fear. Surely not blood, Peter has not been injured. He is whole.
Noting his father's gaze, Peter stared down at the front of his shirt. Damn, he'd meant to change, his father must think he was a complete idiot. First the fall on the stairs, now this additional evidence of his lack of coordination. Blushing the younger man apologized. "I'm sorry, Father. The hotdog leaked ketchup. It wouldn't come out, not completely. I..I meant to change before I came here."
The relief was almost overpowering. Ketchup, it is only ketchup. "That is understandable, my son. A picnic is not a picnic unless some of it is worn home."
Peter grinned. Okay, so maybe he doesn't think I'm a bumbling idiot. "True, Dad, I usually seem to wear home more than most people."
"You always did my son."
Another awkward silence developed as memories of the past caused both men to discretely wipe their eyes. Caine recovered first. "You are on your way home?"
"Huh, oh, no," Peter paused, fearful of rejection, then forced his words out in a rush. "I, uh, was hoping you'd go with me to see the fireworks tonight. Down on the river." You always used to watch the fireworks with me at the temple. No matter how busy you were, no matter what dignitary was visiting, you always watched the fireworks with me, just me.
A renewed sense of grief threatened to overwhelm the Shaolin. Fireworks? It has been many years since I have enjoyed fireworks. Too many painful memories. But the cause of my pain is no more, unless. No, I will not think on it. "I would be honored, my son."
A delighted smile lit up Peter's face. "Great! If we leave now, we can probably still get a good view."
"Indeed, my son. I am ready." I have been waiting for this moment for fifteen years, my son.
"Fine. Well, uh, do you want to take anything with you? A blanket to sit on?"
Only your heart, my dear child. "No my son, I will be fine. Please, lead the way."
"Okay. It's really a neat display, Pop. Not as cool as Chinese New Year in some ways, but better in others..." The young man chattered ceaselessly as the pair left the kwoon.
The father's heart swelled with pride in his wonderful child, his miracle, a gift from the gods. Someday Caine knew his son might pay the ultimate price for the path he had embraced. But not today. No, not today.
The son hoped his endless chatter was not annoying his father, but he couldn't help it. There were fifteen years of conversations to be made up. And someday, his father might leave. But not today. No, not today.