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On a quiet pier, with a fair breeze tempering the heat of the summer sun, Hua casts her line. It arcs through the air, the steel of the hook glinting in the light. It lands with a gentle splash.
"That was great!" her old man says, clapping. "Perfect!"
"After all these years I finally get it right. Better late than never?"
"Better late than never."
Hua looks away from the sea and takes in the sight of her father. He's dressed as plainly as ever – sky blue trousers, a tan utility vest over a grey long sleeve shirt, a big floppy hat to protect him from the sun. Worn out running shoes. His hair is marked with a touch of grey and his skin sags a little, but his smile is warm and comforting.
"What are you doing here, dad?"
"I saw you leave the house alone," he says. "I thought maybe you could use a chaperone. You're such a rowdy kid after all, getting in trouble at school the way you do." He can't stop himself from smirking.
Hua rolls her eyes. "Yes. Me, the troublemaker."
He laughs more and takes a seat next to her. For a while they just let their legs dangle over the water.
"Did you eat before you left home?" he asks.
"I did. We had some cha siu bao leftover from the bakery yesterday."
"How many pieces did you have?"
"Just one."
"Haiya just one. You should eat more."
"Dad..."
"You exercise so much! You have to feed your muscles. Eat more."
She rolls her eyes but smiles genuinely. This is her dad's way of saying he loves her.
"What about you, dad? Did you eat?" Turnabout is fair play.
He nods. "I tried uh, what do you call them, enchiladas! For the first time for lunch. Very good very good."
Hua nods. "Good."
"I'm so proud of you," her father says after a little more silence. "I'm very happy for you. Your new family is very nice. I like how much they take care of you because sometimes you are not good at taking care of yourself."
"I wish I could disagree, but you're right.” She breathes. “What about you, dad? Are you well? Are you taken care of?"
His smile is so soft. "Yes, little bird. Don't worry about me. Your old friends look after me too, sometimes. That boy, the one with the mask, Kalpas, he brings me food sometimes. I like him. If you liked boys I think he would make a good husband."
"Dad!"
They laugh together.
The sea comes and goes. The tide washes out.
"Well-" He grunts as he climbs to his feet. "I need to be going."
Hua stands, laying her fishing pole on the pier. "Thanks for coming to see me. I miss you."
"I miss you so much," he says
They embrace. Tears run freely.
"Do me a favor. Don't join me yet, okay? You enjoy your time here with your wife and the little robot girl and your big chickens."
Hua laughs. "I will."
They don't bother to say goodbye. There's no need.
And Hua picks up her fishing pole and resumes her watch over the lapping waves of the Pacific.
Until...
"'Eeeey laogudong!" Senti calls. She jogs over from the van, a pair of piyos in tow. Xixi is setting up a grill in the parking lot in anticipation of some fish.
"Hello, Xiaoshi."
A kiss.
"Catch anything?"
Hua shakes her head. "I finally cast my line the way my father taught me, but it's a shame. I forgot to attach bait."