1994 (#26) - Jack's Vietnam War background and Keemo's fatherhood

Released from the hospital, Luan is finally able to return to live in her home where, after some initial resistance, Keemo also moves in. The boy, however, with his rebellious spirit and unwillingness to open up, has difficulty integrating and seems unwilling to accept making acquaintances outside the Vietnamese community. Paul and Christine offer to spend some time with the boy, but he seems to have a strong grudge against Americans. During one of Christine's visits to Luan, he shows her some memories of their previous life in Vietnam. In particular, Christine is shocked to see the only photo of Luan with the American soldier with whom he conceived Keemo. The woman, in fact, recognizes in that young soldier Jack Abbott, a name that Luan is certainly not indifferent to: he is Keemo's father. Paul and Christine, thus, immediately speak with Jack, who admits to having been involved in the Vietnam War as a young man; an experience that was very painful for him. When Christine tells her about a woman named Mai Yun, Jack admits that he knew the girl with whom he had a brief affair, sensing that Christine has something to reveal to her. Eventually, Paul and Christine lead Jack to the home of an incredulous Luan, who has the man meet Keemo by introducing him as his father. The boy, who had always believed that his father had abandoned them, is furious with Jack, accusing him of abandoning them. Keemo considers Nguyen to be his only real father and refuses to accept Jack into his family. However, he slowly manages to make himself accepted by the boy by revealing his experience in Vietnam and the fact that he was forced to flee during a Vietcong attack. Keemo, embittered by what he and Luan were forced to endure, admits to having a deep hatred towards the Americans. However, when Jack shows him all the letters he had sent to him and Luan, letters that never reached their destination, he finally seems to open up. Keemo is forced to change his mind about his father and finally, under the emotional eyes of Paul, Christine and Luan, he reconciles with Jack. Soon, Keemo is introduced to the entire Abbott clan, with John, Ashley and Traci happy to welcome him into the family. Keemo thus radically changes his attitude, deciding to move permanently to the United States and integrating into his new life by embracing the customs and lifestyles of his new country, making friends and even starting to work within Jabot, making his mother Luan proud, who never ceases to thank two very happy Paul and Christine.