In the hallway of the hotel was the beginning of the most joyous family reunion I have every seen. There was so much chatter all at once I could not make out what any one was saying.

Baybee turned to Darla and I, “This Baybee’s Mommy, Tricia.” He said as he politely made introductions.

“You can call me Auntie Teee,” she said. She gave Darla and a very warm hug.

“This Daddy, C, and sisters Leesha and SummerLee,” Baybee introduced. The hallway was filled with hug exchanges, tears and laughter.

“Please come inside,” I said. “Anyone for pineapple juice?” We sat around sipping juice from tall glasses with tiny bamboo umbrellas that Baybee saved from lunch.

“Thank you for taking such good care of Baybee for us,” Auntie Teee said. “He is developing with many of the human traits that C and I want to see in him. C and I are so busy at the Bishop Museum right now, We don’t have time to tend properly to Baybee’s education. Leesha and SummerLee are attending public schools and are cared for by their Aunt and Uncle, Stacy and Ren why we are involved in our research. Stacy and Ren are …well …they are like us. We have made Earth our home. We felt that Leesha and SummerLee are far to advanced for their age here. They are having a real struggle fitting in with the other children. We wanted a more normal life for Baybee. We would like to repay your for your kindness. We would like Baybee to stay with you until he finishes High School. We would see to it that you want for nothing.”

“We enjoy Baybee,” Darla told Teee. “He is like family to us. We love him,” She said. “We don’t need any money to continue taking acre of him. We want him around,” Darla added.

“We will be happy to keep right on loving Baybee. There is no need for compensation,” I added.

C stood up and announced that the luau was only a half an hour away. “Start getting ready. You are our guests tonight,” C said. “We will discuss this later.”

“Sit by me tonight, B,” Leesha said.
“No, sit by me,” SummerLee argued. Baybee started to tickle his sisters, which turned into a tickle-wrestle-tickle fest on the carpet.

“It is so good to see them having so much fun,” I said.