When the boys returned to the living room, Mrs. Kenton said to them, “I have a surprise for you two. Turn your heads.”
They did so, and when she told them to look around they saw a fully dressed Jill standing there, her cheeks pink and healthy again. Ted hugged his sister as though she had been away a long time and was just getting back.
At last, the day that, it had seemed, would never arrive finally did come. Randy was up especially early that morning, saying that he wanted to visit his father before he went to school.
The children were in the living room awaiting breakfast.
“I’m sure they’ll let you off from school one more day to be with your father, Randy,” Mrs. Kenton called from the kitchen.
“Even if they do, I don’t want to lose any time seeing him,” Randy said.
Suddenly Jill pointed a shaky finger toward the front door. “L-look, there’s a man at the door?”
Ted turned around, startled. “I wonder who...” he began.
But Randy was not puzzled. He ran across the room and flipped the switch that controlled the air lock. A few minutes later a robust man in a space suit entered and pulled off his helmet. He had a rugged, kindly face which showed the effects of the terrible strain he had been under so long. But he was smiling.
“Pops!” Randy cried and threw his arms around him.
“Boy, what a squeeze you have!” Mr. Matthews grunted. “You’ve grown, Randy.”
When their prolonged greeting was over, Randy introduced his father to the Kentons. Ted’s hand was almost lost in the large, powerful grip of Mr. Matthews.
“You’re just in time for breakfast, Mr. Matthews,” Mrs. Kenton said.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a home-cooked meal,” the man answered wistfully. “I’d like to join you.”
As they were eating, Dr. Matthews heard the story of his son’s adoption by the Kentons. Then he said, “I can’t thank you folks enough for taking care of my boy just as if he were one of your own.”
“Randy _has_ been one of us,” Mrs. Kenton said warmly.
“What do you say about that?” his father asked. “Do you want to leave these nice people?”
Randy looked uncertain. It was a situation he had given little thought to before. “I don’t really like leaving them,” Randy said hesitantly. Then he seemed to have an idea. “I’ve got it, Dad! Why can’t you come and live here?”