The Starmen debarked from their ship,
crossed the field and entered the airlock that led into the receiving
area. Through the second door, they could see an enormous crowd.
"Man! This place is jammed!" said Joe. "I've never seen so many people
here!" As air filled the airlock, the Starmen removed their helmets and
tucked them under their arms. Moments later they entered the public
terminal. A roar went up from hundreds of voices.
"What's this?" yelled Mark to Zip and Joe. He could barely make himself
heard above the clamor.
"Look!" cried out Zip. "Our families!" With a big smile on his face, he
pointed to the front of the crowd. There were the boys' parents-Allen
and Elizabeth Foster with Zip's eight-year old sister, Kathy; Keith and
Barbara Seaton; and Charlie and Laura Taylor. All were smiling hugely.
"Wow!" exclaimed Mark. "All these people are here for us!"
Although the crowd was being kept behind a light barrier of stanchions
and ribbons, as soon as the Starmen came through the airlock, Zip's
sister Kathy ducked under the ribbon and ran toward them.
"David, David!" she yelled. When she was still a few feet away from her
brother, she leaped and flew into his welcoming arms. "David, I missed
you!" she cried, snuggling her head into his shoulder. "I was so
worried!"
Zip smelled the little girl's hair and realized how much he loved her
and his home.
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