Ray can't wait to attend the big family reunion of Morets, Baptistes, and Radcliffs being held in Louisiana. The families are part of a long line of Creole ancestors. But the estrangement of Ray's Papa from Gran-papa Phillippe threatens to keep the family from attending the reunion. Ray doesn't know why Papa hates Gran-papa so much so it's hurtful when Papa tells Ray "you too much like your Gran-papa." Ray hopes Gran-papa Phillippe will be at the reunion so he can meet him and find out more about the man. At the reunion he overhears negative comments about Gran-papa but only a few supportive comments. Ray has to sneak around to meet Gran-papa which angers Papa when he finds out. The family learns that after Gran-papa left Papa's mother he sent Papa letters and money every year all of which the mother sent back every time.