CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
JUNE 15, 5 PM
MC LAIN HOME
Blondie is baking a cake when I arrive in the kitchen, probably making her famous upside-down pineapple cake which is her favorite. The aroma of dinner is wafting through the house. Smells like a roast of some kind, probably with vegetables and potatoes. The kids are working on homework upstairs, but I interrupt and have them sign the card for her birthday, saying we have a wonderful surprise for her.
I wander into the living room and play the radio. Joni James, a new young hot singer, is giving her rendition of “Your Cheating Heart,” which is a big hit. Blondie calls out that dinner is ready, and I rush to wash up. The kids and I hit the door at the same time.
After dinner, the kids are getting antsy, and so am I. As Blondie gets the co
