"Hmm," Jackie said, "I wonder what's keeping Daddy?" "You know," Marcia said to Mrs. Simms, "you really can go now. We can wait for Daddy by ourselves. I'm sure he'll be along any moment." "Don't be ridiculous," Mrs. Simms said. "What kind of hostess would I be? Besides, it's probably against the law." "Excuse me," Annie said abruptly. "I need to go to the bathroom." Then Rebecca created a diversion by asking if she could have some more frosting—"please!"—so Mrs. Simms didn't notice that rather than head for the bathroom, Annie raced straight for the back door. Five minutes later, enough time for Rebecca to get frosting all over her frock, we heard the sound of a horn honking. Loudly. It was the Hummer. "Ooh, that must be Daddy!" Jackie said as we all put on our coats, not even bothering to peek in the goody bags Mrs. Simms handed us. "Well, goodbye!" Zinnia piped up. "Happy birthday again!" Mrs.
