“I’m not sure, Julie,” her mother said when Julie told her the plans. “I hate to leave you and your friends unchaperoned.” “Mother, please.” Julie sighed dramatically. “My friends know how to act. Most of them are Daddy’s players; they’re not going to get crazy or anything. Daddy would make their lives miserable.” “No alcohol,” her mother said emphatically. “Not to worry. Everybody wants Luke to have a good time and so I know they’ll be on their best behavior.” “Is Solena going to help you?” “Solena and a couple of others. We’ll clean everything up. Don’t worry.” So, her parents left in the early afternoon and Julie and her friends baked pizzas, made tacos, whipped up batches of chocolate chip cookies, hung lights on the back patio and deck, and set up two sets of stereo speakers—indoors and out. Just before six o’clock, the girls went up to Julie’s room and got ready. “Hair spray!” Solena shrieked. “I forgot my hair spray.” “Put a lid on it,”
