“We didn’t know what you’d like,” explained Mr. Pettinger.

“So we just got an assortment of dishes,” said Miss Webster.

“Like just about everything on the menu it looks,” said Marlin.

“It’s a special day!” said Miss Webster. “A special, special day!”

“Where’s Al?” asked Charlie. “I think he forgot. I think I should go next door and get him.”

“Is Al Farber coming?” asked Miss Webster in surprise.

“He said he might come,” said Fiona. “Don’t go get him, Charlie. I’m sure he didn’t forget. If he’s not here he must have a reason.”

“Yes, don’t go get him,” said Marlin.

“But he’ll miss dinner!” protested Charlie.

“Hey, birthday girl rules!” said Marlin, and that quieted Charlie because the family birthday rule was that the birthday girl got to choose all the particulars of the party and events of the day within reason. This sometimes made for some strange birthdays. There were three years in a row when Natasha not only said no vegetables for dinner but didn’t even allow the others to eat them. There were to be no vegetables VISIBLE ANYWHERE. And there was the year in Fiji when Marlin made them all wear coconut-shell party hats she had tried somewhat unsuccessfully to make. They were still rather damp when they arrived at the table. Their mother said never mind, coconut milk was supposed to be very good for the hair.

So dinner began without Al although Charlie insisted on leaving his place setting just in case. Cartons were passed and the girls marveled as they ate ginger beef, egg rolls, sweet-and-sour pork, chicken fried rice, egg foo young, wonton soup, kung pao chicken, almond chicken, prawns with snow peas, mushroom chop suey, and shrimp chow mein. They all had their plates heaped high and Miss Webster offered to teach them how to use chopsticks but of course they already knew because of all the places they had lived around the world. When everyone was done, they pushed their chairs back and Charlie said sadly, “There’s still so much food left.”

Everyone laughed.

“We’re leaving the leftovers with you. You can have them tomorrow,” said Mr. Pettinger.

“We can have them all week it looks like,” said Fiona, gazing at the many half-full cartons.

“Good,” said Miss Webster. “Marlin won’t have to cook for a change. Now, cake, anyone?”

“Let’s take a break,” said Marlin. “I couldn’t eat another bite right now.”

“Well, time for announcements then?” asked Miss Webster. “We have two and I know the birthday girl has one. So, who’s first?”

“YOU! YOU!” cried Charlie.

Fiona threw her a warning look.

“All right,” began Miss Webster when there was a loud knock on the door.

Who in the world, thought Fiona, and then groaned inwardly. Of course. They hadn’t told Al what time dinner was and he probably thought it was at six. Well, this was embarrassing. Although there was certainly enough food for him it still seemed so rude that they had eaten without him. She hadn’t for one minute believed he would really come.