“I’m sure there’s a reason for this, Jim. She’s in her mid-eighties. Maybe she just isn’t feeling well,” Maggie replied.

“Could be,” I said, “could be.”

“Let’s just let it go, babe. I’ve got a lot going on here with Layla this morning and I’m sure we’ll get a chance to clear this up with Mama soon. We’ve been invited to her birthday party next week and maybe she’ll be feeling better by then.”

“We’ve been invited to her birthday party?” I asked.

“Oh yes! She said she wanted to introduce us and Layla to all her friends and family. She said there would be over 300 people there!” Maggie laughed and then said, “Can you imagine having a birthday party with 300 guests?”

Laughing with her, I said, “No, but this should be very interesting!”

Maggie laughed again and as we said goodbye it started to rain. I finished up my coffee and heard a rumble of thunder in the distance. I better get to the office fast, I thought. And as the light rain turned into a torrent, I placed the newspaper I was reading over my head and, stepping into the street, I said under my breath, “Three hundred people at a birthday party?”