“Why do you want to know?” asked Mom.  “You never talk to Grandmother or Grandfather when you’re there.”

          “I talk.  I like driving in the car late at night, and stopping for a hamburger at Howard Johnson’s.  Three weeks?  Can’t we go this weekend?”

          “Your father has to work this weekend,” she said.  “Oh, but that reminds me, we have to ready to go to the Kaufman’s at noon on Saturday.  You’re invited, too, you know,” she said to me.  “They have children your age.”

          “The Kaufman’s?” Dad said surprised.  “Oh, no!”  Now he was disgusted.  “I told Percy I would be at the factory all day!”

          “But, Henry…how could you?”

          “I forgot, Dolly, that’s all.”

          “But, Henry, you knew this weekend was Jay Kaufman’s wedding.”

          “I’m sorry, Dolly.  OK?  Percy asked me and I forgot. I wasn’t thinking, that’s all.”  Dad was organizing his food on his plate, clinking his fork.  “Did you buy anything?”

          “Well,” she said, getting up. “I was thinking of going to Macy’s tonight. Would you like to come to Macy’s with me?” she asked glancing in my direction.

          “No, thanks. Why can’t Grandma and Grandpa come over here for once? I don’t want to go to the Kaufman’s either.”

          “Nobody’s forcing you to go.”