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Show 21 glorious September weather, the party was in the yard behind the house. Since it wasn't a birthday party, Josh and Cap had brought no presents. When they walked into the yard, two dozen kids they knew turned toward them. There were some friendly hellos and some cat-calls. Josh was relieved to see^hat most of the boys from his class were there. That meant they wouldn't have to talk to the girls any more than necessary. Cap Mullins stood studying the long table where the paper plates and the punch bowl had been set up near the hedge. Smack in the center of the table was the biggest chocolate cake either boy had ever seen. There were four square layers, each layer smaller than the one beneath it, like a stepped pyramid. And on top, to celebrate the centennial, was a little replica of the gold bar everyone was talking about. That was the mayor's idea, Josh decided. In spite of the tiny yellow bar, the cake looked delicious, with thick frosting curling in little waves along the side. Cap didn't move, but stood licking his lips. "Come on, let's go play donkey," Josh said as Mary Alice came toward them, practicing her hostess smile as she welcomed them. Josh wondered why nobody ever played any real games at these parties, like King of the hill or Kick the Can. But maybe the cake would be worth it. After a half hour of playing sit-down games, everyone sat listening to Mary Alice and her two cousins play their cellos. At least they were supposed to listen. |
