Summary

Domestic chaos reigns in the Heredia household, as the mother, Ineng Heredia, attempts to have a phone conversation while her two younger children, Sophie and Junior, needle each other about Sophie's upcoming birthday party. On the phone, Ineng speaks with Mr. Henson, who says her oldest son, Bobby, spent the night at his house with his own son, Pete. Ineng assures Mr. Henson that the father Totong will be home when he brings Bobby back to them at eleven that morning. The parents argue about whether Totong is able to take off work to do so, and Sophie proclaims that she hates her parents because "nobody cares" (235) that it is her birthday. A series of comic, but equally tense, errors ensue as the family prepares for their day and clear breakfast, including Totong slamming a door "just for the heck of...