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Mama's breathless appearance in the living room doorway would have made Loretta Young proud in her heyday. She grinned ear to ear and could scarce contain the news she carried.

"Mary, you'd better spill it before you bust wide open," said Daddy, pretending to be interested though his eyes kept wandering back to the new black and white television.

"Margaret, Earl and the children are coming for Sunday dinner! I can't wait. Oh, my, what should I cook?" In three sentences, Mama had gone from thrilled to desperate. A collective groan rose from my brother and me.

Every time Aunt Margaret and Uncle Earl came, the day verged on disaster. Mama's usual calm, dignified confidence disappeared. When Aunt Margaret loomed on the horizon, she turned into the little sister who wasn't quite good enough to compete. That didn't deter her from trying, which was all well and good. It was the 'other' person taking over who drove us to distraction.

Mama had pen and paper in hand moments after filling us in on the good news. Menus were considered and discarded one after the other, until she settled on tender pot roast with all the fixings. When she went to bed, dessert was still undecided.

"Mary, dadburn it! Go to sleep! I've got to get up early for work. You can figure what dessert to fix tomorrow." Daddy's gruff voice woke me with a start. It had begun. This was Wednesday. By Sunday morning our family would be torn asunder, all for Mama's seeking the Holy Grail of Sunday dinners!

Thursday morning, Mama finalized her menu with the addition of spring mint tea and rich peach cobbler. With a barely a nod good-bye, she grabbed Jimmy's Ryder wagon and headed for the grocery on the corner. I stood at the bus stop and watched her go, her proud head bent over her list over again. I waved good-bye, but she didn't see me.

"Mama, I'm home!" I ran in the front door after school, headed for the kitchen. If Mama went to the store this morning, that meant a special treat of white grapes after school. When I reached for the refrigerator door, a clawed hand grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the prize.

"No one is to take one item from this refrigerator until after Sunday. Is that clear?" The frowning, evil woman standing in front of me couldn't be the sweet, loving mama I left this morning!

"Yes, ma'am." I backed away from woman and appliance, not daring to turn my back. What might this stranger do if I weren't facing her? It suddenly seemed like an excellent idea to go to my room and do my homework. Having

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