36

It was the night of the annual fall dance at the country club. Tracy and Lucas had gone with George and Mimi, Harry and Jan.

Jackie had passed her thirteenth birthday with a small party and lots of presents. She was now one month past her thirteenth year of life.

And she was alone in the house.

There was nothing really interesting to watch on TV, and Jackie was getting very bored.

The phone rang.

Jackie passed Baby on her way to answer the phone. The big mastiff was allowed in the house only when one of the kids was left alone at night. Jackie stopped by the hall entrance, noticing a strange pulsing light coming from her parents’ bedroom. It was an odd gold color.

The ringing of the phone was persistent.

Jackie picked up the receiver. “Hello.”

“Hi, pretty baby,” the familiar voice sprang into her ear. “It’s your Uncle Ira.”