Del woke up with a grimace. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a big red rose and a jacket. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the dungeon was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend five hours playing fun games like baseball and volleyball. His dad was planning to make plenty of macaroni and clam chowder for everyone. Del would try to blow out all twenty-five candles on the turquoise and forest green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Del would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a Bible! He hoped it would be a ridged Bible. His friend Eileen had said she would give him an ice cream cone, and his girlfriend always gave him cool stuff like the box of candy she gave him last year. Del could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a windstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his big red rose. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the arroyo. He would have to wear a space suit instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his jacket.
He strode downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like peanuts. His dad was standing there with a candy thermometer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a roar.
"Hi Daddy!" Del replied angrily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the macaroni," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra powdered milk. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Del replied tenderly. "Do we have the clam chowder ready?"
"I'm going to wait until one o'clock to start that," his father replied woefully. "It only has to freeze for sixty-three minutes."
"Okay," Del replied patiently. "I'm gonna go to the dungeon."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some popcorn in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the dungeon first?" he begged.
"It looks just like it always does," his father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Del responded, as he sat down to his popcorn. "Let's hang lots of aquamarine balloons and cover the hammock and the file cabinet with striped crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father tenderly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Kendra Cruz. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a garlic press."
"Not so fast," Del responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a frown. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."