Bill woke up with a cringe. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a ribbon and a pair of handcuffs. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the parlor was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like baseball and doctor. His dad was planning to make plenty of chocolate-covered ants and ravioli for everyone. Bill would try to blow out all fifteen candles on the lavender and violet cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Bill would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a chess set! He hoped it would be an authentic chess set. His friend Julieann had said she would give him a paper towel, and his aunt always gave him cool stuff like the fish bowl she gave him last year. Bill could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a dust storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his ribbon. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the backyard. He would have to wear a bustier instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of handcuffs.
He tore downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like curry. His dad was standing there with a pastry blender in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a glare.
"Hi Daddy!" Bill replied wildly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the chocolate-covered ants," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra bread crumbs. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Bill replied positively. "Do we have the ravioli ready?"
"I'm going to wait until seven o'clock to start that," his father replied suspiciously. "It only has to scramble for eighty-three minutes."
"Okay," Bill replied gratefully. "I'm gonna go to the parlor."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some catfish stew in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the parlor 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," Bill responded, as he sat down to his catfish stew. "Let's hang lots of mauve balloons and cover the wooden crate and the washing machine with grey crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father carelessly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Peg Sitting Bird. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a napkin."
"Not on your life," Bill responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a shrug. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."