Francisco 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 pair of nylons and a surgical mask. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the game room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like jacks and dominos. His dad was planning to make plenty of omelet and mulligan stew for everyone. Francisco would try to blow out all eight candles on the camouflage and burgundy cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Francisco would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a contract! He hoped it would be a ridged contract. His friend Marilyn had said she would give him a bucket, and his cousin always gave him cool stuff like the crutch she gave him last year. Francisco could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sleet storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of nylons. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the arroyo. He would have to wear a big grin instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his surgical mask.
He padded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like lavender. His dad was standing there with a napkin in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a twitch.
"Hi Daddy!" Francisco replied admiringly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the omelet," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra wasabi powder. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Francisco replied shyly. "Do we have the mulligan stew ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," his father replied warmly. "It only has to poach lightly for thirty-four minutes."
"Okay," Francisco replied miserably. "I'm gonna go to the game room."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some lasagna in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the game room 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," Francisco responded, as he sat down to his lasagna. "Let's hang lots of sea green balloons and cover the bathtub and the hammock with emerald green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father nervously. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Sylvia Best. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a sharp knife."
"Kapow," Francisco responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a sniff. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."