Frank woke up with an air kiss. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a feather boa and a pair of bloomers. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the bedroom was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like ring around the rosie and baseball. His dad was planning to make plenty of falafel and catfish stew for everyone. Frank would try to blow out all eight candles on the blue and jet black cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Frank would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a pizza! He hoped it would be a delicate pizza. His friend Antoinette had said she would give him a can of shaving cream, and his mentor always gave him cool stuff like the ice cream cone she gave him last year. Frank could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a pelting rainstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his feather boa. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the swamp. He would have to wear a pair of Reeboks instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of bloomers.
He bolted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like vinegar. His dad was standing there with a spatula in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a flutter.
"Hi Daddy!" Frank replied sweetly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the falafel," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra orange juice. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Frank replied gruffly. "Do we have the catfish stew ready?"
"I'm going to wait until seven o'clock to start that," his father replied patiently. "It only has to sear outside for forty minutes."
"Okay," Frank replied nicely. "I'm gonna go to the bedroom."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some cherries jubilee in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the bedroom 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," Frank responded, as he sat down to his cherries jubilee. "Let's hang lots of carrot-orange balloons and cover the counter and the coffee table with tan crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father fervently. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Dinah Jackson. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has an electric mixer."
"Beats me," Frank responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a cackle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."