Upton woke up with a blush. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of Groucho glasses and a pair of culottes. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the study was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited one of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend three hours playing fun games like Simon Says and backgammon. His dad was planning to make plenty of catfish stew and sauerkraut for everyone. Upton would try to blow out all fifteen candles on the pea green and mauve cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Upton would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a picture! He hoped it would be a rigid picture. His friend Lizzie had said she would give him a bag, and his dad always gave him cool stuff like the cork she gave him last year. Upton could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a hailstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of Groucho glasses. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the countryside. He would have to wear a bicycle helmet instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of culottes.
He slumped downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like baby lotion. His dad was standing there with a pair of chopsticks in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a giggle.
"Hi Daddy!" Upton replied woodenly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the catfish stew," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra water. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Upton replied automatically. "Do we have the sauerkraut ready?"
"I'm going to wait until one o'clock to start that," his father replied again. "It only has to grill for forty-four minutes."
"Okay," Upton replied irritably. "I'm gonna go to the study."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some chocolate-covered ants in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the study 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," Upton responded, as he sat down to his chocolate-covered ants. "Let's hang lots of green balloons and cover the settee and the bathtub with emerald green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father immediately. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Olivia Poole. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a garlic press."
"Jeepers," Upton responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a pout. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."