Scotty woke up with a smile. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of flip-flops and a bulletproof vest. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the billiard room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eighteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend five hours playing fun games like doctor and Scrabble. His dad was planning to make plenty of pancakes and beans for everyone. Scotty would try to blow out all two candles on the golden and metallic red cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Scotty would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a banana! He hoped it would be a brittle banana. His friend Rose had said she would give him a rope, and his main squeeze always gave him cool stuff like the bat she gave him last year. Scotty 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 pair of flip-flops. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the seacoast. He would have to wear a tam o'shanter instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his bulletproof vest.
He sallied forth downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like plastic. His dad was standing there with a garlic press in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a belly laugh.
"Hi Daddy!" Scotty replied grimly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the pancakes," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra yogurt. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Scotty replied lightly. "Do we have the beans ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eleven o'clock to start that," his father replied charmingly. "It only has to smoke for seventy-eight minutes."
"Okay," Scotty replied daintily. "I'm gonna go to the billiard room."
"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 billiard 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," Scotty responded, as he sat down to his catfish stew. "Let's hang lots of pea green balloons and cover the china hutch and the pillow with tan crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father courageously. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, LaVerne Beagle. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a wooden spoon."
"Sweet," Scotty responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a squint. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."