Norman woke up with a pout. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of shin guards and a hoodie. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the study was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like Monopoly and chess. His mom was planning to make plenty of cabbage rolls and strawberry shortcake for everyone. Norman would try to blow out all eight candles on the crimson and olive green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Norman would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a diary! He hoped it would be an archaic diary. His friend Jackson had said he would give him a bowling ball, and his mentor always gave him cool stuff like the padlock she gave him last year. Norman could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainbow was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of shin guards. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the jungle. He would have to wear a gold medal instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his hoodie.
He swaggered downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like fingernail polish remover. His mom was standing there with an egg cutter in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a yawn.
"Hi Mommy!" Norman replied irritably. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the cabbage rolls," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra garlic. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Norman replied violently. "Do we have the strawberry shortcake ready?"
"I'm going to wait until twelve o'clock to start that," his mother replied madly. "It only has to spread into container for eighty minutes."
"Okay," Norman replied languidly. "I'm gonna go to the study."
"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 study first?" he begged.
"It looks just like it always does," his mother replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Norman responded, as he sat down to his catfish stew. "Let's hang lots of maroon balloons and cover the stool and the credenza with beige crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother valiantly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Tara Weiss. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a whisk."
"Oh my," Norman responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a hiccup. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."