Demetrius woke up with a snort. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a cardigan and a pair of briefs. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the doghouse was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eleven of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like rummy and battleship. His mom was planning to make plenty of sushi and fish and chips for everyone. Demetrius would try to blow out all sixteen candles on the golden and beige cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Demetrius would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a blank check! He hoped it would be a fluffy blank check. His friend Solomon had said he would give him a dog collar, and his girlfriend always gave him cool stuff like the pot she gave him last year. Demetrius could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a downpour was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his cardigan. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the valley. He would have to wear a cowboy hat instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of briefs.
He dove downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like garlic. His mom was standing there with a cookie cutter in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a sniffle.
"Hi Mommy!" Demetrius replied clumsily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the sushi," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra vanilla. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Demetrius replied brightly. "Do we have the fish and chips ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," his mother replied bitterly. "It only has to blend for forty-one minutes."
"Okay," Demetrius replied wearily. "I'm gonna go to the doghouse."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some cotton candy in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the doghouse 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," Demetrius responded, as he sat down to his cotton candy. "Let's hang lots of peach balloons and cover the dishwasher and the rug with forest green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother charmingly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Wanda Collins. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a blender."
"Yummy," Demetrius responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a glare. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."