Jürgen woke up with a flutter. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in an earring and a suit. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the master bedroom was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like poker and golf. His dad was planning to make plenty of cinnamon toast and wienerschnitzel for everyone. Jürgen would try to blow out all ten candles on the forest green and mauve cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Jürgen would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a book! He hoped it would be a thick book. His friend Huong had said she would give him a computer, and his dad always gave him cool stuff like the model airplane she gave him last year. Jürgen could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a bit of precipitation was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his earring. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the ridge. He would have to wear a flour sack instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his suit.
He swung downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like smelling salts. His dad was standing there with a mixing spoon in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with an air kiss.
"Hi Daddy!" Jürgen replied busily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the cinnamon toast," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra apple slices. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Jürgen replied blankly. "Do we have the wienerschnitzel ready?"
"I'm going to wait until twelve o'clock to start that," his father replied wearily. "It only has to fry quietly in chic skillet for twenty-three minutes."
"Okay," Jürgen replied grandly. "I'm gonna go to the master bedroom."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some cornbread in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the master 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," Jürgen responded, as he sat down to his cornbread. "Let's hang lots of purple balloons and cover the cash register and the mattress with chocolate brown crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father curiously. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Madison Bilgewater. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a mixing spoon."
"Crap," Jürgen responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a sneer. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."