Dorian woke up with a titter. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a beehive and a big red rose. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the tool shed was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited three of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like bridge and leapfrog. His dad was planning to make plenty of candy and pancakes for everyone. Dorian would try to blow out all ten candles on the grey and orange cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Dorian would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a plaque! He hoped it would be a ridiculous plaque. His friend Andie had said she would give him a ticket, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the brochure she gave him last year. Dorian could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sandstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his beehive. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the bog. He would have to wear a big grin instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his big red rose.
He swung downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like Elizabeth Arden. His dad was standing there with an oven mitt in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a clenched fist.
"Hi Daddy!" Dorian replied wearily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the candy," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra Cheerios. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Dorian replied timidly. "Do we have the pancakes ready?"
"I'm going to wait until one o'clock to start that," his father replied reluctantly. "It only has to sear outside for eighty-seven minutes."
"Okay," Dorian replied tenderly. "I'm gonna go to the tool shed."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some strawberry shortcake in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the tool shed 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," Dorian responded, as he sat down to his strawberry shortcake. "Let's hang lots of ivory balloons and cover the bar stool and the settee with lavender crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father suavely. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Lianlin Nilsson. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a bare foot."
"Optimum," Dorian responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a shiver. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."