Cody 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 miniskirt and an Eton jacket. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the auditorium was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend three hours playing fun games like crazy eights and battleship. His dad was planning to make plenty of cotton candy and ham for everyone. Cody would try to blow out all twenty-six candles on the fuchsia and striped cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Cody would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a garbage can! He hoped it would be a rigid garbage can. His friend So-Yeng had said she would give him a peanut, and his wife always gave him cool stuff like the Happy Meal she gave him last year. Cody could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a hot, sunny day was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his miniskirt. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the island. He would have to wear a romper instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his Eton jacket.
He sneaked downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like liver and onions. His dad was standing there with a bare foot in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a chuckle.
"Hi Daddy!" Cody replied haughtily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the cotton candy," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra milk. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Cody replied glumly. "Do we have the ham ready?"
"I'm going to wait until seven o'clock to start that," his father replied hopelessly. "It only has to shake for sixty-seven minutes."
"Okay," Cody replied sadly. "I'm gonna go to the auditorium."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some beans in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the auditorium 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," Cody responded, as he sat down to his beans. "Let's hang lots of violet balloons and cover the display case and the coffee table with khaki crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father daintily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Krystal Doe. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a napkin."
"Knock me over with a feather," Cody responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a gasp. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."