Nookie woke up with a snuffle. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a pair of Oxfords and a helmet. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the lounge was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirty of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like red rover and treasure hunt. Her dad was planning to make plenty of pecan pie and strawberry shortcake for everyone. Nookie would try to blow out all thirty-five candles on the grey and emerald green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Nookie would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a wrench! She hoped it would be a crooked wrench. Her friend Eppie had said she would give her a garbage can, and her grandpa always gave her cool stuff like the bell she gave her last year. Nookie could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a drizzle was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her pair of Oxfords. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the dump. She would have to wear a pair of cargo pants instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her helmet.
She strode downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a laundry. Her dad was standing there with a spatula in his hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" he said with a belly laugh.
"Hi Daddy!" Nookie replied coldly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the pecan pie," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra kielbasa. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Nookie replied stealthily. "Do we have the strawberry shortcake ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," her father replied threateningly. "It only has to broil for twenty-one minutes."
"Okay," Nookie replied briskly. "I'm gonna go to the lounge."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some apple pie in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the lounge first?" she begged.
"It looks just like it always does," her father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Nookie responded, as she sat down to her apple pie. "Let's hang lots of periwinkle balloons and cover the recliner and the overstuffed chair with pea green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her father temperamentally. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Michelle Shakewell. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a pair of tongs."
"Banzai," Nookie responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a snarl. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."