Rob woke up with a sniff. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a big smile and a jerkin. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the tool shed was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like tag and golf. His dad was planning to make plenty of beef bouillon and chicken gumbo for everyone. Rob would try to blow out all eleven candles on the pink and olive green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Rob would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a contract! He hoped it would be a smumpy contract. His friend Darcy had said she would give him a doll, and his mom always gave him cool stuff like the antenna she gave him last year. Rob could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainbow was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his big smile. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the forest. He would have to wear a flak jacket instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his jerkin.
He padded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like hot cocoa. His dad was standing there with a basting brush in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a sneer.
"Hi Daddy!" Rob replied tensely. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the beef bouillon," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra apple cider. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Rob replied proudly. "Do we have the chicken gumbo ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eight o'clock to start that," his father replied gently. "It only has to simmer for ten minutes."
"Okay," Rob replied accidentally. "I'm gonna go to the tool shed."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some crumb cake 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," Rob responded, as he sat down to his crumb cake. "Let's hang lots of striped balloons and cover the bathtub and the casket with burgundy crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father quickly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Nakisha Hook. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a dull knife."
"Easy peasy," Rob responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a wrinkled nose. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."