Drew 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 a helmet and a hat. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the solarium was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited nineteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend three hours playing fun games like doctor and marbles. His mom was planning to make plenty of fondue and cabbage rolls for everyone. Drew would try to blow out all twenty-five candles on the periwinkle and sea green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Drew would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a roll of duct tape! He hoped it would be a queer roll of duct tape. His friend Edmond had said he would give him a stick, and his grandmother always gave him cool stuff like the potato she gave him last year. Drew could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a pall of doom was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his helmet. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the hayfield. He would have to wear a big grin instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his hat.
He sidled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a baby's diaper. His mom was standing there with a spatula in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a guffaw.
"Hi Mommy!" Drew replied bitterly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the fondue," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra cornstarch. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Drew replied madly. "Do we have the cabbage rolls ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," his mother replied gruffly. "It only has to melt for seven minutes."
"Okay," Drew replied busily. "I'm gonna go to the solarium."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some mashed potatoes in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the solarium first?" he begged.
"It looks just like it always does," his mother replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Drew responded, as he sat down to his mashed potatoes. "Let's hang lots of blue balloons and cover the couch and the cushion with grey crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother charmingly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Lauren Nurbabayev. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a strainer."
"Doggone," Drew responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a giggle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."