Benjamin woke up with a cheer. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in an Armani suit and a kimono. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the library was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eight of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend five hours playing fun games like old maid and backgammon. His dad was planning to make plenty of chocolate-covered ants and roast Cornish game hen for everyone. Benjamin would try to blow out all twelve candles on the fuchsia and lavender cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Benjamin would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a cotton ball! He hoped it would be a queer cotton ball. His friend Peggy had said she would give him a spinning wheel, and his wife always gave him cool stuff like the stapler she gave him last year. Benjamin could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sleet storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his Armani suit. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the lakeside. He would have to wear a pacifier instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his kimono.
He zipped downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like asparagus. His dad was standing there with an oven mitt in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a smack.
"Hi Daddy!" Benjamin replied viciously. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the chocolate-covered ants," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra cilantro. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Benjamin replied again. "Do we have the roast Cornish game hen ready?"
"I'm going to wait until one o'clock to start that," his father replied happily. "It only has to roast for fifteen minutes."
"Okay," Benjamin replied tenderly. "I'm gonna go to the library."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some macaroni and cheese in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the library 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," Benjamin responded, as he sat down to his macaroni and cheese. "Let's hang lots of camouflage balloons and cover the wine rack and the umbrella stand with sea green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father quickly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Calista Flake. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has an electric mixer."
"Never mind," Benjamin responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a blush. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."