Hunter woke up with a squint. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in an 'I'm with Stupid' shirt and a sari. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the servant's quarters was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eleven of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like crazy eights and crazy eights. His mom was planning to make plenty of spaghetti and squash blossom soup for everyone. Hunter would try to blow out all five candles on the crimson and crimson cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Hunter would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a needle and thread! He hoped it would be a charming needle and thread. His friend Newton had said he would give him a stapler, and his sister always gave him cool stuff like the coffee pot she gave him last year. Hunter could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a windstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his 'I'm with Stupid' shirt. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the oasis. He would have to wear a ribbon instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his sari.
He swaggered downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like rotten eggs. His mom was standing there with a corkscrew in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a roar.
"Hi Mommy!" Hunter replied busily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the spaghetti," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra dry white wine. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Hunter replied quietly. "Do we have the squash blossom soup ready?"
"I'm going to wait until five o'clock to start that," his mother replied swiftly. "It only has to microwave for sixty-four minutes."
"Okay," Hunter replied haughtily. "I'm gonna go to the servant's quarters."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some Froot Loops in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the servant's quarters 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," Hunter responded, as he sat down to his Froot Loops. "Let's hang lots of lime-green balloons and cover the card table and the cupboard with fuchsia crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother proudly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Daisy Maxwell. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a sharp knife."
"Not on your life," Hunter responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a backward glance. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."