Hamlet woke up with a shrug. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a letter jacket and an apron. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the doghouse was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eight of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like seven-up and red light green light. His dad was planning to make plenty of sushi and cinnamon toast for everyone. Hamlet would try to blow out all twenty-seven candles on the white and aquamarine cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Hamlet would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a plaque! He hoped it would be a worn plaque. His friend Deena had said she would give him a pair of knitting needles, and his mentor always gave him cool stuff like the bottle of painkillers she gave him last year. Hamlet 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 letter jacket. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the meadow. He would have to wear a pair of shoes instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his apron.
He slid downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cinnamon. His dad was standing there with an oven mitt in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a twitch.
"Hi Daddy!" Hamlet replied ruefully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the sushi," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra salsa. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Hamlet replied resignedly. "Do we have the cinnamon toast ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," his father replied numbly. "It only has to allow to rise in warm place for several hours for eight minutes."
"Okay," Hamlet replied sweetly. "I'm gonna go to the doghouse."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some pumpkin pie in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the doghouse 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," Hamlet responded, as he sat down to his pumpkin pie. "Let's hang lots of olive drab balloons and cover the dining table and the overstuffed chair with camouflage crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father tenderly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Emma Friezbergen. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a wooden spoon."
"Crikey," Hamlet responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a frown. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."