André woke up with a gasp. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of gloves and a pair of shorts. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the servant's quarters was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-two of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like blackjack and Snakes and Ladders. His dad was planning to make plenty of moo goo gai pan and egg salad sandwich for everyone. André would try to blow out all twenty-two candles on the turquoise and maroon cake. While the guests were eating their cake, André would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a microscope! He hoped it would be an unusual microscope. His friend Karla had said she would give him a muffin, and his mom always gave him cool stuff like the pair of scissors she gave him last year. André could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a tornado was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of gloves. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the forest. He would have to wear a pair of ear muffs instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of shorts.
He darted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a spring rain. His dad was standing there with a mixing spoon in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a clenched fist.
"Hi Daddy!" André replied testily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the moo goo gai pan," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra turmeric. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," André replied sleepily. "Do we have the egg salad sandwich ready?"
"I'm going to wait until ten o'clock to start that," his father replied confidently. "It only has to broil for twenty-six minutes."
"Okay," André replied roughly. "I'm gonna go to the servant's quarters."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some mushroom quiche 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 father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," André responded, as he sat down to his mushroom quiche. "Let's hang lots of purple balloons and cover the footstool and the ottoman with golden crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father immediately. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Susie Ullman. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a turkey baster."
"Sweet," André responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a power fist. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."