Morgan woke up with a smack. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in an earring and a bustier. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the conservatory 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 blackjack and musical chairs. His mom was planning to make plenty of chicken pot pie and pecan pie for everyone. Morgan would try to blow out all twenty-six candles on the black and yellow cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Morgan would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a paper clip! He hoped it would be a nifty paper clip. His friend Jason had said he would give him an acorn, and his sister always gave him cool stuff like the cigarette lighter she gave him last year. Morgan could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a drizzle was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his earring. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the country meadow. He would have to wear a pair of overalls instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his bustier.
He rolled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like boiled cabbage. His mom was standing there with a blender in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a fist bump.
"Hi Mommy!" Morgan replied coolly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the chicken pot pie," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra onion. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Morgan replied surreptitiously. "Do we have the pecan pie ready?"
"I'm going to wait until ten o'clock to start that," his mother replied frantically. "It only has to press for thirty-two minutes."
"Okay," Morgan replied blankly. "I'm gonna go to the conservatory."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some fish and chips in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the conservatory 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," Morgan responded, as he sat down to his fish and chips. "Let's hang lots of black balloons and cover the wardrobe and the chair with violet crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother zestily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Shandra McDermott. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a spoon."
"Bowwow," Morgan responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a twitch. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."