Vernon woke up with a snort. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a tank top and a winter coat. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the atrium was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited fourteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like jump rope and treasure hunt. His dad was planning to make plenty of omelet and wienerschnitzel for everyone. Vernon would try to blow out all twenty-two candles on the khaki and emerald green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Vernon would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a rock! He hoped it would be a bizarre rock. His friend Georgina had said she would give him a can of beer, and his grandfather always gave him cool stuff like the Bunsen burner she gave him last year. Vernon could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a blanket of mist was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his tank top. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the field. He would have to wear a cocktail dress instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his winter coat.
He slipped downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a skunk. His dad was standing there with a corkscrew in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a gasp.
"Hi Daddy!" Vernon replied timidly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the omelet," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra mint leaves. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Vernon replied recklessly. "Do we have the wienerschnitzel ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eight o'clock to start that," his father replied gleefully. "It only has to blanch for eighty-three minutes."
"Okay," Vernon replied vacantly. "I'm gonna go to the atrium."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some applesauce in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the atrium 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," Vernon responded, as he sat down to his applesauce. "Let's hang lots of pea green balloons and cover the china hutch and the washing machine with carrot-orange crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father speedily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Bubbles Darnell. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a ladle."
"Stinkers," Vernon responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a cackle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."