Mason woke up with a clenched fist. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of cycling shorts and a pair of earrings. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the library was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited nineteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend three hours playing fun games like Clue and musical chairs. His mom was planning to make plenty of beans and cabbage for everyone. Mason would try to blow out all seven candles on the azure and maroon cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Mason would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a washrag! He hoped it would be a fabulous washrag. His friend Nathan had said he would give him a paper airplane, and his mentor always gave him cool stuff like the pink flamingo she gave him last year. Mason could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sleet storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of cycling shorts. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the veld. He would have to wear a kimono instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of earrings.
He bounded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like pipe tobacco. His mom was standing there with a knife in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a flinch.
"Hi Mommy!" Mason replied hopelessly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the beans," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra dry sherry. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Mason replied sleepily. "Do we have the cabbage ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his mother replied proudly. "It only has to sear for fifty-nine minutes."
"Okay," Mason replied despondently. "I'm gonna go to the library."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some country glazed ham in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the library 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," Mason responded, as he sat down to his country glazed ham. "Let's hang lots of scarlet balloons and cover the bookshelf and the end table with azure crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother slyly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Cindi Spanbauer. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a turkey baster."
"Ugh," Mason responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a sneer. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."