Larry woke up with a squint. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a parka and a pair of boxer shorts. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the conservatory was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited seventeen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like jacks and Cootie. His mom was planning to make plenty of lobster bisque and fondue for everyone. Larry would try to blow out all twenty candles on the emerald green and terra cotta cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Larry would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a spittoon! He hoped it would be a rancid spittoon. His friend Stuart had said he would give him a bag of popcorn, and his friend always gave him cool stuff like the stapler she gave him last year. Larry could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sandstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his parka. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the pasture. He would have to wear a derby instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of boxer shorts.
He sauntered downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like fried chicken. His mom was standing there with a ladle in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a honk.
"Hi Mommy!" Larry replied pitifully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the lobster bisque," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra ricotta cheese. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Larry replied defiantly. "Do we have the fondue ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," his mother replied cleverly. "It only has to place on serving dish for forty-eight minutes."
"Okay," Larry replied busily. "I'm gonna go to the conservatory."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some ceviche 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," Larry responded, as he sat down to his ceviche. "Let's hang lots of ivory balloons and cover the water bed and the ottoman with green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother thoughtfully. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Konstanze O'Brien. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a meat thermometer."
"Really," Larry responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a giggle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."