Calvin woke up with a raised eyebrow. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of jackboots and a pair of dungarees. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the parlor was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eight of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like badminton and doctor. His mom was planning to make plenty of hash and waffles for everyone. Calvin would try to blow out all eighteen candles on the red and lime-green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Calvin would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a bowling ball! He hoped it would be a hand-carved bowling ball. His friend Quentin had said he would give him an amulet, and his friend always gave him cool stuff like the sea shell she gave him last year. Calvin could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a dust storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of jackboots. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the crime scene. He would have to wear a loincloth instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of dungarees.
He dashed downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like bubble gum. His mom was standing there with a strainer in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a shrug.
"Hi Mommy!" Calvin replied gracefully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the hash," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra canned beans. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Calvin replied excitedly. "Do we have the waffles ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eight o'clock to start that," his mother replied tearfully. "It only has to blend for twenty-eight minutes."
"Okay," Calvin replied crossly. "I'm gonna go to the parlor."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some lobster in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the parlor 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," Calvin responded, as he sat down to his lobster. "Let's hang lots of blue balloons and cover the cash register and the bunk bed with pink crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother cruelly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Marissa Kong. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a sharp knife."
"Can it," Calvin responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a cringe. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."