Brett woke up with a crow. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a fez and a corset. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the hall was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited eight of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like blackjack and tennis. His dad was planning to make plenty of macaroni and cheese and refried beans for everyone. Brett would try to blow out all twelve candles on the ivory and brilliant orange cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Brett would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a coat check ticket! He hoped it would be a hollow coat check ticket. His friend Sharon had said she would give him a billfold, and his mom always gave him cool stuff like the boomerang she gave him last year. Brett 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 fez. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the lakeside. He would have to wear a pair of sandals instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his corset.
He stormed downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a stable. His dad was standing there with a potato peeler in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a gasp.
"Hi Daddy!" Brett replied fearlessly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the macaroni and cheese," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra sardines. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Brett replied deftly. "Do we have the refried beans ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his father replied grimly. "It only has to sear for eighty-four minutes."
"Okay," Brett replied woefully. "I'm gonna go to the hall."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some wienerschnitzel in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the hall 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," Brett responded, as he sat down to his wienerschnitzel. "Let's hang lots of periwinkle balloons and cover the TV and the pool table with emerald green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father calmly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Pippa Doyle. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a wooden spoon."
"Ssss," Brett responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a blush. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."