Charlene woke up with a belch. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a loincloth and a bridal gown. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the billiard room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like Simon Says and Rummy. Her mom was planning to make plenty of refried beans and ramen noodles for everyone. Charlene would try to blow out all ten candles on the jade and crimson cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Charlene would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a stuffed bunny! She hoped it would be a leather stuffed bunny. Her friend Milton had said he would give her a clam, and her sister-in-law always gave her cool stuff like the pen she gave her last year. Charlene could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a hot, sunny day was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her loincloth. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the glen. She would have to wear a mask instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her bridal gown.
She trotted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like mango. Her mom was standing there with a bare foot in her hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" she said with a belly laugh.
"Hi Mommy!" Charlene replied threateningly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the refried beans," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra lemon zest. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Charlene replied openly. "Do we have the ramen noodles ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eleven o'clock to start that," her mother replied violently. "It only has to spread into container for twenty-three minutes."
"Okay," Charlene replied blankly. "I'm gonna go to the billiard room."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some squash blossom soup in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the billiard room first?" she begged.
"It looks just like it always does," her mother replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Charlene responded, as she sat down to her squash blossom soup. "Let's hang lots of khaki balloons and cover the end table and the umbrella stand with striped crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her mother rapidly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Elinor Hart. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a fork."
"Durn," Charlene responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a hiccup. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."