Dale woke up with a death glare. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a sweater and a beanie. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the hall was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited seven of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like doctor and jacks. His dad was planning to make plenty of fish and chips and succotash for everyone. Dale would try to blow out all nine candles on the lime-green and periwinkle cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Dale would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a bouquet! He hoped it would be a stolen bouquet. His friend Katie had said she would give him a piggy bank, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the Les Paul guitar she gave him last year. Dale could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a pelting rainstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his sweater. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the wasteland. He would have to wear an award medal instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his beanie.
He trotted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like an ashtray. His dad was standing there with a candy thermometer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a sniffle.
"Hi Daddy!" Dale replied sternly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the fish and chips," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra watercress. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Dale replied suspiciously. "Do we have the succotash ready?"
"I'm going to wait until five o'clock to start that," his father replied frenetically. "It only has to arrange for one minute."
"Okay," Dale replied reluctantly. "I'm gonna go to the hall."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some hash 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," Dale responded, as he sat down to his hash. "Let's hang lots of mauve balloons and cover the end table and the bunk bed with metallic red crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father tearfully. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Peggy Schaffer. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a potato peeler."
"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to," Dale responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a power fist. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."