Fabien woke up with a shiver. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of culottes and a big grin. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the foyer was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like follow the leader and rummy. His mom was planning to make plenty of hash and pizza for everyone. Fabien would try to blow out all twenty-eight candles on the burgundy and green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Fabien would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain an avocado! He hoped it would be a colossal avocado. His friend Edwin had said he would give him a can of beer, and his wife always gave him cool stuff like the pair of binoculars she gave him last year. Fabien could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a driving rain was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of culottes. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the mountainside. He would have to wear a suit instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his big grin.
He walked downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like Revlon. His mom was standing there with a garlic press in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a hiccup.
"Hi Mommy!" Fabien replied innocently. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the hash," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra kidney beans. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Fabien replied caustically. "Do we have the pizza ready?"
"I'm going to wait until five o'clock to start that," his mother replied properly. "It only has to microwave for twenty-eight minutes."
"Okay," Fabien replied confidently. "I'm gonna go to the foyer."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some chocolate-covered ants in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the foyer 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," Fabien responded, as he sat down to his chocolate-covered ants. "Let's hang lots of olive green balloons and cover the fainting couch and the pool table with tan crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother strictly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Latrina Greco. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a ladle."
"Holy frijole," Fabien responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a cackle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."