Jack woke up with a blush. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a big smile and a Stetson hat. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the parlor was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited one of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like blackjack and badminton. His dad was planning to make plenty of Hamburger Helper and lobster bisque for everyone. Jack would try to blow out all twenty-five candles on the indigo and violet cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Jack would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a Van Gogh! He hoped it would be a rare Van Gogh. His friend Krystal had said she would give him a battery, and his mother always gave him cool stuff like the Jew's harp she gave him last year. Jack could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a tornado was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his big smile. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the mountaintop. He would have to wear a pacifier instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his Stetson hat.
He stalked downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like soap. His dad was standing there with a meat thermometer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a smack.
"Hi Daddy!" Jack replied stealthily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the Hamburger Helper," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra pimientos. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Jack replied delicately. "Do we have the lobster bisque ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," his father replied fearlessly. "It only has to arrange for eighty-five minutes."
"Okay," Jack replied gracefully. "I'm gonna go to the parlor."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some duck a l'orange 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 father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Jack responded, as he sat down to his duck a l'orange. "Let's hang lots of blue balloons and cover the water bed and the display case with scarlet crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father lazily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Jen Zaborowski. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a grater."
"Rubbish," Jack responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a belch. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."