Doris woke up with a crow. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a pair of Groucho glasses and a poodle skirt. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the front porch was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited sixteen of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like musical chairs and Mother May I. Her mom was planning to make plenty of falafel and pot roast for everyone. Doris would try to blow out all twelve candles on the turquoise and yellow cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Doris would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a houseplant! She hoped it would be a decrepit houseplant. Her friend Mac had said he would give her a chamber pot, and her grandfather always gave her cool stuff like the picture she gave her last year. Doris could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a hot day was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her pair of Groucho glasses. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the marsh. She would have to wear an armband instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her poodle skirt.
She set out downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cigars. Her mom was standing there with a potato masher in her hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" she said with a cringe.
"Hi Mommy!" Doris replied clumsily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the falafel," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra olive oil. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Doris replied carelessly. "Do we have the pot roast ready?"
"I'm going to wait until seven o'clock to start that," her mother replied suddenly. "It only has to boil for thirty-six minutes."
"Okay," Doris replied roughly. "I'm gonna go to the front porch."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some bread and butter in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the front porch 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," Doris responded, as she sat down to her bread and butter. "Let's hang lots of navy blue balloons and cover the hope chest and the table with burgundy crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her mother madly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Leslie Kuta. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a dish cloth."
"Great Scott," Doris responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a power fist. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."