Robert woke up with a belly laugh. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a cheerleader's uniform and a visor. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the auditorium was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited fourteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like Clue and pool. His mom was planning to make plenty of biscuits and gravy and mushroom quiche for everyone. Robert would try to blow out all seven candles on the emerald green and white cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Robert would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a radio! He hoped it would be a golden radio. His friend Morris had said he would give him a magazine, and his sister-in-law always gave him cool stuff like the bugle she gave him last year. Robert 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 cheerleader's uniform. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the treetop. He would have to wear a bonnet instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his visor.
He strolled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a new car. His mom was standing there with a food processor in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a shiver.
"Hi Mommy!" Robert replied crossly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the biscuits and gravy," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra oregano. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Robert replied blankly. "Do we have the mushroom quiche ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eight o'clock to start that," his mother replied cheerfully. "It only has to microwave for seventy-eight minutes."
"Okay," Robert replied lickety-split. "I'm gonna go to the auditorium."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some cabbage in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the auditorium 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," Robert responded, as he sat down to his cabbage. "Let's hang lots of aqua balloons and cover the cushion and the carpet with metallic red crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother timidly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Carla Nelson. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a turkey baster."
"You don't say," Robert responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a crow. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."