Studs woke up with a chuckle. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a kimono and a stethoscope. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the salon was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited sixteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like follow the leader and hopscotch. His mom was planning to make plenty of lobster bisque and chicken soup for everyone. Studs would try to blow out all sixteen candles on the olive drab and aqua cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Studs would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a pencil! He hoped it would be a tiny pencil. His friend Parson had said he would give him a bird bath, and his mother always gave him cool stuff like the pail she gave him last year. Studs could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a pall of doom was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his kimono. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the trail. He would have to wear a pair of briefs instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his stethoscope.
He reeled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like rotting meat. His mom was standing there with a pastry blender in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a curtsey.
"Hi Mommy!" Studs replied madly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the lobster bisque," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra apple slices. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Studs replied blankly. "Do we have the chicken soup ready?"
"I'm going to wait until twelve o'clock to start that," his mother replied defiantly. "It only has to sauté for twenty-four minutes."
"Okay," Studs replied rapidly. "I'm gonna go to the salon."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some oatmeal in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the salon 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," Studs responded, as he sat down to his oatmeal. "Let's hang lots of jade balloons and cover the couch and the wine rack with jet black crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother carefully. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Wesley Pummelly. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a fork."
"Like, totally," Studs responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a sneer. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."