Hugh woke up with an evil eye. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in an otter costume and an evening gown. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the dungeon was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited fifteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend six hours playing fun games like bridge and marbles. His mom was planning to make plenty of mushroom quiche and corn on the cob for everyone. Hugh would try to blow out all twenty-four candles on the golden and orange cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Hugh would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a box of Kleenex! He hoped it would be a hefty box of Kleenex. His friend Pablo had said he would give him an advertisement, and his fiancée always gave him cool stuff like the magnifying glass she gave him last year. Hugh could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainbow was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his otter costume. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the seashore. He would have to wear a pair of glasses instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his evening gown.
He went downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cotton candy. His mom was standing there with a fork in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a flinch.
"Hi Mommy!" Hugh replied hopelessly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the mushroom quiche," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra English muffin. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Hugh replied curiously. "Do we have the corn on the cob ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eight o'clock to start that," his mother replied awkwardly. "It only has to sear for fifty-six minutes."
"Okay," Hugh replied fearfully. "I'm gonna go to the dungeon."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some banana split in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the dungeon 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," Hugh responded, as he sat down to his banana split. "Let's hang lots of azure balloons and cover the canopy bed and the hope chest with jet black crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother steadily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Ella MacDonald. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a candy thermometer."
"Easy peasy," Hugh responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a yawn. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."