Rob woke up with a coo. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a straitjacket and a polo shirt. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the servant's quarters was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-six of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend two hours playing fun games like battleship and chess. His dad was planning to make plenty of egg salad sandwich and fried chicken for everyone. Rob would try to blow out all fifteen candles on the olive green and brilliant orange cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Rob would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a toothbrush! He hoped it would be a queer toothbrush. His friend Lindy had said she would give him a bullet, and his mother-in-law always gave him cool stuff like the sea shell she gave him last year. Rob could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a humid day was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his straitjacket. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the dumpster. He would have to wear a shawl instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his polo shirt.
He proceeded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like mint. His dad was standing there with a meat thermometer in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a raised eyebrow.
"Hi Daddy!" Rob replied sarcastically. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the egg salad sandwich," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra pitted cherries. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Rob replied automatically. "Do we have the fried chicken ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his father replied noisily. "It only has to bake at 450 degrees F for sixty-three minutes."
"Okay," Rob replied firmly. "I'm gonna go to the servant's quarters."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some Hamburger Helper in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the servant's quarters 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," Rob responded, as he sat down to his Hamburger Helper. "Let's hang lots of ivory balloons and cover the desk and the credenza with azure crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father energetically. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Lorrie Milano. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a ladle."
"Hmmm," Rob responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a giggle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."