Lizzie woke up with a coo. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a cheerleader's uniform and a leotard. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the oubliette was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend six hours playing fun games like checkers and red light green light. Her dad was planning to make plenty of popcorn and ceviche for everyone. Lizzie would try to blow out all twenty-five candles on the blue and teal cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Lizzie would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a ball! She hoped it would be a stolen ball. Her friend Claudette had said she would give her a chart, and her mother always gave her cool stuff like the pickle she gave her last year. Lizzie could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a dense fog was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her cheerleader's uniform. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the canyon. She would have to wear a derby instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her leotard.
She scurried downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like toast. Her dad was standing there with a pastry blender in his hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" he said with a stiff upper lip.
"Hi Daddy!" Lizzie replied wildly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the popcorn," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra peeled carrots. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Lizzie replied nervously. "Do we have the ceviche ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," her father replied numbly. "It only has to bake at 450 degrees F for seventy-eight minutes."
"Okay," Lizzie replied sagely. "I'm gonna go to the oubliette."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some pancakes in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the oubliette first?" she begged.
"It looks just like it always does," her father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Lizzie responded, as she sat down to her pancakes. "Let's hang lots of grey balloons and cover the armoire and the recliner with mauve crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her father quietly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Pleasance Bennett. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a potato peeler."
"Nonsense," Lizzie responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a cringe. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."