Shepard woke up with a smack. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of knickerbockers and a pair of UGGs. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the dungeon was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like trivia and musical chairs. His mom was planning to make plenty of lime sherbet and pancakes for everyone. Shepard would try to blow out all twenty-two candles on the yellow and purple cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Shepard would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a cell phone! He hoped it would be a sleek cell phone. His friend Vic had said he would give him a toilet seat, and his mother-in-law always gave him cool stuff like the hat she gave him last year. Shepard could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a gale was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of knickerbockers. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the hill. He would have to wear a stethoscope instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of UGGs.
He strolled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like burnt toast. His mom was standing there with a paring knife in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a wrinkled nose.
"Hi Mommy!" Shepard replied firmly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the lime sherbet," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra tarragon. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Shepard replied ruefully. "Do we have the pancakes ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his mother replied viciously. "It only has to melt for fifty-two minutes."
"Okay," Shepard replied sourly. "I'm gonna go to the dungeon."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some ceviche 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," Shepard responded, as he sat down to his ceviche. "Let's hang lots of chocolate brown balloons and cover the filing cabinet and the hammock with green crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother fervently. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Brittany Nakamura. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a garlic press."
"Very funny," Shepard responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a gurgle. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."