Antonio woke up with a fist bump. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of UGGs and a space suit. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the study was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirty of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like musical chairs and leapfrog. His mom was planning to make plenty of chicken pot pie and applesauce for everyone. Antonio would try to blow out all ten candles on the khaki and red cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Antonio would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a painting! He hoped it would be a rare painting. His friend Jackson had said he would give him a battery, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the amulet she gave him last year. Antonio 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 UGGs. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the seashore. He would have to wear a badge instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his space suit.
He scurried downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a sardine cannery. His mom was standing there with a grater in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a backward glance.
"Hi Mommy!" Antonio replied sheepishly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the chicken pot pie," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra ham. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Antonio replied impatiently. "Do we have the applesauce ready?"
"I'm going to wait until three o'clock to start that," his mother replied later. "It only has to freeze for eighty-two minutes."
"Okay," Antonio replied dubiously. "I'm gonna go to the study."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some ravioli in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the study 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," Antonio responded, as he sat down to his ravioli. "Let's hang lots of jet black balloons and cover the workbench and the footstool with aquamarine crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother ignobly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Phyllis Judd. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a dull knife."
"Cease and desist," Antonio responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a pout. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."