Sinclair 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 necklace and a headscarf. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the laundry room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited fifteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like jacks and roulette. His dad was planning to make plenty of borscht and pecan pie for everyone. Sinclair would try to blow out all three candles on the grey and forest green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Sinclair would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain an advertisement! He hoped it would be a hollow advertisement. His friend Peg had said she would give him a soccer ball, and his wife always gave him cool stuff like the firecracker she gave him last year. Sinclair could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a sleet storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his necklace. 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 headscarf.
He darted downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like flatulence. His dad was standing there with a mixing spoon in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a glare.
"Hi Daddy!" Sinclair replied kindly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the borscht," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra fresh spinach. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Sinclair replied unnaturally. "Do we have the pecan pie ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," his father replied steadily. "It only has to fry effortlessly in crooked skillet for seventy-eight minutes."
"Okay," Sinclair replied daintily. "I'm gonna go to the laundry room."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some steak in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the laundry room 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," Sinclair responded, as he sat down to his steak. "Let's hang lots of aqua balloons and cover the chair and the hope chest with pink crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father ignobly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Darcy Finegan. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a garlic press."
"Ssss," Sinclair responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a furrowed brow. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."