Dave woke up with a honk. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a tutu and a pair of Crocs. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the study was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited six of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like tag and jacks. His dad was planning to make plenty of fried chicken and cabbage for everyone. Dave would try to blow out all two candles on the violet and maroon cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Dave would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a cracker! He hoped it would be a crooked cracker. His friend Jan had said she would give him a napkin, and his grandpa always gave him cool stuff like the mushroom she gave him last year. Dave could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a thunderstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his tutu. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the plateau. He would have to wear a nose ring instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of Crocs.
He slumped downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like incense. His dad was standing there with a slotted spoon in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a chortle.
"Hi Daddy!" Dave replied wearily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the fried chicken," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra potato flakes. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Dave replied suavely. "Do we have the cabbage ready?"
"I'm going to wait until six o'clock to start that," his father replied grimly. "It only has to steam for seventy-three minutes."
"Okay," Dave replied warmly. "I'm gonna go to the study."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some mulligan stew 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 father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Dave responded, as he sat down to his mulligan stew. "Let's hang lots of hot pink balloons and cover the sofa and the bunk bed with indigo crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father kindly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Olive Hyde. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a knife."
"Kazow," Dave responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a grin. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."