Christopher woke up with a raspberry. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pocket watch and a suit. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the pantry was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend one hour playing fun games like volleyball and musical chairs. His mom was planning to make plenty of candy and steak for everyone. Christopher would try to blow out all thirty-two candles on the terra cotta and green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Christopher would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a map! He hoped it would be a dusty map. His friend Kent had said he would give him a magazine, and his friend always gave him cool stuff like the pop bottle she gave him last year. Christopher 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 pocket watch. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the backyard. He would have to wear a pair of flip-flops instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his suit.
He sidled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like success. His mom was standing there with a pair of chopsticks in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a blush.
"Hi Mommy!" Christopher replied offhandedly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the candy," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra grated Romano cheese. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Christopher replied woodenly. "Do we have the steak ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," his mother replied firmly. "It only has to bake at 450 degrees F for fifty minutes."
"Okay," Christopher replied briskly. "I'm gonna go to the pantry."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some chicken soup in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the pantry 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," Christopher responded, as he sat down to his chicken soup. "Let's hang lots of olive drab balloons and cover the ping-pong table and the four-poster bed with salmon crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother courteously. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Lori Ireland. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a turkey baster."
"There-there," Christopher responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a sniff. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."