Russell woke up with a backward glance. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a jumper and a tool belt. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the hall was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited twenty-one of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend six hours playing fun games like charades and dominos. His mom was planning to make plenty of squash blossom soup and fried eggs for everyone. Russell would try to blow out all nine candles on the brilliant orange and brown cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Russell would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a cage! He hoped it would be a valuable cage. His friend Guy had said he would give him a coconut, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the toilet seat she gave him last year. Russell 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 jumper. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the mountain. He would have to wear a skirt instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his tool belt.
He sneaked downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cigarette smoke. His mom was standing there with a strainer in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with an air kiss.
"Hi Mommy!" Russell replied irritably. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the squash blossom soup," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra okra. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Russell replied repeatedly. "Do we have the fried eggs ready?"
"I'm going to wait until eleven o'clock to start that," his mother replied cheerfully. "It only has to blend for twenty-four minutes."
"Okay," Russell replied delicately. "I'm gonna go to the hall."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some lasagna in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the hall 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," Russell responded, as he sat down to his lasagna. "Let's hang lots of amber balloons and cover the cushion and the armoire with hot pink crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother quickly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Holly Snigglefritz. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a bare foot."
"Meh," Russell responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a raspberry. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."