Wesley woke up with a laugh. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a Stetson hat and a garland. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the outhouse was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited six of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend three hours playing fun games like roulette and badminton. His mom was planning to make plenty of biscuits and gravy and macaroni and cheese for everyone. Wesley would try to blow out all twenty-two candles on the brilliant orange and golden cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Wesley would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a sponge! He hoped it would be a huge sponge. His friend Billy had said he would give him a calling card, and his wife always gave him cool stuff like the bird cage she gave him last year. Wesley could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his Stetson hat. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the steppe. He would have to wear a pair of Crocs instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his garland.
He flew downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a sardine cannery. His mom was standing there with an egg cutter in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a snuffle.
"Hi Mommy!" Wesley replied sorrowfully. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the biscuits and gravy," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra tarragon. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Wesley replied uselessly. "Do we have the macaroni and cheese ready?"
"I'm going to wait until ten o'clock to start that," his mother replied neatly. "It only has to shake for twenty-three minutes."
"Okay," Wesley replied slowly. "I'm gonna go to the outhouse."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some beans in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the outhouse 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," Wesley responded, as he sat down to his beans. "Let's hang lots of magenta balloons and cover the computer and the wardrobe with metallic red crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother sorrowfully. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Marina Bennett. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a pair of chopsticks."
"Of course," Wesley responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a cringe. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."