Bull woke up with a snort. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of flip-flops and a pith helmet. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the lounge was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited six of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like red rover and backgammon. His dad was planning to make plenty of moo goo gai pan and egg rolls for everyone. Bull would try to blow out all thirty-four candles on the olive green and camouflage cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Bull would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a peanut! He hoped it would be a frilly peanut. His friend Edith had said she would give him a Helmholz resonator, and his mommy always gave him cool stuff like the gun she gave him last year. Bull could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a downpour was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of flip-flops. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the gulch. He would have to wear a sombrero instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pith helmet.
He barrelled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cheese. His dad was standing there with a whisk in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a guffaw.
"Hi Daddy!" Bull replied lovingly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the moo goo gai pan," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra fresh peaches. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Bull replied slyly. "Do we have the egg rolls ready?"
"I'm going to wait until seven o'clock to start that," his father replied openly. "It only has to roast for fifty-nine minutes."
"Okay," Bull replied energetically. "I'm gonna go to the lounge."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some popcorn in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the lounge 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," Bull responded, as he sat down to his popcorn. "Let's hang lots of jet black balloons and cover the toilet and the buffet with chartreuse crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father immediately. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Rosie Northrum. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a ladle."
"Yowee," Bull responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a sneer. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."