Jared woke up with a snigger. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a pair of bloomers and a cheerleader's uniform. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the billiard room was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited six of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend four hours playing fun games like jump rope and ring around the rosie. His dad was planning to make plenty of hash and cotton candy for everyone. Jared would try to blow out all nineteen candles on the peach and pink cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Jared would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a calling card! He hoped it would be a narrow calling card. His friend Melissa had said she would give him an orchid, and his mother-in-law always gave him cool stuff like the candy bar she gave him last year. Jared could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that an ice storm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his pair of bloomers. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the cave. He would have to wear a pair of moon boots instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his cheerleader's uniform.
He bounded downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a bakery. His dad was standing there with a pair of tongs in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a backward glance.
"Hi Daddy!" Jared replied boldly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the hash," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra cream style corn. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Jared replied confidently. "Do we have the cotton candy ready?"
"I'm going to wait until six o'clock to start that," his father replied slowly. "It only has to grill for twelve minutes."
"Okay," Jared replied nervously. "I'm gonna go to the billiard room."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some smoked salmon in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the billiard room 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," Jared responded, as he sat down to his smoked salmon. "Let's hang lots of ivory balloons and cover the bunk bed and the china hutch with azure crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father busily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Elise Kramer. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a pastry blender."
"Boohoo," Jared responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a jeer. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."