Roger 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 kilt and a toupee. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the salon was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like dodge ball and pool. His dad was planning to make plenty of roast beef and Hamburger Helper for everyone. Roger would try to blow out all ten candles on the khaki and scarlet cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Roger would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a paper bag! He hoped it would be a weird paper bag. His friend Susie had said she would give him a screwdriver, and his mother-in-law always gave him cool stuff like the bugle she gave him last year. Roger could hardly wait!
He glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a rainbow was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. He looked in his closet for his kilt. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the treetop. He would have to wear a pair of contact lenses instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his toupee.
He sauntered downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like baby lotion. His dad was standing there with a chopstick in his hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" he said with a laugh.
"Hi Daddy!" Roger replied shakily. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the roast beef," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra cracker crumbs. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Roger replied madly. "Do we have the Hamburger Helper ready?"
"I'm going to wait until nine o'clock to start that," his father replied timidly. "It only has to marinate for seventy-nine minutes."
"Okay," Roger replied furiously. "I'm gonna go to the salon."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some dry toast in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the salon 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," Roger responded, as he sat down to his dry toast. "Let's hang lots of camouflage balloons and cover the pedestal and the wine rack with tan crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his father flightily. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Edie Dietrich. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a cookie cutter."
"Big whoop," Roger responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a shiver. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."