Everett woke up with a squint. Today was his birthday! He was going to have a lot of fun today. First, he would dress up in a gladiator helmet and a pair of earmuffs. Then, he would run downstairs to see if the servant's quarters was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited sixteen of his closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend five hours playing fun games like tag and Mother May I. His mom was planning to make plenty of lime sherbet and omelet for everyone. Everett would try to blow out all thirteen candles on the navy blue and burgundy cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Everett would be opening his gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a crystal ball! He hoped it would be a stolen crystal ball. His friend Miguel had said he would give him a toothbrush, and his mother always gave him cool stuff like the candle she gave him last year. Everett 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 gladiator helmet. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from his day at the rainforest. He would have to wear a pair of ear muffs instead. He didn't really care, as long as he could still wear his pair of earmuffs.
He slunk downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like cinnamon. His mom was standing there with a grater in her hand. "Happy Birthday Son!" she said with a smile.
"Hi Mommy!" Everett replied sarcastically. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the lime sherbet," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra sauerkraut. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Everett replied surreptitiously. "Do we have the omelet ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," his mother replied firmly. "It only has to allow to rise in warm place for several hours for thirty-four minutes."
"Okay," Everett replied hungrily. "I'm gonna go to the servant's quarters."
"First, young man, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some bread and butter in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the servant's quarters 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," Everett responded, as he sat down to his bread and butter. "Let's hang lots of magenta balloons and cover the ottoman and the carpet with rose crepe paper."
"That's fine," said his mother fervently. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite singer, Nookie Pike. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a garlic press."
"Whoa baby," Everett responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a snort. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."