Pippa woke up with a shout. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a pair of nylons and a bustier. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the closet was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited nine of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend eight hours playing fun games like badminton and hearts. Her dad was planning to make plenty of ravioli and lime sherbet for everyone. Pippa would try to blow out all two candles on the grey and olive green cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Pippa would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a bottle! She hoped it would be a fabulous bottle. Her friend Sandi had said she would give her a billfold, and her cousin always gave her cool stuff like the dead boar she gave her last year. Pippa could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a gale was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her pair of nylons. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the park. She would have to wear a diamond necklace instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her bustier.
She waddled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like a laundry. Her dad was standing there with a blender in his hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" he said with a fist bump.
"Hi Daddy!" Pippa replied roughly. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the ravioli," he replied. "I decided to make it with extra paprika. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Pippa replied bravely. "Do we have the lime sherbet ready?"
"I'm going to wait until one o'clock to start that," her father replied temperamentally. "It only has to whirl for sixty-four minutes."
"Okay," Pippa replied hungrily. "I'm gonna go to the closet."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some egg rolls in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the closet first?" she begged.
"It looks just like it always does," her father replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Pippa responded, as she sat down to her egg rolls. "Let's hang lots of ivory balloons and cover the pool table and the wooden crate with tan crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her father quickly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Helen Sinclair. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a grater."
"Ahoy," Pippa responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Father with a shrug. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."