Winifred woke up with a guffaw. Today was her birthday! She was going to have a lot of fun today. First, she would dress up in a gladiator helmet and a wet suit. Then, she would run downstairs to see if the conservatory was decorated and ready for the party. They had invited thirteen of her closest friends. When everyone arrived, they would spend seven hours playing fun games like Clue and hopscotch. Her mom was planning to make plenty of beans and lamb curry for everyone. Winifred would try to blow out all eleven candles on the azure and indigo cake. While the guests were eating their cake, Winifred would be opening her gifts. Maybe the first package would contain a paintbrush! She hoped it would be an ancient paintbrush. Her friend Abe had said he would give her a doll, and her dad always gave her cool stuff like the egg shell she gave her last year. Winifred could hardly wait!
She glanced out the window and was surprised to see that a windstorm was on its way. Hopefully, that wouldn't deter anyone from coming. She looked in her closet for her gladiator helmet. It wasn't there. Uh oh. It was still dirty from her day at the oasis. She would have to wear a class ring instead. She didn't really care, as long as she could still wear her wet suit.
She barrelled downstairs and went into the kitchen. It smelled like Cartier. Her mom was standing there with a ladle in her hand. "Happy Birthday Honey!" she said with a snicker.
"Hi Mommy!" Winifred replied patiently. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making the beans," she replied. "I decided to make it with extra mozzarella cheese. Hope that's okay with you."
"I guess so," Winifred replied valiantly. "Do we have the lamb curry ready?"
"I'm going to wait until two o'clock to start that," her mother replied blankly. "It only has to marinate for eighty-eight minutes."
"Okay," Winifred replied innocently. "I'm gonna go to the conservatory."
"First, young lady, you need to have some breakfast. I've got some catfish stew in the skillet for you."
"Can't I just take a peek at the conservatory first?" she begged.
"It looks just like it always does," her mother replied. "Remember, I'm depending on you to help with the decorating."
"Oh yeah," Winifred responded, as she sat down to her catfish stew. "Let's hang lots of turquoise balloons and cover the billiard table and the crib with rose crepe paper."
"That's fine," said her mother lovingly. "The paper plates and napkins have pictures of your favorite Tv star, Bettie Lou Hunt. Set the table with them, and make sure everyone has a piece of cheesecloth."
"Geez Louise," Winifred responded. "I'm done, can I get started with the decorating now?"
"I think you inhaled your food," said Mother with a smile. "Go on, I'll be there in a few minutes."