She had a husband and a child and they lived in a normal house.
One day Kerry woke up and went downstairs as usual.
She made some coffee as usual and before she went outside to enjoy the fresh morning dew, as usual, she realised something.
In a flash she rushed upstairs, spilling half her coffee on the way, but never thinking of putting the cup down.
She jumped on the bed in her room and woke her husband, Luke, who was grumpy in his half awakened state.
When she said: “It’s Mario’s birthday”, it took four, maybe five seconds to sink in, then his eyes opened with force and he was out of bed faster than seemed possible for a human.
The two babbled and panicked, not knowing what step to take next.
In a rush Kerry told Luke to take care of the present and the entertainment for the party, while she would get everyone together and organise the cake.
He hastily agreed, while they sprinted to the kitchen, to make breakfast for their little boy.
Kerry went about calling up everyone she knew for a party, but no-one could attend.
She asked Luke to have pamphlets printed, which he then distributed in the area.
She decided to move on to entertainment, but couldn’t book anything.
Her neighbour, Becky, offered to help, saying she had music for the party.
That afternoon Kerry went to the nearby store, but it had closed down.
She moved on to the next store, where she bought the biggest cake she could find and all the party decorations, cold drink and sweets she could carry.
As Kerry reached the counter, she dropped one of the bottles, which burst open, spilling all the cold drink onto the floor.
The woman at the counter didn’t look pleased with Kerry after that.
The woman saw that Kerry had chosen several DVDs, most of which were kids’ movies.
As the woman condescendingly scanned each one, Kerry mentioned that they were for her son, at which the woman gave a skew smile.
On scanning the last DVD, the woman looked at Kerry with utter shock and disgust.
Kerry didn’t realise that she had bought Eyes Wide Shut.
When Kerry arrived home, she asked Becky how the entertainment was coming along, at which Becky replied: “The music is on my flash drive, where should I plug in?”
Kerry almost exploded, it would fall to her to organise the entertainment for the party.
So she rushed back to the store, where she once again had to face the wrath of the cashier.
Kerry got the speakers and hurried home, where she knew the party had already started.
At the house Kerry eventually found Luke in the basement, busily working on something.
Infuriated, she went upstairs, where she played host alone.
Finally, Luke appeared, wheeling out the big surprise.
Mario could hardly contain his excitement.
When the veil lifted, there it was a giant candy castle.
Everyone was left speechless, the reason for which remains a mystery to this day, as Luke always described it as his best work.
Suddenly a clown jumped out of the candy construction, causing most of the kids, and adults, to run away.
But Mario wasn’t shocked, he loved it, he couldn’t believe the trouble to which his parents had gone.
Kerry turned to Luke, asking where the present was, to which he answered in bewilderment: “What present? I thought you…”
Kerry went inside and searched for the car keys, but as she fumbled around, she saw a purple ribbon sticking out of the cupboard.
She took out the present with a mix of emotions, both relieved and angry at Luke for joking like that.
Outside, Kerry couldn’t help but notice the funny look Luke gave her as she handed the present to Mario.
Her son opened it to find a bottle of champagne and an outfit women wouldn’t usually wear in public.
“What’s this Mommy?” was the last thing Kerry heard before fainting.
The last thing she saw was the disapproving face of the cashier from the store, walking away with her daughter.
Moments later, Luke and Mario awakened her.
Mario embraced Kerry with an unusual affection, thanking her and saying it was an amazing day.
As the three cleaned up the terrific mess caused by the party, Mario again thanked his parents: “If this is how much trouble you went to now, I can’t wait till my birthday next week.”
