GUEST: Will Lee Scott
“I’ll tell you what’s unbelievable,” says Roy Lee, “The captain of the football team bein’ jealous of you.”
“What you think about gettin’ in that science fair now?” asks Miss Riley.
“I think we got a chance,” says Homer.
The next day, John Hickham watches a laid-off employee’s family drive past the Hickham house, all their belongings packed into the family’s car.
Elsie and her sons are seated at the kitchen table for breakfast.
“Well, bless her heart,” says Elsie, examining one of Homer’s birthday presents, a sweater.
“Aunt Joanne hasn’t seen you in about a year and a half,” says Elsie.
“You look like a sausage,” says Jim. Homer tugs at the new sweater.
“He does not,” says Elsie. She leans over and kisses Homer on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Homer. It’ll stretch when you wear it. Be sure and send her a nice thank you note now.”
“All right,” says Homer.
John Hickam pours coffee from a pot and walks past his son without looking at him.
“John?” says Elsie. John realizes what he didn’t remember to say.
“Oh, happy birthday, Homer,” says John.
“And I got this in the mail,” continues Elsie, smiling. “Must be a present from Grandma.”
“Oh, it’s an autographed picture!” says Homer, opening the large envelope and smiling broadly.
“Of Grandma?” asks Jim. “Rather get socks!”
“Wernher von Braun,” explains Homer.