The Birthday Sandwich

On August 22, 1980 God brought a little something special into this world and created Robert Ryang. The world rejoiced and 26 years later, the employees of PS 260 rejoiced as well.

For the last 4 years, Robert has asked for a big sub sandwich for his birthday celebration instead of a cake. And every year, when he got a cake instead, his face fell, and not in the subtlest of ways. This year we finally pulled together and got him a big sandwich.


We all waited patiently in the kitchen for his arrival. We remained steadfast in our silence so as not to ruin the surprise. (Sarra even hid.)


You know Jenna and Nicole were psyched.


But Robert kept not showing up. "Where is he?!" we all whispered. "Oh I think I hear him coming," somebody else said quietly.
He was pacing the hallway, on the phone with Dustin (who was at The Mill at the time).
He even drifted towards the kitchen, and we didn't know if we should jump out and yell "Happy Birthday!" or just stay clustered in the corner.


So we stayed clustered and said, "What the hell?"


But finally he emerged, telling Dustin, "I've gotta go, people are waiting for me in the kitchen," and acted surprised.


Upon seeing the Big Sandwich, his face lit up like we'd rarely seen.



(Though we also got him a regular cake [Superhero-themed] to go with it.)


Everybody celebrated the glorious day and had some sandwich-and-cake-and-ice-cream.



To some people's surprise, the entire sandwich was eaten... and only half the cake!


We told Robert we'd give him a dollar if he ate both (with ice cream) in one mouthful.


Not one to shy away from a dare, he piled on the Haagen-Daaz vanilla.


And threw in a He-Man for good measure.



We all owe him a dollar now (small price to pay for such entertainment).



Happy Birthday, Rigoberto!