“Girls.” Mom took a deep breath. She looked at Kari, Erin and Ashley. “Brooke and I need a little privacy.” She smiled. “Maybe go join Luke out at the basketball hoop.”
Kari and her sisters immediately jumped up and headed outside. Brooke didn’t usually talk to Mom that way. In fact, no one in the family talked to their parents that way.
“I’m worried,” Kari whispered to Ashley as they walked out.
Ashley shrugged. “Brooke’s dramatic. The oldest, and all.” Ashley clapped her hands. “Luke. Brooke’s having a meltdown. Pass the ball.” She waited for Luke to send it her way. “Come on! Let’s have a game!” Ashley motioned to Kari and Erin. “All of us.”
“No. We’re missing Brooke.” Kari crossed her arms. “I think I’ll wait.” She sat on the ground. Brooke had looked so sad. Distraught, even. If that was how people felt in middle school, then she never wanted to be there.
She would stay in sixth grade forever.
“I feel sad for Brooke.” Erin took a shot from under the hoop. She missed. “Maybe we should make a card for her.”
“We could clean her room.” Ashley swished a shot from the foul line.
“Nice shot, Ash.” Luke put his thumbs in the air. “Anything but cleaning.”
“Ashley.” Erin looked confused. “Brooke’s room is always clean.”
“Yes.” Ashley smiled. “Exactly.” She bounced the ball a few times.
“I have an idea…” Luke took the ball and tucked it under his arm. “We could get a dog!”
“Yes!” Erin gasped. “Great idea.” She grinned at the others. “I’ve always wanted a dog.”
Kari had stayed quiet on the bench. But she liked the idea of a dog. Especially for Brooke. Since she was getting older, and all.
“Kari, come play!” Erin waved her onto the court.
“Okay.” Kari joined the others. “Brooke would love a dog. Before she gets too old.”
“Yes.” Luke waved his cast in the air. “She’s almost a grown-up.”
A few dribbles, and Kari threw a granny shot toward the hoop. Swish!
Kari pictured a dog out here with them. Brooke by his side, petting him. Her smile relaxed. Yes, a dog would be the perfect way for Brooke to stay young. Now they just had to convince their parents about the idea.
Before Brooke got any older.
4
Field Day
ASHLEY
Ashley ate every bit of her scrambled eggs that morning. “Breakfast of champions,” she told her mother. Then she pointed to herself. “Me, Mom. I’m the champion.”
“I’m sure you will be.” Her mother patted her head. “Get your shoes on. Can’t win Field Day without shoes.”
Her mom had a point.
Ashley sang a victory song as she finished getting ready. “I’m the winner of Field Day… no matter what my classmates say!”
Somehow she made it through the very long morning and lunchtime. And finally it was time for Field Day! The brisk, sunny October afternoon was perfect for an even more perfect day. She gathered with Natalie and the rest of her friends. “Come on.” Ashley broke into a series of jumping jacks. “Winners warm up.”
“Hey.” Landon Blake came to her. “What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to beat you.” She gave him a friendly smile. “No offense.”
Landon laughed. “You’ll be worn out before the first event.”
“No.” She did another three jumping jacks. “I’m going to be hyperfast before you take your first step, Landon Blake.”
“Okay.” Landon shrugged. “May the best runner win!”
They had already been placed on teams and in pairs, and Ashley was paired up with Natalie. Which was great news! Natalie was a true champion—at least on the inside. She found her friend. “Natalie. I need you to be on your A gate here. You get that, right?”
“A game.” Natalie put her hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “You’ve said that.”
“Of course.” Ashley jumped in place a few times. “Important things need to be said twice.”
“You’ve said it four times.” Natalie tied her tennis shoe laces. “Two more than twice.”
“Four times, then.” She really hoped Natalie was serious about Field Day. “Here are my final tips.” Ashley lowered herself so she could look straight in Natalie’s eyes. “Stay focused. Stay loose. Fight to the finish.”
Natalie laced her other shoe. “You should be a coach.”
“I am.” Ashley stretched her right arm across her body and exhaled. “I’m coach of Field Day, Natalie. That’s me.”
“Keep in mind I’ve never done Field Day.” Natalie stood and tightened her ponytail holder. “And I’m not very good at sports.”
“Well, Natalie, think of it this way.” Ashley took her hair band off her wrist and slipped it over her short hair. “Today is more like Feel Day. Cause of all the emotions.” Ashley felt her bouncy ponytail. She was still getting used to her hair at this length. It had to be cut last month due to an unfortunate gum incident involving a certain student.
“Elliot!” Ashley called her friend over. “Come stretch with us.”
He was flying his hand through the air. As if it were an actual spaceship. Plus he wore a cape around his neck. Elliot was one of the greatest people Ashley knew. He didn’t care what anyone else thought about him. Also he was funny. And he was nice. Even if he had accidentally spit the biggest gumball into her hair a few weeks ago.
“Are you two ready for Field Day?” He swooshed his spaceship hand down and then spun in a circle.
“Yes.” Natalie finished with her shoes. Finally. She stood and smiled at Elliot. “Are you ready?” Natalie pointed. “That cape might slow you down, I’m afraid.”
“Don’t worry, Natalie.” Elliot stuck his chest out. “Capes make me run faster. But I won’t be participating today.”
“That’s not fair!” Natalie crossed her arms.
“Elliot! You have to do Field Day.” Ashley could feel her eyebrows raised very high on her face. “Why wouldn’t you?”
Elliot shrugged. “Grass allergy. Any grass touches my skin, instant rash.” He pointed at his sweatpants, tucked into white tube socks. “See? I made extra precautions today.”
“Maybe you should watch from inside.” Natalie looked worried about their friend.
“No.”
