CHAPTER 1
Tim Ricardo hadn’t had a great summer. For one thing, his three best friends were all at camp. He was the only one still at home in Pebble Junction. Plus, he was saving up to buy a computer, so he’d worked almost every weekday at his dad’s hardware store.
On weekends, Tim always planned to go to the beach. But it always seemed like whenever he got there, it was cloudy and raining.
“Rainiest summer ever,” his dad said the last Sunday morning of the summer. “We broke the record set back in 1952.”
“Great,” Tim said. “That’s one record I hope we never break again.”
“There is good news,” Dad said. “Tomorrow is Labor Day, and the paper says clear skies all day and night. The weather will be perfect for the fireworks and barbecue down at the beach.”
“Finally,” Tim said. “It’s the last day of the summer, and I get to spend it at the beach.”
“And isn’t Brent Saber back in town now?” Dad said.
Brent Saber was Tim’s best friend, but he’d been gone all summer at Camp Bluesky, a computer camp way up north.
“Hey, that’s right,” Tim said. “The bus from camp must have dropped him off this morning.”
“I’m sure the Sabers will be at the fireworks,” Dad said. He grabbed the newspaper and headed for the couch. “Should be a great last day of the summer.”