After the movie and popcorn, Jerry and Stookie got into their pajamas, brushed their teeth, and climbed into bed. Jerry hesitated for a minute, then reached to the floor for his knapsack.
“Stookie, will you laugh at me if—” He hesitated.
“If what?” Stookie said sleepily.
“If I sleep with a stuffed animal?” Jerry held his breath.
Stookie chuckled. “I won’t if you won’t!” That’s when Jerry saw that Stookie had a special toy, too. His was shaped like a snowman.
Jerry pulled Otter from the knapsack. From his bed, he could see out the window to his own room. He could see the stars, too.
“The stars look cool tonight, don’t they?” he murmured to Stookie.
Stookie grunted. “You like looking at stars?”
“Yeah,” said Jerry. “I’ve got a telescope in my room so I can see them up close.”
Stookie rolled over and looked at him. “Really? Can I see it sometime?”
“Sure!” Jerry said. He gave Otter a squeeze. Soon both boys were asleep.
The next morning, Jerry packed up his pajamas, yesterday’s clothes, his toothbrush, and Otter. He and Stookie ate a big stack of pancakes for breakfast. Then Jerry practiced filling the gerbils’ water bottles.
“See?” Stookie said. “Easy as pie.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. It was on a small ring with a tag that said “Norris.” “Here’s the key to the house. Just make sure you lock the door when you leave.”
“I will,” Jerry promised. He slipped the key into his knapsack.
Stookie suggested that they round up some of the other ’Cats for a game of soccer. Half an hour later, eight ’Cats showed up at the field, ready to play.
Stookie and Bundy Neel were elected captains.
“Who’s got a coin to flip to see who chooses first?” Bundy asked.
“I think I’ve got one in my knapsack,” Jerry said. He dug around and came up with a dime. Stookie won the toss. He chose Amanda Caler. Bundy took Dewey London. Stookie picked Jerry, and Bundy pointed to Lisa Gaddy. Stookie chose Jason Shearer.
“Guess I know where I’m going,” Ted Gaddy grumbled as he joined his twin sister.
“Let the games begin!” Jason cried, flinging his baseball cap in the air.
“Stop horsing around and get in the goal,” growled Stookie.
Jason bowed. “At your service,” he said. He dodged Stookie’s punch and jogged backward to the goal as the rest of the ’Cats laughed.
Jerry laughed, too. He was surprised that Stookie had chosen Jason. When it came to soccer, Stookie was all business, even if it was just a pickup game played for fun.
The game started. Since Stookie had had first choice of players, Bundy’s team got the ball first. Bundy toed the ball over to Dewey. Dewey started downfield, dribbling swiftly.
Stookie charged him. In the blink of an eye, he’d stolen the ball and made it halfway toward the opposite goal. Lisa jumped forward, but Stookie dodged past her. Ted hopped like a frog in front of the goal, trying to guess where Stookie would shoot.
He guessed wrong. Stookie faked left, but he shot right when Ted went for the fake. Goal!
His teammates gathered round to congratulate Stookie. But Stookie impatiently waved them back to their positions.
“It’s only one goal,” he reminded them. “They could still beat us!”
“Oh, lighten up, Stookie,” Jason drawled. “It’s just a silly practice game.”
Stookie’s temper flared up. “If it’s so silly to you,” he cried, “then why don’t you just leave?!”
Jason just shrugged and strolled back to the goal. Stookie watched him with narrow eyes.
Man, Jerry thought to himself. I sure would hate to get on Stookie’s bad side!
