TJ Zaps the Smackdown #6: Stopping a Physical Bully
Four-Pointers My eyes darted back and forth between my basketball and my baseball glove Decisions decisions Well said Ethan which one are we playing It’s your pick this time He folded his arms and tapped his foot I’m waiiiiting I chewed on my lip If we go to the park to play baseball Danny will be there I stuck out my tongue I really don’t want to see that kid 4
That kid was my one-upping neighbor and former best friend He got kicked off our basketball team for bullying me So let’s go to the playground and shoot hoops I said Danny won’t be there but some of the guys from the team are practicing for the tournament Basketball it is said Ethan His eyes lit up and he pumped his fi st in the air Coach Daltry thinks I’ve really improved this year My dad said the more I practice the better I’ll get And the better I get the more I’ll play I might even end up starting a game Auntie Stella popped a cookie into Ethan’s mouth Your dad is one smart cookie Practice makes perfect Ethan chomped on his cookie and rubbed his stomach These cookies are perfect 55
Auntie Stella fanned her face You’re sweeter than my cookies I wish I had more time to bake around here But I cook and clean all day long Cook and clean Clean and cook Right TJ She winked at me as she shoved another cookie into Ethan’s mouth Flattery always earns you another world-famous Auntie Stella cookie 6
What about me I asked as I held out my hand I want a world-famous Auntie Stella cookie too you know Auntie Stella isn’t my real aunt But she’s been helping my dad take care of me ever since I was born Even though I call her Auntie Stella everyone thinks she’s my grandmother For you said Auntie Stella the whole plateful She set the plate down in front of me You’re a growing boy Eat as many as you want Then she whipped her head around to peek out the window Just don’t let your father know I loaded you up on junk food so close to dinner I scooped up a handful and put them in my bag I won’t say a word Promise She patted my head That’s my boy Then she looked over at Ethan Every 7
