TJ Zaps the Smackdown #6: Stopping a Physical Bully
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
time he makes a four-pointer give him a cookie Ethan and I laughed A three-pointer I said turning to Ethan You keep nailing those and you’ll defi nitely start in the tournament Ethan smiled Really I’m busting my butt Before two weeks ago I never even made a three-pointer I hope Coach Daltry watches cause I really want to start in the tournament That would be so cool wouldn’t it Auntie Stella snapped her towel in the air If Coach Daltry doesn’t let you start I’ll give him the ol dish towel Ethan laughed as he grabbed my basketball You crack me up Auntie Stella He was still laughing when we left and kept a goofy grin on his face all the way to school 8
By the time we got to the playground most of the guys from the team were there When they saw us they stopped the game and gave us high fi ves Except for Niko His hands were shoved in his pockets He looked Ethan up and down at least fi ve times What’s up Niko I asked He kept his eyes glued to Ethan and didn’t answer Ethan didn’t even seem to notice I tossed Niko the ball I’ll be on your team He fi nally nodded and jogged back to the other guys Ethan trudged over to the other side of the court A minute later Ethan stole the ball from Niko and shot a three-pointer 9
