Balls

            by Sterling Weaver

 

            “Tommy,” said his mom as she walked out the kitchen and into the living room, “Do not play with that ball in the house.”            

 

            “Okay Mom.” he replied as he picked up the ball and tossed it into the air.

            “I’m serious, the last thing we need in this house is another mess to clean. Now I’m going to the store, make sure you clean your room and tidy up the kitchen,”

            “Yes mom. I’m not a baby anymore, I can handle myself mom.” he said to her as she got into her car

            “I guess your right. Just remember, NO BALL!” She yelled as she backed out of the driveway, and took off down the street.

            Tommy was the type of kid who liked listening to what his mom had to say. He tried not to disobey her, but at times it would become mighty hard not to take an extra cookie from the jar, or feed his broccoli to Chuckles, their dog.

            After a long game of one man catch in front yard, Tommy returned inside the house for a glass of apple juice, and some graham crackers. He could see the red ball, which now sat in front of the chimney, as it glowed and shouted the words “throw me!” He dropped his cup and plate into the sink and walked over toward the ball.

            He picked it up and stood in front of the television, which was showing a bowling match. He watched as one of the bowlers took his red bowling ball (which inexplicably looked like the same ball Tommy had.) and threw it down the lane, knocking down every pin in sight.         

                                              

 

            “Whoa!” Tommy said “That was so cool how it turned like that!”

            He looked around to make sure it was enough space for him to throw the ball through the living room without breaking anything. Sure enough, there was.

            He took the ball and wound it back, but before he could bring it back down to release it, the rubber ball slipped out of his hands, and up toward the ceiling. It bounced off the ceiling and onto the surface where the family pictures and awards sat. The ball bounced over the large family portrait and diplomas, and rolled right into Tommy’s basketball trophy, which fell of the mantle and shattered on the ground.

            Tommy stood there in amazement. Mainly amused at how the ball bounced over everything but the trophy. The ball now sat in place of the trophy, which was spread across the living and dining room floor. As he collected the pieces, he began to think to himself, “I knew I shouldn’t have played with the ball in the house. Even worse, how am I going to explain this to me mom?!”

            He quickly grabbed all the pieces, and sat on the floor trying to piece together what he could. No matter what he did, nothing he put together resembled the once beautiful trophy.

            As he sat on  the floor, the phone rang. It was his mom. He answered the phone cautiously.

            “Hel-hello?”

            “Tommy. What are you doing?” she said. The noisy background made it hard to hear.

            “Nothing. Just watching some television.”

            “Oh. Okay. Well I’ll be home in twenty minutes. Is your room clean?”

            “Yes  it is.” he said, fumbling the pieces of the trophy in his hands.

            “Okay, well make sure you clean the kitchen. I have a surprise for you.” she said ecstatically

            “Jeez thanks mom.”

            “Well, see you in a minute. Bye!”

            Tommy hung the phone up and quickly ran to clean the kitchen and his room. After about five minutes of stuffing his toys into his closet, and ten minutes of wiping the counters he sat back down on the floor and stared at his trophy.

                                                                                               

 

            HONK, HONK! Sounded the horn from his moms station wagon. Tommy quickly gathered up the pieces and stuffed them under the T.V., just as his mom walked in the house.

            “Tommy. I see you cleaned the kitchen an your room. Good Job! Come get your surprise sweetie.”

            He walked into the kitchen to find his mom holding a brand new blue ball. Tommy rushed over to her and grabbed it out of her hands.   

 

 

            “Whoa! Thanks mom you’re the coolest!”

            “Your welcome sweetie. Now finish putting up the groceries while I catch up on my soaps.” his mom said as she walked out of the kitchen.

            Tommy stood their playing with his ball. Just then his mom yells in the kitchen.

            “Tommy! Where’s your trophy?” 

            Tommy’s face fell, as he marched into the living room to receive his fate.