Just for Kicks Read Online Free Page B

already in the circle and hadn’t noticed, so I stood with him as the others roared, “ We’re Brunswick Valley. We’re pleased to meet you. Are you ready to lose? ’Cause we’re going to beat you! ”
    Alan Fleet said, “Now — I’m looking forward to seeing you take on Pleasant Harbour again.”
    â€œBut we don’t play here on Saturday,” said Brian. “Our next game’s in Pleasant Harbour.”
    â€œI know. I’ll be there.”

5
Over the Mountain Road
    Next Saturday morning, Shay was waiting for me at the end of his driveway. He was doing a sort of high-stepping strut as he bounced his soccer ball from one knee to the other. He looked like the soccer players you see on television warming up for a game, except he was holding a big bunch of flowers, which the soccer players on television don’t usually do.
    He let the ball drop to the ground and trapped it with his foot. Holding up the flowers, he called, “I’ve got one more delivery to make — to Mrs. Harris, on the corner.”
    On Saturday mornings and holidays, and sometimes on school nights, Shay helps his grandad at the flower shop, arranging bouquets, serving customers, and making deliveries.
    I said, “Where’s Julie?”
    â€œShe said to stop by her house.”
    We set off, walking on opposite sides of the road, kicking the ball between us. By the time we reached Julie’s house, she was waiting at the end of her driveway. She smiled when she saw the flowers Shay was holding.
    â€œThey’re gorgeous. Did you arrange them?”
    Shay nodded. He’s good at that stuff. He produced a small, bedraggled cluster of snapdragons from behind Mrs. Harris’ bouquet. “These were left over. Grandad said they were wilting and had bugs on them, and to put them in the compost, but I thought you might as well have them.”
    Julie tucked the snapdragons behind her ear. “How does that look?”
    Shay glanced up at her grinning face. He’s a bit above normal height, like me, but Julie’s taller by a few centimetres. Her mom says she got her height from her father and that’s about all she’s likely to get from him.
    â€œYou’re getting bugs in your hair. I can see them crawling around,” Shay laughed.
    Julie called into her house, “I’m going, Mom.”
    Mrs. Barry appeared at the open door. Her hair was pulled back tightly, as usual, except for a few strands hanging down over her left eye, which was always partly closed. “Have you got the snack I made you?”
    â€œYes, Mom.”
    â€œWhat about my snack?” asked Shay, grinning.
    Mrs. Barry sighed and said, “I’ve got better things to do than look after you, young man.”
    That wasn’t what she said last year when Shay’s grandad was taken to hospital and the principal drove Shay home from school, with Julie and me for company. Mrs. Barry was waiting in the driveway. She held Shay by the shoulders and said, “First you come over and get some milk and cookies into you. Then we go to the hospital. Your grandad’s going to be all right. He’ll be home in a few days. Meantime — you’ve got me looking out for you.”
    Julie’s little sister peered around the door.
    â€œI’ll be along to watch your game just as soon as I get this one sorted out” — Mrs. Barry nodded towards Little Sis — “and Brian’s dad finishes work and comes by to pick me up. We may be late — but we’ll be there.”
    My Ma had planned to come and watch me play but got called in to work, and when Conrad woke up after doing the night shift he was helping Mr. Sutton with the flowers for a big wedding, so Shay and I wouldn’t have any parents watching. Shay said that was okay with him, and I didn’t mind too much. I wasn’t sure how I felt about people watching me play soccer. There were often a