The Odd Ball

“Hi Midge!” called Jake as he scurried up the sidewalk to the front porch where Midge was sitting. “What are you doing?'

“Hi Jake,” smiled Midge. “Waiting on Booker-T to come over. He wants to see Snappy before we go run in the park.”

“I'd like to go in and talk to snappy too,” said Jake. “I haven't seen him in a while. How is he doing?”

“He sure loves his new home,” said Midge. “He knows winter is coming and he don't miss the cold pond.”

“That is good,” said Jake. “He really is a small little guy to be in the big pond. Someone could step on him and not realize it. He is safer in this home.”

“Did your owner decide not to build the fountain in the front yard?” asked Midge. “I remember they were going to build one.”

“They had some issues with it,” said Jake. “I heard her saying on the phone that she will maybe decide later to do one, but for now she is going to do something else.”

“Did the people come home who lives in the house that burned down last week?” asked Midge.

“I saw them drive up last night,” said Jake. “The neighbors were all out there talking to them and offering them some help.”

“That's nice,” said Midge.

“Here comes Booker-T,” said Jake.

“Hi you guys,” said Booker-T. “What are you two talking about?”

“I was just asking him about the people from the house that burned,” said Midge. “He said they came home last night to their burned house.”

“That is so sad,” said Booker-T.

“I know,” agreed Jake.

“I hope they will be okay,” said Midge.

“Let's go inside and talk to Snappy before we go to the park,” suggested Jake.

The three went inside and spent a few minutes talking to their little friend and then headed to the park for a run and maybe a small dip in the pond. They were passing the house on the end of the street when Midge noticed a strange looking ball in the front yard. She ran over to check out this little ball, while Jake and Booker-T waited on the sidewalk for her. She poked her nose at the ball and it felt funny. It moved strangely, something like a bowl of jello.

“Hey Jake,” said Midge. “This ball feels funny.”

“What kind of ball is it?” asked Jake as he joined her in the yard.

“I don't know,” said Midge.

Booker-T ran to join Midge and Jake. “Oh, that is a water balloon.”

“A water balloon?” asked Midge. “I guess it does look like a balloon but balloons are light and easy to move. I couldn't move this one too easy and when I tried, it moved little like jello.”

“It is a balloon that is filled with water,” said Booker-T. “I saw kids playing with them before near the cafe.”

“Why do they fill them with water?” asked Midge. “I thought they fill balloons with air.”

“The kids like to fill them with water and throw them at each other and try to catch them without breaking,” said Gabby as he flew down and joined the three.

“Why?” asked Jake.

“Because they like to try and get the other one wet and hope they won't be able to catch it and it hits them breaking and getting the all wet,” laughed Gabby.

“Kids sure have a funny way of having fun sometimes,” said Midge.

“I know it,” said Jake. “Remember the big hoop that girl was making go round and round on her waist?”

“Oh yes,” said Midge. “She looked funny trying to spin that hoop. I looked at it and I don't know how you make it work.”

“I looked at it too and didn't see any on and off switch to make it work,” said Jake.

“I don't know either,” said Booker-T.

“The kids make it work when they move their hips,” said Gabby.

“I like playing with my ball,” said Midge. “Sometimes my owner will toss it and I go run after it.”

“Want to take the funny ball to the park?” asked Jake.

“We could play with it in the park,” said Midge.

Jake went to pick up the balloon ball and when he clamped his mouth on it, the balloon broke squirting water all over Jake. Midge and Booker-T laughed at him.

“That wasn't a good idea, Jake,” laughed Gabby. “They break easy when they are filled with water.”

“Now you tell me this,” said Jake standing there with water dripping from his face.

“You didn't ask,” laughed Gabby.

“I guess I didn't,” said Jake. “Next time, can you maybe warn me?”

“Sure Jake,” said Gabby.

“We are going to the park,” said Midge. “Are you going to come with us?”

“Sure,” said Gabby. “Maybe we can find some more of these water balls at the park.”

“If we do,” said Jake. “I will let you play with them.”

“Com on you guys,” laughed Midge. “Lets go.”

The three took off running toward the park with Gabby flying above them. They quickly checked both directions and then ran across the street into the park. The park was quiet today. School was back in session so there were no kids playing in the park except for a few toddlers who came to play in the sand with their moms.

“It really is deserted with the kids being in school,” said Midge.

“It is quiet,” agreed Jake.

“The peace and quiet is good though, don't you think?” asked Booker-T.

“Yes,” said Midge. “It is nice to feel the soft wind blowing and hearing the singing of the birds instead of the loud kids sometimes.”

“I do miss the kids playing ball with us sometimes,” said Jake.

“Me too,” said Midge.

“When will they be out of school?” asked Booker-T.

“I think now it is a long time before they are out all day again,” said Jake. “Right now, they are only here in the afternoons.”

“Do you think they like going to school all day?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Jake.

“I don't think I would like it,” said Booker-T.

“I think some kids like it and some don't like it,” said Midge.

“Lets go home now and take a nap,” suggested Jake.

“Good idea,” said Booker-T.

They all took off for Jake's house for a nap.