Hard Drive to Short Read Free

knocked in by Sandy.
    “You’re playing great ball, Sandy,” the coach said to him as he started to leave. “You’re a natural.”
    Sandy smiled. “Thanks, sir. I’ve got to go now.”
    “We won’t be playing again until next Thursday,” said Coach Malone. “So behere Tuesday at five o’clock for practice. Okay?”
    “Okay!” said Sandy, and started running off the field.
    “Hey, Sandy!” a guy yelled at him. “Where are you going?”
    Sandy didn’t tell him. The guys might make fun of him if he told them he had to babysit his little sisters. They didn’t have
     to know.
    He was walking by a large white house when he saw Rod Temple in the driveway, sitting on his bright red motorbike, trying
     to start it. Rod was in high school and played second base with the Redwings, Sharil’s town team. But Rod was no ordinary
     second baseman. He was the best, and very popular.
    “Hi, Rod,” greeted Sandy.
    “Well hi, kid. Been playing ball?”
    “Yeah.” He didn’t want to say any more about the game, not unless Rod asked him specific questions. He didn’t want to tell
     Rod he had to go home to watch his sisters. Even Rod might laugh about that.
    “Saw in the paper you play pretty good ball. Keep that up and someday you’ll be playing with the Redwings.”
    Sandy grinned, but he didn’t know what to say.
    “Want to take a spin?” Rod asked. “Around a few blocks, maybe?”
    Sandy’s eyes popped. “A ride? On your motorbike?”
    “Sure!” Rod grinned. “Come on. Climb on the backseat.”
    Sandy wanted to very much. It wasn’tonly the ride on the motorbike he’d enjoy. It was being with Rod.
    “Thanks, Rod. But I’ve got to get home.”
    Rod chuckled. “What’s the matter? Scared?”
    Sandy’s face reddened. “No, I’m not scared. I’ll take a ride some other time. I promise!”
    Rod’s laughter drifted after Sandy as he ran across the street and into his own driveway. He couldn’t get over it. Rod, a
     great second baseman, a guy a lot of kids would give five dollars to be with, had asked Sandy to go riding with him!
    Mom left a few seconds after Sandy got home. Jo Ann and Elizabeth were in the backyard, playing with a dollhouse.
    “Who won the game?” Elizabeth asked, putting diapers on her doll.
    “Nobody yet,” answered Sandy. “It’s only half over.” I wish you and Jo Ann were bigger, he thought. Then I wouldn’t have to
     babysit. I could still be playing in that game. Or, better yet, riding with Rod Temple on his motorbike. Sandy sighed.
    He liked Rod Temple, and he thought Rod liked him. They were two of a kind, thought Sandy. It made no difference that Rod
     was older and bigger than he. They
both
could do something extra well. They both were real good ballplayers. Everyone knew that Rod Temple was the best player on
     the Redwings. And Coach Malone had practically said that Sandy was the best player with the Spacemen.
    Later Nibbs and Jules stopped in and told him that the Spacemen had won the game 6 to 4. Pop was home by now, andSandy had changed into his everyday clothes. They had supper, which Mom had prepared and left in the oven.
    The house seemed empty without Mom and Peter at the table. Especially without Mom. She had said she would work for a year.
     By that time the combined savings of Mom, Pop and Peter would be enough to put Peter through his first year of college and
     give him a good start toward his second year. Mom might have to work again after that. It all depended.
    Sandy was looking at his model of a space capsule — it was eighteen inches long with two astronauts strapped inside of it
     — and thinking about Rod Temple. In a little while he might see if Rod was in the driveway with his motorbike. Perhaps Rod
     might offer him a ride again.
    Someone knocked on the front door. Sandy heard Pop answer it, then Pop’s raised voice. “Sandy! Nibbs and Jules are here to
     see you!”
    “Okay, Pop!” He ran out of his room and met them at the