Timmy Johnson’s Soccer Season

Chapter 1

Moving Day Soccer Dream

Timmy Johnson kicked a ball across the grass outside the new apartment building. It rolled past a box marked KITCHEN and stopped beside a small tree.

“Nice pass,” David called from the doorway.

Timmy grinned. The morning smelled like cardboard and fresh paint. Inside, Elaine was unpacking cups while Sarah and Peter chased each other around a pile of pillows. Their new town felt busy and bright, but Timmy still missed the old field near his last home.

He picked up his soccer bag. A pickup game was starting at the park nearby. His new jersey was inside, folded neatly on top of his shorts.

Or so he thought.

Timmy opened the bag. His shoes were there. His water bottle was there. His socks were there.

The jersey was gone.

He checked the bag again. Then he turned it upside down. A sock, two pencils, and a small toy car fell onto the grass.

“Looking for this?” Sarah asked.

She held up a blue shirt.

“That’s Peter’s,” Timmy said.

Peter grabbed it and hugged it to his chest. “My shirt!”

Timmy tried the apartment next. He looked under the sofa cushions and behind the moving boxes. Elaine helped him check the bedroom.

“Maybe it is in a box,” she said kindly.

“I need it now,” Timmy said. He glanced toward the park. He could hear children laughing and a ball tapping against a fence.

David pointed to the open boxes. “Let’s slow down. We will find it together.”