Just My Luck By Mrs. Dacus

It was my lucky day! My first double of the season, of my baseball career for that matter came in our last game and helped my team squeak out the win. My dad was almost as excited as me, so excited that he took the whole team out for pizza.

School started and I thought it was going to be my lucky year. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It started out great! I got the easiest teacher in the whole school, that’s lucky. I never had homework, so I could relax after school, that was lucky.

By the second month of school, my squishy, comfy chair had a dent that fit my body just right. Mom did a great job of keeping the kitchen stocked with all of my favorite snacks: Cheetos, Doritos, Twinkies and, of course, ice cream. I was feeling lucky. Life was good!

My best friend, Tommy, the short stop on my team, called me after school a few days before Thanksgiving. He knew I’d be in town with my family and invited me to come over and join in his neighborhood Turkey Bowl. He had told me all about last year when he got so muddy his mom wouldn’t let him in the house until he stripped down to his undies! It sounded fun, but I figured I’d get my football on TV. Plus, my mom was stopping at the Hostess outlet the day before.

I watched the Macy’s Day Parade online Thanksgiving morning, waiting for the football game, wondering how much fun Tommy was having. I didn’t think about it long because my Uncle came over and brought me some McDonald’s fries. He always was my favorite uncle! Now I’m not so sure.

I thought no homework, all the snacks I ever wanted, TV, and computer games would be my own paradise. But, by Christmas, my luck had run out. My pants didn’t fit anymore, not just because I’d gotten an inch taller, my belt needed an extra 2 inches! The sad fact was, I got chubby! I hadn’t lost all my luck – Tommy said he’d play some baseball, basketball or football after school anytime – as long as he got home in time for dinner. It was time to make my own luck.