Even the Score by Belle Payton

get out of here?” Tommy asked.
    â€œLet’s go,” Mrs. Sackett agreed. She pushed open the door. Moxy leaped up and trotted into the dark house.
    Alex stood in the tub, hand in hand with Ava. Football helmets still on, they stepped out together to survey the damage.

CHAPTER
Twelve
    Alex parted the curtains in the family room and stared out at the empty street. The rain had started up again and the wind, although greatly lessened, still swayed the trees. Branches and twigs littered their lawn. No one was outside. The town felt eerily silent.
    Would another tornado follow? Sometimes that happened, she knew.
    The house looked the same as it always had, except the lights, TV, and phone didn’t work. She glanced at her phone. “How can it only be four o’clock?” The ride home and the huddle in the bathroom felt as if it had lasted a lifetime.
    â€œNo game tonight,” Coach said, sending theannouncement out through his cell phone.
    â€œReally?” Ava asked. “Because our team looks ready to take the field.”
    Alex laughed. They all still wore their helmets! What would Johnny from student council think if he could see her now? The Sacketts really were all about football!
    â€œFriday night and no game,” Tommy muttered, pulling off his helmet. “Can I go to Luke’s?”
    â€œNo way,” their mom said. “You’re staying put until we’re sure this weather has passed.”
    â€œWhat are we going to do here with no power?” Tommy grimaced. “You know, if I had a real piano instead of an electric keyboard, I’d be able to play it now. Wouldn’t that be nice?”
    â€œNice try,” Coach said. “Not happening.”
    â€œThought it was worth a shot.” Tommy had been angling for a piano ever since they’d moved.
    â€œI know! Game night!” Alex cried. She loved board games. She didn’t stand a chance out on a field with her father, Tommy, and Ava, but board games were her thing. And her mom’s, too, but Alex was way more competitive. She grabbed a flashlight and pulled her favorites from the shelves. Coach lit candles and they all gathered around the table.
    â€œKylie just texted. Her family is fine. And Jack texted that they’re all good too,” Ava reported.
    â€œPhones away,” Alex commanded. “You too, Daddy.”
    â€œDid that tornado rattle your brain?” Tommy asked. “The Queen of Texting is asking us to power down?”
    â€œYou’ll all need your full attention if you have any chance against me in these games!” Alex crowed, turning off her phone.
    After several rounds of Apples to Apples, Scrabble, and Clue, Tommy gave up. “I’m losing because I’m hungry.”
    â€œThat’s a lame excuse,” Alex replied. “You’re always hungry.”
    â€œActually, hungry is good. Very good,” Coach said. “We need Tommy to devour the food in the fridge and freezer. Without power, it’ll melt or go bad.”
    â€œOh no!” Mrs. Sackett jumped up. “Everyone follow me!”
    They trailed her into the garage. Even Moxy followed. Mrs. Sackett pulled open the freezer door of the extra refrigerator in the corner.
    â€œIs that all ice cream?” Alex asked. Forty cartons were stacked inside. Chocolate, vanilla,cookie dough, peanut butter fudge swirl . . . She couldn’t read all the different flavors.
    â€œThe Ice Cream Chow-Down. Wow! It’s tonight. Or I guess it was supposed to be.” Coach scratched his head.
    â€œAre you surprised I remembered?” their mom asked.
    â€œWell, you have been a bit preoccupied lately . . . ,” Coach started.
    â€œYou shouldn’t doubt me,” she teased.
    â€œYou’re so right.” He groaned. “But for once, I decided not to bother you with the team. I called the Creamery yesterday. They’re scheduled to deliver twenty