Shadow Over Second by Matt Christopher, Anna Dewdney Page B

Nicky was feeling better. “Hey, don’t forget to come over after
     dinner to see what’s in the shed!” he reminded Turtleneck.
    Turtleneck looked mystified but promised he’d be over as soon as he could.

4

    Mrs. Chong had cooked a tasty dinner. Nicky was so hungry, he wolfed his meal down in no time. As he reached for the bowl
     to serve himself seconds, he knocked over the saltshaker.
    “Whoops!” He righted the shaker, then grabbed a pinch of salt and tossed it over his shoulder. “For good luck!” he said with
     a grin. His mother looked at him quickly but said nothing. Nicky knew she didn’t believe in superstitions. But he figured
     that every little bit of luck helped. Look what his batting ritual did for his hitting, after all!
    After dinner, Nicky put his dishes in the dishwasher, then hurried out to the backyard.He had just pulled the peg out of the shed door’s latch when he heard someone call his name.
    “Hey, Nicky!”
    It was Turtleneck.
    “Shhh!” Nicky warned. He motioned for Turtleneck to look inside the shed.
    There before them lay a big brown dog. Beside her were five little puppies, wriggling and making soft noises.
    “Wow!” Turtleneck breathed. “Can I touch one?”
    “If Babe Ruth lets you,” Nicky said. “But move slowly so she doesn’t get spooked.”
    Turtleneck knelt beside the dogs and carefully reached out his hand. He stroked the closest puppy, then looked up at Nicky
     with shining eyes.
    “Its fur is so soft!” he whispered.
    Nicky crouched beside him and petted Babe’s head gently. “Yeah, they’re pretty neat.”
     

    Babe Ruth laid a paw on Nicky’s knee and gave a soft
whuff
.
    The boys stayed in the shed until Mrs. Chong called them in. Reluctantly, Turtleneck stood up to go.
    “Can I come again, Nicky?”
    “You bet!”
    Nicky slept soundly that night. When he woke up the next morning, he was full of energy.
    “My, you look ready for just about anything today,” his mother said at the breakfast table. “Good thing, too. Those stacks
     of newspapers in the garage need to be tied for recycling.”
    Nicky started to groan until he saw the look on her face. He quickly covered it up with a cough.
    Nicky’s father leaned over and whispered loudly, “She’s got me mowing the front
and
back lawns. You’re gettin’ off easy!”
    Nicky burst out laughing. “Hey, save me a four-leaf clover if you find one. I could use a little extra luck!”
    Mrs. Chong shook her head at Nicky, then said, “You and your superstitions. Sometimes I think you really believe in that stuff.”
    Nicky knew better than to try to explain. He just followed his father out to the garage. His mother disappeared into the shed.
    Half an hour later, Nicky dragged the last bundle of newspapers to the curb.
    “Hey, aren’t you Nicky Chong?”
    Nicky looked up. A tall, lanky boy with sandy hair stood in front of him. He was straddling a mountain bike with big knobby
     tires. He looked familiar, but Nicky wasn’t sure who he was.
    “I’m Stick Jolly,” the boy on the bike said. “I’m the third baseman for the Bulls. We’re playing your team on Monday, aren’t
     we?”
    Just then, Nicky’s father appeared, carrying one of the puppies.
    “Nicky, have you seen the peg that holds the shed door closed? This little tyke was trying to make a getaway!”
    Nicky shook his head. “Mom must have it. She told me she’s not going to give you another chance to sneak up on her and lock
     her in!”
    Mr. Chong laughed. “I wish I’d had my camera when I let her out! The look on her face!” The puppy gave a little yip. Mr. Chong
     held it up to his ear. “What’s that? You’re tired of being outside and you want to find your mother? Okay, off we go!”
    Mr. Chong vanished around the corner of the house. Nicky turned to see Stick Jolly pedaling away.
    Nicky shrugged, then followed his father around to the back of the house. He thought it was strange that Stick hadn’t said
     goodbye. But