Josh's Jumbled Day

As Josh was stepping off the big yellow school bus, it started to rain. The rain fell down in one giant continuous sheet of ice-cold water. Josh slung his Transformer backpack over his shoulders and sprinted towards his house. The house he lived in was at the very end of the street, and today it seemed a million miles away. As he ran home, he didn’t realize that his backpack was wide open. All of his papers, folders, and other school supplies littered the wet street. When Josh finally arrived home, he looked back and saw his entire backpack on the street. Josh looked down into his backpack, and the only thing that survived was his book. His mother stepped outside and saw what happened. She looked at her son’s face and saw one tear escape from his eyes. She bent down to give him a hug, and Josh shoved her away. He was nine years old and nine year olds don’t need hugs from mom. He put his backpack back on his shoulder and trudged inside to change out of his rain-soaked clothes. His mother sighed, went inside, and fixed Josh a snack. Josh walked into the kitchen, slumped in the chair, and quietly nibbled on apples and peanut butter.
“How was school Josh? Did you do anything fun?” his mother inquired
“No.” Josh replied sullen
“Well… How is your book? How far along are you?”
“Good. I just finished chapter 6.” Josh said shortly
“That is far! You are a faster reader! Would you like a cookie Josh?”
“No. I’m going to my room.”
As Josh was leaving the kitchen he heard his mother say something about going outside, but he kept walking to his room. He just wanted to be left alone. After he closed his door, he got under his covers and started reading his book by flashlight. A few minutes later, he heard a soft knock, followed by the rustle of a skirt and the clunk-ding-plop combo of a plate and glass being set down on his nightstand. He waited till he heard his door close and for the television to turn on.
He slowly removed the covers and saw that there was a plate of cookies, a glass of milk, and a note laying on his nightstand. The cookies were warm and delicious, the milk was cold and refreshing, and the note read “As you munch on the cookies and drink the milk, remember to not get crumbs on your bed. Also, come see me when you finished, I need to talk to you. Love, Mom”
He sighed. Josh didn’t want to talk to his mom. He finished the cookies and milk, and decided to finish his book and then go talk to mom. He was deep into chapter 9 when he heard footsteps. He quickly got under the covers. If he couldn’t see her, she couldn’t see him. Josh quickly realized this was a bad idea, and sat up straight in bed right when his mother walked in.
“How where the cookies Josh? Good?”
“They were yummy mom…”
“Good, I glad Josh, now that you have some food in your belly, how about we go out pick up all of the things that fell out of your backpack? It’s done raining and you shouldn’t leave all that stuff on the street Joshie.”
“Don’t call me Joshie” Josh replied
“Sorry. How about it?
“I guess… But I want to do it by myself; I don’t need your help.”
“Whatever you say Josh. I will stay inside and start cooking dinner. What would you like?”
“Mac and Cheese please!!!”
Josh the sauntered out of his room. He was going to pick up all his papers, finish his book and get some yummy Mac and Cheese. He walked outside and started picking the papers at the fastest speed he could muster. Two minutes later, Josh looked expectantly at the house. He wanted his mom to come help, but he had already told her no. Josh let out a giant sigh and trudged through the rest of the stuff on the street. As he neared the end, a pug dog came trotting along. Inside his mouth was Josh’s favorite folder. It was his brand-new Transformer folder that had Bumblebee on the front.
“Gimme my folder dog!” Shouted Josh
“Noooph” said the dog
“What? Did you just talk?”
The dog carefully set the folder down beside him and said “Yes and I was trying to help you pick up, but now I think I will take the folder since you yelled at me.” And then the pug dog started to trot away.
“WAIT!!!!! You can help me! I said wait!!!! Please stop!”
The pug dog turned around and started to walk back to Josh.
“You want me to help you? I will… but only if you say the magic words.” Replied the dog.
“Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaasssseeeeeee? I will give you a doggie treat!” Josh begged.
“I guess I can help, but only if don’t yell at me. Oh, by the way, the name is Moose.”
“Hi moose… my name is Josh”
The two started to finish picking up the rest of Josh’s stuff that was scattered down the street. After they were finished, Josh ran home to tell his mom what had happened. After he told he the story, Josh dragged his mom and looked down the empty street. There was no pug dog in sight.
“MOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!! Come here boy, I have a treat for ya. MOOOOOSE!!!!” Josh yelled
“Honey, he isn’t there.” Said his mom.
“But he WAS” exclaimed Josh
“Josh, we will search for him after dinner.”
Josh ate his Mac and Cheese, but just started out the window, down the street, looking for the pug dog. Right after dinner he searched high and low for Moose, but he was nowhere to be seen. Josh trudged back home and went straight to his room and fell asleep.
The next morning he woke up and looked around. He didn’t remember falling asleep in his room. Josh walked groggily to the kitchen to find a pug dog sitting in the middle of the room.
“MOOSE! You’re here!”
Josh ran to the dog and gave him a giant hug. He was so happy! He turned to his mom and asked if he could keep him, and she said yes. Josh was the happiest boy in the world. He would have never thought that his best friend would turn out to be a dog. The next day at school, Josh turned to one of the kids in his class that no one ever talked to, and asked if he wanted to come to his house sometime. The kid’s face was in total shock. He nodded his up and down, and a smile slowly spread on his face. He might have a friend. Josh smiled to himself, he realized that anyone can be your friend, and that means even a dog.