Best Friends

I am Josh. My best friend is Joey, and we always play together. We walk to school together. We play at recess. He hits the ball first, and then I hit the ball second. Sometimes we take turns. We share our lunches. Joey gives me a snack, and I give him a snack. We tell secrets. We find frogs together. We play soccer in my backyard. We call each other on the phone. Joey and I tell jokes, and we laugh. Today Joey said he was moving away. His dad got a new job, and they have to live in another place. I went home mad. I kicked the door. I hit the mailbox. I ripped up my homework. “What is wrong?” Mom asked. “Joey is moving away,” I said. “You can write letters,” said Mom. “That is not good. I don’t like writing letters.” “You can call him on the phone,” said Mom. “It is not the same as seeing him every day,” I said. “You can make new friends. There is a new boy just up the street. His mother said he is looking for a friend. They just moved in.” “I do not want a new friend. I want Joey,” I said. Just then the new boy rode his bike on the street. He waved, and I waved back. “Maybe you will have a new friend after all,” said Mom. I smiled.