Free All Keyed Up by Matt Christopher, Stephanie Peters, Daniel Vasconcellos Page A

think?”
    “Cool!” Jerry cried. And he meant it. Stookie’s room was covered with sports posters and banners. One bed had sheets with
     soccer balls on it, the other had basketballs. But the neatest thing was the structure in the corner. It was three levels
     high and enclosed with clear plastic. Plastic tubes led up to each level where there were wheels, platforms, and other things to climb on.

    “What is that?” he asked.
    “That’s where my gerbils live,” Stookie said proudly. Jerry looked closer. Sure enough, one gerbil was scurrying up a tube.
     The other was buried in the wood shavings that lined the bottom.
    “Gerbils are pretty easy to take care of, and they’re really fun to watch,” Stookie continued. “All you have to do is make
     sure they have enough water in their bottles and food in their trays. I usually fill the water at night and the food in the
     morning.”
    He lifted the mesh top of the cage and pulled out a bottle. He showed Jerry how to fill it, then returned it to its holder.
     “Just make sure you close this top,” Stookie warned as he lowered the mesh cover. “If these guys get out, they can make a
     mess.”
    “Gotcha,” Jerry said. “What are their names?”
    “That’s Peanut Butter,” Stookie said, pointing to the climbing gerbil. “Marshmallow is the one sleeping.”
    “Are they boys or girls?”
    “Boys. Mom made sure when we bought them.” Stookie grinned. “She didn’t want any baby gerbils in the house, she said.”
    “That’s right.” Jerry and Stookie looked up to see Mrs. Norris in the doorway. “You boys ready to come have some popcorn and
     watch a movie?”
    “You betcha!” the boys chorused. They left the room, Jerry taking one last look at the gerbil habitat.
    I’ll take good care of you guys,
he promised the animals silently.

Chapter 3

    A fter the movie and popcorn, Jerry and Stookie got into their pajamas, brushed their teeth, and climbed into bed. Jerry hesitated
     for a minute, then reached to the floor for his knapsack.
    “Stookie, will you laugh at me if—” He hesitated.
    “If what?” Stookie said sleepily.
    “If I sleep with a stuffed animal?” Jerry held his breath.
    Stookie chuckled. “I won’t if you won’t!” That’s when Jerry saw that Stookie had a special toy, too. His was shaped like a snowman.

    Jerry pulled Otter from the knapsack. From his bed, he could see out the window to his own room. He could see the stars, too.
    “The stars look cool tonight, don’t they?” he murmured to Stookie.
    Stookie grunted. “You like looking at stars?”
    “Yeah,” said Jerry. “I’ve got a telescope in my room so I can see them up close.”
    Stookie rolled over and looked at him. “Really? Can I see it sometime?”
    “Sure!” Jerry said. He gave Otter a squeeze. Soon both boys were asleep.
    The next morning, Jerry packed up his pajamas, yesterday’s clothes, his toothbrush, and Otter. He and Stookie ate a big stack
     of pancakes for breakfast. Then Jerry practiced filling the gerbils’ water bottles.
    “See?” Stookie said. “Easy as pie.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. It was on a small ring with a tag that
     said“Norris.” “Here’s the key to the house. Just make sure you lock the door when you leave.”
    “I will,” Jerry promised. He slipped the key into his knapsack.
    Stookie suggested that they round up some of the other ’Cats for a game of soccer. Half an hour later, eight ’Cats showed
     up at the field, ready to play.
    Stookie and Bundy Neel were elected captains.
    “Who’s got a coin to flip to see who chooses first?” Bundy asked.
    “I think I’ve got one in my knapsack,” Jerry said. He dug around and came up with a dime. Stookie won the toss. He chose Amanda
     Caler. Bundy took Dewey London. Stookie picked Jerry, and Bundy pointed to Lisa Gaddy. Stookie chose Jason Shearer.
    “Guess I know where I’m going,” Ted Gaddy grumbled as he joined his twin sister.
    “Let