Last year, we got a new kid in our class. His name is
"B Bradley." We really didn't notice him much until last
summer.
I am on the same swim team as Bradley. Every morning,
we have swimming practice at 7:30. That is just too early. Our coach is
very firm--no goofing around! Bradley and I are in the same swimming lesson and
live in the same neighborhood. We've both been complaining about lack of sleep.
My mom made me go home from practice with Bradley last
week. I really wanted to go to my best friend's house, but mom had to
take care of some business. I'll never forget that day.
Bradley has a nice home--nothing too fancy. But his room is
a real surprise. We walked into an immaculate room. He didn't
have any carpet or rugs--just linoleum--black and white. All of his walls are
painted black. His bunk beds are built into the wall, up high, like a
loft. Bradley has one wall that resembles a chemistry lab. His father built him
these chrome shelves that go all the way up to the ceiling. And there is a
ladder that rolls along the top shelf. He has hundreds of bottles in rich
greens, deep blues, and vibrant reds--each neatly labeled. He has a lap
top which contains all of his experiments.
I said, "Wow, Bradley! What a room." He
looked sort of embarrassed and told me that he and his dad planned it just
so. He said, "You're in luck! Today we are going to work out the
details of the rocket launcher." Of course, I have no idea what he's
talking about. "I'm going to build some rockets for the fire works,"
he continued. "I've got some light weight metal sheets and I need
your help in building a base for the rocket." I was sort of relieved
that I wasn't going to have to mix up combustible ingredients over a hot Bunsen
burner!
We got some supplies and looked up the rocket launcher on
the internet. Bradley had lots of contacts and web sites to check
out for reference. After reading the instructions, I could think of
nothing but molding the rocket launcher into position. When I heard my
mom's car horn honk outside I jumped up in amazement! How could four
hours have slipped away that fast? Especially considering that I was learning
something new! I told Bradley goodbye, and he promised not to continue until I
came back tomorrow.
I have been to Bradley's house every day this week. We
are now finishing the rocket launcher and it is time to paint. We
took it to the back yard and spent the afternoon painting several rockets and
their launchers in red, white, and blue. By the time I had to go home, we had
five rockets lined up on the fence to dry. All of them ready for the show.
Every year, our neighborhood has a party on July 4th.
This year it is in my show. I'm thrilled that I got to help Bradley
create the patriotic rockets. I feel like I've really contributed to the
festivities. When it finally got dark, we all began to shoot bottle
rockets and fire crackers! Then, Bradley put on a real show with a
rocket. It must have shot up a mile. Then, a little army man floated down in a
parachute. Everyone gave Bradley a standing ovation.
It took us fifteen minutes to find the parachute. Mom
made us clean up all the debris and Bradley and I just sat outside
talking until midnight. Now I just can't wait until the science fair
since I have an inventor friend.
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