Steve the Crazy Neighbor Kid

    Great. The crazy kid on the block, Steve, was coming out to play.

    "Quick, everyone! Statues!" Miles whispered to the other kickballers.

    The rest of the neighborhood kids stood still with their chins up and arms at their side.

    "Heyyy friends!" crazy Steve said as he approached them, waving his arms wildly in the air. No one knew why he did that, but it was just another thing about him that annoyed them.

    "Oh, playing statues huh? I'm so good at this game" Steve said and then joined the rest in standing still. Frustration built up in the other kids. He really was good at this.

    Finally, Jerry couldn't hold still any longer and blurted out "C'mon Miles! Let's get on with the game already"

    Miles eyed him trying to tell him to be quiet, but one by one the others released their stance too. Crazy Steve noticed everyone moving again and gladly joined in with the crowd.

    He wiggled over to Cheryl and said "G'day m'lady!" Then slinked over to Timmy and got right up close to his face and asked "whatcha eating?"

    It was appalling, but no one wanted to stand there any longer, so they began the game again, letting Steve kick. He tiptoed up to the plate and stood with his back to the field with his hands in his pockets.

    "The ball's this way Steve. . ." Julian said standing at the pitcher's mound.

    "I knowww" Steve sang in a falsetto soprano voice.

    Julian rolled his eyes and pitched the ball. Steve swung his leg around, using the momentum to turn his body to face the ball, then swung it back and kicked the ball perfectly. It went flying straight towards Miles, who was still standing like a statue, refusing to give up hope that remaining in that posture would make Crazy Steve go away.

    The ball hit Miles in the face and ricocheted out to the outfield. Miles was committed, though, and fell to the ground without breaking his stance. The other players' attention was evenly split between Steve's amazing kick and Miles' commitment to the plan.

    No one got the ball, and Steve scored a home run. When he reached home base, he just continued running back home, yodeling and quacking like a duck the whole time.

    Everyone gathered around Miles and told him Steve had returned home. He finally released his body and stood up with a grunt.

    "Told you guys it would work!" He said, dusting his hands.