cover
Brooks stands in the middle of a grassy backyard with sticks and acorns scattered all around. A tall tree is nearby. James the puppy is sniffing at the ground with his tail wagging.
Brooks walked into the backyard on a sunny morning. He looked down and saw sticks covering the grass. Acorns were scattered under the big tree. Brooks put his hands on his hips and frowned. “This is going to take a lot of work,” he said.
Under bright afternoon light inside the open garage, Mom smiles warmly. Brooks yanks a child-sized green rake from the wall hooks, eyes sparkling with eagerness.
Mom smiled. "Great idea, Brooks! Sticks and acorns can be dangerous for James." Brooks nodded and grabbed his little rake.
On the bright lawn at midday, Brooks bends to gather twigs into a blue bucket. James bounces beside him, tail wagging and tongue lolling.
Brooks and James hurried around the yard. "Let’s pick up all these sticks, James!" Brooks cheered. James wagged his tail and bounced alongside Brooks.
Beside a towering oak in the late-afternoon yard, Brooks kneels and tips acorns into an orange bucket. James sniffs the growing pile, ears perked.
Brooks pointed, "Look, more acorns!" James trotted over, sniffing curiously, then Brooks scooped them into a bucket. "You're a good helper, James!"
Near the freshly built stone fire pit at golden sunset, Brooks wipes his brow with one sleeve. A mound of sticks and acorns towers beside him while James watches proudly.
They piled sticks and acorns next to the new fire pit Mom built. "We’re almost done," Brooks said, wiping his brow. "Great teamwork, James!"
On the backyard patio under fading daylight, Mom extends a crisp dollar bill toward grinning Brooks. He clutches his little rake like a trophy while James sits at their feet, head tilted.
Mom handed Brooks a dollar bill. "You earned $7 an hour!" she praised. Brooks grinned. "Next year, you’ll get a raise when you turn eight!"
In the shaded porch, Mom kneels to knot a bright orange bandana around James’ neck. Brooks laughs nearby, clapping his hands as sunlight filters through leaves behind them.
Mom tied a bright bandana around James’ neck. "Wow, you look so handsome, James!" Brooks laughed as James did a happy dance.
Beside the fire pit on a clear afternoon, Brooks stands laughing with hands on his hips. Neatly stacked logs rise next to the stones while James sniffs the earthy woodpile.
Dad stacked wood in the fire pit. "You two made this much cleaner!" he said. Brooks giggled, "We’re a great team!"
At night beside the glowing fire pit, Brooks toasts a marshmallow on a stick while Mom smiles across the flames. James nestles against Brooks’ legs, firelight flickering on their faces.
As night came, the fire pit glowed bright. Brooks, James, Mom, and Dad sat on cozy chairs, roasting marshmallows. James snuggled beside Brooks.
On a quiet backyard lawn lit by dim embers, Brooks kneels to pat James’ head, smiling softly. Mom bends to wrap them both in a proud hug.
Brooks patted James gently. "We kept you safe, little buddy!" Mom gave Brooks a hug. "You did an amazing job today."
Under a star-strewn sky on the grassy yard, Brooks lies on his back next to James, both eyes half-closed. A single shooting star glimmers overhead as they share a whispered secret.
Brooks whispered, "Next year, I’ll get a raise!" James barked softly in agreement. They both yawned and closed their eyes under the stars.
Inside the sun-lit living room the next morning, Brooks kneels on a rug, arms wrapped around James. Both grin at each other while a tidy backyard glows beyond the open sliding door.
Brooks smiled, feeling proud and happy. Helping at home was fun, especially with James. "Let’s have more adventures," he said, hugging James close.