Leon and Bob

Leon had moved into town with his mom.

His dad was away in the army. Leon shared his room with his new friend, Bob.

No one else could see Bob, but Leon knew he was there. Leon always laid a place for Bob at the table.

“More milk, Bob?” Leon said.

Sometimes Leon’s mom couldn’t take Leon to school,but Leon didn’t mind.

He always walked to school with Bob. He always had Bob to talk to.

Often, when Leon got home, there was a letter waiting for him from his dad. Bob liked to hear Leon read it over and over again.

One Saturday, Leon heard some noises in the street below.

He saw a new family moving in next door.

A boy looked up at Leon and waved. Leon waved back.

That night Leon kept thinking about the boy next door. He decided to go by there in the morning.

“But you’ll have to come with me, Bob,” he said.

The next day Leon and Bob ate their breakfast very quickly.

Then Leon grabbed his ball and rushed outside.

Leon ran up the steps of the house next door. He was about halfway when suddenly he realized Bob wasn’t there anymore.

Leon sat down. He was all alone.

He could ring the bell or he could go home.

Why wasn’t Bob there to help him?

Leon rang the bell and waited. The door opened. “Hello,” said the boy. “H-hello,” said Leon. “Would you like to go to the park?”

“Okay,” said the boy. “I’m just going to the park, Mom,” he called. Together Leon and the boy walked down the steps toward the street. “My name’s Leon,” said Leon. “What’s yours?”