Mart had just finished washing his lunch dishes when he heard a knock at the back door. He quickly glanced out the window and saw Tad Webster stand there. Mart opened the door and greeted his friend.

"Hey, Webster, what are you doing here?"

"I’m here to get Trixie for our soccer game this afternoon," Tad said as Mart stepped back and let him enter the kitchen.

"Hey, I don’t have anything to do this afternoon. Mind if I come along and watch?" Mart asked.

"Sure," responded Tad as the two heard Trixie’s rapid footsteps on the stairs. She breezed into the kitchen and greeted Tad with a big smile.

"Ready?" she asked Tad.

"Yep. And Mart's going to come watch the game," Tad informed her.

Trixie raised an eyebrow at Mart.

"You know, brother of mine, they don’t have a food concession there," said Trixie dryly.

Mart grinned at his sister, grabbed a bag of chips and the three headed out the back door.

At the soccer field, Mart settled himself on the ground and prepared to watch the game. As he watched Trixie run around the field, making plays and tackling opponents, he reluctantly acknowledged to himself that his sister was a good player. Her feistiness and determination proved to be valuable assets on the soccer field. His eyes narrowed when he watched the bigger men from the opposing team try to intimidate her. His heart swelled with pride when he watched Trixie out maneuver those same men and get the ball away from them.

There were a few tense moments when Tad managed to move the ball down the field and set himself up near the goal. Two opposing defenders tried desperately to get the ball away from him. But Tad suddenly turned and passed the ball to an open and unguarded Trixie. She promptly shot it straight into the back of the goal, putting their team ahead of their opponents. Mart cheered and whistled for his sister. He watched as Tad and Trixie jumped and hugged each other, then high-fived other team members.

When the game was over, Mart and Trixie lagged behind the rest of the team as they walked to their parked cars.

"Nice game, Trix," Mart said.

"Thanks, Mart. I really have fun playing with these guys," Trixie said, smiling broadly.

"I noticed. I also noticed that you’re really good. And you and Tad make a good team."

Trixie looked at Mart in surprise, but then grinned and took his arm.

Tad, walking ahead, stopped and turned around. "Come on you two," he yelled. "Rewards await."

"Rewards await! What does that mean?" asked Mart

"It means we always go out for pizza after the game," explained Trixie

"Hey Tad," yelled Mart, running to catch his friend. "can I join your team?"