Benny Moon Eats Dirt

By Salem Wolf Heart

After months of training, Benny finally makes it to the ultimate motocross competition.  Even racing with bully Rick Skye doesn't get Benny down.  However, a few hours before the race, a fight with Rick gets Benny disqualified.  

The family turns to Grandpa T for wisdom and guidance. He and Benny travel to Grandfath

• Language: English
• Publisher: IngramElliott
• Release date: Oct 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999057360

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The sun has not yet risen for the day but Benny is wide awake. Just thinking of today’s motocross race makes Benny’s pulse vibrate. He puts his hand on his chest to try to stop his heart from beating so fast.

Today is the day, whispers Benny. Today, I am going to win the Motocross Nationals, just like my dad and Grandpa T did before me. I am Benjamin J. Moon, motocross racer extraordinaire.

Benny has been dreaming of this day since before he could remember. Motocross racing is in his blood. Benny’s eyes scan his bedroom. They stop at his dresser and the silver picture frame sitting on the left corner. He stares at the people on the glossy paper inside the frame. Benny sees his dad, his grandpa T, and himself standing together, smiling and confident, in front of the large welcome sign at the entrance to Grandfather Mountain. Benny’s breath catches as he feels the pang of loneliness creep in.

Why can’t my dad be here to see me race? thinks Benny. Why is this Marine thing taking so long? Why aren’t I more important than some border crossing?

A moment of guilt whisks over Benny. He knows how important his father’s military assignment is and realizes how essential it is for people to feel safe. He knows his father is trying to protect them. Yet, a shiver runs up Benny’s spine as he tries to block out the aching feeling inside and the need to have his dad home with him instead of far away. Enough, enough! shouts Benny, holding his head. I’m not going to let anything mess up my day. Today is all about my winning, winning, winning.

It’s 5:00 a.m., another hour before Benny’s grandpa T is to arrive. Quickly Benny gets dressed and heads downstairs. His stomach is full of butterflies so food doesn’t appeal to him. Grabbing his favorite baseball cap and plopping it on his head, Benny heads out the door. He makes the short trek to his dad’s workshop, which houses his motorbike. Benny decides he had better do one more check on the bike while he waits for Grandpa T. As he touches the doorknob that will lead him into the shop, Benny’s mind quickly transports him back in time. A past race flashes before him. He sees Rick Skye forcing him off the track, then a crash and the picture of a mangled bike explodes before him. Another scene has Benny watching himself wave a weak goodbye as his dad drives off to a place far away. He sees the transformation from a dad to a soldier take place in his mind. Benny can hardly breathe from the pain that is piercing his heart.

An owl comes out of nowhere, swooping past Benny’s head. Recognition pummels Benny’s mind with thoughts of his owl friend, Thomas. Dad, is that you? Glancing around, Benny looks for the spirit animal that connects him to his dad. Seeing nothing, he turns the doorknob and enters the workshop. Benny’s eyes fall on a bright and shiny motocross bike. Smiling, he remembers the Exhibition Race and how he won this great bike. Concentrate—just concentrate! Benny tells himself. I can’t let anything get in my way of winning today’s race.

Benny hears Grandpa T’s truck coming up the driveway. Hey, boy, shouts Grandpa T. Let’s get your bike loaded on the trailer and get going. Grinning, Benny unlatches the door to the trailer and he and Grandpa T load up and head out to the track.

CHAPTER 2

As Grandpa T drives to the racetrack Benny squirms in his seat, too anxious to sit still. He grabs the checklist off the seat next to him. I’ll go over this once more, he thinks to himself.

Helmet—check.

Goggles—check.

Gloves—check.

Benny