1: Goodbye Slinky

The army men stood proud on their tiny platforms. With their stiff arms raised and weapons drawn, they looked fearsomely upon the enemy. It was a head taller than any of them, but the battalion was determined to overcome the adversary.

Andy rolled the purple rubber ball at the platoon. It bowled into the troop, scattering the tiny soldiers all over the floor.

"Strike!" Called Andy. He looked over his shoulder at his best friend. "That's twelve points for me!"

Maxie was holding Slinky Dog in her lap, stroking the cool metal coil. "Whatever." She said.

Andy frowned. "Hey, are you even paying attention?"

"Not really." Maxie pushed her glasses up onto the bridge of her nose as she lay down across the floor. She pulled Slinky's body so he was stretched all the way out. Then she pushed him back in. She smiled as she rested her head on her forearms. "Cool!"

"You've been playing with him since you got here." Said Andy.

"Well, I can't help it. I really like him." Maxie jiggled the toy so his slinky shook back and forth. "I wish I had a Slinky Dog."

Andy had begun re-setting the army men. "Um, I think they discontinued them or something."

"Aw," Maxie set Slink down. "Bummer."

Andy tossed the brunette the ball. "Your turn."

Maxie tossed the ball back and forth in her hands. "I got an idea!"

"What?"

"If I knock all the army men down, I get to keep your Slinky Dog. How's that sound?"

Andy looked shocked. He put his hand on Slinky's back and scooted the dog backward towards him. "Give up Slink? I don't know, Max. I've had him a long time…"

"Come on," She persisted. "It's not like I'm asking for Woody." She tossed the ball up in the air a few times. "Besides if I get your Slinky, you can have any toy you want from my bag."

Andy looked toward the backpack Maxie had brought, stuffed to the seams with toys. "Promise?"

Maxie looked serious. "I never go back on my word."

Andy looked at Slink, then back to the bag. "All right." He finally agreed.

"Great!" Maxie crouched on the floor, her bottom in the air and her chin almost touching the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh! You're ruining my concentration!" Maxie stuck her tongue out to the side, making her look comical. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the ball into the troop.

All fifteen soldiers hit the floor, except one. It tottled and spun, never quite reaching the floorboards.

Andy held his breath. Maxie held up her hands, showing her crossed fingers.

Clink.

"Yes!" Cried Maxie. She scooped up Slinky and mashed him to her chest. "I get the Slinky Dog!"

"All right, all right." Andy scooted on his bottom towards the bag. Unzipping it, he peered inside. "Hey, these are girl toys!"

Maxie, still hugging Slink, gave him a look over her shoulder. "Well, what do you think I am? Besides, they're not all girl toys." She slid next to him and began rummaging inside. "Uh, um, no…here!" She triumphantly pulled out a little dog. He was made of cotton and stuffing except for his oval white eyes with black pupils and little black nose which were hard plastic. He was almost pure white, except for one soiled spot streaked across his back.

Andy took the dog and examined him. His head seemed almost too large for his body. "What's that black stain?" He asked.

Maxie smiled almost sheepishly. "I dropped him in some soot when we were having our chimneys cleaned. I call him Smudgy."

"Maxine!" Called Mom up the stairs. "Your mother's called! It's time for you to go home."

"Ok!" Gathering Slinky in her arms and grabbing the backpack, Maxie ran out the bedroom door with Andy on her heels.

The moment the door shut behind them, Woody jumped up. "Slinky!" He and the other toys rushed to the desk and climbed on top.

Down below the window, Andy was waving to Maxie as she ran across the street, still cradling Slinky.

"Slink…" Woody moaned as he put his hands on the glass as she ran up the steps to her house and slammed the door.

Someone pushed through the crowd. The dog named Smudgy forced his way in front of Woody. His voice sounded younger than Andy's as he cried, "Maxie!" He was clearly just a puppy.

Dejectedly, the group began to disperse. All except Woody, who kept looking across the road, and Smudgy, who put his head on his paws and whimpered.