“When Avery asked him about playing in the final on Saturday, he advised strongly against it. He feels it’s the main source of her stress, that it’s affecting her physical health, and that she needs a break from baseball. I’m sorry, but she won’t be able to play Saturday. I’ve already told the coach, but Avery wanted me to let you know as well.”
“Could I… could I talk to her?”
“I’m afraid she’s too upset right now. But thank you for being her friend. I know how highly she thinks of you, Derek. And I’m so sorry. Please tell the team good luck from both of us.”
“But—”
“I have to go. Avery needs me. Good-bye.”
The phone went dead in his hands, and he put the receiver back on its cradle. “She’s not playing Saturday,” he told his parents, who were giving him curious looks. “She’s sick. Upset stomach. Her mom said it was caused by stress.”
“Poor girl!” said Mrs. Jeter.
“Mom, will she be all right?” Derek asked.
“I’m sure she will, old man. She just needs some time to rest and recover.”
Derek was relieved to hear that, at least. But what about the team? Avery had been one of their best players for the last half of the season!
How were the Yankees supposed to win without her?
Chapter Thirteen BOILING POINT
Derek got more bad news on Thursday morning when the math and science finals results were handed out. Well, not bad, really. Studying with Vijay had sure helped. Derek had managed a 92 in math and an 88 in science.
But just as he’d suspected, those scores weren’t good enough to beat Gary’s.
“97 and 93,” Gary mouthed silently from his desk. When Derek pretended not to understand, Gary held up his papers with the red circled numbers.
Derek had no choice but to hold his up in return. Gary raised both arms skyward in triumph and did a little dance in his seat.
But the news wasn’t all bad, it turned out. Derek did have one ace up his sleeve—he held up his English final. 95!
Gary’s smile vanished. He froze mid-dance. When Derek shot him a questioning look, Gary held up his own paper: 92.
Now it was Derek’s turn to do a desk dance. When the bell rang, the two boys went straight toward each other to compare notes.
“Two tests to one—I win!” Gary said, regaining his usual self-confidence.
“It’s not over,” Derek reminded him. “There’s still the standardized tests. I can still come out on top.”
“That’s a laugh,” Gary said with a snort. “Those tests measure aptitude, Jeter—as in, it doesn’t matter how hard you study.”
“I know what ‘aptitude’ means,” Derek shot back.
“Then you should also know that no matter how hard you study—and I know you’ve been working your tail off to beat me—you still can’t change your aptitude. IQ is IQ.”
“Why don’t we save the trash-talking till the final results are in?” Derek suggested.
“And by the way, how did you manage to get a 95 on the English test?” Gary snatched the paper from Derek’s hands.
“Hey!”
Gary held it at a safe distance while he looked it over. “A hundred percent on the essay portion? Are you kidding me?”
Derek flushed with pride. He’d written that essay straight from his heart—and it had paid off big-time, staving off humiliation, at least for the moment.
“Here. Take your piece of trash back, speaking of trash-talk. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He handed back Derek’s English final. “Boy, I can’t wait to see you in that chicken suit. I hope you’re excited. Better practice your chicken walk. Buck-buck—b’guck! You’re goin’ down, sucker!”
“We’ll see about that,” Derek said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “We’ll just see.”
“I don’t get these reading comprehension problems!” Derek shoved the booklet Vijay’s way. “What would you say is the main point of the story? (A) acting on impulse is a mistake? Or (D) preparation is the key to success? I mean, they’re both the point, aren’t they?”
“Let me see that,” Dave said, reaching out and taking the booklet. The three boys were grouped around the Jeters’ kitchen table. Derek’s parents and Sharlee were in the living room, giving them privacy to do their last-minute studying together.
It had been Vijay’s idea to invite Dave to study with them. Derek had jumped at the chance to see his friend one extra time, and Dave had convinced his parents to let him put off packing one more afternoon.
“What about C?” Dave wondered. “That’s a good answer too: it’s important to expect the unexpected.”
“Sheesh,” Derek said, shaking his head. “You’re right! They’re all the right answer. Vij?”
“Well,” said Vijay. “This is one I would definitely skip, and come back to when I’m done with all the other questions, yes?”
“Definitely,” Derek agreed.
“For sure,” said Dave.
Derek looked at his friend. What a bummer it was that the two of them had to spend most of their last moments together studying, instead of having fun!
You’ve got to enjoy every moment.
The words popped into his head. Was it his dad who’d said that? His mom? He wasn’t sure—but Derek knew it was true. He also knew he wasn’t doing a very good job of it just then. Enjoying every moment was way harder than it sounded! And the harder Derek tried, the harder it got!
Mrs. Jeter came in at eight forty-five to tell them Chase was there with the car and would be happy to drop Vijay off. The boys packed up their stuff and wished Derek good luck on the tests.
“Back at ya, guys,” he said as they waved good-bye and left.
“You ready to call it a night, old man?” his mom asked him.
“Nah. Not yet. I’ve got to nail these tests. I’m just going to go as long as I can.”
“Okay. Just don’t stay up too late. You need your sleep, so you’re rested and ready tomorrow.”
When Derek next looked up from his books, it was almost
