Derek felt the tears coming and fought them back with every fiber of his being. “I’m not going to tryouts!” he said bitterly.

“Of course you are, old man,” she told him, gently rubbing the back of his neck. “We honor our commitments. And you’ve committed to being on this team.”

“I can’t bear just sitting there watching, Mom!”

“Of course you can. And of course you will. If you can’t impress the coach with the quality of your play, you can at least impress him with the quality of your character and your commitment.”

Derek sighed. He knew his mom was right. He would show up and tell the coach what had happened. He would sit there on the bench and root for Dave and Sam to make the team without him.

“Okay,” he told his mom.

“I’ll be right there with you the whole time,” she assured him. “We’ll see this through together. And try not to give up hope, old man. One thing your dad and I learned before we met, back when we were both in the military—when you show up for duty no matter what, amazing things can happen.”

They got there half an hour early—before any of the other kids arrived. Coach Nelson was there, along with the two assistant coaches, going over their notes with one another, reviewing and comparing what they’d marked down about each kid who’d tried out.

“Don’t be afraid, Derek—just tell Coach what happened and why you’re here.” His mother gave him a kiss on the forehead and a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I’ll be right here.” Then she took a seat in the bleachers.

Derek went up to the coach, who was busy writing in his notebook. “Sir?” he finally said. “Excuse me, but—”

“You’re here early,” said Coach Nelson. “What’s your name again? Darrin something?”

“Derek, sir. Derek Jeter.”

“I’m busy right now, Derek. You can get warmed up over in that area or just sit for a few minutes till the other kids get here.”

“I… I can’t try out today,” Derek said haltingly.

“Huh? I don’t understand.”

“I hurt my neck the other day. It hurts when I move it a certain way.” He sighed, feeling a lump rising in his throat. “I really, really want to be on the team,” he said. “I just—can’t play today.”

“How did you wind up hurting yourself?” asked the coach.

“I was practicing.”

He was going to leave it at that, but the coach asked, “For the team?”

“Not exactly,” said Derek, looking down at the gym floor. “I’m in the school talent show with my friend, and we’re doing a break dancing routine.”

“Ouch,” said the coach. “Rolling on your neck, twisting in corkscrews, that kind of thing?”

Derek nodded silently.