“You… you want to try out with us?”

“No, not me. I like baseball and soccer. But basketball? I never understand the dribbling, with only so many steps in between bounces. And the net is too tiny and too far away for my liking!”

Derek laughed. Vijay was always cracking him up.

“Anyway, that’s next Saturday, not this one,” Vijay went on. “Lucky for us. We’d better put in some time on our act this weekend, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.… ”

Until the moment Ms. Terrapin had handed out their test booklets, Derek’s plan for the weekend had been to watch the big Yankees-Tigers series on TV on Saturday, then spend Sunday with his family as usual.

But now, suddenly, everything had been thrown into chaos. He had agreed to meet with two different friends, to practice two different things. And on top of it all, he had to review everything he’d ever learned in school—all on Saturday!

It was Mission: Impossible!

“So?” Vijay asked.

“Well, it can’t be on Sunday… that’s always family day around here.”

“Saturday, then!” Vijay said, smiling. “That’s fine. When do you think—morning or afternoon?”

“Um, I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

“Cool. Let’s do our talent show applications before I go.”

Just as they finished filling out their forms, the front door opened, and Mr. Jeter came in, followed by Sharlee.

“Hey, you two!” Mr. Jeter greeted them. “What are you up to?”

“Reviewing for a big test,” Vijay replied. “And planning our act for the Fall Talent Show!”

“Talent?” Mr. Jeter repeated with a twinkle in his eyes. “And which of your many, many talents would that be?”

Derek and Vijay laughed. “Don’t tell him—not yet,” Derek told Vijay. “It’ll be a surprise for you, Dad.”

“Tell me! Tell me!” Sharlee begged, jumping up and down, making her frilly dance skirt bounce along with her.

“No way—you’ll just blab to everyone,” Derek said, laughing.

“I will not! My lips are sealed! See?” She pretended to lock her lips with an invisible key. “Mmm… mmmm… mmm!”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you—later,” Derek conceded. “Maybe.”

“I’d better get home,” Vijay said, gathering up his school stuff. “My parents will be wondering what’s keeping me. See you tomorrow, Derek! Don’t forget to bring the application with you tomorrow. Bye, all!”

Derek, Sharlee, and Mr. Jeter got to work getting dinner ready. By the time Mrs. Jeter came home, the table was set, the salad made, the vegetables all cut up, and the chicken warming in the oven. All she had to do was drop her briefcase, sit down, and eat!

After dinner Derek helped her dry the dishes. Only when they were done, and the whole family had settled down in the living room, did he bring up his thorny scheduling problem.