“Dad? Mom? Could I go over to Dave’s on Saturday afternoon? We need to practice for the under-twelve basketball tryouts.”

“Didn’t you say you have a lot of reviewing to do?” his mom asked.

“Yes, but it’s stuff we’ve already learned. And the test isn’t until the twentieth.”

“Sometimes we forget a lot over the summer,” Derek’s dad pointed out. “You told us there’s a ton of material to go over. So you need make sure you put aside enough time for it.”

“I’m going to—a lot! But basketball tryouts are next Saturday! Dave and I both want to be on the team, so we need to practice every minute we can between now and then. I can study after that!”

“You’re talking about the league down at the Y?” his mom asked.

“Uh-huh. Only the best players make it, Mom! I know Dave and I can do it, though—if we’re prepared enough. He’s got this great sports court at his house.… ”

Mr. and Mrs. Jeter exchanged glances. “Wouldn’t it save you time if Dave came here?” his mom asked.

“Mom, the courts here are all messed up! The rims are bent, and the pavement’s cracked. Dave’s court is really awesome!”

“Wait, now,” said his dad. “Didn’t you and Vijay say you were preparing something for the talent show? Didn’t I hear you tell him you were going to get together on Saturday?”

“There’s also the Yankees-Tigers game,” Derek added.

“It sounds like you’ve gotten yourself overcommitted, at least for this weekend,” said Mrs. Jeter.

“You said you’d tell me what you were going to do in the show!” Sharlee reminded Derek. “Tell me now! Tell me!”

“We’re not even exactly sure yet,” Derek confessed to her. “That’s why we need to get together,” he told his parents. “To figure out what we’re going to do.”

“It’s an awful lot, son,” said his dad. “Are you totally sure you want to commit yourself to so many projects? It’s hard to do a lot of things well when you’re doing them all at once.”

“I am committed!” Derek insisted. “I mean… I’m pretty sure I am.… ”

“So when do you plan to fit all this in?” asked his mom.

“Um… that’s where I was hoping you could give me some advice,” he said.

“Derek,” said his dad, “I think you’re going to have to eliminate something—at least for this weekend. And it’s not going to be our Sunday afternoon, either. We’ve got a picnic planned, over at the university.”

Derek realized there was only one thing he could sacrifice and still keep his commitments. “I guess I won’t get to watch the game,” he said softly, looking down at the carpet.

Chapter Three THE SEEDS OF DOUBT

“Yo, Derek!”