The Contract by Derek Jeter, Paul Mantell Read Free Book Online Page A

class erupted in laughter, and Derek sank down low in his seat, staring at his desk.
    â€œSimmer down, class,” said Ms. Wagner, and she continued reading off their names and chosen occupations until she was done.
    Derek didn’t dare look up. He knew lots of kids were staring at him, laughing at his cherished dream. In that moment, he held on to the fact that at least his mom and dad believed in him. What did he care what anybody else said, if they were on his side?
    â€œNow it’s time for your math test,” said the teacher, handing out test papers. “You have until ten thirty to finish and hand them in.”
    â€œWell, Mr. Yankees Shortstop,” Gary said with a soft sniggering laugh, “I guess you’re gonna knock this one out of the park, then, huh?” He waved his test in the air, chuckling to himself.
    Derek set his jaw, grabbed his pencil, and went to work, determined to beat Gary on this test, no matter what!

Chapter Six
    GAME ON!
    â€œOkay, here we go.” The Tigers were gathered around Coach Kozlowski in a tight huddle. Their green caps with the yellow bills were tilted back, and most of the kids were practically jumping up and down with excitement to get the game going. There were twelve of them now. Mark Feinberg and Sun Lee had showed up for the team’s second practice, but neither of them seemed too experienced. Sun didn’t even know many of the rules of the game.
    The coach cleared his throat. “Leading off, and playing center field . . . Chris Chang.”
    Chris seemed happy that he was batting first, and Derek didn’t blame him. Of course, Chris had asked to play either short or second, and he’d gotten neither one, but that didn’t seem to bother him.
    â€œBatting second, and playing second base . . . Derek Jeter.”
    Derek’s heart sank. Second base?
    â€œBatting third, at shortstop . . . Pete Kozlowski.”
    â€œYessss!” said Pete, raising a clenched fist, then high-fiving every kid he could reach.
    Derek turned away from the huddle and put a little distance between himself and the others. He didn’t want them to see how disappointed he was.
    â€œBatting fourth, at first base, Ryan McDonough. Fifth, and catching, Isaiah Martin . . .”
    Turning toward the stands, Derek saw his father and Sharlee. They smiled at him and waved.
    He waved back but couldn’t manage a smile. He wished his mom were there, but she had to work till 5. She’d be there by the end of the game, but Derek wished she were there right now. He needed all the support he could get from the people who believed in him.
    â€œToo bad, Derek,” Vijay said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You should have been the shortstop. The coach never gave you a chance.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Derek said. “Maybe he was right. Pete made better plays at short.”
    â€œAre you kidding? He also made a million errors!”
    â€œCome on, Vijay, we’re all a team,” Derek reminded him, repeating the words his dad had said to him after that first practice. “Pete’s on our side now. Hey, speaking of which—where are you playing?”
    â€œLeft out.”
    â€œLeft field?”
    â€œNo. Left out . I’m a substitute. Coach said he’ll put me in later.”
    â€œOh, man. Sorry, Vijay.”
    â€œIt’s okay. Everybody has to get a chance. Nine places, twelve kids. My turn to sit down.”
    Derek laughed and shook his head. If Vijay could sit on the bench and cheer, who was he to complain about starting at second base instead of shortstop?
    The Tigers batted first. Derek watched from the on-deck circle as the Indians’ pitcher winged pitches right past little Chris. He probably would have walked if he hadn’t kept swinging at pitches over his head or far off the plate.
    One out, and Derek strode to the plate. He had his routine down, and he stuck with it now. He knew he had to