Boot Camp

BOOT CAMP

More books in this series by Eric Walters:

Three on Three

Full Court Press

Hoop Crazy!

Long Shot

Road Trip

Off Season

Underdog

Triple Threat

Visit
www.orcabook.com
for more information on these titles. To book a school visit with Eric, please visit
www.ericwalters.net

Book 9

Eric Walters,
Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams and Johnnie Williams III

Text copyright © 2007 Eric Walters, Jerome Williams & Johnnie Williams III

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Walters, Eric, 1957-

Boot camp / written by Eric Walters, Jerome Williams and Johnnie Williams III.

(Orca young readers)

ISBN 978-1-55143-695-1

I. Williams, Jerome, 1973- II. Williams, Johnnie, III III. Title. IV. Series.

PS8595.A598B66 2007    jC813'.54    C2006-906670-1

First published in the United States, 2007
Library of Congress Control Number:
2006938765

Summary
: Nick and Kia learn that teamwork can be more important than talent.

Orca Book Publishers gratefully acknowledges the support for its publishing programs provided by the following agencies: the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program and the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Book Publishing Tax Credit.

Art direction and cover design by Doug McCaffry
Front cover photograph (top) by Barbara Pedrick
Front cover photograph (bottom) by Fotosearch
Backcover photograph by Nick Walters

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Printed and bound in Canada.

10 09 08 07 • 4 3 2 1

For the teachers, mentors, coaches and parents—the role models of the world
.
Eric Walters

For my young friends at schools around the globe to whom I have had the pleasure of speaking about the importance of accepting differences and celebrating diversity
.
Johnnie Williams III

For my parents, who supported my development into a responsible father, committed husband and role model for youth around the world
.
Jerome Williams

“Nick, are you planning on spending the entire day playing that video game?” my mother asked.

“Depends,” I answered, never taking my eyes off the screen.

“Depends on what?” she asked.

“On whether you'll let me.”

“And how likely do you think that is?” she asked.

“Not likely.”

“There must be a dozen things you could do,” my mother suggested.

“I can think of at least fifteen.”

“You can?”

“Sure. That's how many different games I own. I could change to another game if you'd like.”

My mother made a little puffing sound. I didn't need to look at her face to know what her expression would be.

“How long before Kia is back from holidays?” she asked.

“Saturday or Sunday at the latest.”

“You're allowed to do things without her.”

“I know that. It's just that pretty well
everybody
is away on holidays…Jordan, Mark, Tristan… everybody.”

“You could do something on your own.”

“I
was
doing something on my own until you walked into the room.”

She made that sound again.

“I'm just making dinner now,” she said, “and after that I'm expecting the game to go off.”

“Sure, whatever, no problem.” There was no point in arguing.

“After dinner I'm driving you to the community center. I forgot to mention I signed you up for a dance class.”

“You did what?” I asked in shock, my head jerking up and away from the game.

“Just kidding,” my mother said, and she started laughing.

“You had me worried for a second.”

“I wouldn't sign you up for dance lessons.”

“That's good to know,” I said, putting my attention back on the game. I was doing really well.

“At least I wouldn't sign you up without telling you.”

Suddenly I didn't feel so reassured.

“But,” she said, “if you don't start doing something on your own, I might find something for you to do, and I don't mean that to sound like a threat.”

“Too late for the not sounding like a threat part.”

“Just think through what you might want to do. What about going away to a camp?”

“You mean like a canoeing, making crafts sort of camp?” I asked.

“It could be, if you wanted.”

“I don't want.”

“It could be something else. They have lots of different types of camps. Just think about it.”

“Sure, I'll think about it.” Thinking about it was a lot different than doing it. Then again, did they have video game camps?

“Just consider possible options and we'll
talk at supper. Speaking of which, I better get back to the kitchen and finish making it since it isn't going to make itself.”

“It could.”

She gave me a questioning look.

“It could if we phoned for pizza.”

My mother didn't answer. She turned and left, leaving me alone in my room with my video game. I focused on the game. I'd only had it a few weeks and it was pretty good…although I had to admit—at least to myself—that I was getting pretty bored with it. Doing something else wouldn't be so bad, as long as that something else didn't involve dancing lessons.

The phone rang.

“Can you get that?” Mom yelled from the kitchen.

“Can't you get it?”

“I'm in the middle of fixing dinner!”

“And I'm in the middle of my game!”

“Your game has a pause button, my stove doesn't, so get it!” she called out.

Why had I ever told her about that pause button? I hit the button, freezing the game in place, and jumped up to get the phone.

It hardly seemed fair for me to have to answer
it since there was virtually no chance that it was actually for me—almost everybody I knew was away on holidays.

“Hello!” I said as I picked up the phone.

“Is that you, Nick?”

“Yeah, it's me.”

It was an adult—a guy. The voice was familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on whose it was. It had to be a friend of my father or my mother.

“You enjoying your summer?” he asked.

He certainly sounded friendly.

“Pretty much, and you?” I asked, trying to be polite.

“Yeah, it's good to be home with my family and chill during the off-season.”

I still couldn't figure out who it was…what did he mean
off-season
?

“My dad isn't here, but you can talk to my mom if you want,” I said.

“I'll need to talk to your mother right after, but I need to talk to you first.”

“Me?” I was confused. “Sure, I guess you can talk to me.”

There was a pause. “You don't know who this is, do you?”

“Um…no,” I said, feeling embarrassed.

He laughed. It was a friendly laugh and washed away the tension I was feeling. “I'm sorry, Nick, that's my fault. I should have said who was calling. It's me, Jerome.”

“Jerome?” I asked. I didn't know anybody named Jerome.

“Sounds like you don't remember me. I didn't think you'd forget me that fast, with us being teammates and all. This is JYD.”

My mouth dropped open. “Junk Yard Dog?” I gasped.

“Unless you know another JYD.”

“No, of course not. I just didn't recognize your voice and I didn't expect you to call me. It's not everyday an NBA player calls me!”

Jerome played basketball in the NBA, and I'd met him at a promotional event at the mall. He was my favorite player. My best friend, Kia, who was with me that day, had asked him for help in dealing with some bullies who wouldn't let us play on the court at the community center. Unbelievably, he'd come and played on our team and helped us show those bullies up. And, more importantly, he'd shown everybody what being a good sport and a teammate was all about.