Carlos had his eyes shut, belting out the song and even dancing as he played the keyboard. His voice was high and sweet.
Rhino could see the audience swaying and cheering. Some of the kids were standing in front of their seats and dancing.
This was great. It was almost as Rhino had first imagined it. The only difference was that Rhino wasn’t trying to show off. He stayed back a few steps and just played along. This was Carlos’s moment.
The audience erupted with a huge cheer as the song ended. Then people began to stand, clapping and yelling. Soon the entire audience was standing.
Rhino stepped over and gave Carlos a high five. Carlos stepped out from behind the keyboard and bowed. He had a huge grin. Rhino blinked hard.
“I always knew you’d be awesome,” Rhino said.
Carlos patted Rhino’s back. He was too choked up to speak.
* * *
Later, Rhino wasn’t surprised when Mustang Rock was announced as the champions of the talent show. “That’s all because of you,” he told Carlos.
“If it wasn’t for you I never would have done this,” Carlos said. This time, he led the way onto the stage. The audience stood and cheered again as Mrs. Imburgia handed blue ribbons to Rhino, Carlos, and Cooper.
Grandpa James hugged Rhino after he left the stage, and C.J. raised his hand for a high five.
Bella and Ariana and other friends surrounded Carlos and told him how great he’d been. Carlos blushed, but he looked pleased.
Coach Ray said he had an idea. “Do you think Mustang Rock would do an encore performance?” he asked Rhino. “You could set up on the infield and play that song after Saturday’s game.”
Rhino pointed to Carlos. “I’m all for it, but you’ll have to convince the star.”
Carlos looked up and grinned. “Why not?” he said. “As long as I have my teammates with me, I can face anything.”
Me too, Rhino thought. On the baseball field or the stage!
There was a lot of friendly chatter from the Sharks during Saturday’s game. They’d defeated the Mustangs earlier in the season, when Rhino sat out the game with an injured ankle. Now they turned their jabbering to the Mustangs’ other talents.
“That bat’s too heavy!” the shortstop called when Cooper batted to lead off the game. “Use a drumstick instead.”
Cooper managed a walk. He trotted to first base, kicking up a little dirt as he ran.
“He can sing but he can’t hit!” yelled the third baseman when Carlos batted next.
Carlos turned the tables and smacked a line drive up the middle for a single. Cooper sailed into second, raising a bigger cloud of dirt.
Dylan struck out. Rhino stepped up to the plate. With two runners on base, he could give the Mustangs a big early lead with the right swing.
“No batter!” was the best the Sharks could come up with.
Rhino smiled. They couldn’t rattle him!
The first pitch was high and outside. Rhino watched it go by. He stepped back and tapped some dirt from his cleats.
“Good eye!” Bella called from the dugout.
Rhino focused on the pitcher and waited.
This pitch looked good. Rhino made a steady swing and felt the satisfying smack of bat meeting ball. He sprinted toward first base, looking up as the ball soared high and deep toward the center field fence.
“That’s gone!” came a cry from the bleachers.
Rhino felt a surge of energy as the ball cleared the fence for a home run. But he didn’t slow down. He raced around the bases as Cooper scored, then Carlos. Mustang Rock had given their team a 3–0 lead!
The pitcher glared at Rhino as he ran down the third baseline toward home. He punched his glove.
Then he struck out Manny and Bella to end the inning.
The Mustangs took the field. Rhino threw the ball to third base, then to Cooper, then to Carlos. His arm was loose and strong. This game could be a rout.
But the Sharks were confident. They scored a run in the second inning and two more in the third. The Mustangs’ lead was gone.
Rhino led off the fourth inning. Just meet the ball, his thinker told him. He’d learned that he didn’t have to clobber the ball every time. He had plenty of power.
The pitcher wasn’t about to get burned again. He kept the ball on the edges of the strike zone. A little low. Then a little inside.
With the count at three balls and two strikes, Rhino dug in. The umpire had called a couple of strikes that Rhino didn’t agree with. Another one like that and he’d strike out, so he was willing to swing at anything close.
Here came the pitch. It was high. It was outside.
Rhino connected. Again the ball took off in the air toward center field. But this time it fell short of the fence. The center fielder made the catch, and Rhino trotted back to the dugout.
The score was still tied as they entered the sixth and final inning. Carlos led off for the Mustangs, and he belted his second single of the day.
“See what a little confidence can do?” Rhino said to Cooper. “He’s never had two hits in a game before.”
Rhino stepped into the on-deck circle. Dylan hit a weak grounder to first base for an out, but Carlos slid safely into second.
“Give us the lead!” Cooper yelled.
This was what Rhino liked best. Game on the line. His teammates counting on him. This was his talent show.
Bam! Rhino lined the first pitch deep into the gap between the right fielder and center. He sprinted all the way to second base for a stand-up double.
Best of all, Carlos scored. The Mustangs had the lead.
Rhino reached third base on a grounder, but he was stranded there on the third out.
“Defense!” Rhino called as the Mustangs took the field. They’d nail down a win if they could hold the Sharks scoreless this inning.
Dylan struck out the leadoff batter.
“Here we go!” Rhino yelled. “One down!”
But Dylan was tiring. He walked the next batter and gave up a bunt single to the one after that. Suddenly the Sharks had the tying run at second and the potential winning run on base, too.
“Any base!” Rhino called. The Mustangs could get a force-out at second or third.
He turned to Carlos and spoke a little softer. “Let’s turn two,” he said.
The batter fouled one off. After two balls, he popped another one over the backstop and out of play.
The cheering was loud from both sides.
Bing! The ball scooted up the middle. It looked like a hit. But Cooper darted to it and scooped it up, flipping the ball to Carlos at second base for an out. Carlos spun and fired the ball toward first.
It was a perfect throw. Rhino stretched out his glove and felt the smack as it arrived just ahead of the batter. Double play!
“Mustang Rock!” Rhino shouted, holding up the ball. He ran toward Carlos. They slapped hands in a leaping high five as the other Mustangs jumped and yelled.
Rhino joined his teammates as they congratulated the Sharks for a tough, close game. Then he helped Cooper and Carlos set up their instruments outside the dugout.
“Here’s another double play for you!” Coach Ray called to the crowd. “The game-winning combo is also a talent show–winning band.”
Cooper tapped the drums. Carlos dug into the keyboard.
This is so great, Rhino thought. He was confident and relaxed. He played every note right as Carlos knocked out his third hit of the day.
Everything was going right for Rhino.
It felt like another home run!
Rhino! Rhino! Rhino!”
Little Rhino glanced at his teammates, who were standing inside the dugout fence, chanting his name. He nodded, but tried hard not to smile.
Rhino gripped his bat and strode to the batter’s box. He took a couple of easy swings and glared at the pitcher. The pressure was on!
Bases loaded. Two outs. The Mustangs trailed by two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. This was their
last at-bat.
The Bears’ pitcher squinted as he read the catcher’s signals. Then he leaned forward and fired a sizzling fast ball. It looked wide, and Rhino let it go by.
“Strike!” called the umpire.
“No batter!” yelled the infielders.
“Let’s go, Rhino,” shouted Bella, taking a lead off second base.
Rhino tapped his bat on the plate. The crowd was on their feet, cheering.
“Ball,” said the umpire as the catcher leaped high to grab the next pitch.
First place in the league was on the line in this game, and the showdown between Rhino and the pitcher was shaping up to be a classic. Rhino led the league with five home runs, and the Bears’ pitcher had the best record.
Rhino had belted a two-run homer in the first inning, but he’d struck out twice since then. The Bears had played steady baseball all season. Rhino’s Mustangs had come into the game on a hot streak, with five wins in a row. Whichever team won today would be alone in first place.
Rhino took a quick look at the other base runners: Carlos on third base and Dylan on first. Both were bouncing on their toes, ready to sprint.
Their teammates in the dugout chanted again. “Rhino! Rhino!”
Here came the pitch. Rhino took a massive swing.
The Bears yelled as the catcher safely caught the ball.
“Strike two!”
Rhino’s thinker told him to relax. You’ve been in pressure situations before. Just meet the ball.
Rhino looked out at the scoreboard in centerfield. BEARS 7, MUSTANGS 5.
He took a deep breath.
Whack! Rhino felt his muscles surge as he clobbered the next fastball. The ball streaked toward the scoreboard, but Rhino didn’t watch it. He raced to first base as the crowd whooped.
Rounding first, Rhino saw the Bears’ centerfielder watching helplessly as the baseball flew over his head for a home run. Rhino leaped with both hands up as he stamped on second base, then continued running.
The Mustangs won. They were in first place!
Carlos, Bella, and Dylan waited for Rhino as he ran toward home. They pounded his back and yelled as the rest of the Mustangs ran from the dugout.
“Two blasts!” shouted Bella. That was a first. Rhino had never hit two homers in one game before.
The Bears’ pitcher looked glum as the teams shook hands.
“Great game,” Rhino told him.
“Nice hit,” the pitcher mumbled. “But we’ll get you next time.”
“Good luck until then,” Rhino replied. “Keep that arm loose.”
Coach Ray gathered the Mustangs in the dugout. “I’m very proud of this team,” he said. “Winning six straight games is tough. But what I’m most proud of is your hard work and sportsmanship.”
Rhino clapped and the others joined in. “Thanks, Coach,” he said. “You’re a great leader.”
Bella nudged Rhino with her elbow and smiled.
“Winning today gives us a real honor,” Coach said. “Since we’re in first place, we’ll be representing our league in a special tournament next weekend. It’s an exhibition, so it won’t affect how we’re doing in this league. But it will be an exciting trip and gives us a chance to test ourselves against some very strong teams.”
Wow, Rhino thought. That sounds like a Major League honor. He couldn’t wait.
Coach told the players that he’d understand if not everyone decided to make the trip. They’d be traveling by bus to the state capital and staying overnight in a hotel. If they won their first game, they’d play in the championship game the next day.
Rhino gulped. Two nights in a hotel? Away from his brother C.J. and Grandpa James? Rhino had never slept anywhere except Grandpa James’s house. Not even for a sleepover at his best friend Cooper’s.
“This will be so great,” Bella said to Rhino as they left the dugout.
Rhino nodded. That was easy for Bella to say. Her father would be along for the trip. Coach Ray was her dad.
Rhino felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Dylan’s wise-guy smile.
“Another great win, huh?” Rhino said.
Dylan shrugged. “Of course. But we’ll see how well you do in the big-time tournament next weekend,” he said. “Things are different at the capital. Intense competition.”
Dylan was always trying to stir up trouble. Just ignore him, Rhino’s thinker said. “How would you know?” Rhino asked.
“I’ve been in plenty of big sports events,” Dylan said.
“Like what?” Rhino replied. Dylan didn’t have any more experience than Rhino did. They were both playing on a real team for the first time this season.
“Too many to name,” Dylan said.
“Name one.”
Dylan changed the subject. “Be sure to bring your teddy bear,” he said. “Being away from home overnight is going to be scary. For you.”
“Why should I be scared?” Rhino asked. He was feeling uneasy about it. But he wasn’t going to let Dylan know that.
“Believe me, you’ll be afraid,” Dylan said. “No big brother around. No grandfather.”
Rhino started to walk away. “Get lost, Dylan. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, lay off,” Cooper said, stepping over. He jutted his head toward the gate. “Let’s go, Rhino.”
“Great homer,” Cooper said when they were out of Dylan’s earshot. “And great news: My dad is going on the trip with us. You and I will room with him at the hotel.”
That made Rhino feel better. Cooper’s father was always kind and supportive to him.
Then Rhino had an idea. Maybe Grandpa James could be there, too! Having Grandpa along would make it the best trip ever.
Rhino felt that same surge of excitement he’d felt when he hit the game-winning homer. “State capital, here we come!”
Rhino ran all the way home. He couldn’t wait to tell Grandpa James about the trip. And about his two home runs!
“Grandpa!” he called as he hurried through the back door. “Wait until you hear!”
Grandpa James caught Rhino in a bear hug and laughed. Rhino told him the news. “Cooper’s dad is coming along,” he said. “Can I go? Can you be there, too?”
Grandpa poured Rhino a glass of milk. “First of all, congratulations on the game,” he said. “And of course you can go on the trip. You’ve worked very hard in baseball, and in your schoolwork. So you’ve earned it.”
Rhino smiled. “What about you?”
Grandpa patted Rhino’s shoulder. “Next Saturday evening is C.J.’s science fair,” he said. “I’d love to go to your tournament, but I promised your brother weeks ago that I’d be at the fair.”
“Can you drive to the tournament after?” Rhino asked.
Grandpa smiled. “I don’t think so. The capital is nearly three hours away. We would get there very late at night.”
Rhino rubbed his chin. “I guess I’ll be okay,” he said softly.
“Sure you will,” Grandpa said. “But it’s up to you. If you’d rather stay home, I’ll understand. And so will your coach. He phoned me last night.”
“He did? So you knew about the tournament before I did?”
“Of course,” Grandpa said. “Coach Ray didn’t want to tell the players before today’s game. But he needed to make sure the parents knew. I told him I believed you’d want to play, but that it would be your decision.”
Rhino stared at his glass of milk. He did want to play. And he certainly didn’t want his teammates to think he was afraid to spend a night away from home. Dylan would never let him hear the end of that!
“Think it over,” Grandpa James said. “But you’ll need to make a firm decision by Monday. Once you decide, there will be no changing your mind.”
Rhino nodded. His thinker told him to be brave. This will be fun! And what a great chance to show your skills against the best players in the state.
“I’m going,” Rhino said firmly. “I’ll be okay.”
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p; “I know you will,” Grandpa said. “You’ve done a lot of things to be proud of this spring. This will be another one, no matter what happens in the tournament.”
Rhino felt better. He finished his milk and made himself a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich. His favorite meal!
When C.J. came home, he and Rhino went out to the yard to have a catch. C.J. was in seventh grade—four years ahead of Rhino. He’d been playing on sports teams for several years, and was the starting shortstop for his middle-school team.
“I heard about the tournament,” C.J. said. “I wish I’d had an opportunity like that when I was your age!”
“It’ll be very cool,” Rhino said. But he didn’t sound as enthusiastic as before.
“I’m sure it will,” C.J. said. “Something bothering you?”
C.J. fired a high throw and Rhino had to leap for it. Rhino nabbed the ball, spun around, and tossed it back.
“Nice grab,” C.J. said.
Rhino caught another throw. He tossed it high in the air. C.J. circled under it and made the easy catch.
“So?” C.J. asked.
Rhino shrugged. “The games don’t worry me,” he said. “But …”
“Being away from home does?”
“A little.”
C.J. nodded. “I was ten the first time I did an overnighter,” he said. “A year older than you are. Remember? I went camping with Devin’s family.”
“I think so.” Rhino threw a hard grounder and C.J. scooped it up.
“I was so excited about it,” C.J. said. “Fishing, hiking, cooking hot dogs over the fire. It was going to be so cool.”
“Wasn’t it?” Rhino caught the ball and held it. He took a few steps toward C.J.
“It was,” C.J. said. “All of those things were great. We set up a couple of tents right on the shore of the lake. The moon was full that night and you could hear a million crickets chirping, and every once in a while a fish would jump. It was cool.”
Rhino frowned. “So you weren’t scared at all?”
C.J. laughed. “I didn’t think I was. Then Devin and I crawled into our tent. He fell asleep in about two seconds. I just lay there, thinking about how far away I was from Grandpa James. I’d never slept in any house but this one. What if something happened? What if a bear came by, or I got lost in the woods somehow?”
The Talent Show Page 4
