A Lot to Tackle by Belle Payton Page A

decisions in this town.”
    â€œReally?” Ava watched Mr. Whittaker. He wore a nice navy suit and shiny black cowboy boots. His silver hair fell in a swoop over his broad forehead. He stood with confidence.
    â€œThe man has mega-money, so everyone listens to him,” Corey said.
    Ava felt her brain begin to churn. “Did he hire my dad?”
    â€œHe probably okayed it.” Corey shrugged. “I doubt they could’ve hired him if Floyd Whittaker said no.”
    Maybe they can’t fire him either if Mr. Whittaker says no, she thought.
    Ava knew then what she had to do. She waited until players began filing toward the dessert table laden with Texas sheet cake and cookies. As Mr. Whittaker stepped back to avoid the crowd, Ava planted herself right by his side.
    â€œHi, Mr. Whittaker.” Ava extended her hand the way Coach had taught her.
    Mr. Whittaker raised his silver eyebrows in surprise. “Hello, Little Sackett!” He pumped her arm up and down in a hearty shake. “Tough kick at the end of that last game. Not to worry. You’ll grow. You’ll get stronger. You’ll kick longer. In a few years, that kick will be baby stuff.”
    Here was the opening she needed. Ava took a deep breath. “That’s the thing, Mr. Whittaker. I really, really want to play for the Tigers.”
    â€œOf course you do. Every kid wants to be on our team.” He let out a hearty laugh. “Living the dream!”
    â€œI mean that it’s super important that I stay in Ashland and go to high school in Ashland,” Ava said.
    â€œGreat town. I was born here. I’ve lived my whole life here except for a stint over at Baylor in Waco. Doesn’t get any better than Ashland.” Mr. Whittaker beamed with pride. Then his gazelanded on Mayor Johnston, who was headed in their direction.
    Ava tapped her foot nervously. He wasn’t understanding her hints, and she didn’t have much time. “What happens if the Tigers lose the State Championship?” she blurted. “What happens to us? My family?”
    â€œWhoa!” Mr. Whittaker crossed his arms in front of him, as if warding off an evil spirit. “Don’t you go jinxing things now. We are not going to lose, darlin’. Not at all.” He turned and slapped the mayor on his back by way of a greeting. “Baxter! Talk to me about the new irrigation system for the lower fields. We’ve got to look to the future!”
    Ava listened to the two men talk about sprinklers and water runoff issues. What about my future? My family’s future? she wanted to cry. What good was Mr. Whittaker and all his money and power if she couldn’t get him to promise he’d let them stay no matter what?
    She needed to figure out another way.

    Alex walked slowly through the empty hallways on Friday afternoon. She was missing a newlesson in French, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. With that last test grade, she had no chance of pulling out an A for this marking period.
    She folded the yellow pass as she walked to the main office, stopping to fashion it into an origami crane. Why had she been called to the office? Something with student council? She searched her brain but couldn’t remember.
    Alex yawned and tucked a stray piece of hair into her messy ponytail. She’d stayed up late studying for math and baking cookies for the bake sale. Then she’d arrived at school early to set up the bake sale table and display the treats. If she’d been at the meeting on Wednesday, she would’ve convinced more people to help. But getting volunteers via text was much harder.
    â€œGood afternoon, Alex!” Mrs. Gusman, the school secretary, greeted her when Alex entered the bustling office. She narrowed her eyes. “Are you feeling okay?”
    â€œSure. Why?”
    â€œOh, nothing. It’s just that you always wear such cute outfits. I love how you match your headband to your sweater