Episode 2: Supreme Talent (The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Cassandra Jones): Walker Wildcats Year 2: Age 11, #2

By Tamara Hart Heiner

When Cassandra starts her sixth grade year of school, she expects to be the kid on top. She signs up for soccer, takes voice lessons, and decides to start running. 

But no matter how hard she tries, there's always someone better than her. Cassie starts to wonder what, if any, talents she might have.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamark Books
• Release date: Apr 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524207540

Tamara Hart Heiner

Tamara Hart Heiner lives in Arkansas with her husband, four kids, a cat, a rabbit, and several fish. She would love to add a macaw and a sugar glider to the family collection. She graduated with a degree in English and an editing emphasis from Brigham Young University. She's been an editor for BYU-TV and currently works as an editor for WiDo Publishing and as a freelancer. She's the author of the young adult suspense series, PERILOUS, INEVITABLE, the CASSANDRA JONES saga, and a nonfiction book about the Joplin tornado, TORNADO WARNING. 

Book preview

Walker Wildcats Year 2

Episode 2: Supreme Talent

The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Cassandra Jones

Walker Wildcats Year 2

Episode 1: Creature Comforts

Episode 2: Supreme Talent

Episode 3: Camping Blues

Episode 4: Holding It Together

Episode 5: Birthday Goals

Episode 6: Coming of Age

Episode 7: Endings

Tamara Hart Heiner

Paperback edition

copyright 2016 Tamara Hart Heiner

cover art by Tamara Hart Heiner

Also by Tamara Hart Heiner:

The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Cassandra Jones

Walker Wildcats Year 1 (Tamark Books 2016)

Perilous (WiDo Publishing 2010)

Altercation (WiDo Publishing 2012)

Deliverer (Tamark Books 2014)

Priceless (WiDo Publishing 2016)

Inevitable (Tamark Books 2013)

Lay Me Down (Tamark Books 2016)

Tornado Warning (Dancing Lemur Press 2014)

Paperback Edition, License Notes:

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

EPISODE 2: SUPREME Talent

CHAPTER ONE - Concerta1

CHAPTER TWO - School Daze14

CHAPTER THREE - Bad Start22

CHAPTER FOUR - Kick Shot30

CHAPTER FIVE - Rivals42

CHAPTER SIX - Soccer Knocks54

CHAPTER SEVEN - Little Runner Girl64

CHAPTER EIGHT - Ambassador78

Episode 2: Supreme Talent

CHAPTER ONE

Concerta

EMILY JONES BURST INTO the bedroom she shared with her sister Cassandra. Emily’s face was flushed with excitement. How do I look? she asked, giving a full spin so Cassie could admire her flower-printed dress.

Fine, Cassie said. She pushed past her sister, still moving gingerly on her healing foot. At least she didn’t need crutches anymore. Last month she’d been bit by a snake, and she could finally get around on her own now. The swelling had disappeared completely, though the snakebite changed the shape of her foot. Where before the bone of her big toe had jutted outward, now the foot was completely straight. No curvatures or anything unique.

Mom! she shouted across the hall. Do I really have to go?

Emily had started piano lessons over the summer, and tonight was her first recital. Cassie couldn’t think of anything more boring.

Get dressed, Cassie! her mom shouted back.

Cassie heaved a sigh. She tried one last question. Can I wear pants, at least?

As long as they’re clean!

Clean. That she could do.

Twenty minutes later the entire Jones family piled out of the car and entered the small studio. Cassie found a seat near the back and surreptitiously opened her paperback novel. Absorbed in the plot of the book, she didn’t hear anything around her until the notes of a high soprano rang out across the room.

Cassie lifted her eyes from the book, her breath catching. There, standing in front of the room, was a girl her age, blond hair pulled back from her face in ringlets. The ethereal notes coming from her mouth penetrated Cassie’s ears, and all she could do was stare. A warm longing grew in her chest, wrapping around Cassie’s torso. She wanted to do that. She wanted to sing.

Cassie waited until everyone had finished congratulating Emily before she sidled up to her mother.

What did you think of Emily’s piano performance? Mrs. Jones asked, wrapping an arm around Cassie’s shoulders.

It was great, Cassie said, though she couldn’t even recall it. What was the singing?

Oh, Emily’s teacher teaches voice and piano, her mom answered, checking her watch. Everyone performs together. Are you ready to go?

Voice lessons. Cassie had never heard of such a thing. She grabbed her mom’s arm as she started to walk away. You mean they teach you how to sing?

Sure, just like they do piano.

I want to do it. The words flew out of her mouth before she could second-guess herself. But as soon as she’d spoken, Cassie felt certain. I want to take voice lessons.

Mrs. Jones hesitated. You do? What about clarinet?

Clarinet. Cassie hadn’t even touched it since the school talent show last spring. Well, Daddy already said he’s not going to do the school band this year. Last year, Mr. Jones directed a band for the older grades at Walker Elementary. It had been a lot of fun, but a lot of work on his part. I think I’m a better singer, anyway.

I’ll talk to Ms. Malcolm about it and we’ll see. Mrs. Jones patted her hand. Find your younger siblings and get everyone into the car.

IN THE END, MR. JONES agreed to let Cassie take voice lessons only if she