Running Behind

By Sylvia Taekema

Even though he was once his biggest rival, Jake Jarvis is thrilled when Spencer Solomon agrees to join the Diamonds cross-country team to compete in the Barry's Bay provincial championships. Everyone is pumped, everyone is focused, and Jake has to admit, he really likes their chances. At the last moment, Spencer informs the team that he can't go. Jake is furious. But when Spencer explains that he's worried about leaving his wheelchair-bound father alone, Jake gets to work on finding a solution to get Spencer and the Diamonds back on track.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Aug 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781459818002

Sylvia Taekema

Sylvia Taekema's first novel, Seconds, was voted a Silver Birch Express Award Honour Book. She is also the author of the middle-grade novel Ripple Effect and Running Behind in the Orca Currents line. Sylvia lives in Bracebridge, Ontario.

Book preview

One

Chapter One

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the sprints. The boys gathered around their coach. Well, he said, lifting his Diamonds cap and resettling it a little farther back on his head, what do you think? You ready, Jake?

Jake rolled his shoulders. Ready, Coach.

Sure?

One hundred percent.

Shawn?

Shawn pulled off the headband holding back his long, wavy hair and gave Coach Dave a thumbs-up. Ready, Coach.

Don’t grow any taller in the next few days or you’re going to lose a lot of time ducking under every tree branch on that course.

Yessir! I mean, no, sir. No growing.

Ready, Tony?

Tony was rooting around in the bottom of the backpack he’d pulled off the picnic table. He held a flattened granola bar in one hand. Ready, Coach.

You going to pack that bag full of snacks for the trip?

I was thinking I might need a bigger one.

Coach Dave chuckled. You could be right. Ready, Sam?

Sam nodded. Ready, Coach.

No projects planned? No assignments due?

My schedule is clear for takeoff.

Right. Ready, Spencer?

Always ready to run.

Good. We’re going to miss Paul, but we’re glad to have you on board. Finally, Coach Dave turned to look at the boy beside him. So, Simon, think this bunch is ready?

Jake watched Simon push up his glasses and look around the circle of sweaty boys gathered in the parking lot. They had just finished their final cross-country practice before the provincial race in Barry’s Bay. Simon locked eyes with Jake and grinned. It’s a dream team, best I’ve seen, hot as lava, cool as ice cream.

Coach Dave laughed. Good to know you’re ready too, Mr. Assistant Coach. Well, that’s it then. We’ll see you Friday morning. Eat well, sleep well, pack light. As the boys started to gather their stuff, he continued. Don’t forget your team jerseys. You guys are the regional silver medalists. You’re going to the provincials. You have earned this opportunity through dedication, determination, talent and hard work. Do your region proud. Do your team proud. Do yourselves proud.

Shawn wiped an imaginary tear from his cheek. That was beautiful, Coach.

The coach smiled. Now get out of here.

Sam high-fived his teammates and started walking home. Spencer and Simon jogged to the bus stop. Shawn and Tony headed to the variety store across the road. Jake went to unlock his bike.

What do you think, Jake? asked Coach Dave.

About what?

The team, the weekend, the race.

Jake closed his eyes. The race was all he’d been thinking about since the moment they found out they’d qualified. His whole body felt like it was buzzing. It’s going to be awesome. I can’t wait.

Me neither, said the coach.

Tony’s got so much power, and Shawn can cover a lot of ground with those long legs of his. Sam’s so speedy and so smart about how he runs a race, and Spencer, he’s just so smooth. He runs so easily. So fast. No worries or hangups. It’s like nothing can throw him off.

He loves to run, that’s for sure. But don’t downplay your own part in this, Jake. If I know you, you’ll find your way up front. I’ve got to admit, I like our chances. You guys have got heart. Plus, we’ve got a secret weapon.

We do?

Simon’s jokes! Coach Dave high-fived Jake and got into his van. Whatever happens this weekend, it’s sure going to be something to remember. You okay to get home?

Jake nodded.

Still biking, huh? Might as well while you still can. The coach tugged the zipper on his jacket up a little higher and scanned the sky. One of these days it’s going to snow.

Chapter Two

Jake took one last look at the picture on the screen and then shut down the computer. He’d been looking at photos of the Barry’s Bay area. Lakes, hills, trees. It looked awesome. Jake was tired, but he didn’t know if he’d be able to sleep. Excited didn’t even come close to describing how he felt. So much had been going on lately. There was the big cross-country run in Deep Rapids the previous Saturday, where the Diamonds had come in second overall. Jake glanced at the silver medal hanging over the corner of his bulletin board and grinned. Then came the news that the team had qualified for the provincial race this weekend in Barry’s Bay. And then the final city race just the day before, where Spencer had come in first and Jake, right on his heels, was a close second. He could still hear the cheers and feel the sting of the high fives from his friends on the team.

Coach Dave had told them that their other regular teammate, Paul, had come down with chicken pox and wouldn’t be able to make it to Barry’s Bay. Jake had recommended inviting Spencer to run in Paul’s place, surprising even himself. All season long he’d considered Spencer Solomon his enemy number one. But that was only because Spencer had come in first in every city race he’d run—races that Jake had