Free 'Tis the Off-Season by Belle Payton

Scott. “The world’s three most awesome kids. And their awesome, if large, dog.”
    Now Ava remembered why she’d always loved Uncle Scott and been so charmed by him. Even as a tiny kid, she’d felt his warmth and his kindness and had constantly been showing him bugs she’d caught and baseball cards she’d collected when he visited.
    They all settled in around Moxy. The bed was now very crowded. Ava could feel the lumpy bedsprings through the thin mattress. Not the world’s coziest place to sleep.
    â€œLet me guess. You want to know why I showed up like this out of the blue,” Scott said.
    They all nodded.
    â€œWell, it was kind of sudden for me, too,” he admitted. “I lost my job last week. I got laid off at the software company where I’d been working for a couple of months, over in San Antonio.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” whispered Alex, her eyes round.
    â€œYes, well, it happens,” said Scott. “I haven’t exactly been Mr. Responsible since I graduated from high school.”
    â€œBut you’ve done so many cool things!” protested Tommy.
    â€œAll that traveling,” said Ava.
    â€œWell, yeah, that was pretty cool,” admitted Scott.
    â€œThat little red sports car,” said Tommy wistfully.
    â€œIt was constantly in the shop,” said Scott. “I traded it in.”
    â€œThat glamorous actress girlfriend!” added Alex.
    â€œShe left me for a stock trader,” said Scott with a shrug.
    â€œSo are you here to stay? Will you move in with us permanently?” asked Ava.
    Scott smiled. “Probably not permanently, guys,” he said. “But it may be awhile before I get on my feet again. Your parents are the most generous people ever. I hope you realize that.”
    None of them said anything. Ava thought about how her parents weren’t letting her play basketball.
    â€œI always thought you had the coolest life,” said Tommy. “Traveling, seeing the world . . .”
    â€œListen, T,” said Scott. “You’re right that seeing the world is great, and I have no regrets about that. But I wish I had worked harder in school. Your dad set some pretty high standards for the rest of us—he got good grades, he was a great athlete, he won a college scholarship. I guess in a way I felt like I couldn’t measure up to him, so I stopped trying. And I didn’t apply to college. That I do regret.”
    The three of them were quiet, thinking about that.
    â€œI’ve never been much good about saving for a rainy day. But now, thanks to your parents, I think I’ll be able to swing going to college part-time. I’m good with computers, so hopefully I’ll find a decent-paying job soon. I’m on a new path. A good one. But I couldn’t have pulled this off without your parents’ help.”
    â€œIf they’re helping you, why were they being so weird about telling us why you were here?” Alex asked.
    â€œThat’s my fault,” said Scott. “I asked them not to tell you why I was coming. I guess I was a little embarrassed about my situation, and I didn’t want you guys to think badly of me.”
    â€œWe would never—” Ava cried out.
    â€œI know, I know,” Uncle Scott said, patting her knee. “And it was silly of me, anyway—you guys are smart, and obviously you all were going to wonder what was up when I showed up on your doorstep. I shouldn’t have put your parents in that position when they’ve done so much for me. Your mom has even been calling around trying to help me get interviews. So you guys should really stop being angry with them about that.”
    â€œIt wasn’t just that,” said Tommy, “even though that was part of it. They promised we could go to Boston, and my whole career was riding on it, and—”
    â€œAnd nothing, champ,” Scott interrupted. “I hear