Free 'Tis the Off-Season by Belle Payton Page B

outline,” she said.
    â€œSo e-mail your teacher and see if you can change your topic. Go find your studies and use them. And write it in your essay. The best writing comes from feeling passionate about something, and you are obviously passionate about this subject.”
    Now it was Ava’s turn to blink at Uncle Scott. “That’s brilliant,” she said.
    â€œOf course it’s brilliant,” he said. “I really don’t know how the three of you guys were able to function before I came back into your lives.” He scooted back down into a reclining position, which caused Moxy to jump off the bed and shake herself, her collar jingling, and made Tommy topple to the side and almost fall off the bed. “Now beat it,” he said, closing his eyes. “Your father is going to get me up early in the morning so we can finish working on the car. I need my beauty sleep.”

    The next morning Ava woke up and immediately turned on her computer to see if there was a message from Mr. Rader. There was. He was okay with her changing her topic.
    â€œYes!” she said out loud, and got dressed quickly.
    When she got downstairs, Mrs. Sackett was pulling eggs out of the refrigerator. Butter sizzled in the pan. Strips of shiny bacon were already cooked and draining on a paper towel. Alex was emptying the dishwasher.
    â€œWhere’s Uncle Scott?” asked Ava.
    â€œHe and your father have gone to the hardware store for more supplies,” said Mrs. Sackett. “What he made yesterday was quite delicious, but I thought we’d have a more, um, traditional breakfast today.”
    Ava watched her mother crack an egg into her coffee cup. “Mom,” she said gently, nodding her head toward the coffee cup.
    â€œWhat?” said her mother. “Oh, drats.” She dumped the coffee into the sink. “What a day this is turning out to be,” she said. “My clients just asked me to speed up the timing of their pottery order by a week. I just got a text from Michelle Cookson, who says she has a cold and can’t help out at the day-care center this afternoon, so now I need to help Mrs. Barnaby find more helpers besides me to come with you to the day care, and—”
    â€œMom,” said Alex. She stepped close to her mother and put a calming hand on the side of her cheek, just as Uncle Scott had done to her. “Sit. Have another cup of coffee. I’ll finish making the eggs. Tommy can take Moxy out. Ava can text some of our friends and get them to meet us at the college and help oversee. You don’t have to go. We’ll handle it.”
    â€œYou will?” asked Mrs. Sackett. Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you guys being so kind and helpful? I thought I was the worst mother in the world.”
    Alex gave her mother a bear hug. Ava joined her. Tommy’s mouth was full, but he managed a grin and a thumbs-up.
    â€œNo, you’re not,” said Ava. “You’re the best.”

    â€œI can’t believe we got six kids to help out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon!” said Alex, as she and Ava surveyed the scene at the day-care center. Her heart was full of happiness. Plus, Corey was among the volunteers.
    â€œYeah, it’s nice that so many of them rallied,” agreed Ava.
    â€œHey, I heard you typing away all morning,” said Alex. “What were you working on?”
    â€œMy essay,” said Ava with a grin. “I’m almost done.”
    Alex beamed. “That’s awesome, Ave,” she said.
    Lindsey and Emily were building a block castle with three little kids. Kylie was sitting at a table with a shy little boy, drawing pictures of horses. Corey and Jack were playing foam basketball with several little kids in the padded play area of the large room. Even Charlotte was there. She was overseeing two little kids at the finger-painting section. She seems a little overdressed for babysitting, Alex thought, glancing at