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

Alex could hear his appreciation in his voice.

    Ava awoke to the sound of power tools. She glanced at the clock—6:55—and groaned. She sat up blearily. She was never one to wake up quickly. After a few minutes of listening to the clanking and banging, she realized the sounds must be coming from outside. What was going on?
    By the time she managed to rally herself to get out of bed and pull on clothes, half an hour had passed. She made her way down to the kitchen and found Coach, Tommy, and Alex sitting around the kitchen table. Her mom had just come in from walking Moxy. Uncle Scott was wearing an apron and stirring something at the stove. It smelled strange and exotic, but wonderful.
    â€œMorning, sunshine!” called Uncle Scott cheerfully. “Just in time for breakfast.”
    â€œUncle Scott insisted on cooking this morning,” said Mrs. Sackett, hanging Moxy’s leash on the hook.
    â€œIt’s a South Asian–style porridge with carrots, peas, cumin, ginger, and turmeric!” said Uncle Scott. He ladled something brown and gloppy into a line of bowls.
    â€œWhat was all the noise I heard?” asked Ava, raising her eyebrows at the porridge Scott carried to the table.
    â€œThey’re restoring a used car,” said Alex. “For Uncle Scott.”
    Ava looked from her mother to her father and back again. “Is Uncle Scott going to live with us from now on?” she asked.
    â€œSit. Eat your, uh . . . porridge,” said her father. Once again he had ignored her question.
    Ava slid into her chair and took a bite of the porridge. It was quite good. This was getting stranger and stranger.
    The rest of the day passed, and all Ava’s unspoken questions remained unanswered. How long was her uncle here? What had brought him here? Were her parents glad to have him or not? Uncle Scott was so busy helping Coach in the driveway and then offering to run to the health food store and prepare dinner for everyone, she didn’t have an opportunity to ask him.
    For dinner, he cooked a spicy stew, with rice and vegetables. She had to admit, it was delicious, whatever it was. Tommy had three helpings. But her parents continued to avoid any conversation related to Scott’s stay. And Scott seemed to be going along with it, changing the subject whenever one of the kids tried to bring it up.
    That night the twins tagged along to a movie with Tommy and Cassie. Ava was pretty sure their parents had forced Tommy to get them out of the house so they’d stop asking questions.
    It was after ten o’clock when they pulled back into the driveway. Tommy turned off the engine and the three of them stayed in the car, peering at the house. Their parents’ light was off.
    â€œUncle Scott’s still up,” said Tommy.
    Ava nodded. She knew he was as curious as she and Alex were.
    â€œWhy do you think he’s here?” asked Alex.
    Ava shrugged. “I wish I knew,” she said. “I feel like there’s a story we haven’t heard yet.” She peered out the car window. “He just turned off his light.”
    â€œShould we go talk to him?” asked Alex.
    Ava looked at Tommy. He nodded.
    A few minutes later the three of them were standing outside the closed study door. Moxy had joined them, as though she sensed there was drama.
    â€œKnock again,” whispered Alex.
    Tommy did, this time a little louder.
    From inside they heard rustling and the creaking of bedsprings. “Come in, guys,” came Scott’s sleepy voice.
    How does he know it’s us? Ava wondered. It was almost like he was expecting them.
    They all filed into the study. Uncle Scott had turned his light back on and was sitting up in bed. He smiled sleepily at them and patted the bed, inviting them to sit down. Moxy jumped up immediately.
    â€œSorry to wake you,” said Tommy in a low voice.
    â€œHey, this is the best good night a guy could wish for,” said