14. Charlie
To say today has been odd would be an understatement. I’m sure I’ll get some criticism for leaving my niece with practical strangers, but I got sidetracked by that conference call. At least Emily has friends from the team. Nothing like moving at the beginning of summer to ruin that part of her life.
And it’s not like she’s young enough that I need to hold her hand crossing the street. As long as there’s a responsible adult around, I count that as a win.
But to find that Ava also missed the flight was a surprise.
I’d planned to use the time to work. Now I’ve got more room on this private charter, but I don’t really have that itch to open up my laptop.
Ava looks like she’s just found out the earth isn’t flat because she keeps glancing around the cabin with her eyes wide. There are only about ten passengers, which is normal for me. Do I have enough money to buy a jet? Yes, but I don’t want to be irresponsible. I’ve heard how people roast the Kardashians about stuff like that.
“What do you think?” I say, asking Ava.
“I really shouldn’t be enjoying this as much,” she says, settling into the chair.
I laugh and shake my head. “What do you mean by that?”
“It’ll be hard to go back to the regular flights after this. All this legroom. I mean, I’m not the tallest person in the world, but even I struggle to stretch out in a normal commercial flight.”
“It definitely has its perks.”
There’s a long moment of silence before she speaks. “Why are you really paying for all this stuff? Emily is by far our best player and she and Sarah mesh so well. I’m not playing her more because of that. She’s got the talent and the height to go far.”
I smile, thinking of my brother-in-law, who was several inches over six feet. He would love to know that his baby girl has height.
Mulling over her question, I say, “I didn’t always have what I have now. I played youth hockey until it got too expensive for my parents to send me further. It was something my father regretted until he passed, but sometimes those trials end up making or breaking us.”
“So you want others to have the opportunities you didn’t,” she says, more of a statement than a question.
I nod. “Absolutely. And Emily has been through a lot in the past year. If chipping in a bit helps make her smile and remember that I’m her favorite and only uncle in the world, it’s worth it.”
Something passes over her face and I wonder what she’s thinking. It’s usually difficult to tell with her.
“Why are you so opposed to people helping monetarily?”
Her lips form a thin line. There are several seconds where she says nothing and I wonder if I said something wrong.
“Not everyone with money has had the best intentions in my life. It’s easier for me to be skeptical rather than nursing a broken heart again.”
I raise my eyebrow, hoping she’ll continue, but she doesn’t expound. Maybe an ex-boyfriend caused it?
“How is Stu?” I ask, remembering the small boy from her sports class.
She laughs and it sounds like she’s forgotten all her worries.
“Probably preparing to take over the world. Or I would imagine he’s stuck something up his nose that doesn’t include his finger and has to have it extracted by a doctor.”
I laugh just as loud, drawing a little attention from the other passengers. “I put three quarters up my nose once.”
Ava gives me a pained look. “No, really?”
“Yeah, my sister dared me to do it and we ended up in the ER around bedtime when my mother saw they were stuck.”
“How old were you?”
“Thirteen.”
She laughs at that. “I was picturing six or seven. You knew what not to do and you still did it.”
“True, but I figured it would be a science project or something.”
“Not really dissecting frogs,” Ava says with a chuckle.
“I made my science partner do that.”
She laughs. “Me too. I had to have a clothespin pinch my nose so I wouldn’t gag from the smell.”
I try to picture Ava at that age, and I smile. This is the most open she’s been since we’ve reconnected and I like this side of her.
“How are the stitches, speaking of the hospital?”
“Still there. I’m supposed to get them out while we”re gone.”
“Again, I’m sorry.”
I wave my hand in the air and say, “It’s okay. My mom is the one I’m worried about.”
Ava’s smile disappears and she looks nervous. She reaches over and touches my arm, which sends a jolt of energy up to my shoulder. “Is she doing any better?”
“She’s not in a coma, but she is going to need to rest and recover. I’m sure once I call her, she’ll miss not being at the tournament.”
There’s a bit of a smile now, but it’s still not much. “Does she go to Emily’s games?”
“Every one. Even through my sister’s cancer treatment, she somehow took Emily to everything and still helped my sister.”
“My grandma came to everything she could, too. It was nice having someone on the sidelines for me.”
“Have you not heard from your parents in a while?” I ask. Her reaction makes me realize I’ve hit a nerve.
She breathes in deeply, letting it out slowly before speaking. “They weren’t the most supportive before they dropped me off at Gran’s. I doubt they’ve given me a second thought since I turned eighteen.”
There’s some light turbulence, and Ava grips the armrest of the seat, looking terrified. I debate for a few moments before reaching over and taking her hand in mine. “It will even out. We’ll be there soon.”
She gives me a small smile before staring straight ahead. I’m wishing we could continue the conversation. It’s like I’m dragging down the wall between us, one brick at a time.