16. Charlie
Being the only male in this house has its trials. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been around this many teenage girls and didn’t realize the high-pitched level of screaming is a normal thing.
It’s nice when the girls finally fall asleep, but then I get no work done as I’m exhausted from the day. It was fun traveling with Ava. I rarely travel with people, but I also got nothing done today.
After a couple of quick phone calls, Paul and Steve have things under control, which means I”m lost on what I should be doing. I don’t think I can make a habit of watching reality TV, even if my niece loves it.
The next morning I wake up to a quiet house and realize that the girls heading to the camp are already gone. A loud snore from the upstairs loft tells me the rest are still asleep.
I guess I should ask what my role is supposed to be while I’m here. Just another guardian making sure the girls don’t do something dumb?
I didn’t even wish Emily good luck. Future Worst Uncle Award recipient.
I’m pouring myself a glass of orange juice when the door opens. Ava walks in, touching the earbuds and pulling them out of her ears. She’s got a light layer of sweat on her forehead.
Marsha and Whitney come in behind her, panting. Their faces are a bright red with small splotches of white mixed in.
“Can I get you some juice?” I ask, holding up the carton.
“Yes, please,” Marsha says.
“I’m good. I’ll head for the shower right now,” Ava says. It’s hard not to let my gaze follow her until she disappears. From what I’ve learned about Marsha, she’s good at seeing everything. Maybe she can teach me some of that so I can better take care of Emily.
“Did you two go for a run?” I ask, sliding the glass over to Marsha.
She chuckles a bit and says, “My run is more of a walking jog. Ava runs circles around me.”
“How did you get her to coach the team?”
Marsha takes a long swig from her cup. She stares at me for a few extra moments and I’m trying to figure out where her line of thinking is going.
“I remember her going off to college and then when I heard she came back, I figured we’d ask her. The previous coach wasn’t great and moved to another state just a few weeks before Ava came back from the east.”
“And she just said yes? I mean, aren’t most coaches old and have kids on the team?”
“I’m sure that happens a lot, but there are some college-aged girls who’ve coached different teams over the years. It’s just nice having one who is rooting so much for the girls.”
“Yeah, she loves them, doesn’t she?” I say, turning to put the juice box back into the fridge.
“What’s your story, Charlie?” Marsha asks before sipping at the juice again.
I chuckle and shrug. “I grew up playing hockey. When I realized I wouldn’t make it to the higher leagues, I started investing. It started out small but then grew a ton.”
“Any marriages? Crazy ex-girlfriends?”
Why do I feel like I’m being interrogated about a serious crime right now?
“I’ve never been married. My most recent ex-girlfriend left me because I work too much.”
Marsha nods her head and her gaze washes over me, like she’s trying to figure something out. “Good to know. Would you have married her if she’d stayed?”
I shift, feeling uncomfortable with this level of probing. “Probably. I stick around for things I’ve committed to.”
She looks satisfied with that answer. But now I’m wondering if I passed her test or failed it completely. And what would passing get me?