Page 9 of Scoring Chance

Des is usually really good about swearing, but he is not perfect. He gets to swear all day in his life. He doesn't have to worry about watching his mouth. He doesn't have to worry about the words he's saying influencing a young child.

"C as in…curmudgeons. They're curmudgeons," he says.

"What's a curmudgeon?" Lulu asks.

"It's a big, grumpy person. Those grumpsters at your dad's job, they are dumb for doing this."

"Wow, these cupcakes are so good," Davy says.

Lena licks the frosting off with her finger. Dean and Lulu dive in, stains be damned.

"Dean, use a napkin. You're making a mess," I say.

Dean reaches across the coffee table to get a napkin and knocks a glass of Lulu’s milk off onto Des’s leg.

"Fiddlesticks," Des says, really emphasizing the F. I give him a thumbs up.

"Oh, sorry, Uncle Des," he says before grabbing his preferred cupcake.

I race to the kitchen for a washcloth. Patting his leg dry, I take notice of how strong his thigh muscle is. I hand him the rag before I think anymore of it.

"It's okay. It's okay. Tell me everything that's going on. Dean, how’s hockey?" Des asks.

“Davy plays hockey,” Dean says, annoyed. “I’m a magician. Say, do you want a piece of gum?”

He takes out his trick gum.

“Is it sugar free?” Des asks.

“Uh…no? I don’t know. Try it and find out.”

“I’ll pass. I prefer Altoids.”

Dean puts away his trick and takes a big bite of his cupcake. Des remains oblivious.

"There's a traveling team that I want to try out for, and I really think I have a shot. Like, I play with some of the guys who are trying out, and I can totally beat them," Davy says.

"Sweet. Just keep practicing." Des gives him a thumbs up. "Lena, you seem quiet. How's high school?"

"It's fine," she says. A typical teenager's vague response that I will have to get used to. She used to babble as much as Lulu, but those days are very much over.

"Who do you have?" Des stares at Lena. He has that power to make you feel like the only person in a room.

“I have Bright for history. He’s nice, seems a little odd. And Mr. Bradford for French, who’s obsessed with this old show from the ‘90s. He’s dating the Spanish teacher Mr. Shablanski. It’s so cute.”

Des and I share a look. We don’t recognize any of these teachers. South Rock High has totally changed. The last time I went there, I felt a pang when I noticed all their pay phones were gone. Yes, I know it’s ridiculous that they’d still be there, but please let me have my nostalgia.

“Is Mrs. Barnes still there?” Des asks.

“Yes. She’s so old. I’m glad I don’t have her. I heard she’s kinda scary,” Lena says with a giddy laugh.

"God, I remember she busted me when she caught me smoking under the bleachers." Des chuckles.

"You smoked cigarettes?" Davy asks, shocked.

"Oh, they weren’t cigarettes⁠—"

I smack Des in the stomach before he can explain further.