Ava Comes Home by Lesley Crewe

took to giggling. The back door opened and in walked Uncle Angus. “Look what I found on the lawn.” He held up Ava’s nighties. “Can’t for the life of me figure out what they’re doin’ in the rose bushes.”
    â€œThey’re my nighties, Uncle Angus.”
    â€œNighties! They look like hankies.”
    â€œExactly. That’s why I threw them away. Fire them in the coal stove.” Aunt Vi grabbed them. “You’ll do no such thing. If you don’t want them any more, give them to your sisters or your nieces. They’d love them.”
    â€œYou’re right. Sorry, I should’ve thought of that.”
    Uncle Angus went to the sink for a glass of water. “It’s a fine winter day out there. No snow on the roads. I think I’ll take a run up to Sobey’s. Anything you need at the store, Vi?”
    â€œOh dear, lots of things.”
    â€œWhy don’t you go with him, Aunt Vi?” Ava said with her mouth full. “You probably never get out of this house. Lola and I will hold down the fort for a few hours.”
    â€œOh my, I’m not sure,” Aunt Vi hesitated. “What if your mother wants something? And the nurse is coming by in an hour.”
    â€œI’ll get whatever Ma needs and I’ll be here when the nurse comes. I’d like to talk to her anyway. If it makes you feel better, why don’t you take my cell phone and I can call you if something comes up. That’s if it’s still working.”
    Aunt Vi took off her apron. “Okay then, I don’t see why not. I’ll just be a minute, Angus.”
    Ava followed her aunt upstairs and picked the cell phone up off the floor. She flipped it open, and lo and behold it was still functional. She gave it to her aunt, but not before slipping three one hundred dollar bills in her hand. “Please take this. We can’t be eating you out of house and home.”
    â€œYou eat like a bird.”
    â€œPlease. Don’t make a fuss, just take it.”
    Her aunt took it. “Thank you, dear. I don’t mind tellin’ ya, it comes in handy.”
    Vi and Angus left the house, feeling a bit guilty that they had some free time together but enjoying it all the same. Of course they didn’t get too far up the first aisle in the grocery store before someone beetled over to talk about Ava.
    â€œIs she as pretty in real life as she is on the screen?” Tootsie Wadden wanted to know.
    â€œShe’s prettier,” Angus said loyally.
    â€œOh my,” Tootsie squealed. “Do you think she’d mind if I came over to say hello?”
    â€œShe might not, but I do,” Vi said. “My sister is ill and needs her rest. We don’t need the likes of you showin’ up.”
    Tootsie stomped off.
    Then there was Ethel Snow. “I’m bringing round a mess of cod tongues for your dinner. Will Ava be there?”
    â€œYou’ve never brought a mess of anything round to our house, Ethel. I wonder why you’d pick now, eh?”
    â€œBein’ neighbourly.”
    â€œGo way with ya. I don’t have time for you or your tongues.” This time it was Vi who marched off. There was nothing for Angus to do but tip his ball cap. “Ethel.” He hurried after his wife.
    At the check-out counter, Ava’s picture was on the front of the TV Guide. Angus picked it up. “We should buy this.”
    â€œSuit yourself.”
    The cashier rang it in. “Isn’t she your niece?”
    Vi nodded proudly. “That she is.”
    â€œWow. Can you tell her I’m her biggest fan? I’ve seen like every movie she’s ever made at least three times.”
    â€œI will, dear. What’s your name?”
    â€œIt’s Debbie.”
    â€œI’ll tell her, Debbie.”
    â€œThank you. Oh, this is so exciting.”
    â€œThis here’s her money. She gave it to me this morning.” Vi passed over the