A few days later, Mrs. Crackshell and Ava were watching The Young and the Featherless, one of the soap operas Mrs. Crackshell frequently watched. Fenton was at work.
During a commercial break, Ava got up, holding a large, empty bowl. "I'll make some more popcorn."
"Just a minute, Ava," Mrs. Crackshell said. "I want to talk to you for a moment." She muted the TV.
"Okay." The preteen sat back down.
"I know you've had a hard time adjusting to all the changes and that things have been really difficult for you," the elderly woman stated. "Are you feeling any better now?"
"A little," Ava answered. "I'm just trying to get used to this place and all the people. I'm mostly really confused."
"About what?"
"About why Fenton is so nice to me. I haven't been the greatest person to be around."
"Oh, Ava, your father loves you very much. He's doing everything he can to make sure you have everything you need. You know, he didn't have a father when he was growing up."
"He didn't?"
Mrs. Crackshell shook her head. "No. My ex-husband, your dad's father, ran out on us when Fenton was just a baby. I raised Fenton all by myself, so he never had many male role models. I did the best I could, but it would have been easier if someone else had been in the picture, too."
Ava thought about this for a moment. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, sweetie. What I'm trying to say is that your father is just trying to make sure you have a better life than he did."
"Is that why he works so much?"
Mrs. Crackshell looked confused. "Hm? Oh, yes! Yes, that's exactly why," she stated.
Ava bit her lip. "He must be exhausted all the time. I wish there was something I could do to help."
"Don't you worry about it. Your father is a tough cookie. Speaking of cookies, can you get some out of the cabinet? The show is back on."
As Ava got the package of cookies, she got an idea of how she could help Fenton, but it wouldn't be easy.