December 2005

Working at the Station again was like a breath of fresh air, and it held no shortage of nostalgia. Every time Schemer turned around he was reminded of some memory from his time here as the Arcade Manager. His time spent with Billy and Stacy here made him smile fondly, but it also made him feel that something was missing. He couldn't help but feel that they were supposed to grow old together here. Bickering for years to come but still remaining the best of friends. Being a family, figuratively but perhaps literally if things had worked out with Stacy. He was slowly becoming happier, but the fact that he was the only one still here. He missed them, and felt that loss often.

He wasn't entirely alone. Becky was here, and he was grateful for her presence. They talked often, and when they worked together he didn't feel so alone. The two of them settled into an easy friendship, despite their age difference. Schemer began to stop seeing her as his nephew's friend and instead as an equal.

One day, she was talking about how Schemee had come into town and Becky, Kara, and Dan had gotten together to see him.

"Oh? When was that?" Schemer perked up from his desk.

"When was Schemee in town? Last week, I thought you knew." She looked confused.

He shook his head and put his arms behind his head, leaning back casually into his chair. "No, I didn't."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive." Becky flushed with embarrassment.

He gave his trademark crooked grin despite his nephew's slight. "No, it's not your fault. You didn't know, and he has every right." He admitted somewhat sadly.

She frowned. "You still don't talk?"

"Well, not really, no." Schemer confessed. "I'll message him once in awhile to tell him he played well, and he'll say thanks, but that's about it."

Becky looked scandalized and Schemer sat up straight, holding his palms out. "No, no, don't be upset. It's fine."

"It's not fine!" She was very upset by his admission. "You're his Uncle, you raised him! You were best friends!"

Schemer swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. "I know." He sighed softly. "I know, it's just that he doesn't have to forgive or contact me. I'm probably lucky that he even speaks to me at all."

"That's not true! Look, what happened was awful. But you were going through a rough time, and I know you're deeply sorry for hurting him, so he shouldn't be acting like this." She was quite worked up.

He gave a small, amused smirk at her outburst. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do! Schemer, you're so lucky and the fact that things turned around is nothing short of amazing. Schemee shouldn't be avoiding you, he should be happy to be able to have the chance to talk to you everyday if he so chose." She sat down on the chair opposite to him to calm down.

He stared at her incredulously. She was fully on his side, despite every lie he had told. He didn't quite know what to say but the phone interrupted whatever thought he was working on.

"Billy? I'm sorry I haven't called recently, how have you been?" He asked as he answered the phone, genuinely feeling sorry for not checking in on his long time friend.

"Well, I've been steadily getting better, and I figured I better come up and take a look for myself at your latest project." Billy's voice called out from the doorway.

Schemer and Becky looked up and Schemer dropped the phone in shock.

"Billy! You sly dog, you're here!" Schemer said cheerfully.

Billy still walked with his cane but pulled Schemer into a fierce, one-armed hug. They hadn't seen each other since the funeral.

"I thought it might be good for me to check this place out again, you've done wonders." Billy said as he looked around, taking in the refreshed Station. "Good to see you again Becky!" He greeted her warmly with a hug as well.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Schemer apologized. He had spent so much time remembering their time together, and now that Stacy was gone he felt like he had been neglecting his other best friend while he was still around.

"It's okay, we've all been healing in our own ways. But there is one way you can make it up to me. Remember my nephew?" Billy asked, his eyes glittering merrily.

"Yes, of course." Schemer nodded, remembering back to the time they visited Billy in the hospital, and when Kit visited that one summer and played on Schemer's baseball team.

"Well he's been following in my footsteps, and wants to be an engineer. Furthermore, Kara approached me recently and asked me to mentor her as she also becomes an engineer. Do you think you have some space for me to mentor them? Between the three of us I think you'd have a fully functional team. They've got the education, I'm just here to get them up to speed." Billy explained.

Becky looked downright gleeful at this prospect. Schemer was stunned at this sudden influx of people but couldn't contain his excitement

"Of course! When can you all start?"