Blood Bath

Chapter 6

Coltonreplayed his winning touchdown throughout the night and woke upcheerful though a little achy from Friday's game. A long hot showereased the aches and pains in his back and knees. After consideringthe days events, he wore an old pair of sweatpants and a tee-shirt.He would dress up later for the lunch date on The Point, but first hehad some dirty jobs to do.

Colton eyed his mom making breakfast as he stepped into the kitchen.

"You look ready to work. Didn't you say you had to get dressed up for a date today," she asked.

"Lacie and I are having lunch with Mrs. Hoffstarter later, but I want to help dad with the cars this morning."

"It's so nice of you to visit Mrs. Hoffstarter. She's a wonderful woman. When your dad was delivering her paper, he would stop in twice a week. Just to say hi."

"I know. She told me how much she appreciated it. She acts young for a woman who's almost ninety years old," Colton said.

"Some people think young. My mom was one who thought she was old when she was in her forties. She dressed and acted like an old woman, and then she died young," Colton's mom said.

As the two talked, the rest of the family sat down for breakfast. Cyndi put the platter of pancakes on the table and then sat down herself.

Colton's dad, Adam, said, "Well Colton, that was a great touchdown you made last night. We are so proud of you."

"Thanks dad. I hear you're done with your college class now?"

"Yes, I took my final exam yesterday, and your mom and I celebrated. I'll be home more now. I still want to take more classes, but I can do them online," Adam said. "It was getting hard balancing work, school and family. Now I can spend more time with you guys and your lovely mom."

Cyndi smiled and got up for more coffee. "I missed you dear, but I know you loved school. I haven't seen you that happy in years."

Colton told his dad about visiting Mrs. Hoffstarter today and they discussed what a great lady she is. Terry and Jason talked about their basketball skills and Steph told everyone she wanted to become a doctor.

"Where did that come from?" Colton asked.

"Well, I saw a show and this beautiful woman doctor was saving people's lives in the emergency room. And my friend Jennifer said she would be a doctor, and I told her I would be a better doctor than she would be. So now I have to be a doctor."

"That's nice," her mother remarked. "What happened to your plan to become a lawyer?"

"Oh, Mom. That was last week."

Cyndi laughed and announced, "Enough talk! It's time you all start your Saturday chores. Steph, you can start with cleaning the upstairs bathroom. Remember, doctors have to keep everything clean, so the germs don't multiply."

"Awe, Mom," Steph said.

The Blackwell family had a tradition of doing chores every Saturday morning, and when the kids finish their jobs, they could play. Colton was at an age where he wasn't expected to do these chores, but he still helped his dad work on the cars and with the yard work. Together they went outside to work in the garage.

***

Colton pulled his Jeep into the garage and put lifts under the front so he could drain his oil. As he did, Adam checked the other fluids, while they talked about his dad's job, Colton's game, and the newspaper route.

"Dad, did Mom tell you about the problem I'm having with the newspaper racks in Caseville?" he asked.

"Yes, people stole papers when I was delivering, but not as many as you've had stolen. If it continues, you should stop putting papers into those racks. You can't keep people from stealing. They put money in, open the door, and take as many as they want. Only honesty keeps them from taking over one paper," Adam said.