Blood Bath

Chapter 14

Colton and Lacie sat with Seth and Beth during lunch. Lacie wouldn't allow the two men to talk about business. She wanted the conversation to revolve around the girls and their plans for the weekend. Colton and Lacie were talking about a victory party in the garage after the game on Saturday.

Beth had never been to one of their parties, but she had heard about them. In her words, "Some students think your parties are boring because alcohol isn't allowed."

Colton asked, "Do you drink?"

"No! I don't drink, smoke, or take drugs," replied Beth. "I'm not making a comment on your parties, I'm repeating what I heard around school."

Seth laughed, "Trust me Beth. We know what some students think. There have been a few times when we had to ask guys to leave because they thought they could smoke or bring beer to the party. We are not against the use of alcohol. It's just illegal for us to use, and we don't want to get into trouble. Besides, I've seen too many students get caught up in escaping life by getting high. They get to where they aren't living anymore. I know what depression is, but I would hate to always feel like my life sucks. I also know you can't run away from yourself. You must figure out how to live with your problems, or you get help."

"For me, just working on the farm helps. Being outdoors, riding my horse, feeding the chickens. It gives me time to think about how good I have it and how petty my problems are, and I pray a lot."

Seth smiled. "My little farm girl. You have your feet on the ground."

"Trust me, sometimes they're in the mud too."

The bell rang and Seth and Colton volunteered to clear the table. They caught up to the girls and walked them back to the lockers.

During fifth hour study period, Seth and Colton worked on their business plans. Seth told him he had ordered the business flyers, and they would reach the customers today.

"I sent them to everyone in Pigeon. We printed color advertisements and mailed them to over a thousand homes for less than three hundred dollars."

"Did you put the address and phone number I gave you on the flyer?" Colton said. He feared Seth my have forgotten.

"Yes I did. Why would I spend that kind of money on a flyer that didn't have the contact information."

"You're good at this, Seth. I think we'll make a great team."

During seventh hour gym class, Colton worked on the weight machines. He finished his routine and then got ready for football practice. It was a beautiful, warm and dry afternoon so the team was looking forward to working outside. They weren't disappointed. Coach Talbert had the team run and then do strength training in the weight room. On the field, Aden worked on his throwing arm while Colton and Terrance Dundee worked on catching passes.

On the drive home, Colton smiled and sang along with the radio. Life is good, he thought. I love it when a plan comes together.

Both Terry and Jason were practicing basketball in the driveway. Colton joined them for a game of HORSE. After losing, he went into the house to see if his mom needed any help with dinner.

After dinner Colton and his mom went over the business plans. Cyndi had already set up a bookkeeping system on the computer in the garage office.

"I see you installed an internet phone in the office. That was a great idea. Now you can advertise your business and I can take calls from customers. I want to get a new business style phone that will send calls to my cell phone, so I don't have to always sit in the office."