Starting Position

Chapter 36

The next morning, I awoke with a series of images pegged to my brain. The first thought was of Ben. A smiled draped over my face as I perched upright into my deflated pillows. The feel of Ben on my lips and hands was still there, like he had left an imprint. The thought of seeing him again had my blood pumping.

The next thoughts that took landing were those of track. Not only was today the final meet of the season, including my last meet with CGCC, but Rodriguez had informed me that his contact from Western University, Lenora Landry, was going to be at the meet today to watch me run. My heart rate increased even further.

Feeling like I had just consumed an entire pot of coffee, I swung my legs out of bed and set them firmly on the ground, deciding to get started with my day. It was an important one, after all.

When I had finished showering, I took note of the warm light spilling in through my window and slipped into a floral printed sundress. I left my bedroom in search of a bowl of cereal.

My father was already settled into his normal spot at the kitchen table when I arrived. His morning paper was spread before him, and a cup of coffee was wrapped inside his hands.

"Morning," I said.

"Morning, Ell," my father said, taking a sip from his mug. "There's a whole pot ready."

Without further ado, I sauntered to the coffee pot and poured a steaming cup, stirred in a spoonful of cream, and took a hefty dram. I then rummaged through the cabinets and withdrew a box of cereal and assembled my breakfast.

"You ready for today?" my father asked when I took a seat at the table.

After chewing my first mouthful of cereal, I nodded and said, "As ready as ever – a little nervous."

My father eyes beamed before he said, "That's a good sign. You've always done well under pressure. And," he added, taking another pull from his coffee, "I'll be there to cheer you on."

I grinned and munched on a spoonful of cereal. "Will Sarah be there?" I asked.

"She will. If that's alright with you."

"It's alright with me," I said truthfully.

We resumed our morning routine, both of us polishing off the pot of coffee and chatting lightly about the invention of cereal and what one would do without it. My father, who now seemed much more reachable with the newspaper before him, slid me the comics section. Chuckling, he pointed to a particular one which I read. 

Just as my laughter had subsided, a loud pounding echoed from the front door. I startled at the sound. Sliding out the chair, I said, "I'll get it," because I had an inkling it was Ben, although, I wasn't sure what he would be doing here this early.

I blushed as the thought of us wrapped together on the front porch consumed my brain. When I swung the door open, a giddy smile on my reddening face, I took a step back in surprise. It  was Erikson. With him was a glass container parked beside his feet on the porch.

"Hey, kid."

"What –" But I stopped abruptly. The glass container held a box turtle, one particular box turtle. Erikson had brought Mr. Shelton with him.

"You got a second?" said Erikson. "I want to help you get him set up."

"What?" I asked stupidly.

Erikson chortled and lifted the glass container. I then stepped aside from the doorframe, dumbfounded, and let Erikson inside. His massive, boot clad feet vibrated on the hardwood floor of the living room.

"Oh, hi there, Erikson. You're here earlier than I thought," my father said, peering at Erikson's large mass from beyond the cased opening.

"Yeah," he said, "I decided I wanted to see Elliot's face when I dropped him off."