Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

went only on Christmas and Easter, and that's when I went. When we came back, I opened my presents. I got clothes, some books, a few gift cards from my mom, and two hundred dollars from Grandpa and Grandma. But I didn't get anything from my dad. He raised his index finger and mouthed the word "Later."
    The day after Christmas Mom took my grandparents to the airport. "That wasn't so bad," she said when she returned.
    "Leo is looking old," my father said.
    My mom nodded. "I know. Mom says he's starting to forget things."
    They fell silent for a moment. Then my dad turned to me.
    "Do you like the Jeep, Mick?"
    "Yeah, sure," I said. "It's great."
    He took the Wrangler keys out of his pocket and laid them on the table. "Good, because it's yours. Merry Christmas."
    "Are you serious?"
    "Completely." He paused. "You'll have to work for me to pay for insurance and gas. I figure four hours a week ought to cover it."
    I guess my mouth was hanging open in disbelief. My mom explained:
    "Mick, Drew's dad has been driving you everywhere. We know he has. All right, there was nothing to be done. Your dad was working and I was working. But we are not going to take advantage of him for three more years. You've got your license, so it just makes sense, what with practices and games, for you to have your own car."
    My dad nodded toward the keys lying on the table. "Go ahead. Take them. I suspect you'll want to go for a ride."
    I went to pick them up, but my mother put her hand over mine and held it there."The contract you signed—
everything in it still stands. You break any of those rules, and the Jeep comes back."
    I nodded. "I know," I said.
    "And I want to know where you're going, who you're going with, and when you'll be back every time you leave this house. And that cell phone stays on. Understood?"
    "Yes," I said.
    She let go. I picked the keys up from the table and headed for the door, so excited I was shaking. When I reached the door, I turned back to my dad. "What are you going to drive?"
    "I'm buying a Dodge pickup from a guy at work. Very cool-looking, deep purple, oversize tires, lots of bells and whistles. He's bringing it by tonight. It'll help when we broadcast from outside the studio."
    My mom held up one finger. "One hour, Mick. I want you home in one hour."
    ***
    I picked up Drew and then went to DeShawn's place and got him. They thought I was incredibly lucky to have my driver's license. I had to tell them the Jeep was mine over and over before they finally believed me. We drove around for a while and eventually ended up at
Carkeek Park. "Does this have four-wheel drive?" DeShawn asked.
    "I think so," I said.
    He pointed to Piper's Creek, the banks of which were visible from the parking lot. "If it's got four-wheel drive, you could drive right smack into that creek and come up on the other side."
    We all stared at the creek for a bit. "Try it, Mick," Drew said.
    "I'm not driving into any creek."
    "Come on."
    "It's not happening." I looked at my watch. "I told my mom I'd be back in an hour," I said. "She's pretty nervous about all this."

6
    The first day back in January, weight training began. Thinking about working hard in the weight room—that's easy. Actually doing it, that's a whole different thing. I'd always figured weights were really important for linemen and linebackers but not so much for running backs. It was a mind-set I had to get out of, not just for one day, but for every day.
    I stood outside the weight room with Drew and DeShawn. They were both talking about how much they hated lifting. Normally I would have joined right in with their whining, but now I couldn't let their attitude seep into me.
    Guys filtered down in small groups. Some of them were eager—Middleton always loved lifting. But most of them had that dentist's office look on their faces. I kept waiting for Drager and Clark to show.
    When Carlson arrived, he opened the door to the weight room and we trailed in behind him. Right away I