Chapter7
"I got dibs on that last donut!" Frank eagerly proclaimed his donut rights moments before polishing off his second one.
"Aw c'mon dad, you always get the last one. Let's split it," proposed Frank's bargaining son Luke.
"What was the key word you used Luke?" countered Frank. "What?"
"The key word, the deciding word, the word dad; dad, that's me, the guy who bought
these donuts. I'm the boss, you know by now, the boss has the final say so," explained Frank. "You two have had enough already. I'm the mom who at any time will go on strike, and then what? No hot meals. Need I remind you both that I brought home a half a dozen donuts, two for each of us? Need I remind you that you both have already eaten your share? That puppy's mine!"
Marge's donut reasoning was very convincing, Frank and Luke conceded the last donut. The rapidity the donuts were engulfed by father and son could lead astray anyone attempting to keep an accurate consumption count. This was D-day, donut day, at the Easton household. D- day had become a much welcomed, rarely missed Saturday morning family ritual, faithfully practiced. The pastry served as dessert following the usual large breakfast including eggs,
bacon, ham, and pancakes, pancakes topped with plentiful butter and syrup, of course. This large meal was not peculiar to Saturday morning. Rarely did a breakfast or dinner pass without seeing the kitchen or dining room table well stocked. Most dinners could be mistaken as being intended for Thanksgiving or Christmas, the desserts a pastry chef's envy.
Marge and Frank Easton were in their late forties. Frank was highly educated, earning an AeroAstro Ph.D. in 2000, and that same year accepted a lucrative positon with Lockheed Martin in Littleton, Colorado thus enabling Marge to postpone her career ambitions and became an efficient housewife rearing their agreed upon one child.
Marge and Frank met as graduate students at the University of Colorado. They shared interests not only including academia and leisurely social activities but also an affinity of physical fitness. Their hectic schedules somehow would find the time, at least four times a week, for the two to meet and dutifully exercise. Their passion for viewing the beautiful scenery was augmented by biking and jogging together and their exercise routine would be restricted to a gym only upon inclement weather.
Married, graduated, and armed with master degrees, they departed Colorado in 1993, destination being MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts whereat Frank would earn his doctorate. Marge utilized her M.B.A., quickly ascending the corporate ladder. Her near six figure salary was ample enough to cover both their hefty school loans and for them to live relatively comfortable. The pressing responsibilities both experienced dwindled their free time, the allotted exercise periods more frequently had to be forfeited; yet they were still youthful, their frenetic job and studies limiting any noticeable weight gain.
They both dearly missed their beloved Colorado and were ecstatic knowing their future together was virtually secured with Frank's acceptance of Lockheed Martin's offer. The search for their first home resulted with an enchanting, rustic, ranch style home near Green Mountain in Lakewood. Frank's commute was rather long, but via C470, manageable. Besides, their large spread was close to schools, both Green Mountain and Carmody Recreation Centers, a park, plentiful Green Mountain hiking trails, and a breathtaking bicycle ride to Red Rocks Amphitheater; taken as whole, negating all commuting hassles.
Frank began work early October shortly to learn that Marge was pregnant, and Luke arrived late July, 2001. The weight