Crash

Crash is overjoyed to see his grandfather and gives him a big hug. He tells Scooter about the six touchdowns and that he was awesome today. Scooter says, “You didn’t have to score all those touchdowns for me to know that” (67). Crash’s parents both arrive home—it’s only 5:20 p.m.—and Crash learns that Scooter will be staying with them indefinitely. Crash is overjoyed.

Scooter, an ex-Navy chef, always cooks something delicious out of whatever he finds in the kitchen. He won’t them tell what’s in a dish until after they’ve eaten. Tonight, he hints mischievously that the ingredients include a mouse. The mousetrap in the kitchen, though, is still empty. Mrs. Coogan warns Scooter that Abby has become a vegetarian, partly in support of Penn.

She also announces that her real estate company has handed her the accounts for three stores in the new mall. Crash asks if they’ll now be rich. She says doubts it, but says it’ll mean she’ll be busier than ever. Crash stares at her and she looks away. Crash mentions his football game and his father apologizes for forgetting about it. Crash quietly says that he made six touchdowns.