Need for Speed – The Beginning 1998

Matt started working long before he was 16 so that he could get his own car. In fact it was years before - Terry had to fill out special work permit papers and take them somewhere so he could get a job. He worked near our house at the Blumenthal Home, an old age home built on a beautiful piece of land formerly known as the Lasater Estate. I think he had mixed feeling about working there. Most of the time he worked in the kitchen but as he spent more time there he started to work at jobs that allowed him to interact with the old folks. While he wouldn't admit it to us, I think he developed some special relationships with a couple of the residents. But relationships aside, he was working for the money to get a car! The day finally came - I don't remember exactly when I gave in and went out to shop for a car. Of course Matt, Terry, and I had had plenty of discussions, arguments, and fights over what kind of car he could get. Terry was quite clear that she didn't want him to have a sports car for his first ride. So I let him buy a sports car, and not just any sports car - a red, fast Mazda RX7. I don't think I even knew what that was before I saw it. I'm not sure why I let him get it. I didn't do it to piss Terry off but knew that it would. I guess it was the excitement, joy, and happiness on Matt's face when he saw it. Matt hadn't been the happiest of kids as a teenager and that day was one where I knew he was thrilled. Little did I know the future angst and fiery battles that car would cause our family. Looking back I think it was an important chapter in forming Matt into himself as we all know him. If I had forced him to get a "safe" clunker then maybe Matt would have been a more cautious guy, not push the envelope at every chance. I'm glad I didn't because that's not what is inside of Matt. A need for speed, aggressive, fast-paced, full of life. I think the RX7 gave him an outlet to channel some of the energy and drive into becoming a fast, but excellent driver with an appreciation for finely engineered cars - the beginning of a true passion for him