THE RACE!
Race morning! It had been two months since the Piston Cup and it was finally time for the racing season to start again. Lightning had disappeared into his trailer two hours ago and Doc was starting to get worried he decided to ask Mack what was going on. 'Hey Mack?' called Doc
'yeah' came the reply
'Is Lightning okay?'
'Oh yeah he does this before every race since '
'What?'
'Nothing'
"I don't think it's nothing"
"Lightning had a fight with his Dad when he was seventeen right before a race. He was really mad during the race and didn't do so well. Now before every race he takes some time to himself to calm down that's all."
Doc knew Mack wasn't telling him something but decided it could wait until they got back. 'Hey Doc'
'Hey kid you ready?'
'Yep'. Lightning won easily since Chip wasn't on his game that day. Later that evening back in the hotel room Lightning started coughing
'Hey kid you okay?' called Doc concerned
'Yeah I'm fine' Lightning responded hoarsely.
'Okay but I want to take a look at that cough when we get back.'
'It's fine'
'No it's not end of discussion.' Was Doc's only response.
The next morning they left to head back to Radiator Springs Lightning said he wanted some time on his own and wanted to take separate cars. In truth he just didn't want Doc to notice his cough. The entire ride back Lightning couldn't stop coughing whenever they stopped for gas he would try to stifle them but Doc just looked at him in concern. When they got back Lightning said hi but went to bed quickly. The next day when Lightning came for breakfast he had dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't slept at all last night.