Author's notes:

-Hey guys! School is finally coming to a close and I cannot WAIT to start working on my Hudson Hornet one-shot stories again! Thanks for hanging in there. It's been a rough semester but I made it through! This is just a little one-shot I have been working on in my spare time. It's pretty short but it's better than nothing! It doesn't tie into my other stories at all. I've also attached a disclaimer and I would appreciate you reading that before you read the story. I don't want to offend or upset anyone. Thanks!

(DISCLAIMER: This is part of a little one-shot I'm writing. It covers one of the big issues about the discrimination that Louise faced being a racer in the 1950s. This is based on the quote in Cars 3, where Louise mentions that the "fellows in charge didn't like the idea of a lady racer showing up." The disclaimer is here because it may seem a bit rude, especially about what Hudson says to Louise. I promise the issue is resolved in the end. Please don't take it personally, it was the 1950s after all…)

"Not allowed? Why?!" Louise barked at her manager. "What makes me not good enough to race today? Heck, that Carl kid is worse than me! Who in their right mind would talk to me like you are right now?"

"Ms. Nash, you're not racing today, and that's my final word. And besides, Hudson won't be racing either. I don't think there will be many fans watching."

"Why not?" Louise asked.

"He hurt his wrist…And that's beside the point! Head back to the pits," the manager commanded sternly.

"Fine!"

Louise huffed at her manager, then quickly snatched her things and returned to the pits. She looked around for a few minutes, trying to locate Hudson, or Junior and River. Nobody was to be found. The other boys were probably already getting ready for the race… Lucky them. Instead of hanging around the pits where press or managers could potentially spot her, she headed to Hudson's trailer to check on him. Louise didn't want to get caught up with cameras and reporters in her face. She knew she would have to explain why she wasn't racing, and Louise didn't feel like doing that. She quickly sprinted through the dirt, kicking it up as she went. The dirt field was doubling as a trailer park for the racers to stay. Louise approached Hudson's trailer slowly and quietly. The door was open, but Louise knocked lightly on the door frame.

"Come in."

"Hudson?" Louise stepped in slowly, leaving the door open behind her. "Hey, Hud," she waved to him as he sat on the couch, listening to the radio. Hudson didn't look up to greet her. He frowned a little bit.

"Why aren't you racing?" he asked.

"They said that the track was too hard and that I wasn't experienced enough, a bunch of hooey if you ask me!"

"Stupid…" Hudson muttered, shifting gently on the couch.

"Yeah…Anyways," Louise started, "I heard that you hurt your wrist?" She gestured to the bandaged wrapped around Hudson's left wrist as she made her way completely into the trailer.

Hudson nodded. "Yeah, I think it's just a sprain, but I better be more careful next time. I can't afford to sit these races out. It was just a little sprain and they made a big deal about it." Hudson imitated the managers, " 'Ouuuuh, you can't race,' they told me. 'Oh, no no, too dangerous,'" Hudson frowned.

"That's what they told me!" Louise sighed, "I can't believe it. You would think they would keep us racing so they can make money, or whatever they're doing…"

Hudson grumbled under his breath.

Louise crossed her arms as she walked over to where Hudson was standing. She gazed down at him with a small frown, but a light blush started to tint her cheeks.

"Are you pouting, Mr. Grumpy?" She teased.

"Shut up."

"Oh, shut up," she imitated and gave his shoulder a light push. "Come onnn, it's just one race, Hudson."

Hudson frowned up at her.

"Paul Leo-" Louise started trailing with his middle name…

"Shut up I said!"

"Okay okay, I get it, not in the mood for jokes. I'll leave you to be, maybe you just want some peace and quiet."

Hudson didn't reply.

Louise stepped away and headed for the door to leave. If Hudson didn't want to be nice or cooperate, she wouldn't put up with his little fits. She turned the door handle to exit the trailer

"—wait," Hudson said, sitting up and looking at Louise. The young woman raised her eyebrow.

"Mmmmmmhhhhmmm?"

"Don't go, I've got nothing to do all day. And I'm hungry."

"Okay…Are you going to stop pouting like a four-year-old?"

There was a moment of silence from both Louise and Hudson as he thought.

"Yes," he replied quickly.

"Good!" Louise exclaimed. She turned back inside and strolled over to the trailer's little kitchen. "I'll fix something for lunch then, and you can sit and relax."

"Are you sure you don't need any help?"

Louise chuckled. "Hon, I know how to cook, believe me. Just let me do my thing."

Hudson shrugged and leaned back again, turning his radio's volume up just a tad.

As the minutes went on, Hudson watched Louise as she made continuous comments about Hudson's kitchen:

"How do you find anything in here?"

"Never mind, you don't need to find things in here because there's close to nothing in here gosh dang it!"

"Is that mold?!"

Hudson just laughed along. "You're doing great," he encouraged. "Not bad for a woman who spends most her time racing, I didn't think you could do more than one thing. I mean, look at you, a little multitasker!" He laughed.

Louise's face blushed red. "Well, you gotta be good at it all, especially since you boys aren't good at cooking whatsoever. Heck, I'm surprised there's not a hole in the ceiling of this trailer from the stove catching fire!" She retaliated in a jokingly manner.

Hudson just laughed at her and then listened to the radio as they announced the positions of the racers as they rounded their fourth lap. Junior was in first place. Hudson and Louise gave a quick cheer, then Hudson looked back at Lou.

"You know, I had a medical issue that kept me out of the race, I mean, why didn't you just try and talk your manager into letting you race?"

"He was really firm with his decision, Hudson. It wouldn't have been a good idea."

"I mean, did you even try to argue with him?"

"Hudson, it doesn't matter at this point, and no, I didn't feel like starting a fight. He already hates me because I'm a woman out on the racetrack. I don't need him hating me more."

"So that was the best you could do? Just sit there and take it?" He laughed a little.

"Yeah, that's what I did," she said firmly, hoping Hudson would drop it.

Hudson laughed some more, still in a joking mood. "Come on Louise, you should've done something about it like you could have just stood up for yourself and actually made your mark."

"There's a time and a place for that. This was neither of those. Haven't I made my mark already, being the first lady to race in the Piston Cup races?"

"I would have expected you to be all tough and, well, unleash your inner 'Barnstormer' on him," Hudson laughed out loud. "But maybe I shouldn't have had such high expectations. I guess the women's opinions don't matter around here anyway." He shrugged.

Louise stopped everything she was doing and looked at him. "Excuse me?" She asked fiercely. "What did you just say?" She walked slowly over to Hudson, tilting her head ever so slightly.

Hudson teased, "Come on, don't get angry with me, 'Barnstormer.'"

"Don't you ever call me that, and don't you EVER say such words to a woman!"

"Come on Lou, I was just joking," Hudson back-peddled "I mean, you would've stood up for yourself if it wasn't for the manager, and your opinion matters, and I know you would have—"

"—And would that have exceeded your expectations?" She snapped at him. "What am I? Trash? Not good enough to you or any of the other boys around here?" She raised a hand in defense, ready to strike a quick slap on Hudson's face, but she found herself quickly hesitating. Hudson flinched in defense, as Louise's hand began to shake.

"Lou…?" Hudson asked softly.

Louise's eyes began to fill with tears, and she quietly lowered her hand. "I'll never be as good as you guys, that's just how it is around here. Whatever I say won't even matter, and whatever I do doesn't seem to matter either, no matter how hard I try…I-I think I'm going to leave now." Louise grabbed her things and opened the door to the trailer again. "Lunch is on the counter, and I hope it exceeds your highest expectations for what a woman could cook. I think it tastes good, but then again, 'my opinion doesn't matter in the end…'" The young woman closed the door and left.

Hudson didn't even have a chance to say anything. Seriously, what was he thinking, even joking to Louise like that?

Was that smart? No.

Was I being stupid? Yes.

Does her opinion matter? Of course.

Hudson ran a hand down his face and sighed. He had some thinking to do, and later, some explaining as well.