Thanks to everybody who have read and reviewed this story, I appreciate all you've done.
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Chapter Nine - Relationships
Velosity strode towards her pit, wondering just why the young woman from the Acrobatic Team had been so rude to her. "She sure hates Dad. What did he ever do to her?" she wondered. She shook her head, there was no figuring out some people.
She smiled as she saw her grandparents standing by the Mach Five, broad smiles on their faces. As she walked towards them, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye, light reflecting off something metallic. "Huh?" she asked, looking towards a stand of shade trees and low-lying bushes. Upon seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she shrugged and continued on to her pit.
"Whew!" The young photographer, wiped her brow. "I thought for sure she'd seen me. Can't let that happen...not yet." She retreated even farther into the shadows. "Gotta be more careful." She squatted down and continued taking shot after shot of her target.
"Velosity!" Mom Racer called out as her granddaughter approached them.
"Hi Grandma," she said, smiling as she kissed her on the cheek. "Looks like you guys beat Mom and Dad here."
"Knowing Speed, he probably had a stress attack about the Car Acrobatic Team and had to be sedated," Pops Racer muttered sarcastically.
"Now, dear...Please don't start," Mom chastised him.
"I'm not starting anything, but I know him well enough to know that he..." Pops stop short as Trixie's maroon sedan pulled into the lot. "It's about time they got here," he grumbled.
"Speed's not with them," Mom said as her daughter-in-law and the twins alighted from the car.
Velosity approached her mother. "Where's Dad?"
"He decided to ride with Spritle," Trixie explained.
"Oh boy," Los said with a giggle, "that's gonna be one interesting ride!"
---
Speed sat, seething, in the passenger seat of his brother's classic Mustang convertible waiting for said brother to exit the 7-11. "How many freaking times does he have to stop for food?" he wondered, annoyed.
He straightened slightly as Spritle emerged from the convenience store, a large coffee in one hand, a Slurpee in the other and a paper bag gripped between his teeth.
"It's about time!" Speed groused as his brother plopped himself into the cockpit of the Mustang.
Spritle dropped the bag on his lap. "Hey, there was a line. Plus I had to wait for the guy to nuke my hot dog."
"You're eating a hot dog this early in the morning?" Speed asked in disgust.
"Sure, why not? But don't think I forgot about you," Spritle motioned to the drinks which he'd somehow managed to balance on the dashboard.
Speed reached for the coffee. "Thanks."
His brother slapped his hand away. "The coffee's mine, it has cream and sugar, I know you only drink yours black. The Slurpee is for you."
The elder Racer reluctantly took the drink. "A Slurpee... I haven't drunk one of these since I was a kid..."
"Yeah, a million years ago, or so it seems,' Spritle joked.
"I grew up. I'm an adult now which is something you know nothing about," Speed commented dryly.
"I know all about being an adult, but I also know how to enjoy life," Spritle volleyed back.
Speed turned away knowing that his brother was right. But Spritle didn't understand, he didn't have the responsibilities that went along with being a husband and a father. "You don't get it..." he said with a sigh.
"No, I don't and I hope I never do."
Speed slammed his fist on the on the side of the door. "Dammit, Spritle! Why do you always have to say stuff to piss me off?" He pulled himself forward, gripping the dashboard.
"Calm down, will ya?" Spritle stepped on the gas slightly and Speed fell back into his seat which caused the gun to fall from his jacket. He quickly grabbed it off the floor and shoved it back in his pocket, but not before Spritle noticed it.
"Hey, are you just glad to see me or is that a gun in your pocket?" he asked, twisting the famous expression.
"It...it's nothing..."
"I wouldn't call packing heat nothing, Big Bro," Spritle sternly commented.
"I've got a license for it. Don't see what's the big deal is," Speed told him.
"You don't? Don't you think it's a bit insane to bring a gun to watch a car race?"
"You'd bring a gun too, if your child's life was in danger," Speed said grimly. "I guess you were too busy recovering from last night to watch the sports news this morning."
"Oh, I saw the news. I know all about the Car Acrobatic Team being in the race. I'm worried about Los too. But, I still don't think a gun's the answer."
"Of course you wouldn't. You're one of those anti-gun, violence-doesn't-solve-anything, types."
Spritle shrugged. "Well, it's true. Goin' in there guns ablazin' isn't the answer. Watcha gonna do, shoot up the whole damn Acrobat Team just to protect your daughter?"
Speed gave him a pointed look. "If I have to, yeah, I will."
Spritle stared at him, unable to believe what he'd just heard. He shook his head. "Geez Speed, what happened to you?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" he asked.
"You've become so...so humorless," the younger Racer explained. "Okay, so you never were a barrel of laughs, but at least you cracked a good joke once in a while."
"And now...?"
"Now you're nothing but a an old fart, a fogey, a stick in the mud."
Speed glared at him. "It's called being a grown-up...taking responsibility for somebody besides yourself. I don't have the luxury of being selfish, like you."
"No... you're too busy playing the martyr. 'Oh... pity me, poor Speedy! My life's sooo tough. I was in a crash... can't race anymore. Oh, woe is me!' It's sickening. You can't even see how good you have it because you're too busy whining about how miserable you are."
"Yeah, right, anything you say..." Speed turned away from him and stared out the window.
"There you go, into denial mode again. Dammit Speed, you're lucky, so freakin' lucky! You've got a wonderful, supportive wife, who has stood by you through thick and thin. Not to mention, she's very easy on the eyes... Three incredible kids. One of whom admires and loves you so much that she's following in your footsteps. Geez Speed, I'd give anything to have what you have. You're lucky...LUCKY!"
Speed didn't answer him. He knew in his heart that his brother was right, but he couldn't let go of the past, couldn't accept the life he now had. "Can we get going? We're late enough as it is," he said in an attempt to drop the subject.
"No problem," Spritle answered as he put the car in gear and sped off. He knew it was a lost cause to keep up that particular conversation with his brother.
They drove away, Spritle singing happily to the Bob Marley song on his CD player, Speed next to him, a scowl on his face.
"Do you have to play this crap?" he asked. "I wanna listen the news station."
Spritle shook his head, Speed was even more of a dud than his old man. "Aw, lighten up..." He turned the volume higher.
Speed grimaced. "Wonderful...just wonderful..."
They road along in silence.
"Whoa! Check that out!" Spritle slowed the car as they came upon two young women jogging along the side of the road. "Hey!" he called out as he pulled beside them.
Speed slumped low in his seat. "I can't believe you. We're late enough as it is."
Spritle ignored him. "So ladies, how ya doin'?" he asked smiling.
"Great! How are you?" the closest one to him, a tall red-head said.
"Fine, now that I've set my eyes on the pure beauty that is you," Spritle's fluttered his thick-lashed dark eyes.
"Oh, brother..." Speed murmured.
The other jogger, a comely brunette, grinned. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"
"I try," Spritle replied.
"I'll never get to the track..." Speed continued his complaining.
"Chill out, Speed," Spritle hissed.
"Speed?" the red-headed asked, "As in Speed Racer?"
Speed smiled sheepishly at the girls. "Uh...Yeah, that's me."
"Wow! I can't believe it! And you're even cuter in person!" the brunette gushed. "Please Mr. Racer, can I have an autograph?"
"Me, too!" the brunette chimed in.
"Sure!" Speed now sat up, basking in the glow of the obvious adoration. He took a pen from his pocket and ripped a couple of pieces from the paper bag.
Spritle watched, amazed at how Speed had the girls eating out of his hand. "Damn, does he still got it, or what?" he thought in wondrous admiration of his older brother.
The red-head gazed lustfully at Speed as he handed her the autographed piece of paper. "Oh... Thank you, Mr. Racer."
"You're welcome, and please call me Speed," he said; a beaming smile on his face.
"Oh yes... yes, Speed..."
He gave the other young woman his autograph. "It's been a pleasure ladies. Now if you'll excuse me, my brother and I have to go."
The girls nodded, giggling madly. "Okay, thanks again...Speedy," the red-head winked and blew him a kiss..
Speed returned the wink. "Let's go," he said to Spritle as they watched the women jog away from them.
"You're a dirty old man," Spritle insinuated. "Those girls were young enough to be your daughters!"
"Get your mind out of the gutter. I was just being courteous. Do you really think I find girls that age attractive?"
"You? Of course not, what was I thinking?" Spritle smacked himself in the head. "I forgot that you're old and decrepit. I don't even think Viagra can help a man of your advanced years!"
"Ha! Whippersnapper, if I wanted those chicks I coulda had 'em," Speed shot back.
Both men burst out laughing. "Yeah, right. Face it big bro, those ladies are out of both our leagues."
"Yours maybe... But, not mine!" Speed took the hat off Spritle's head and whacked him with it.
Spritle laughed even harder as he reached into the back seat for Speed's hat and set it on his head, giving it a hard smack that caused the hula girl to wiggle. "Now, that's the kind of chick that would find you attractive, a plastic one!" he said, motioning to the hat.
"Better than the girls you go with, made of rubber and all ready to blow up!" Speed chortled.
"Hmpf! Once again, you've wounded me!" Spritle placed his hand on his heart. "I'm tellin' Mom! She's gonna ground you when she finds out you're teasin' me!"
"Good grief!" an exasperated Speed exclaimed. "Just put the damn car in gear and get me the track!"
"Sure thing, Big Bro." Spritle pulled the car back onto the road. "I think we need some mood music..." He put a new CD in the player, Bobby McFerin's voice warbled through the speakers.
"Here's a little song, I wrote I might want to sing it note for note don't worry, be happy..."
"Oh God, not this!" Speed put his hands over his ears.
"Aw, you love this stuff, admit it!" Spritle said, "I know you only listen to those boring, old news stations so that people will think you're smart."
"Well, somebody in this family has to give that impression!"
"Anything you say, Speedy!"
The car sped down the road with the Racer brothers singing very off-key.
---
Velosity stood with Pops by the Mach Five, she scanned the entrance to the track every few minutes, starting to feel irritated at her father for being so late. She didn't say anything to her grandfather, though, as it would just fuel his anger and cause another fight between her dad and him.
"Irresponsible! That's what he is, irresponsible!" Pops Racer railed.
"Grandpops, don't blame Daddy. He's not the one's who's driving," Los scolded him.
"Doesn't matter, he's still irresponsible. He should know better than to trust that idiot brother of his to get him here on time. He should've come with his wife and sons instead."
Los was lost for a response and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Spritle's Mustang pull through the entrance. "They're here, Grandpops."
"It's about freakin' time!" he growled.
Los grabbed his arm. "Please don't say anything to get Dad anymore upset than he already is. He's so worried about the Car Acrobatic Team racing today."
Pops nodded, he couldn't disappoint his granddaughter. "For you, okay, I'll make every effort to control my temper."
Los kissed him on cheek. "Thanks, Grandpops. I love you."
"Love you, too, Sweetheart," he said with a smile. Velosity had him wrapped around her finger. "What in the world?" Pops asked as his sons approached him. Speed was wearing a Hawaiian shirt that he'd taken from the pile of clothes in the back seat the Mustang. It was three sizes too large for him. He also had on sunglasses and the hula girl hat. Both men were singing a rousing chorus of Ninety- Nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall.
"Good lord, they're drunk!" the eldest Racer exclaimed.
"Hey, Pops!" Spritle chirped cheerfully as he wrapped his huge arms around him in a bear hug.
Pops squirmed from his grasp. "What the hell is wrong with you? Drinking this early in the day, not to mention that your brother isn't supposed to touch alcohol!"
"Relax Pops, we're both sober as judges. We're just havin' a little fun, that's all."
"Yeah, Pops, lighten up," Speed said with a grin as he placed the hula girl hat on his father's head.
Enraged, Pops grabbed the hat, threw it to the ground and stomped on it. "Good grief, Speed! Your daughter is going to be in her first race at this level today. Not only that, but those Acrobat nuts have vowed to avenge you for defeating them twenty years ago. You don't even care that Los' life is in danger!"
Speed sighed as he removed the colorful shirt and retrieved the hat from the ground. "Here," he said as he handed the shirt and hat to his brother. He turned back to his father. "I care more than you'll ever know, Pops." He stuck his hand in his jacket pocket and felt the cold steel of his gun, and the black hatred bubbling just beneath the surface of his being. "Capt. Terror won't get within fifty yards of my daughter, I'll see to that."
"You'd better," Pops rumbled menacingly. "I don't want those bastards to put my granddaughter through the same hell as they put you through."
"You don't have to worry about that," he said in a deadly serious tone. Memories of his temporary blindness flashed through his mind. He touched his eyes, wondering if his needing glasses now were a direct result of damage to them. "Stop being so ridiculous, you're just getting older," he reminded himself.
Velosity had stayed on the sidelines during the exchange between her grandfather and his sons. Noting a lull in the conversation, she moved closer to her father. "Don't worry about me, Dad, I'll be able to handle anything that comes my way."
Speed smiled. "I know you will honey, but I'm still going to worry about you. It's part of my job as a dad."
"Yeah, I guess it is," she said smiling. "You know, I think Grandpops was worried that you weren't going to show up."
"What? Like I'd miss my only daughter's first big race!" he said incredulously.
"Well, I knew you'd make it Daddy," she said, hugging him.
"Huh, don't say anything about this," Speed whispered conspiratorially, "but I think the old man has finally gone off his rocker."
Los giggled. "Oh, Dad!"
His expression became one of bewilderment as he noticed her new hairstyle for the first time. "So...What's this?" he motioned at her shorn locks.
"Like it?" she asked. "Judy's mom cut it this morning. I needed something that would be easy to take care of now that I'm a professional racer."
"It looks nice," Speed said, though there was an ache in his heart that this last vestige of his daughter's childhood was now gone. "You had really long hair, what did you do with it after it was cut?"
"I donated it to a charity that makes wigs for people on chemotherapy," she replied.
"Sweetheart, that was a very kind thing to do. I'm proud of you," he said. "I'm sure that they'll make good use of all that hair of yours."
They slowly walked towards the pit, Pops and Spritle trailing behind. Speed had to laugh, he was sure Spritle was chewing the old man's ear off about whatever nonsense was on his mind at the moment. "Sucks to be you right now, Pops," he said to himself.
---
Torturina Terror watched the scene that just taken place, she felt the bile rise in her throat, "My, my, my isn't that sweet? Speed Racer's little girl is about to drive in her first race, and there he is wishing her luck. She's going to need it, because her first race is also going to be her last!"
Captain Terror stood next to his daughter. "See something interesting?"
"Just watching a tender exchange between Speed and Velosity Racer. Disgusting!" Torturina shook her head, it was sickening the way Speed Racer fawned over his daughter.
"But that's a good thing my dear. You see, Speed cares too much, his love for his family will be his downfall. All that love makes him a weak man."
"Love always makes a man weak, which is why we woman have so much control over you men," Torturina smirked at her father She'd seen what his love of a woman had done to him. How when her mother left it nearly killed him. Talk about weak... Her father really was among the weakest. Of course, his obsession with getting revenge on the man who had beaten the Car Acrobatic team had driven away the very woman he loved, broken apart the foundation of their marriage. When he finally realized it, it was too late; her mother had left him. Stupid fool.
Torturina would never let love get in the way of her goal of being the greatest racer in the world. No man would ever come between her and her dream. She would be the best someday, men be damned. Especially the man named Speed Racer. Since her father was a shell of the person he once was, it was up to her to carry out his plan of revenge on Speed. Nothing would bring her more joy than destroying the man who had ruined her father's life. For it was Speed Racer's fault, she knew. Oh, but Speed had retired from racing. Well, if she couldn't get him, she would destroy the next best thing, his daughter. That would be even more satisfying: Kill Velosity Racer, let Speed live with that for the rest of his life! Yes, her revenge would be sweet!
---
"So, I guess we're all here, right?" Sparky asked, glancing around. The immediate Racer family and the crew were in the pit. for. Velosity, who was now the star of the Go Team, stared in awe at the crowd.
"All present and accounted for...Sir!" Speed's voice tottered between ultra serious and mirthful. He drummed his fingers on a stack of tires.
Sparky grinned, he knew his best friend all too well. "You're a nervous wreck. I'd suggest coffee, but then you'd be bouncing around like a superball. "
Speed quickly shoved his hands in his pocket. "Very funny, I'm perfectly fine, as calm as can be."
The mechanic's smile widened. "Sure you are buddy and I'm the Queen of England!"
Velosity felt her own nervousness increasing. "Dad," she addressed her father, "if you don't mind, I'm going to get ready for the race."
Speed squeezed her hand. "Sure, Sweetheart. I'll be waiting for you by the Mach Five."
She nodded and headed around behind the pit towards the woman's locker room. Again, a reflection caught her eye. "What is that? I keep thinking I see something... or somebody...watching me. I sure hope Daddy's paranoia isn't catching."
---
Meanwhile, the mysterious young woman slunk forward. She found the opportunity to shoot Velosity behind a large dumpster that offered not only a decent vantage point from where to take pictures, but a perfect hiding place. Or so she thought. What she didn't know was that Speed Racer's daughter was even more curious and observant than he was.
"I know I should be getting prepared for the race, but I've got to investigate who... or what... is watching me and why they'd even waste their time." Losing track of the direction the reflecting light had come from, she went on instinct."Okay, the light originally flashed from the left, I'll head that way." Within moments she came upon the dumpster. She didn't see the girl, thanks to her camouflage outfit.
The young woman knew it was only moments before she'd be caught. Rather than be taken by surprise and risk the chance of having her camera damaged, she volunteered herself. "Hey! I think I'm the one you're looking for." She stood up, rubbing her stiff back.
Los narrowed her eyes. "Who the hell are you and why are you spying on me and my team?
The young woman couldn't help but smile. "You look so much like your father."
Los' anger could barely be controlled. Who was this interloper and how did she know her dad? "My father? Okay," she snarled, "You're coming with me."
She grabbed the girl by the arm. "Hey, let me go!" she cried.
"Shut up!" Velosity dragged the struggling young woman to her pit. "Since you're such good friends with my father, you can explain to him what you were doing!"
The girl attempted to free herself. The last time she had seen Speed or any member of his family was at the twins' Christening, nearly twelve years ago, would any of them even remember her?
Spritle was the first to notice Velosity and her prisoner. He placed his hands on his hips. "Hmmm... Looks like Los has found a new friend."
"Huh?" Speed asked before casting his gaze towards the two young woman. He quickly ran to his daughter. "Los? What's going on?"
"Dad, this...this...person was spying on us!"
"Not the whole team, just you," the girl explained in a rather dry voice.
Speed descended upon her. "What do you mean by that? If you attempt to touch even one hair on my daughter's head, I'll..." He posed with his fists up, ready for a fight. He was so enraged at this point that he didn't care that she was a woman half his size.
The girl raised her hands. "Whoa! Calm down!" She removed her baseball cap and blonde locks fell about her face. Her pale blue orbs gazed up at him. "Hi Speed, long time no see, huh?" she said rather contritely.
Speed backed up a few steps as a spark of recognition hit him. "Delicia Lamster?" he exclaimed.
The rest of the team exchanged glances. She was the last person on Earth they ever expected to see.
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Delicia Lamster...Does anybody remember that name? No? Yes? Either way, I'm hoping you'll be pleasantly surprised in the next chapter.
Please read and review all the wonderful Speed Racer stories.
Thanks to all my loyal readers/reviewers, I appreciate your commitment to my stories. I really am trying to update in a more timely fashion. It's been a rough road for my husband and me these past few months, but hopefully, it's going to get better and I'll have more time to devote to my stories.
