-srry about the lateness-

"Well, 'The Murray'? Ready to see your brand new, totally improved van???" My agent, a weasel named Danny, came around the corner, a blue tooth permanently attached to his ear. I smiled, and followed him into the garage. There, my baby stood, perfectly new.

"She looks amazing! How did you do it?"

"Well, I worked my magic, and of course your little mouse friend was more then happy to help. Oh, and that little turtle guy said he would tell you all about the stuff he added." I listened, as I hopped into the driver's seat. I grabbed the wheel, immediantlly going back to that night. The last time I saw my baby…and the last time I almost saw her...

I raced down the small street, small snowflakes already starting to fall in late October. I pushed my van faster, knowing I was already late for my friends Halloween party. More importantly, Miranda would be there. Hopefully still be there, I thought. I pushed the van even faster, the needle going closer and closer to the 100 number. And then I saw the smoke.

I pulled over, and hopped out of the van. She was smoking up a storm of black smoke under the hood, making my eyes water as I opened her up. For the past few months, the many mechanics on my team said that she needed to be replaced, that she was too old, but I just ignored them. Now, on one of my more important races, she broke down.

The engine was fried beyond anything me and Penn could fix. She would need a new engine, and hopefully my agent wouldn't kill me for using her. He always hated how I would use my baby on the off-season, but he just didn't understand.

I pulled out my blackberry, and dialed a number I knew by heart; one that I had looked at written on a torn piece of napkin. She picked up in the middle of the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hey Miranda. I am really really, really…"

"Not going to make it too the party?" She said sadly as she cut me off.

"Well, you know my award winning race car? Not in such good shape at the moment…"

"Are you okay? Don't tell me you got hurt…"

"No, no. I'm fine, just unable to make it the last 50 miles…"