"So as you see, this place is absolutely adorable. And the view is something I was told you might like the most." Said the real estate lady. Sally looked off the balcony at the view. Just the beach, which was nice, but.. "Thanks.. But.. This is like the fourth house I've seen today.. I have a lot to consider." "Oh of course! I understand. But before you go, let me show you the most fun feature of this place." "Sure." agreed Sally.
She followed the woman to the kitchen where she was shown a little slip and slide down a cabinet that lead to the next level. "Oh.. Guess the kids would love that." Sally admitted. The lady nodded in agreement. Sally thanked her and went on her way to grab some coffee from a small shop she saw on the way here.
Once she ordered, got her drink, and sat down. Sally took out her phone and pulled up Lightning's name. She hesitated sense it had seemed like decades sense they last talked. She still hadn't filed the papers and the deadline was running out on them. She only had about a week before she would have to get new ones signed and dated and that would only be a mess. She dialed his number and it rang.
It rang.. and rang.. and went to voicemail. Whether he was busy, or sleeping.. Or ignoring her was unknown. So for now, Sally sent out a quick text to at least warn Lightning of the medication Ben talked about.
Sally
Hey Lightning.. I talked to a doctor yesterday and you are suppose to get a scan done once a year and I don't think you have at all.. Was asked if you were still taking something called G. Etc.. Might have a few negative side effects that a doctor will want to talk to you about. It might be nice to know you are okay?.. If you can at the least text me...
Cal got onto the computer and stared typing away at the keyboard. Megan passed by and could hear it and laughed asking "What you doing there? Writing a book?" As she leaned in closer and saw the search. "Your medication? Are you feeling funny again?" She asked with concern. Cal shook his head answering. "No, not that I know of, but look at this." He scrolled down a bit, reading aloud, "New research shows long term effects of G. etc, also known at the G, leveled out ecstasy drug Etc, is a sedative hypnotic, prescribed to some patients before major surgeries and patients after comatose states and or head injury, might be slowing and altering the healing process of the brain and nerves damaged. Causing belated side effects that alter not only personality, but have some adverse effects that can be deadly later on when taken at a prescription level.
The drug commonly used and prescribed for a minimum of four years after a major accident and maximum of ten years in some severe cases, is suppose to help with healing and head aches, preventing severe insomnia, seizures. The warning label already says that this is a 2 drug type, meaning it has potential for physical and phycolla-bla bla abuse.. Can make the person taking it feel dependent on the drug.. I already know that.. But here, see, Normal and common side effects include Drowsiness, head aches ironically.. Hypertension, nausea and rashes on the skin. New studies are finding that long term use of the drug is causing some patients to return to their doctors with the following effects of severely slowed breathing, coma, confusion, fainting, hallucinations and severe nightmares leading to a lack of sleep and temporary breathing cessation.. Gosh.. And I'm taking this?" He asked. Megan nodded "Have been for a few years Cal.."
Cal sighed and continued, "Some patients have been diagnosed with diseases from the long term use of the drug, such as white blood cell infections, reddening of the skin and inflammatory skin disease, liver injury, enlarged red blood cells and b-12 deficiency, cancer and body wide allergic reactions.. These effects are not normal and have not shown until later on after long term use of G. Etc ..." "Cal, you're worrying me.. What's going on?"
Cal shrugged answering. "Well, for one thing, I'm calling my doctor. I don't want to be on this crap!" Megan forced Cal to look at her and asked again "What is going on?" Cal sighed explaining "This is one of the drugs that the official rules allow racers to take and to return to racing while taking it." "Okay?" "It's not just me.. Lightnin is probably on it to and Jackson and many, many, others.. Nascar is going to be sued.. Like.. By hundreds of racers. Not only that.. The compensations of deaths, due to possibly this drug and race accidents.. I mean.. I've had four comas in racing accidents.. And cancer.. That's crazy and.. I started the drug after.. The second hit? This drug could have effected my racing and aided in the other comas and cancer.. Aided in so many things with other racers lives and Lightnin now."
"It's a hard drug to ween Cal.. You can't just stop taking it.." Megan whispered. Cal nodded. "I know, I know.. I'll call my doctor, but in the mean time.. I want to see Lightnin and see what he thinks about this drug." Megan nodded and agreed. "Be careful Cal. You said Lightning isn't himself." "I'll be fine." He assured and kissed her before leaving...
Cal knocked on Lightning's door hard. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK, Loud. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK Over and Over. KNOCK, KNOCK!
Lightning opened the door snapping "WHAT!?" Cal's eyes widened. "Sorry.." He apologized. "Are you still taking G. Etc?" Cal asked. Lightning shrugged answering "I don't know? Why?" "Could be part of why you are so.. Mean..." Not sure how else to word it on the spot. Lightning sighed replying "Yeah, moodiness is a side effect of every single drug in the book Cal." Cal glared and pulled up the article he read to Megan earlier on his phone and showed Lightning.
"Here.. Read over this." "Cal.." Lightning whined. "Just read it!" Cal snapped! Lightning took the phone and scimmed over the article then looked at Cal with that face that meant something clicked. "I'm calling my doctor and you should probably do the same." Warned Cal. Lightning stared saying "You realize if Racers catch on to this than"-"Nascar is dead? Yeah." Lightning handed the phone back. Cal then asked "What are you doin anymore Light?.. With Cleo?"
Lightning sighed and thought a moment before answering with a shrug. "I don't know Cal.. I don't even care anymore what happens.. Cleo can have whatever she wants from me." "You're going to play along?" Asked Cal. Lightning shook his head correcting. "No.. I just give up." Then thanked him for coming to him about the drug. He began to head back inside, b ut Cal stopped him saying "What about racing?.. If the sport gets suspended due to health of the racers.. Most schools will be shut down. What about you and the academy? You'll have a lot of racers coming to you for help being THE Lightning McQueen." "The academy is Cleo's now." "WHAT!? Why?" "Because she wins Cal! She always wins! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!" Lightning yelled then slammed the door in Cal's face! He just wanted to be alone and didn't want to be around anyone anymore.
Lightning sighed and thought about that, but honestly. He didn't even care if part of all of this was just side effects. He was fine with it. At this point, he was fine with dying. Death would be nothing, but a blessing at this point in his life. Now he wasn't going to go kill himself, but say if he were to die, he didn't care anymore. He walked into the living room and sat down in a chair and stared at his phone. He had been ignoring everyone.
He decided to at least see what was going on. Missed texts and calls.. Sally and Cruz really. Cruz.. Crap.. He told her he would call her in a few days and it had been a few days. He pulled up her name and called her back. (Finally)
Hey!.. I.. I'm glad you called. Was getting worried you might not like.. Ever.
"Yeah.. Um.. How is the pregnancy?"
So far, so good. I got to find out the gender a while ago. Did you?.. Want to know?..
"If you want to tell me, go ahead."
Well.. Why don't you come here to Florida? You can stay with me. I'm at the house you got me and we can go to the race this weekend together and have dinner and I can tell you the gender then? Gosh, I'm so glad the race was in Daytona this weekend. Makes traveling so much easier for me.
"I have work..."
You do?.. Oh.. Well.. Okay. Right, you're right. Don't worry about it. Um.. It's a girl.. She's healthy so far and growing.
"That's good. I'm glad.. You are okay to, right? Taking care of yourself?"
Yes, for sure!
"And you are going to quit racing for the rest of the season here soon. Right? Daytona is a bad track.."
Yeah.. Although.. I'm not sure I'll go back after this one. I want to be a racer, but.. I want to be a better Mother to my baby.. Our baby..
"You can keep racing if you want to because I'll be around. I'll help."
So you will be involved?
"Yeah. It's our baby, right?"
Yeah. I wish you'd come down here.. With me.. I have been getting sick this last week. Like a lot! Oh wow.. I wonder what I'll tell Miguel.. With his Dad never around and you will be.. Hmm.
"Yeah.. I don't know.. I'll think about coming down. I'll call you later.. Maybe.. Soon. Bye Cruz."
He hung up, not giving her a chance to say anything much else. Besides, he needed yo get dressed and head to the academy and rab anything he wanted to keep for himself sense he was going to sell to the higher companies...
Sally set Colton down for a nap with his siblings then went to ask her Father for a huge favor. "Hey Dad.." "Hey baby. Find a place yet?" asked Carson. Sally shook her head answering "NO, not yet.. Um.. Could I ask you for a HUGE favor?" "Um.. Maybe, what is it?" He asked. Sally sighed then asked "Can you watch the kids for a few days.." "A few days?" "Like a week maybe?.." Carson's eyes widened. "Why? What's going on?"
"Well... I have some things in Radiator Springs to finish up and selling the house is one of them. Have a family coming to look at it this week. Um.. I don't want to keep pushing away, but it would be hard for me to travel back and fourth with the kids over and over.." "Can't you do any unfinished business over the computer or phone?" He asked. Sally sighed with a frown answering "I can some, but not all of it. Look, can you or not? If not, it's fine. I'll just take the kids back and fourth with me."
Carson shook his head replying. "No, no. I don't want you doing that. It would just be more stressful for them. They don't need that.. Will they be alright away from you that long though?" He asked. Sally nodded then explained. "Yeah. Ece is the only one I'd be worried about and it's only because she is a tad clingy." Carson nodded, thinking. "Um.. Sure, I can. But.. You aren't running back to Lightning? Are you?" Sally shook her head.
"Nope." She answered. "Just some business to take care of Dad." She explained. Carson nodded saying. "Alright. Sounds alright with me. Just make sure you write down anything I should know. I want to avoid as many fits as possible during that time." Sally giggled at that. "Of course Dad. Thanks. Really. You've been helping me out so much during all of this." "well, you're my daughter Sally. I'd do anything for you." Sally snickered with a smile to that.
"Actually Dad... I.. I haven't filed the papers yet.." ""Papers?" Asked Carson. Sally hesitated and then it clicked. "You haven't filed the divorce or restraining order!? Seriously!?" He snapped! "It's hard Dad!" Sally cried out! Carson slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand. "Just.. Where are they? I'll file them for you." "No. I mean.. I don't know if I want to Dad.." "Why?" Asked Carson. Sally had to think of something. "Because of G. Etc!" She shouted.
Carson raised a brow in confusion. "Because of what now?" He asked. Truthfully, sally just blurted that because it was the only legal and logical thing she could think of that she could slide past her Father at this moment. "Um.. G. Etc.. It's a drug that.. Lightning an many other racers have been on after major accidents and.. It causes.. Late... Problems..." "What are you talking about?" Asked Carson as he crossed his arms and lowered his brows.
Sally was trying to think. She really didn't know what she was even talking about. "I was talking to Ben and it might have um.. Changed Lightning's personality and healed his brain.. Wrong?.." She sounded crazy. Carson glared at his daughter a moment before letting out a sigh and replying. "Sally... I know you love Lightning.. But.." "NO DAD! It's true! Ben told me over the phone that it's not just Lightning, that other people who have taken it are having problems to." Now it had Carson's attention. Medical lawsuits were a lawyer's bread and butter.
"Really?" Asked Carson. Sally nodded. Carson thought a moment then asked what the drug was called again. "Can you keep the kids for the week or not?" Sally asked again. Carson nodded answering "Yeah. Yeah, you go take care of your business. Just if I call needing you, you better get back here pronto." He warned. Sally nodded agreeing to his terms. Little did Carson know, that Sally had much more dangerous plans in mind...
Lightning played with a pen in his hand. Thinking about the academy and why he started it to begin with. Such a shame. And how DARE Cleo want to destroy the dirt track! The track Lightning had raced Doc so many times. Lightning walked over to the balcony and stared out at the track. He let out a sigh. "Oh Doc... What do I do?... I've fucked up so much these last couple years... I.. I ruined my marriage and hurt other people.. Ruined racing. No one wants to race for the love of the sport anymore.. Okay, so.. That's not quite true, but.. I hurt another racer.. Bad.. I sound crazy.. I'm talking to myself!" Lightning yelled then punched the side of the building!
Regretting that fast as he held his fist. "FUCK!.." He shouted! Possibly broke his hand now. "God dammit, FUCKING, MOTHER! GAHHHH!" He yelled. He then went inside and kicked the side tyre of the Bolt! "FUCK YOU!" He yelled! Taking the nearest thing, helmet from a shelf and throwing it at the Bolt! "FUCK RACING!" He yelled! Grabbing a trophy and hitting the windshield with it over and over and over until it cracked hard enough the trophy got stuck in it! "FUCK! EVERY! SINGLE! MOTHER! FUCKING! RACING THING! OUT THERE!" Grabbing the picture of himself and the Rusteze team and throwing it at the car! Glass shattered! "FUCK!" He screamed and took the steering wheel out of the Bolt and tossed it off the balcony! "THERE! FUCK YOU!" HE yelled! Not even sure who he was even yelling at. The wheel hit the dirt and rolled a bit. Lightning panting and breathing heavy from his little fit and staring out at the track.
He calmed down, holding his hurt hand. Shaking, trembling a bit. He should go to the clinic at this point. And maybe Cal was right.. What if after the crash he just never healed right. He lost himself after that crash and never truly came back. And know what he needed? Sally.. Sally was always there to help him in these times and without her.. The anger only got worst. The emotions hurt more, spreading like a disease in his heart. Making him angry and vulnerable.
BBBbbzzzz.
His phone buzed. The email. The email he had been waiting for. Telling him how much he could sell the academy for and be done with all of this finally. Sell the academy, leave town and.. Well, Cruz. He sighed. He lost Sally and the kids he had with her at this point. That didn't mean he had to lose his child with Cruz to. Lightning didn't want to. But he opened the email and even after seeing the low ball of a number they gave him, accepted. He hated that he did it, but he did. And it was over. He lost Sally.. Lost his kids.. Had no academy.. He was pretty close to free.
"Why do you seem so happy?" Asked Cleo suddenly. Lightning turned and looked at her. His expression changing fast. Cleo sat down in his chair and asked "So.. Did you make your decision on the academy?" Lightning nodded answering "Sold it. You can buy it from them now if you want." Cleo giggled and placed her feet on his desk. "Nice. I'm sure Doctor Hudson would love the mall and parking lot." Lightning hated this woman, but whatever. It was over.
"It's over Cleo. You got what you wanted.. You won the game." He replied. Cleo snickered and shrugged. "I won the game a while back Daddy. Thanks for playing." She smirked. Lightning shook his head and announced. "Guess I won't be seeing you. I'm selling the house and moving." as he headed to the door. "Oh no you're not. You are going to help me run this new establishment." Cleo laughed proudly. Lightning stopped and stared at Cleo.
"OR I can upload the tape of you and Cruz?" She reminded kindly. Lightning sighed and began thinking quick. What was he to do? Just let the tape get out?! "Oh.. And.. Funny how you recorded the little meeting with me here and with academy equipment.. Because legally, that means it's mine, and.. If you don't hand it over by tonight.. I'm pressing charges on you."
Lightning stared at her. She was smart. To dam smart for him. Lightning panicked inside. He lost and was under her entire control. "You don't need me Cleo.. Please.." He begged. Cleo laughed seeing the pathetic-ness in his eyes and hearing it in his tone of voice. "OH my gosh.. Now THERE is the Lightning McQueen I love. The one who just gives up. FINALLY!" She smiled proudly.
Lightning frowned and truly had given up. He had nothing left to fight for. Cleo held out her hand and ordered. "Hand it over Daddy.." Lightning was stuck. He'd lose in court. Cleo probably had more than just the tape on him. He sighed and admitted "The tape is here.. In the lobby.. Hidden in the vent above the front desk.." "Sneaky... Nice." Complimented Cleo.
"Go get it and bring it to me.." She ordered. Lightning couldn't think of any ideas out of this. He nodded and walked down, getting the tape and returning a few minutes later. He walked up and handed it to Cleo. "Good boy.." She said with a smile.
"Now come closer.." She lured. Lightning sighed and stepped closer, looking down at Cleo who was still sitting in his office chair. She stood up, wrapping her arms over his shoulders and looking into his eyes. "You won't give me any trouble now... Will you?" She asked. Lightning was broken. Truly no fight to give.
He shook his head answering "No..." Quietly. Cleo smiled, running her finger up and through his darkening golden blonde hair. Caressing his cheeks that felt a little rough with the facial hair stubble. She ran her thumb over his lips gently, biting her lips as she did. Lightning looked away, still standing there.
"Now, now.. Look at me." She snapped, forcing Lightning to look at smiled a little. "I would be very afraid if I were you.. Once you lose value to me.. You are just trash.." She warned. Lightning swallowed nervously and nodded. Really not sure what she meant entirely by that.
She wrapped her hand around his throat and kissed him softly. He didn't pull away in protest. Just let her do with him as she pleased. "How's it feel?.." She whispered against his lips. "To lose everything.. Just like you did to me..." She hissed. Lightning looked up at her and stepped back a few steps. Cleo let him and smiled, crossing her arms. "That's right. All of this was pure revenge. For throwing me in jail.. Ruining my rep.. Taking my kids from me.. Now you are in my shoes.. Driving everyone who cared away Lightning." She was so proud of herself.
Lightning thought about everything that had happened and.. Cleo was right.. She really won. "Tomorrow, I want you here and I want you to help me get rid of all the racing gear around here. Gotta clean the place out. Okay? Be here early. Might even have a little fun while we're at it." She teased. "Go." She shooed him away, Lightning sighed and agreed then left back to his place. He didn't even care if he was her slave at this point. He was done fighting anymore. He had nothing left anyway...
Lightning cleaned up some stuff along inside the office when the door opened near the front. He looked over and glared. Just Cleo.. "Great... What do you want now?" He asked in a growl. Cleo walked over asking "Now is that ANY way to treat me baby?" "Baby? Hey, we are NOT a thing." Lightning scolded. Cleo giggled replying "Thatkiss yesterday sure said something different." Lightning shook his head and continued picking up gear that was all busted and tossing it into the large trash cans.
Cleo watched a moment then asked "You know... If you want to take me to lunch, you could have a break." Lightning glared at her replying "No thanks. I'm not even hungry." Cleo snickered at that and just watched Lightning clean. "Fine. I'll just play on my phone and watch you clean." She said. Lightning sighed and grabbed a broom. Sweeping up more and more busted up junk and parts and dumping it into the trash cans...
Sally wrapped the minimizing wrap around her breasts to hide them under her clothes. She took the scissors and hesitated her next move. Cutting her hair short.. Really short again. She stared at herself in the mirror then with one deep breath, she cut it. Cut it to a funky bob then took the electric razor and shaved it down even more. She didn't care anyway. It would make this easier and then she had less to deal with.
She filled the tub with water and a dark black dye. Making sure it was well stored before grabbing the old race suit she picked up. A baggie one so her body would be well hidden. She plunged it into the dyed water, dying it blacktop further conceal her shape. She wasn't sure about how this plan would go..But she had to try to get Lightning to realize he wanted to be sho he was. Get him back in a car, driving over one hundred miles an hour and risking, pushing.. But he wouldn't do it with her. So Sally had to trick him into thinking she was a nobody to even try...
Jackson tapped his foot aggressively fast. Non stop as he sat and thought of the choices he had. Or Cleo.. Cleo did offer to call the doctor who had originally done this to him. It was definitely in the back of Jackson's mind. But no.. This was Cleo. He couldn't trust her and he could never see her coming...
The following day, cleaning continued of the academy. Cleo finished her nails and proudly announced it. "There! All done!" She smiled. Lightning rolled his eyes and added. "So am I. Entire lower half of the academy is cleaned out. Well, except for the cars.." he admitted. Cleo sighed saying "Yes... We'll have to do something about all these old race cars huh.." she pondered in thought. "What to do... What to do?... They really are nothing but peices of junk." She snarled rudely. Lightning didn't say anything surprisingly.
"I'm hungry. Want to come to grab a bite with me or stay and clean the upper half?" Asked Cleo. Lightning snickered answering "I'll stay and clean." "Fine.. lock up when you're done sweetie.." she teased and walked out. Lightning hated this woman and now wondered about fighting her, but.. He frowned. Why bother.. What did he have to fight for and he had no fight in him really.
Back to cleaning, Lightning grabbed some trash cans and took one by one up to the next floor. He went back down to grab some trash bags when he noticed a strange racer at the entrance door. Lightning stared a moment curiously. Small in size. Must be a younger racer. Perhaps a student even. Had on a black race suit, older style and fit, boots, gloves, and a black tinted race helmet. Lightning sighed and called "The academy isn't open to students.. You'll need to go some place else." The kid stood there, silently.
Lightning glared and continued "Look! This place isn't open to anyone! Get lost! No one races here anymore..." man.. Lightning really sounded dead inside. The young racer walked forward. Lightning slapped his forehead and yelled "WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND!? GET LOST!" The kid walked up and stared up at Lightning. Lightning stared back down into the helmet, but couldn't see inside it.. Little awkward there.
The kid lifted up some keys. Lightning stared at them, seeing the emblem of a Corvette. "So you have good taste.. Get lost kid.. I don't know what you're even looking for." The mystery racer pointed to Lightning's chest. Lightning's brows lowered. "I don't teach racing!" He snapped. The racer was still completely silent. "Do you speak!?" Lightning snapped rudely. The racer put down his hands and then seeing Lightning's keys on the desk, grabbed them. "HEY!" shouted Lightning. The racer took Lightning's hand and placed the keys in them. Lightning just stared at the racer. Little confused.
The racer walked over to one of the old Bolts, and grabbed a helmet from inside, walked back over and handed it to Lightning. Lightning held it and sighed saying "What are you looking for kid?.." the racer looked around the room. Saw one of the grand opening posters. He walked over, ripped it from the wall and ripped out a specific piece. He walked back over to Lightning and handed it to the old racer. The ripped paper said 'racing'.
Lightning stared at the kid and chuckled saying "No. I don't teach racing anymore, sorry. You came here for nothing." The kid turned back, picked up more from the poster add of Lightning McQueen's _ academy and ripped more words off then back to Lightning handed them to him. Barely. Lightning's hands were getting full. He pointed to the first word he ripped off the poster. 'Racing' then the next one 'Lightning McQueen''
Race Lightning McQueen.
Lightning sighed saying "Look, kid.. I'm flattered, but... I don't race anymore. Besides.. A Corvette is a street car.. I don't want you tearing up your car on a dumb race. Vette isn't made for dirt." The kid pointed to the back door that read Willy's butte and Drag strip. Lightning set down the helmet and ripped paper words. "The drag strip?" The kid nodded. "I don't understand.. Who are you?" Asked Lightning. The kid stepped back a step or two and shrugged. Lightning was suspicious. It was odd.
"Sorry.. I don't race." He replied and turned his back, grabbing the broom when he felt a punch to the back of his shoulder. "OW?" He snapped and looked at the kid. "Did you just hit me?" The racer said nothing. "You hit like a girl." Lightning snarled. The racer then punched Lightning in the shoulder front side. "Ow! Stop that!" Lightning whined! The kid did it again! "Hey! Cut that out!" Lightning scolded! The kid took the broom, yanking it from Lightning's hands and tossing it away. "What is wrong with you!?" Yelled Lightning. Stepping closer to the kid in a threatening manner. The kid stepped back. Lightning smiled a bit growling "That's what I thought. GET LOST KID." Then turned back around. The racer let out a sigh then left...
The kid got into the tinted vette and sat there a moment before driving off. Once out of sight of the academy, the racer pulled over and parked. She took off the helmet to breathe better. Sally panted. Mostly from her elevated heart rate. Lightning wasn't going to make this easy...
