Another week passed. Still on the ventilator and that wasn't exactly hopeful for Sally or Cruz. Without much speaking to each other. Sally and Cruz managed to both sort of take turns being with Lightning. Passing each other in the halls of the hospital from time to time. Cruz did bring Miguel once, which did cause a bit of a fight between her and Sally. Sally convinced Cruz into taking him to the same daycare that Ece and Landon were in. It was a great daycare after all. Sally was with Lightning. Sitting and quietly reading a book in the corner of the room. Lightning still silent as ever.
The door opened with a squeak and Cruz walked in. She and Sally looked at each other. Cruz smiled awkwardly. "Sorry.. I didn't know you would be here sense it's after school hours.." Sally shut the book and sighed saying "It's fine.. My Dad went and picked up Colton.. I should probably be going anyway.." "On, no. Don't leave just because I got here.. I just came to see him.." Cruz muttered. Sally stared and thought a moment. Stay here with Cruz? Sally sighed and replied. "Okay.." And leaned back into her seat, opening her book back up.
Cruz walked up to Lightning and altered down at him. He looked so miserable like this. "Is he.. Doing any better?" Asked Cruz. Sally glanced up answering "Nothing's changed Cruz." Cruz nodded and stared at Sally and her book. "What are you uh.. Reading there?" Sally sighed as she looked back up answering "Just a book.. Why don't we try not speaking to each other, okay?" She suggested. Cruz stared awkwardly and nodded. "Okay, yeah, sure.. No talking.. Got it.." She shooshed and stared back at Lightning. Still, pretty awkward. Cruz glanced at Sally time to time before grabbing the other chair and scooted it loudly across the floor to sit next to Lightning's bed side. Sally glared at her. "Haha... Sorry." Said Cruz as she sat down in the chair. She pulled something out of her pocket and began fiddling with it in her fingers.
Sally would glance at Cruz time to time as well. So quiet, so silent, so odd. Cruz reached for Lightning's hand and held it gently. Rubbing her thumb over the top of his hand. Sally saw it. She remained silent and watched from the corner in her chair. At this point she really wasn't reading the book anymore. Just staring and watching how Cruz was with Lightning.
Sally sighed and watched Cruz jerk her hand away. That was humorous. Sally stared at her asking "What are you naming the baby?" Cruz looked back at Sally and stared a moment before answering honest. "Well.. I mean.. Lightning and I talked about a few names, but.. Never decided on anything yet." Sally nodded. "So you and Lightning talk about the baby a lot?" She asked. Cruz shrugged. "Not really.. He would always kind of push away.." She answered. Sally stared, thinking.
"Do you really think Lightning wants this baby Cruz?" Asked Sally a little rudely. Cruz stared with such a pathetic look on her face. "Well.. I.. I almost had an abortion. I was going to do it." "Than why didn't you?" Asked Sally. Cruz looked scared. Her hand brushed across her baby bump and Sally frowned apologizing. "I'm sorry.. Sometimes I just.. Hatred gets the best of me.. It's okay.. I'm glad you didn't really. I don't believe in abortion myself." She admitted. Cruz felt sick to her stomach. Not because of any pregnancy reasons, but because she was so nervous with Sally.
It was quiet. So quiet. Just the beeping from the machine and the sounds of the ventilator. Cruz bit her lips, thinking and playing with that thing in her hands. "What's that you have?" Asked Sally. Cruz glanced down answering and revealing. "Just a small bolt.. It's a good luck charm in a way. Nothing special or anything.. I don't know.. It's silly really." Sally raised her brows and went back to her book.
Cruz stared at Lightning. Hoping some how something would happen. "Think they'll take him off the ventilator soon?" Cruz asked. Sally glared and explained. "See that pump?" Cruz did. "It only breathes for him if he doesn't take a breath on his own in so long. So as long as that pump is still moving, Lightning isn't breathing on his own. It monitors his breaths Cruz. As long as he is not breathing on his own correctly, it's going to pump air in and out for him." "So.. What happens if he breathes on his own?" Asked Cruz. Sally sighed answering "Then it won't pump and will let him breathe through it. It's complicated and I'm not entirely sure how it works myself. Just after his accident, he was placed on one for a week or two and once he could breathe they took him off." "Was it hard?.." Asked Cruz.
Sally sighed again. She was getting pretty annoyed with Cruz. "Was what hard?" Asked Sally. Cruz smiled awkwardly and explained "Was it hard.. After the accident?.. I mean.. I know you.. And Ben, but.. What about while he was in the hospital in that coma?" "Yes, it was hard. I gave up on him.. I didn't think he'd make it.." "So you slept with someone else?" Asked Cruz, just trying to figure things out.
Sally snapped and slammed her book shut. "Do you want to stay in this room or not? Let's not forget you dragged Lightning around telling him that Miguel was his baby to." She growled. Cruz frowned then replied. "This one is Lightning's.." "Well congratulations." Snarled Sally then went back to her book. Boy, this was so tense...
Sally was typing in and filing more paperwork for the firm. Thing was, sense she agreed to this job, she was stuck here or go someplace else. BBBZZzzzzz. Her phone. This time it was only a text.
Cruz
They are taking him off the ventilator! He's continued to breathe on his own for hours! You coming over?
Oddly enough. Sally didn't want to be there when he first woke up.
Sally
I have to work. I'll come by afterwards
Cruz stared at that text with slight confusion. Wouldn't Sally want to be here when he woke up? The doctor and a few nurses took the tube out slowly and adjusted Lightning more comfortably before taking the machine out of the room. The doctor approached Cruz saying. "It'll be a few hours before he starts coming to. Are you staying with him?" He asked. Well sense Sally wasn't. Cruz nodded. "Good." Replied the man. "Just call me whenever he does. We'll run some tests and ask him a few standard questions." Cruz nodded again and watched the doctor leave, shutting the door. She walked over and took Lightning's hand as she sat down and began waiting. Waiting for him to wake. She would stay by his side and comfort him if need be. She was always this way to him. Always so willing and so ready for him...
Lightning felt a bit of pain. More like a small head ache as he began to wake up. Moving the fingers of his left hand over the soft blanket over him. It was so soft.. Like a thin, gentle, baby blanket. He could smell the hospital. The familiar smell would never be forgotten after his accident. He swallowed and it kind of hurt. His throat was a bit dry and scratchy feeling. He took in a deep breath and let out a sigh. Oh breathing felt good. Then he felt a hand in his. "Sally.." He cooed and opened his eyes. Confused. "Cruz?.." He questioned hoarsely.
Cruz smiled a little and explained "Sally is at work." That really only confused Lightning more. When and where did she work now? "Want me to call her?" Asked Cruz. Lightning sighed and frowned. "No.. Not now.." Cruz was a little surprised at that. "Well.." She began. "Let me at least get the doctor. He'll want to see how you are" As she pulled away, Lightning's grip tightened on her hand, stopping her. "Please don't." He whined. Cruz's brows lowered. "But he wants to ask questions and run some test." She explained. Lightning nodded replying "I know.. I'm tired.. Not right now, not yet.. Please.." He was so weak and sad really and Cruz couldn't say no.
She sighed and nodded. "Alright.. I guess it could wait for a little while.." Lightning closed his eyes, resting as Cruz sat down next to him. His hand in her's still. Cruz thought that was rather nice for once really. Then Lightning opened his eyes and stared at her. He noticed her belly looked a bit bigger than he remembered. That was a bit confusing to. "You're.. Pretty pregnant." He smiled a little and chuckled. Cruz smiled and glanced down agreeing "Yeah, I'd say so! You've been out for a month." She announced. Lightning's brows lowered. "What?" He asked. Cruz nodded asking "Do you remember what happened?" Lightning thought for a moment before answering her with "No.. No, I don't. What did happen?' He asked.
Cruz snickered answering "Well... You overdosed I suppose.. Not to badly. I mean that's bad, but.. It could have been worse. You wound up on the ventilator and were just taken off a few hours ago. They said you'd wake up soon." Lightning looked all kinds of confused really. "Good news is, you aren't taking almost any of your old medications now. Got the full sedated detox. So now just a little therapy and you'll be clean" She added, sounding so dang positive.
Lightning pulled his hand from her's. Rubbing both his hands over his face. "Alright..." He muttered. Thinking. He didn't remember anything that happened before this. He really didn't even remember taking ANY of his meds. He didn't remember anything before blacking out either. Maybe that was a good thing.
He looked at Cruz again, asking "How are you doing?" Cruz sighed answering "I'm good. Me and baby have been fine. Baby sure is growing. I can actually feel her kick now. Which is like the best part and I think my morning sickness has finally drifted away." "That's good.." Cruz smiled hearing Lightning's voice. He was calm right now and a little weak and tired sounding, but that was kind of nice really. Just because he wasn't being rude or snappy.
"Cruz.." He grabbed her attention. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through.." He mumbled. Cruz shrugged replying " It's okay.. I mean.. Seems like I always forgive you in the end really anyway." "You need to stop letting anyone and everyone walk all over you. That's what you've let me do.. For a long time. And I promise you, it's never happening again. From now on, I will be straight with you and no games. I hate the stupid mind games we played.." He admitted.
Cruz nodded saying "Sure, sure.. I understand. Thank you." Not really thankful. She wanted to be with him, not feel him push away again. He wanted Sally anyway. "How about I call Sally and get the doc in here? Hmm?" She asked. Lightning hesitated, staring a moment before sighing then nodding. Cruz flashed a small smile then got up and left the room. Lightning tried remembering what happened, but he just couldn't...
He sat alone. Lightning sat up in the bed. Test came back good. He would need to stay over night one more day with zero problems and then he could leave the hospital and go home. Home. Part of him wondered where home was? Back in Radiator Springs? No.. Cleo made that place her's by now surely.. The race track? Yeah, sounds like a home for a washed up, old, replaced, junkie, racer.. Sally.. Sally and the kids. Wherever they were, that was his home.
The room's door opened with a slight squeak, catching Lightning's attention. And in walked Sally. They stared at each other from across the room. Silence. Such silence. Lightning frowned and looked away in shame. Sally stepped in and shut the door quietly. She took a deep breath before walking over to his bed side and pulling his face up to look into his blue eyes. All watered up with shame, broken-ness, heart ache, regret. Sally leaned in and kissed his forehead. "You need a shower bad." She giggled lightly. Lightning snickered at her crude humor. Though true, she was trying to lift the moment. He grabbed her hand and apologized. "I'm sorry.. I'm sorry for what I did.." "You died. I watched you die Lightning." She snapped quietly. Lightning didn't know that, but now he did.
"You never will again." He assured. Sally sighed, staring into his eyes. "I love you Lightning.." She whimpered then collapsed in a hug. Holding onto him tight! Lighting wrapped his arms around her. Sally couldn't help crying some. Not hard, but she was letting tears fall. "You are such an idiot." She laughed. Lightning almost cried to. He must have really scared her. "Please forgive me." Lightning begged. Sally nodded and pulled away enough to look into his eyes and nodded. "Yeah, yeah I forgive you.." Hugging him again. Crying and whimpering over his shoulder. "How are the kids?" Lightning asked.
Sally pulled away, wiping her eyes as she answered. "Wondering when you are coming back." "Soon as they let me." Sally nodded, still wiping her eyes. "Why did you do it?" She then asked. Lightning sighed admitting that he couldn't remember ever taking anything. He didn't even remember being anywhere before. That the last thing he could actually and clearly remember was dinner with the kids and Carson and it was even a little fuzzy. Sally hated hearing that, but at least he had been off the meds for a while now and just had to continue to keep off anything and everything.
Knock, knock.
Sally and Lightning looked towards the door to see the Doctor come in. "Hi. How are you feeling there Lightning?" "I feel. I feel tired." Admitted Lightning. The doctor smiled and nodded. "Good. That's normal. Could I borrow your wife for a moment in the hall? Just want to go over a few things for the home stretch." This man was weird and not Lightning's normal doctor. Sally nodded and began to head out when Lightning said, "No. Hold on.. Anything you need to tell her about me you can tell me to. It is about me returning home, right?" He asked. The doctor sighed answering "It is.." "So talk. Please don't hide things from me." The doctor nodded then motioned for Sally to sit back down as he walked further into the room and began.
"You're going to feel depression, anxiety.. Your body is use to being off the medications, but your mind isn't. You are going to feel like you have a need for the medicines you were on. You'll have sudden, severe cravings of nicotine mostly. Some severe mood swings as you re-adjust. It will not be easy or kind. It's gonna feel like a kick in the ass when the sudden wave hits. Depression, anger.. Um.. Everything will feel hightened at any given moment. There is nothing you can really do, except learn to control it and that's why you'll be in therapy. You will be on a type of medication that will help some. But it's more of a kind of weaning medication. You shouldn't be on it for more than three months and it really has only one side effect of drowsiness. You will find moments where you feel blank and can't remember things.
You might not know things you did before, might feel a loss of identity.. Repeating yourself. It's normal. You were on a high dose of E. Etc. You're going to probably feel some emptiness... Loss.. Overbearing feelings.. you'll be emotional... You'll find things you loss interest in might be something you like again, might find things you don't like anymore.." "So you're saying I'm not... Me anymore.. I've heard that before.." Lightning sighed.
Sally's brows raised. "No, no, no. He is saying that.. Maybe you'll be you again." She explained. Lightning looked confused. The doctor then continued "True. The medicine you were on changes the way a person thinks, the way you act, the sense of you. Altering the balance of the brain. This can and did make many people more secretive, loss of interest in things they enjoyed, caused depression and anxiety, increased risky behavior, emotionally unstable, change in the people they associated with... Takes months, years to repair that. You've also lost a good amount of weight. So eat well. On the positive side, you are going to feel better. More energy, able to process things better and more appropriately, you'll feel calmer, safe.."..
As the man continued, Lightning just blanked out. Staring at the end of his bed.. Hearing what was like a loud ring in his head. Tapping.. Not exactly tapping. But scratching the top of his left hand with the fingers and nails of his right. Scratching needlessly.
"So, sound good?" Asked the doctor, snapping Lightning back. Lightning looked at him all wide eyed then nodded answering "Uh, yes. Can I leave today? Instead of waiting one more night?" The doctor chuckled. "No, I'm sorry. You just woke up Lightning. Better play it safe. Oh and.. No driving for a while.. Let's make sure you can handle some of this first." He then turned to Sally as he was leaving and placed a hand on her shoulder whispering "His highest risk for relapse is over the next couple months.." "How high?" Whispered Sally. Lightning could hear it though. The man glanced at Lightning then sighed as he quietly answered "As high as eighty five percent chance of relapse within three weeks.. Get him through those weeks first." Sally nodded as the man then left.
Lightning looked at Sally growling "I'm not an addict." Sally approached replying "I know.." brushing some of his hair from his face. "You should shave later." She smiled. Lightning sighed. "I'm just glad you're here." Taking her hand. Sally glanced down at their hands. Some how, suddenly, she didn't seem as happy about it. "Do you really not remember a thing?" She asked. Lightning thought a moment before shaking his head. "No I don't.. Sorry." "It's okay Stickers. Maybe that's for the best anyway." She was soft and quiet.
Lightning frowned a bit saying "Cruz was here." "I know." "And not you." "Yeah.. I was working." "Working?" He questioned. Sally nodded. "I work for my old firm actually. Good pay." She assured. Lightning's brows lowered. "You don't need money." "I needed to keep busy..." she frowned and looked away. Lightning understood that. "Sally... I'm sorry I did this, okay?" He asked. "I wish I could tell you why, but I can't.." he admitted.
Sally nodded and put on a smile. She placed a hand on the side of his face saying "Just don't let it happen again..." Lightning wouldn't. He wouldn't.. He hoped. Then a knock on the door. Knock, knock. Knock. "Come in." Called Sally. Cruz appeared slowly. Sally sighed and glanced at Lightning. Lightning saw her face and looked at Cruz saying "Maybe you should wait Cruz.." Cruz stopped in her tracks. Sally then said "NO, no. It's okay. Cruz and I have been learning how to get along now for quite some time these past few weeks.. She can stay."Lightning stared at Sally with such confusion.
"Um.. I must be dreaming." Lightning chuckled and joked. Sort of. Sally snickered as did Cruz with smiles on each of their faces. Cruz walked up, standing next to Sally. Lightning stared up at them both. Lightning then asked Cruz. "What are you still doing here anyway? What about your home?" Cruz happily explained. "I actually have full custody of Miguel now and Sally helped me get a place started here." "Really?" Lightning asked. Sally rolled her eyes saying "Don't sound so surprised." "Sorry, I just.. It's.. Weird.. I think. Seeing you two seem.. Cool..." Couldn't think of any other word at the moment.
Cruz giggled and continued. "Yeah, so.. I'll be here. All the time and anytime you need me really. Me and baby here. Still need to come up with a name." She added. Sally butted in saying "There will be plenty of time for that. Right now, Lightning should rest," "How are the kids?" Asked Lightning to his wife. Sally's brows lowered. "Still.. Wondering when you'll be home. You asked me this not that long ago, don't you remember?" She asked. Lightning thought about that for a moment. Cruz then brushed it off reminding "The doctors said this is going to happen.. Memory spots or.. Blanks. It's fine, right?" Looking to Sally for answers. Sally nodded answering "Of course it is. It was expected. You should rest Lightning." Sally said again, rubbing her hands over his face.
Lightning frowned asking "How? I feel up. Wide awake and restlessness!" He chuckled. Obviously he was feeling pretty good right now. "Sally's right. Rest up Lightning." Agreed Cruz. Lightning sat there thinking. What was he doing before all of this anyway? "Where was I?" He asked. "Whenever I.. Before I got here?" "Before the hospital?" Asked Sally. Lightning nodded. Sally sighed answering "Well.. I had to go and pick up your things from a motel not far from here. You went to stay there after having dinner with me and the kids and my Dad at the new house." Lightning was thinking.
Trying to remember dinner... Being in the new house. Any of the conversations he had during dinner. "I don't remember that.." He mumbled quietly. Sally was quuick to assure "That's fine. I wouldn't think you would." "No.. No, I don't remember anything. Like.. Anything. I don't remember even getting here to this state! This isn't Radiator Springs and I don't remember leaving Radiator Springs. I know it had to have had something to do with Cleo... But she.." He paused. Thinking.
"You need to forget about Cleo and Radiator Springs." Said Sally firmly. Lightning looked at her with confusion. "Why?" He asked. Sally sighed with a frown. "Cleo has it.. She took over pretty much everything there by now surely." "Have you been back?" "No. I don't plan on going back Lightning." She admitted. Lightning was thinking again. This made no sense. Nothing made sense. Then he really stared and focused on Sally. "What?.." She asked.
Lightning's brows lowered. "Your hair.. Why's its all cut off?" "Um.." Sally muttered and glanced at Cruz then back to Lightning. "I cut it off for more than one reason really.. Do you not remember racing?.. Me?.." She asked. Lightning's eyes widened. "YOU!? No. I'd remember that." "You wrecked me into a boulder." Sally giggled a bit saying that. Lightning stared at her. Confused. He stared at Sally, thinking. Cruz was even surprised and looked at Sally asking "Wait? You raced him? When was this?" And then, "You were some kid.. I thought you were a nobody.." Lightning admitted. Sally nodded. He was starting to remember.
"You wanted me to race.. You want me to race again.." he added. Sally sighed and explained. "I just know you were happy racing and.. Even coaching Cruz.. I want you to be that Lightning McQueen I knew again." Lightning shrugged saying "Lightning is just a stage name Sal.. I'm not Lightning anymore and I can't race." "You could technically." Said Cruz. "But only if you wanted to and trained hard. And probably not nascar, but.. With all those wins under your belt, someone would take the chance on you." Lightning glared at the two of them, Sally and Cruz.
"No." He said firmly. Sally sighed and nodded. "Okay. You should be resting now anyway Light.. I love you.." She cooed and leaned down and kissed his forehead. Cruz looked down as Sally did so. Honestly, Cruz had hoped that maybe some how, Lightning would wake up wanting her over Sally for good. But obviously not. It was time Cruz gave up on that idea.. Forever. And oddly enough, that was okay. Because she knew she was not meant to be with Lightning McQueen in the end after all...
Lightning stood in front of the mirror in his room of the hospital. Dressed in normal clothes. Some dark blue shirt and blue jeans. Brown shoes.. Itchy socks. He stared at himself. He really did need to at least trim up a bit and make himself look decent. He wanted to remember. What happened? Drugs? That didn't sound like him? Did it? Lightning thought about home. And by home, I mean Radiator Springs.
Cleo and her games. He remembered all of that. And Jackson.. "Oh god.." Lightning whined and looked down into the sink. Knock, knock. "Lightning? You okay?" Sally asked from the other side of the door. Lightning sighed and opened the door. "I have to find Jackson." He announced. sally's brows lowered. "What? Why? Little random.." "I hurt him.. You remember. I know you do. I hurt that kid bad. I got to try and fix it." "What can you even do?... YOu.. You took away the only thing he had to control it.." "Ben. Ben was there before and might be able to help him." Lightning suggested. Sally looked away. Lightning saw the pain in her eyes as she did. "What?.. What now?.." He asked. Part of him worried that maybe Sally.. No. No she would never do that again, right?
"Ben is dead.." She mumbled. Lightning stared at her as she looked back at her husband. "What?" "Something happened and now.. He's gone." She frowned. Lightning sighed and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Sorry.. I know you two were.. Close.." Sally snickered and hugged Lightning back saying "I'm just glad that I didn't lose you.." "Yeah.." "ready to go home Scruffles?" "Scruffles?" Lightning asked. Sally snickered and explained. "Yeah. On account that your facial hair is all course and scruffle like." "I think I like Stickers more." He admitted. Sally smiled up at him. "Me too. Come on. Kids will be excited to see you back."
The two exited the room and walked out to Sally's car. Before Sally started it, Lightning stopped her. "What?" Asked Sally. Lightning stared at her a moment. He looked.. Afraid. "What's wrong?" She asked. Lightning sighed answering with a question. "What if I... Have one of those.. Moments the doctor talked about in front of the kids?.. I don't want that.. I don't want them to see anything or me.. Like that." Sally smiled in a reassuring way and took Lightning's hand in her's. "It'll be okay. You have therapy. You'll learn and plus, you have me and.. You have Cruz to." She reminded.
Lightning smiled a bit and snickered. "Still can't believe you and Cruz are getting along so far." "Yeah, well.. Don't jinx it. I'm just trying to be mature about this." "There is nothing mature about it. Cleo drugged me after that race. Or before it.. Water.. She gave me water and.. I left you in the hospital. I would never do that Sally." Lightning assured, but he did do that. He did that and a few other things that day and night that he was far from proud of.
Sally sighed replying "You ran to Cruz." "I don't know why I did." "But you did.. Still.. That hurts." "Everything I do hurts you." Lightning whined. Sally frowned. She didn't know how to make this better completely. She just hoped that sense now he was off the drugs, things could maybe go back to the way it all was before. Before Cruz and the accident. Realistically.. It never would. Cruz was stuck in their lives for good and Sally was going to have to learn to live with that.
"Sally.." He called. She looked at him and into those big blue eyes and perfect smile of his. "Thank you.. " "You're welcome Stickers.." She smiled back. That was warming to hear. As she began the drive to the house. Lightning could feel it. An empty sadness that he felt no reason to feel. He felt like his chest was crackling and braking inside. That his heart had been busted up into pieces. He felt like the world had stopped spinning and was so gloomy and sad and not worth living in. His emotions sky rocketing intio a sadness that made his eyes water and made him want to cry for no real rash reasoning. He just closed his eyes and leaned in the seat. Trying to think about anything, but it was all so depressing...
"DADDY!" Shouted Colton as the front door shut! Colton ran and jumped into his father's arms in a tight hold! "I missed you Daddy!" He cried out. Lightning hugged his son tightly, but something stuck out. Whatever, he wasn't going to mention it right now. Lightning knelt down and placed Colton down as the twins ran up and hugged their Father next. Both so happy to see him. "HEY!" Lightning exclaimed. "Take it easy on me.. I'm old and still sore." he joked. Ece smiled and looked at her Dad asking "Mom said you were at the doctors. Is that true?" Lightning nodded. "Where were you hurt Daddy?" She asked. Lightning sighed answering "Well.. My.. Head. I hurt my head was all. But I'm okay now." "Not leaving again are you?" Asked Colton. Lightning smiled and shook his head. "No. No, I'm not leaving you guys again." That seemed to satisfy the kids for now.
Carson stood iin the corner. Waiting and watching. Lightning noticed him as he stood back up. Carson walked over and shook Lightning's hand as he asked "How are you feeling?" Lightning sighed once again before answering "I'm alright.. Thanks.." Carson nodded. Not sure what to think of Lightning right now. Sally then said "Alright, alright. How about we take it easy on old Dad here and I'll order some pizza and we can all sit on the couch tonight and watch a movie? Okay?" All three kids cheered! Landon shouting "I wanna pick the movie!" "NUh uh! He picked last time!" Griped Colton.
Ece fussing and following next with "NO baby! It's MY turn!" Sally's brows lowered as she butted in saying "It's no one's turn. I will pick the movie. Go on and play while I help your dad get settled in." She looked at Lightning who seemed spaced out at the moment. "You okay Stickers?" Nothing. He was completely still, motionless. Lost in thought it seemed. "Lightning?.. Lightning!" She snapped. Nothing?!
She grabbed his shoulder and said "Lightning!" He jumped a bit and snapped "WHAT!?" Sally's face was all kinds of confused. Carson glared at him, the kids staring. "What's wrong?" Sally asked. Lightning shook his head answering "The lights were.. Buzzing.." He looked up at the bulbs from the hanging light and then down and continued. "I'm.. Gonna go lay down for a little bit.." "But Daddy.." Whined Ece. Carson grabbed his grand daughter saying "Let your Father rest..." Lightning walked away and to the bedroom. Sally looked at her Father with slight confusion. "What just happened?" She asked. Carson shrugged.
Okay, so, now Sally was a bit more worried about him than before. "I'll be right back kids.. Stay down here with Grandpa." She then followed after her husband as she was concerned and needed to see if he were okay or not already. She entered the room to find Lightning laying in bed. Pillow over his face. She sighed.
"Lightning.." She called as she shut the door behind her. Lightning groaned a bit asking "What?..." "That was... Interesting down there. Do you need to talk about it?" "Are you kidding me Sal? How and what exactly am I suppose to talk about with that? I heard the lights buzzing. That's it." "Yeah.. And you got sort of.. Fixed on it." Sally explained. Lightning sighed and tossed the pillow off his face. "Something isn't right. Colton smelled weird." "Well.. I'll give him a bath." Sally laughed as she sat next to her husband. "No, not bad.. Just.. He doesn't smell like mine. I feel..." "Empty? Loss?' Sally asked. Lightning glared at her scolding "Don't repeat that doctor. He was nothing but a walking brochure." Sally snickered at that, finding that kind of funny.
"It's okay. Things will get better. You rest... I'll come get you once dinner is here and the kids are all done fighting about whatever movie I put on." Lightning nodded agreeing. "Yeah, yeah that sounds nice..." Sally smiled and kissed Lightning's cheek. She hesitated leaving, wanting to kiss his lips. But instead she didn't. She got up and left, shutting the door and leaving Lightning to rest a bit before dinner...