Lynda Weathers knew something was different about the newest rookie, from the moment Lightning McQueen showed up there had been a change to the racing game. She found herself questioning the racer, analyzing his actions and making sure he didn't wipe out during the races. It was hard to put her finger on what was wrong, but something was definitely fishy about the young man. She remembered the first time she had ever heard of him.
"Who is that?" She recalled the first time she saw the redhead at the tracks.
"Name's Lightning McQueen. He's the rookie this time around." Strip gave his wife a peck on the cheek. He ruffled her hair affectionately and darted away from the swat meant to catch his shoulder.
"He seems…awfully young to be racing." Worry filled her voice as she finally managed to whack him on the back of his head.
"He's old enough to race; otherwise the officials wouldn't let him out on the track. Don't worry too much, Lynda." He pulled her into a hug. "I'll be sure to keep the Piston Cups in the family."
"Don't get to sure of yourself, you old goat." She smiled but worry was clear in her eyes.
"If it helps I'll keep an eye on the newest hotrod."
"Please do. He reminds me of Cal." She paused and glanced over to where Lightning was chatting with Mack. "He has such a baby face, Strip."
"I'll be sure to let him know you said so. Now where's my good luck kiss?"
"Here." She gave him a quick kiss before shoving him away. "Go, finish getting ready."
After meeting McQueen for the first time in person, Strip had his own assumptions about the new racer. He found himself sharing his wife's concern. The Rusteze racer had shaken the racing world with his first race taking the first win of a new season. Strip himself had been impressed and he began taking an interest in the newest racing sensation. It was later that night after that first race that Lynda questioned him about the young racer.
"So, what do you think of him?"
"Hmm?" Strip turned to his wife with a confused look plastered on his face.
"You weren't listening to a word I said, were you?" She glided over to sit beside him on the couch.
"Not really…" He grinned sheepishly.
"I asked what you thought about Lightning McQueen."
"Oh, the rookie," Strip glanced down at his drink. "There's something about him…He's so young."
"That's what I thought." She looked over to where Tex was chatting with Cal. "I can't help but feel like he's hiding something."
"You mean you think he is."
"It's the same feeling I get when I know you, Cal, and Tex have been in my cookies." She gave her husband a sly smile.
"That's a dangerous feeling."
"Cause you know I'm never wrong." She stole his drink and stood with a flourish. "I'd like for you to check up on him."
"Your mamma bear instinct reaching out to McQueen now?" Tex smiled as he walked over.
"I don't know. I just think that McQueen isn't what he appears to be." Lynda sipped Strip's drink lazily.
"Now, don't go jumping to conclusions. McQueen is legal from what I can tell. Just has one of those faces that doesn't age."
"So you're suspicious as well!" Lynda practically accused Tex with a victorious smile.
"Just covering all bases, I like to know who the competition is."
"What do we know about him?" Strip asked curiously.
"He's an only child, parents are traveling the globe and he was discovered in some demolition derby that the Rusteze boys decided to go watch."
"A derby?" Lynda perked up at the mention of her favorite past time.
"Seems like he was pretty good, looks like he tried to cover that part of his past. Other than that…kid hasn't got anything on his records." Tex settled in a chair across from the couch.
"So, he's a mystery is he?" Lynda finished off Strip's drink and turned to collect a plate of pretzels.
"Don't make it more than it's worth," Tex teased. "Sometimes people want to hold onto their privacy."
"She's our resident detective." Strip laughed softly as a pretzel hit his forehead.
It had been a year since Lightning started racing and Team Dinoco still had questions about the young racer. Despite all the digging of reporters and some resident snoops within the inner circle of the racing world, there wasn't very much that the public knew about Lightning McQueen. It was as if the rookie had appeared out of thin air. He was quick to answer any racing questions when interviewed; he would smile at the cameras and play up his cocky act. However, he never ever mentioned family. To the world it seemed like racing was all there was to McQueen's life.
"Mack, really it's fine. I don't mind, go ahead, you deserve some time with your friends."
"But kid, you're going to be all alone, in that awful apartment of yours!"
"You've never even been in my apartment," Lightning laughed quietly.
"Doesn't matter, it has to be awful if you're going to shut yourself up in there until it's time to race again. You're too young to live like a hermit!"
"I'll be fine Mack, I promise. I don't mind that we aren't going on our road trip. You go and have fun with Gray and the others." There was a tone of finality to the conversation that elicited an ok from Mack and then the driver was out of the pits and leaving a young racer to mope.
Lynda paused as she overheard the conversation. It was the end of the current racing season and time for all the racers to take a long overdue break. Her heart ached at the thought of the young racer being all alone for the entirety of the off season. She frowned to herself as the wheels of her mind began spinning frantically. There was only one reasonable solution to the situation. Smiling to herself she spotted Mack and hurried after him. She had a plan to set in motion.
Lightning glared after Mack's truck as he drove away from the Weathers house. The impending road trip made the young man feel like he was anticipating doomsday. He gripped his flashy red suitcase in one hand and shouldered a smaller bag on his right shoulder. His mouth was dry and it felt like something had crawled into his throat and died. No, he did not want to go on this trip, but it was the only way to get rid of Mack.
Swallowing hard he glanced up at the two story house, it was cozy looking. He was expecting something more opulent, considering who the owners were. Shaking his head he meandered up the sidewalk, glancing at the various flowers lining the flower beds and trees dotting the landscape. He had just raised a hand to knock when the front door was flung open and a gangly looking blonde stood in the doorway staring at him.
"Hey."
The kid blinked at Lightning and shifted nervously on his feet. He looked around thirteen and extremely awkward, his hair was in dire need of a cut and he wore a faded Rusteze shirt along with ripped up jeans. Lightning was sure that the Weathers had picked the kid up from one of the questionable bins at the thrift stores, the bins where everything was tossed together. The kid was a mess, but it was somewhat endearing.
"UNCLE STRIP, AUNT LYNDA!" The kid yelled as he slammed the door in Lightning's face. A shocked expression made its way onto his face, who on earth was that kid?
A few minutes passed before the door was opened again and Lightning was faced with an exasperated looking Strip. The look on Strip's face made the uneasy redhead want to laugh. It almost seemed that the older man had ate something that didn't particularly agree with him.
"Sorry about that Lightning. That's my nephew, Cal. He's a bit…"
"Awkward?" Lightning offered as if he was not at liberty to speak.
"Exactly, we haven't quite housebroken him."
"Aunt Lynda says the same about you!" Cal sounded highly offended.
"Well that's another discussion for another time."
"You only say that cause you're scared," Cal shoved his uncle lazily. "I'm mad, you didn't tell me he was coming on our trip."
"I don't have to…"
"Now don't go getting your hair in a twist," Lynda spoke as Strip ushered their guest inside. "Cal here is a fan of yours."
"Aunt Lynda…" Cal blushed and scurried inside. "I have to finish packing."
The youngest Weathers disappeared like a shot leaving Lightning alone with Strip and Lynda. He inwardly cringed, he felt like he was under a microscope when around them. He glanced between the couple and found them talking without saying a word. "Well that's not scary at all," He thought to himself.
"We'll leave at seven in the morning." Lynda smiled kindly at him. "Night Lightning."
"I'll show you to the guest room." Strip guided him up the stairs. Silently he opened the door and let the redhead in.
"Thanks."
"It's no problem, glad you could come with us. I'll wake you at six, Lynda's fixing breakfast."
Lightning watched the door of the room shut with a finality, it was as if it was sealing himself to a fate of discovery.