Sally heard her door and opened it. Surprised to find Lightning!? "Hey, what?.. What's up?" she asked. "You uh.. Wanna come in?" she added, thinking maybe this was just him coming over for their meeting. Lightning walked in, the door shut and he asked "How are you doing?" Sally sighed before answering "Well.. Better. But also been better. Just tired and stressed. Think I'm just over worked." Lightning nodded and somewhat agreed with that. "You wanna drink?" Sally asked with warm smile. Lightning shrugged answering "Sure, I'll come along with you."
The two walked into the kitchen and that's when Lightning admitted "I came here because Cleo talked to me.." Sally stared. Feeling embarrassed and pretty stupid. "About a little?.. Outburst?" he added. Sally sighed and snarled "Is that what she called it? An outburst?" Lightning stared scolding "She was being nice Sally. And I am calling it that!" Sally frowned and nodded admitting "Alright it was.. I admit that.. And I'm sorry.. I was so stressed.. And.. She is too nice. She is so? Fake Lightning." Lightning shook his head and replied "I guess it's okay.. You were stressed.. But.. It can't happen again." Sally raised a brow. Lightning couldn't be serious?
"Excuse me?" Sally asked, "Again? What? So you are seriously seeing her again? Still?!" Lightning stared. It wasn't exactly a happy expression. Lightning sighed admitting softly and cautiously "Actually.. I am." Sally couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Cleo and I are.. Becoming more serious." Sally snickered rudely replying "You can not be serious!?" "Why not!?" Lightning yelled back! Sally was angry and continued to yell "Because she's a whore! She is such a fake and she is playing you! Pretending to want you so she can have your money! I promise you!" Lightning shook his head yelling "So this has nothing to do with you being jealous!?" Sally's eyes widened "What!? I am not jealous! I am an attorney and I've seen these things Lightning! Trust me!" "Trust you!? Trust you!? What the heck is wrong with you! Let me remind you, we are DIVORCED! You wanted this! You wanted for me to leave and move on!" Sally agreed but disagreed "Yes! But not with her!? She is not right for you!" "And you were!?" Lightning yelled!
The room, the house fell silent. That hurt. "That's not fair." She muttered. Lightning continued to go on but Sally tuned him out as she felt a little sick. She felt really hot. Burning hot, like she was a human heater. Her skin was turning red even and Lightning mist of noticed as he breathing became heavier and he stopped and asked "Sally!?.. Are you okay?" Sally began fanning herself and she looked sweaty a little too. "I'm.. I'm fine just.. Feeling a little.." She didn't look or sound good and began to fall but Lightning caught her. She was dizzy. "Sally!? You need a doctor.." he exclaimed. Sally nodded. She was burning up and dizzy. "Okay just.. Just.. Take me there.. Please.." Usually she would fight the idea of going to a hospital. But she felt to awful and knew she needed to go...
Sally sat on the hospital bed assuring her doctor and Lightning "I'm okay now. I'm fine. I was hot at first but then a cool breeze sort of? Swept over me. I think it was just the amazing A.c in the SUV but I'm fine now." The doctor nodded and explained "You are technically. After running further test and seeing your little episode a few days ago. It's a simple fix. You have a low amount of estrogen." Sally raised a brow, concerned asking "Estrogen?.. What? Why?" The doctor glanced at Lightning then shrugged answering honestly, "Well.. You're a mature woman. Besides the hot flashes, have you been experiencing any night sweating? Pain during intercourse? Increased anxiety or irritability?" Lightning began to say something but Sally turned and snapped "Don't!" So he didn't. Sally then turned and answered "Not really? I've always sweated a little at night? And nothing more than normal and I am fine just? Work stress really."
The doctor nodded and took noted then asked "What about your period? Had it changed?" Sally shook her head slowly as she thought then realized "Hold on, you think? You think I'm going through menopause?" The doctor nodded explaining "You're a.. Mature woman in your mid to late fourties.. Most women experience it between forty and sixty." Sally's jaw dropped. Menopause. "Well I?.. I can't do menopause right now!? You got to cure it or delay it or something!?" She panicked. Lightning tried to comfort her but Sally scolded "Don't you dare man whore!" Lightning shut up again and sat there silently.
The doctor handed Sally a prescription explaining "This is for a patch. It'll help the symptoms. But it's just the next stage in life. Perfectly normal. Here's.. A pamphlet we hand out our women too. And you'll probably want to hold off on any sexual activity for some time. Just until the patch starts to help regulate the symptoms. Becqause you could and may experience dryness." Sally nodded replying sarcastically "Great.. Just when I thought my life couldn't be more perfect. Thank you." Sally left and as Lightning followed the doctor pulled him aside saying "Just keep an eye on her. Okay? Some women go through slight depression in this stage." Lightning nodded but explained "Oh.. We're not.." He paused. After thinking a second, Lightning nodded answering "Okay. Thanks."
Lightning caught up to Sally outside and tried cheering her up "Hey! It's not that bad?" Sally turned and snapped "Not that bad!? So I suppose, if you were going through erectile disfunction, it wouldn't be that bad! Right!?" Lightning just stared wide eyed. "I'm sorry.. I don't know what's wrong with me.." Sally admitted with a frown. Lightning tried to hold her but she snapped at him "Don't touch me!..I.. I don't need you.. Just.. Go!." Lightning sighed and at least asked "Can't I just?.. Give you a ride at the least?" Sally shook her head, "No I'll, I'll grab a cab or something.. Please.. just go Lightning.." Lightning sighed but didn't want to fight. And left...
Sally went home. She tried taking a hot bath and it didn't help.. She poured herself some wine and drank a little and tried watching some tv. Nothing. She was nothing. Her life was falling apart. At least it sure did feel like it. She grabbed out her laptop and on her video chats were three missed calls. All from Francesco Bernoulli.. She sighed. He wanted an answer today. If she wanted him or didn't. It was more stress. Stress she didn't want or need right now. She stared at Francesco's name and his picture.. Unsure.. If she didn't call at all.. He may hate her. It would be horrible of her to do to him.
Sally stared at the screen. She wasn't sure if she wanted to make the choice right now or not.. She just knew she was hurting and wanted him. Anyone. She didn't want to be alone again another night and pressed the call back button. Part of her did hope he wouldn't answer.. It rang.. And rang.. She sighed and gave up. Francesco was done with her. She hung up and stared at his photo. She had lost her chance. Lost herself really.
Then her computer beeped. He was calling ber back! Sally stared and swallowed hard. Nervously. But she needed him for tonight and answered.
"Hey there." she put on a smile.
Francesco sighed and smiled greeting
Sally. My Sally.. How are you?
She wiped her eyes answering "I'm.. I'm okay. Not doing so great in brutal honesty."
Tell me, what's wrong?
"You.. I miss you.. It's so complicated Francesco.. You just.. Can't possibly understand my day! Lightning and this Cleo thing and... She brought me muffins! Muffins Francesco! Like she was going to try and mother me!"
Francesco just stared a little confused.
"And Lightning sticks up for her now. Not me!? His!.. Ex.. Wife.. I am going through menopause to by the way. At least that's what the doctor says. I mean how great is my life!"
Sally.. Calm yourself. It isn't serious.. And McQueen is an idiot. Dramatic like a child. He will always be. You should breathe darling.
"I have! I've breathed, tried yoga, a bath, wine!.. nothing works! Between passing out, eating more food than normal and Lightning and menopause! Could life get any worse!?" she yelled. She began wimpering and tears filled her eyes.
Sally.. Do not cry.. You will be alright. You are very strong.
Sally wiped her eyes and asked "So who she? The girl you met? Is she good? I bet she's great!" She said that very sarcastically.
Eh.. You know she's-
-"Wait! Let me guess! Rich!? Beautiful!? Oh a model perhaps!?"
Francesco just stared listening.
"Let me guess!, She is just so beautifully perfect and nice and has her own butler right!? Or even better I bet she pulls you in with sex! right!?" She was crying.
Sally?.. No?.. What has happened? You are very upset.. Are you drunk?
"Oh my gosh." She gasped. Her eyes and face and cheeks puffy and glistened from her tears.
Sally talk to me please. I can not understand but I see you are in pain.. I want to be there.
"I am.. So sorry.. I can't..I have to go.. You should be with that other girl, I'm sorry!"
No Sally wait!
She shut her laptop. Hanging up on him. And let her tears fall. Bringing her knees up in her chair. She cried. It wasn't completely over Lightning... But she felt like her life was just so messed up...
Lightning and Cleo were at her home. The nanny watching the kids as they played. Cleo and Lightning watching some tv on the couch. Cleo went and grabbed some drinks. She returned and placed them on the table in front of the couch. Then smiled.at Lightning and sat into his lap. Looking into his ocean blue eyes. "What?" he asked smiling. Cleo giggled flirting "I just got so lucky.. You are such a giving man.. And I can't wait for our trip to vegas monday." She booped his nose. Lightning snickered.
Staring into each other's eyes. They began a sweet kiss on each others lips. Then another kiss. Then another that lasted a bit longer. Then began to fully make out there on the couch. There was an electricity between them that they sparked and lit up. A burning passion as they ignored the tv and tongues danced together effortlessly with passion. They pulled away to breathe and gazed at each other. Lightning looked at the time and gasped "Crap. I gotta get going. Gotta put the kids to bed. But I'll see you monday." Cleo frowned and asked in a whimper "Just one more kiss daddy?.." Lightning snickered happily and pressed his lips to hers. He tightly held her ass and stood up. Holding her against him as their tongues rolled then he turned and dropped her on the couch.
"I gotta go Cleo. But text or call me tomorrow." He said. Cleo nodded with a smile. "Come on boys, Ece! Time to go!" Cleo checked Lightning out then spoke up an idea, "You know? You and the kids could have a little sleep over?" Lightning stared at his.. sort of girl friend and shook his head explaining "Nah... Sally wouldn't allow it." Cleo snickered replying "She really does got a hold on you for an ex. Huh?" Lightning shrugged. The kids ran up. "Hey.. Stop letting her push you around. You are the man of your family. You can do what you want and honestly.. She's kind of controlling... Probably why she's so stressed out." Lightning snickered again correcting "Actually she's just going through menopause. Least that's what the doctor thinks." Cleo's eyes widened. "Really? she asked. Lightning sighed and said "I really gotta get these kids home. I'll talk to you later Cleo. Say bye kids." The three waved and said goodbyes and the family went on home...
Lightning pulled up to work. Cal was outside and running late when he stared at Lightning. The new car. A silver and black McLaren P1. Lightning locked it up and saw Cal and asked "What do you think?" Cal stared answering "I don't believe it. A McLaren? That's a two million dollar car!? What happened to buying an old vette and getting your hands dirty?" Lightning shrugged answering "We're old. Whose got time for that. Besides Cleo seemed to really think this one was more McQueen worthy." Cal's brows lowered as he warned "Uh.. Watch that. Women that convince men to buy things like this?.. She is known to want to be shown off.. You know that? Right?" "Yeah so?" Lightning answered. Cal stared at the car and lightly, cautiously explained "Well?.. You mean a part of you doesn't think that maybe she got you this car so you can show her off in it?" he asked.
Lightning shrugged again replying "Eehh. Even if she did, I don't mind. It's a nice car. Beats a vette by a land slide." "And the bolt?" Cal asked. Lightning stared at his friend and asked "Please.. You are acting like Sally now too. Jealous much Cal?" Cal shook his head and glared ordering "Go do your job." Lightning rolled his eyes and went on inside. Cal wasn't jealous. But Lightning was changing over the past few weeks...
It wasn't a few hours later and Cal stepped into Lightning's office with a magazine and asked "Hey?.. Have you seen rolling tires magazine cover and the articles?.." Lightning shook his head answering "No. Why?" Cal walked up and placed the magazine in front of Lightning and there, There on the cover was him and Cleo with hee hands cupping his face and another one of Lightning glaring at the camera. "Crap.." Lightning muttered. Cal sighed and asked "Did Sally see it? I hope she knows its normal.. Megan went through it already, so I'm sure they'll be talking a lot over the next few days. Speaking which, Megan says Sally's not really warming up to Cleo." Lightning frowned and nodded venting. "Sally is jealous and she usually doesn't show it but she does with Cleo. And Cleo has been nothing but nice to her. I don't get it. I finally do what Sally wanted and leave and we are seperated and I move on and now she's crazy!"
Cal raised a brow and cleared his throat explaining "I meant the exclusive piece though.. Page 14.." Lightning was confused and read the top of page 14 after flipping to it.
Former Mrs. McQueen, menopause anyone?
Lightning's eyes widened "Oh shit." Sally was going to kill him!