Lightning tucked the kids in while Sally took a hot bath. She deserved to relax. She had a long day taking care of her duties as Mayor again. Lightning put on some pajamas and lay down in bed himself. He covered up and took out his phone while waiting on Sally to come to bed. He sighed and found himself looking up symptoms of depression. He wasn't depressed. Or he was at least denying it. Reading over it, no, he wasn't depressed. May and Sally were over thinking this. He set down his phone just as Sally walked out in a loose shirt and hair dry and in a bun.
"Kids asleep?" Sally asked. Lightning nodded silently. Sally came and sat down on the bed next to her boyfriend, i guess? "So how was the sex for you this last week?" Lightning sighed answering "It was good." Sally stared a moment. She caught his lie at therapy. Something about it wasn't very good obviously. "Do you just?.. Look, I know you're lying. Was it me? Are you just.. Attracted to me off and on or something?" she was concerned. Lightning snickered with a bit of a smile. "Sally you are perfect. You did absolutely nothing wrong and I did enjoy it, just.." He paused. "Just?..." Sally coaxed. Lightning frowned a little before admitting "I'm just... Not feeling myself.. Okay?" Sally didn't answer. Instead she asked "Why did you lie to Dr. May about your depression?" Lightning lay down and rolled over, turning away. "Because I don't want to be on pills again. I'm tired.. Please.. No more questions.."
He was shutting down. But we all know how stubborn and a bit pushy Sally can be. "Lightning.. There's nothing wrong with needing medication to help you." Lightning sighed. She wasn't going to let this go. So he sat back up and reminded "Remember the crash? I was put on them then?" she nodded. "It was tough to stop taking them. Those stupid pills numbed me." Sally glared correcting "You were depressed.. The depression numbed you, not the pills." "You weren't the one taking them. They made me feel weird and like I couldn't.. I don't know how to explain it okay? Let it go." He ordered and lay back down. Sally sat there a moment. Thinking of how she could help.
"What if.. Maybe.. I just wanna help Stickers.." Lightning ignored her. "Maybe some.. Rougher sex? Like you use to like?" she asked. Ignored her. She knew he wasn't asleep. "Come on.. Any fantasies? You use to have a bunch!" she reminded. Lightning sighed and growled "The only fantasy I have is to sleep without being disturbed or interrogated by you." Sally glared down at him. "Fine." she snapped. "Maybe you are just into younger women now." She was getting on his nerves. "Stop it." he snarled. Sally sighed and lay down against him. "Okay.." she whispered. Finally. Sleep. "Stickers..." Lightning sighed. "Yes?..." "I love you." Lightning hesitated but replied softly "I love you too."
Lightning lay there a few minutes. Thinking. He thought about how Cal fired Jackson Storm for his disability, his own academy not having a racer at all anymore, how Cruz was never going to stop falling for him for some reason, how Sally didn't trust him to be faithful, his depression, the racers that lost their lives, and honestly.. He found himself thinking about Doc... Lightning kept wanting to help Jackson. He was making progress until Cleo ruined his sight for good. Well not for good if someone could find the remote. "Hey Sal?.." He asked. "Hmm?" "You trust me right?" he asked. Sally sat up answering "Well.. In general, yeah. I trust you. Why?" Lightning took a minute re thinking this idea he had before bringing it up to Sally. "I wanna hire Storm as my racer."
Sally thought about that for a second before reminding him. "Jackson Storm is blind.. He can't see Lightning.." Lightning knew this. "Yeah.. And.. I still want to hire him. Maybe not as a racer at first.. But evantually." That was just plain crazy and stupid. Sally was shocked and patted his shoulder saying "Get some sleep. Not sure you're thinking things through right now.." She lay down. But he was. He was and he was determined to hire and help Storm. "No, really Sally. I think I could get that remote." he exclaimed. Sally stared at him ans scolded "You will not go see Cleo." firmly. Lightning sighed and just ignored her. He understood why Sally didn't want him to see Cleo. But he might have to...
Lightning needed some advice from another racer. And the best one for actual advice would be Strip, The King. Sadly, Ateip wasn't in town but Lightning needed to call and ask for advice. Lightning sat in his office at his desk. Waiting as the phone rang.
Strip.
"Hey! Strip.. How are you and Linda doing?"
Well, we are doing well. It's perfect weather down here. Good to hear from you Light. How are them kids?
"Great, their great.. Um.. Sorry to call out of the blue for this, but I kind of need some advice."
Anytime. You know that. So what you need advice on?
"I want to hire Jackson Storm. He's blind though. For now.. I'm hoping in the long run that can be fixed.. But for now.. He is in the dark and I want to help him. I need to give him a job he can handle with ease.. Any ideas what I could do for him?"
Well... You do know that Cal fired him? Right?
"Yeah.. I don't think Cal should have done that either. Storm is a champion racer who lost a lot and Cal only shoved him further away from the lifestyle he's known."
Hmm. I don't.. A blind race car driver is... It's impossible. A huge liability Lightnin. It would be best to leave him be.
"I don't think that.. What would you do if it were Cal?"
Strip hesitated.
Well.. That's... I raised that boy.. Hmm. I guess you could have him as a teacher. Give him a partner he trust to aid him. I don't know if Storm would make a good teacher though there Light.. He's.. Pretty quick to anger and have you even spoke to the boy? He's not there anymore. Not like he use to be.
"He's depressed."
Probably. He was a good racer, but he lost it a little... They all were good racers..
Lightning sighed. Strip surprisingly wasn't to helpful.
If it were Cal or my own son?.. I'd do what I could to get them back on the track. Blind or not.
"Hmm. Well thanks Strip."
If you need anything, you call. Kay kid?
"Yes sir."...
Lightning had to see Storm himself. He was onky a few hours out of town in his owm place. Storm went through such a traumatic experience being trapped by Cleo. The wreck and the accident and guilt changed him. You could say he was a bit insane. He wasn't the Storm everyone elsw knew and hated or loved. He had accepted his fate.
Lightning knocked on the door. Nothing. It was a suite in a large apartment complex in Nevada. On the door were signs. Some were real like a private property sign. Some were made by whoever placed them there. Not Storm. Probably neighbors.
Beware of dog!
Warnings, Might kill you over trash!
Don't bother. Push mail under door.
Cum bag!
Weird signs. Then he heard Storm shout from the other side of the door. "Who is it!?"
"Um.. It's Lightning.. Lightning M"-"I know who you are. What you want!?" He was rude. Lightning glared at the door answering "To talk!.. Look, just open the door and let me in Storm." Silence. Lightning stood there a moment in the hall. Pure silence. "I wanna talk about giving you a job." Lightning added. Silent. "Storm!?" He shouted. One the neighbors opened their door and peeked out. "Are you stupid? He doesn't like visitors..He will literally throw crap at you." the man warned. Lightning sighed and began banging on the door repeatedly. "Jackson!'" he shouted. Suddenly locks being unlocked. Lightning paused and stared at the door. The door opened and there was Jackson with a cane. "What do you want?" he snapped.
Lightning stared a moment. Jackson looked funny. His black hair longer, grown out and a mess, unshaved face, probably couldn't shave easily, t shirt with.. Lettuce on it?.. Sweat pants and.. He looked down. One sock. "I know you're staring. Stop it." he snapped. Lightning opened his mouth but Jackson snapped even louder "Not you! You Mr.Jamison!" The neighbor quickly went back in his own apartment and shut the door loudly. Jackson sighed, more of a growl. "Um.." Lightning stared. "What the fuck you want?" Jackson snapped. Lightning stared and hesitated. The apartment smelled weird from here. "Um.. A job.. I wanna offer you a job.." He said. Jackson snickered. His snicker turned into a laugh! A full and hysterical laugh! "Come on in.." Jackson said and went back inside still cackling a little.
Lightning followed, shutting the door. Oh god.. The place was a wreck! Food and trash literally everywhere! Clothes tossed around, the tv was on in the bedroom and was very loud! "So.. What's this job?" Jackson asked as he tried not to laugh again. Surprisingly, Jackson was making his way around the mess easily and Lightning followed him into the living room where Jackson sat on the couch next to a pile of junk. Lightning stood in front of him by the table. It was covered in trash. There was a trash bag but seemed Jackson didn't care. "Um.. Right.. Well.." This place was just disgusting. "Maybe you could teach.. For now.." Jackson raised a brow. "You want me to teach at your academy?" a little surprised. Lightning nodded and thought that was stupid sense Jackson couldn't see.
"Um yea. Evantually race you." "I'm.. Is that a joke?" Jackson snarled. Lightning's eyes widened. "No! No.. I.. I am going to dedicate a... I'm going to find a way to get you your sight back." "First question, why?" Lightning stared and sighed. "Because Cleo took something away from you that I know you want back." he answered. Jackson shook his head and re worded "No, Why? Why do you think I want to see again?" Lightning stared at the place a bit. "Well.." he kind of figured. He began picking up some of the trash on the table as he continued "I know you want to race again. And I want to give you that chance." Suddenly the cane hit the table with a SWAT SMACK! Lightning froze.
"Don't touch my trash." Jackson snapped scolding. Lightning stared a moment. That was weird. "Let me remind you, I am also deaf. Hearing aid." The young man pointed out. Lightning sighed replying "I know. But I think I can get your sight back. We know the person who hid the remote.." "Cleo?" Jackson asked with a snicker. "No, I've tried. M-Multiple times. That woman is very happy knowing this is me now." "This isn't you.. Don't be afraid to try harder. For.. Change.." Lightning muttered. He was more of refering to the apartment. Jackson laughed "Ha! I'm not afraid of being in the dark the rest of my life. I don't want anything to change. I am perfectly comfortable and in complete relaxation this way. You may see me and think I'm pathetic but I am truly satisfied." Oh that had to be a lie!
Lightning stared and pointed out, "Really?.. You like living like this? in total darkness and.. Chaos?" Jackson's brows lowered. "This is my place. If you don't like how I live, leave. I love this person i am! Really! I am doing just fine!" he yelled. "I got so much money from getting to sue! I won the case! Cleo gets to rot on jail! You should he happy about that to.. Not to mention, I have a beautiful collection of junk!" Lightning glared. "You're broken." he said. Jackson leaned back into the couch. "I'm not broken. I'm happy." he corrected. Lightning stared. No way Jackson was serious.
"Even if you are blind the rest of your life, this is no way to live... Come back with me and.. Get cleaned up. And let's talk, make a deal." Lightning suggested. Jackson smiled and shook his head. "Nope. I am happy how I am. I have my stick." The cane. "Take out all the time to eat all I want. Not to mention as much as I want with no public image to keep up, I love to bug the shit out of my neighbors and play off the whole deaf thing to! Sometimes I put on porn as loud as possible just for the hell of it and take out the hearing aid before going to bed." He admitted. "It is SOOO great here! I never even have to see the mess! I have a maid that sense I pay her and she never really cleans, doesn't mind when I accidentally run into her if you know what I mean." he winked.
Lightning wasn't sure what the heck to think. It was like Jackson went a little insane. "Wow.. Okay?.." He muttered. Jackson waited a moment before adding "Plus, why would I work for you? Your academy is barely hanging on. Cal has the students, not you." he reminded. Lightning stared a moment. Thinking. " I'm offering you something that no one else will. You probably won't get any offer for a while again for anything." Lightning growled. He was getting a bit annoyed with Jackson. And the young man frowned a bit as Lightning continued. "I am taking a huge risk for you. I will not chase you and try hard to win you over. You're not that worthit to me ans I have mote important things to attend. But I'm here right now."
Jackson nodded and continued to listen. "If you really like living in... This?.. Fine. I'll leave. But this isn't Jackson Storm. As much as I hate to admit it, I saw something in you. You have what it takes to be great again." Jackson snickered replying "I'm blind, can't race. I can never be a great racer again." "But you can be a great teacher. A great person.. You can be a great former champion.." Jackson shook his head. "Thanks but.. I'm happy how I am. I have.. Everything I need.. I'm.. Happy with my stick and my porn and nosy neighbors and take out and.. I'm fine, okay? I mean.. Thanks but.. I admire you for trying. But I won't be your new Cruz Ramirez." Lightning glared.
Jackson was being ridiculously rude. "I leave and I'm not coming back Jackson." Lightning warned firmly. Jackson took a minute. Thinking. He was useless. "No I.. I'm good.. I like how I am.." Jackson assured softly. Lightning could see righr through it. Jackson was lying. Lightning didn't understand why but then again, he didn't have any way of giving him his sight back right now anyway. "Alright than." Said Lightning. "Take care Jackson.." he more of growled then left. The door shut and Jackson sat there alone. He gave up a long time ago. He accepted how he was now. Trying wasn't worthit anymore...
Lightning sat back in his office. Staring at the bolt and thinking about a lot of things. About Jackson, how Cal fired him and awt him on this path he was on now, about Cruz some, how she wasn't going to let him go easily.. Look what she did for him! THE BOLT! He would have to stare at that the rest of his life, daily. He sighed. Thinking about Cleo and what she had done to him, to Jackson, to the many other racers. Tnat remote she hid. Lightning knew he'd havw to go see her and get her to tell him where it was. She probably wouldn't tell him anyway. He thought about Sally, Sally and the kids. he loved that woman. And part of him was afraid he was going to cheat again. It wasn't Sally.
He loved Sally. It was just that Cruz was so easy and young and her being so.. Inexperienced made her addictive and playful, gave Lightning full control. Even Cruz couldn't give him that kind of experience again. She waa used up. Lightning knew in his more.. Yeah, depressed state. He just would be more vulnerable to cheating again. He needed to keep himself busy. Maybe that's why he went after Jackson and the challenge of helping the kid regain his sight. Thinking, instead of worrying about possinly cheating, Lightning needed to focus on the woman he already had and didn't want to lose again!
Lightning grabbed hia phone ans dialed for Sally. Hoping she wasn't too busy to answer. It rang.. he waited. .
Hey, What's up Stickers?
"Missing you."
What a thoughtful lie. How's work?
"I am trying to think of ways to help Storm out.. Cal shouldn't havwe fired him.."
I don't think Cal should have either but.. I don't think yoy should hire the kid either.. I mean, even if we was a teacher or something? He has a bad rep and a lot of rumors going around about him. Plus he's gay... Remember?
"I think he's bi.."
Does that part really matter?
"Hmm."
How are you doing? How's the depression today?
"I'm keeping myself busy. That helps a lot."
Not too busy I hope. Hey, I love you.
"I love you. Which is why I called. I wanna ask you out to dinner tonight."
Like a date?
"Yeah. You wanna go out tonight? I'll take care of the sitter. We haven't gone out in months!"
Months maybe exaggerating.
"Nope. We haven't sense Cleo. I promise you I'm right."
Hmmm Maybe you are. Jeez.. We need a night out don't we?
"Yes mam! So? Is it a date? Say... Five?"
Yeah, it's a date.
"Great! I will see you at five.'
Five it is...