Chapter 7. - Sally's Back! -
Ramone's shop, five hours later: Lightning was fully repainted. He was standing in front of a mirror, admiring his new paint job when Ramone rolled up to him.
"What do you think?" Ramone asked "You look like the Sistine Chapel if you ask me!"
"It's some of your best work!" Lightning said "Now, I need Doc to take this stupid thing out. *Points to the catheter.* I don't know why he insisted on putting it in."
"You know Doc, he likes to make his patients as comfortable as possible." Ramone said "If you want me to, I can take it out… I'll just make sure it's cool with him."
"What!?" Lightning exclaimed "I didn't know you had those kinds of skills."
"Clients who want a Von Dutch Lowrider pinstriping tattoo, has to have a catheter put in. It takes eight to ten hours to do that type of tattooing, so clients won't be able to go to the bathroom during that time. I require all my employees to have catheter certification, it's quite common in the tattooing industry. Don't worry, Ramone has been certified for decades." Ramone said "Sit tight, I'll be right back!"
It wasn't long until Doc and Ramone returned. "Get on the lift Amigo." Ramone said "I need to get a few things."
Ramone extended his mechanical arms, something he rarely does. He washed them in the sink before putting on sterile covers.
"Ramone's ready now." Ramone said "Are you?"
"Yes, definitely." Lightning said "I will do just about anything to get this thing out of me."
While Ramone was a little rougher than Doc, Lightning breathed a sigh of relief when he felt the tube slide out.
"There, I'm done." Ramone said "Your Pinga (AN: Spanish slang for penis) is going to be sore for a day or two, especially when you pee."
"I couldn't have done a better job myself." Doc said before turning to Lightning "How are you feeling?"
"A little better." Lightning said putting on his codpiece "Can I go for a drive?"
"Sure." Doc responded "No going over twenty."
Lightning nodded as he drove out of the shop. He saw Mater, Sheriff Duncan, Lizzy, Luigi, and Guido all parked at the diner. Lightning made his way over to them and parked beside Mater.
"Well, look who's out and about!" Duncan said warmly "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty good." Lightning replied "A couple of aches and pains, but overall I'm feeling better."
"That's wonderful." Duncan said "You had us pretty worried…"
"What's this I hear about you dating Sally?" Lizzy said cutting in "Especially after you lead me on!"
"Uh…" Lightning stammered "I don't..."
He knew the little old lady was losing her mind. Lightning was sure he had done nothing to lead her on, but he still did not know how to respond. There was no need, Lizzy already had stormed off.
"Well, that was unexpected." Flo commented "Not to be mean, but that crazy old car, is getting crazier by the day."
"I would have to agree. I hope to live as long as she has. The old girl has seen a lot of crazy stuff." Duncan said before turning to Lightning "Are you really dating Sally?"
Lightning felt uncomfortable answering him, but Mater took it upon himself to answer.
"Dang tootin' they is!" he said proudly "I'm the one who told Lightning he loved Miss Sally in the first place!"
"It's about time!" Flo laughed triumphantly "No wonder Sally has been distracted."
"We've been trying to keep our relationship quiet. If the press finds out, they would be crawling all over this place."
"That's not a bad thing." Luigi said "You know the town is back on the map, but some days it's too quiet around here."
Everyone heard Lightning's stomach rumbling.
"Sorry, I haven't had anything to eat since waking up." Lightning said "I'm kinda hungry."
"Why haven't you told me before now." Flo scolded "What can I get you?"
"Anything." Lightning said "Everything you make is delicious."
Without another word Flo drove into her café and came out a few minutes later with a heaping serving of chicken and dumplings. After eating his fill, Lightning returned to the hospital and spent the rest of the day relaxing in his room.
The next morning: Doc woke Lightning up early.
"Come on Kid it's time to get up." He said "I want to check on your axles."
Lightning groaned before climbing out of bed.
"Give me a minute." He said "I need to go to the bathroom."
Doc stood beside the bathroom door as Lightning relieved himself.
"Come on Rookie!" Doc growled "You don't have to pee that much!"
"I drank a lot of water last night." Lightning complained, as he continued to urinate "Not to mention, I'm sore and I can't pee fast."
"You should feel a little better today." Doc said "At least that's what I'm hoping."
Lightning urinated for another fifteen seconds.
"There I'm done." He said "We can head to your office now."
Once they arrived at Doc's office: Lightning drove onto the lift. He winced as the paper was rough on his still tender undercarriage.
"Well Rookie I have good news." Doc said after he finished his examination "I feel that you have recovered enough for you to be released from the hospital."
"That's wonderful!" Lightning said happily "Does that mean I can go back to staying in my cone?"
"Yes, just take it one day at a time and don't do anything stupid." Doc said as Lightning rolled off the lift "If you are doing something and it causes pain, stop doing it. Your axles are weak and I don't want you hurting yourself. I'll see you in a few days for a checkup."
Lightning stretched but then regretted it, when pain shot through his underside.
"Thanks Doc!" Lightning said as he drove out of the office "I promise that I'll take it easy."
Once Lightning was released from the hospital, he drove down the main street, pausing occasionally to take a picture with the town's tourists. Feeling lost and lonely without Sally, Lightning drove to the practice track. Once he reached the track, Lightning drove up to his maximum speed of twenty miles per hour. After 'racing' three times around the track, he noticed Doc watching him.
"Hey, Doc!" Lightning said as he drove up to him "Some exciting racing action out there, huh?"
"It's a start." Doc responded "Keep following orders and you'll be at fifty miles per hour in a few weeks."
"Only fifty?" Lightning protested "How am I supposed to get back in shape by the start of the racing season?"
"It'll all come in time." Doc said evenly "Just trust me."
"What if they kick me out?" Lightning asked fearfully "If they did it to you, then they can do it to me!"
"You're a superstar and a sexy one at that... The league won't kick you out any time soon… I was starting to be old news when my accident happened. If you want to take it up to twenty-five you can, but no more than that." Doc said, somewhat sternly "The engine the hospital put in is a small engine, so it can't power you enough to get over one hundred and thirty."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be alive." Lightning said "Why don't I have an engine that can provide the power I need?"
"There wasn't one available." Doc explained "The hospital had to use what they had on hand. Your engine was crushed, so time was of the essence."
"I get it." Lightning said thoughtfully "But I miss racing."
"I know you do. You're doing great for your stage of recovery… You'll need an engine transplant before you can return to racing. As soon as you're a little stronger we can do that. Don't worry Rookie, you'll be back in shape before you know it." Doc said "I have to go get Sophia settled in her new condo. But remember, no going over twenty-five."
"Okay." Lightning said facing the track, Doc's words finally sunk in. "Sophia's new condo? I thought she had to go back to her job? Her vacation is over."
"That was the original plan." Doc said "I've convinced her to stay. She is starting a town newspaper… which I now own. I don't expect it to be profitable for a while, but it's worth it to me to have Sophia around."
"So you're a Sugar Daddy." Lightning said playfully "If you're gonna fall for a high-end car…it might as well be her. Besides, if you are getting laid on a regular basis, you won't be so grouchy all the time. So, do I need to give you 'the talk'?"
"What do you mean by that?" Doc growled "I don't need a lecture from you!"
"You know what happens when a male and female…" Lightning said as he shook his front tire back and forth in an obscene jester "Just make sure you use rubbers… and I'm not talking about the kind of rubber you drive around on."
"Mind your own fucking business!" Doc snapped "Besides that won't happen."
"Famous last words!" Lightning commented "You're a doctor, you should know how it works."
"Kid, I know how to make a baby." Doc laughed "Trust me; there's no chance of Sophia getting pregnant."
Before Lightning could say another word, Doc turned and drove back to town. Since Doc's surprising return to the racing world, everyone was obsessed with him. A bit too much for Doc's tastes but everyone eagerly wanted to know all about him because he was a living legend. Even teenage racing fans who grew up hearing about the legendary Hudson Hornet curiously wanted to know more about him. Doc was genuinely flattered by the warm welcome he received. It wasn't just race fans; millions who had no interest in racing whatsoever admired the Hudson Hornet. He was the speed demon who terrorized competitors in the early 50s. Even though Doc had put racing behind him, it surprised him that no one forgot his accomplishments. Doc eventually agreed to have a biography written about him. Releasing the full details of his rise, his downfall, and his first encounter with Lightning. No one was surprised that the book ended up becoming a best-seller. It flew off the shelves as soon as it was released. The royalties from the book is where most of Doc's outside income came from. Always frugal, Doc invested most of it, thus allowing his net worth to exceed three hundred and thirty million. He was one of the richest cars in Arizona and the richest resident in Radiator Springs. Yet from looking at his humble demeanor it was hard to tell.
Next morning at Willy's Butte:
Lightning started his engine and started moving forward. He made it up to twenty, then to twenty-five. Lightning rounded the turn and accelerated to thirty miles an hour and then to thirty-five. All of a sudden, his axles began to throb violently, so he quickly slowed down.
"Where you supposed to be going that fast?" A voice asked "Or do I need to tell Doc?"
Lightning spun around to see Sally standing behind him.
"You're back! I missed you!" Lightning said hugging her "Where did you go?"
"LA... I was visiting my family." She said "You look great!"
"I feel good too." Lightning said "Once I got painted, my titanium didn't burn anymore."
"That's wonderful!" Sally said "But were you supposed to be going that fast?"
"No, I wasn't. Doc said I could drive up to twenty five." Lightning admitted "But you don't understand, I miss racing so much, it's like someone stole my identity."
"That's not true." Sally said "You're Lightning McQueen; you're the best racecar in the world and the love of my life. Come on…let's go for a drive."
Together, they drove up to Wheel Well. Since he was out of shape, Lightning was breathing a little hard when they reached their favorite spot. Neither Lightning nor Sally said anything as they watched the sun rise over the horizon. The morning air was a little chilly and Sally shivered before she snuggled next to Lightning.
"I think I have a blanket in my office." He said "Do you want me to get it for you?"
"No, I'm okay." Sally said "I just got used to LA's weather. As soon as the sun gets a little higher in the sky, I'll warm up."
Sometime later:
"Hey Kid!" came Doc's voice through Lightning's intercom system "Where are you?"
"Wheel Well." Lightning responded "What do you want?"
"Come on, it's time to load up!" Doc said "Quit fooling around, we're going to be late for the race."
"What are you talking about?" Lightning asked "I can't race."
"Well Duh!" Doc said "But you can still get points for showing up. Besides Rusty and Dusty asked me if you could make an appearance at the track. Daniel and the pit crew are already there. Mack, Abby, and I will meet you up there."
"Can Sally come?" Lightning asked "Pretty please?"
"Is she back?" Doc asked "I thought Sally was coming back tomorrow."
"Tell him that LA was getting on my nerves." Sally said, hearing Doc "I decided to come back a day early."
"Sally said LA was eating her sole, so she decided to get away before it consumed all of it!" Lightning said playfully "My trailer is made for two. Please Doc… I'll feel better with Sally beside me."
"That's fine." Doc said "I've done enough to mess you two up."
"Thanks!" Lightning said as he happily turned to Sally "Do you want to come to the race with me?"
"Yeah, I guess I could come along." Sally said "But I thought you wanted to keep our relationship a secret."
"They have to find out sometime." Lightning said "Besides, I'm too proud to keep you a secret any longer."
"Oh, really?" Sally said laughing "I'm surprised you didn't scream it to the world the first time you kissed me."
"There was no need to." Lightning said "Mater did it for me. Mater is…"
"One in a million!" Sally said "I don't think there's a happier car on the planet."
"I would agree." Lightning said "He is the most loyal car I know, other than you of course. Except for Mater, everybody hated me when I came crashing into town."
"I never hated you." Sally said "I just found you incredibly obnoxious."
"I've changed." Lightning said "Haven't I?"
"Definitely." Sally said "But you're still hot-hooded."
"I know. Us red-hoods have anger problems." Lightning said "It doesn't help that I'm half Irish, half Scottish."
Sally gently kissed Lightning's fender.
"It's Chick's fault, not yours." she said "You know The King would have just blocked you."
"I guess." Lightning said "But Chick isn't like Strip."
Just then, Doc and the haulers pulled up.
"Load up, Kids!" Mack said cheerfully "Sally you back in first and then Lightning pull in after her."
Doc climbed into his trailer.
Five minutes later: Everyone was on their way to the Rust-Eze 500.
"This is a nice trailer." Sally said "The last time I was in here, you never gave me time to look around."
"You were the one that suggested we do it in the trailer." Lightning said "I'm sorry with all my oil going to my dick, I wasn't thinking straight."
"I wanted you so bad, I dought that I would have looked around." Sally said "It was dark. So unless you turned on the light, I couldn't see anything."
"Still, I should have let you looked before we screwed each other." Lightning said playfully "I think we scared Mack for life, once he figured out what we were doing."
"That explains why he was weaving all over the road!" Sally giggled "I thought he fell asleep again."
"Nah, he's installed a device that warns him when he's beginning to drift off. Besides, I no longer make him drive all night to get somewhere." Lightning said hitting a switch that turned on the neon lights "Before I got dumped out of my trailer, I really had no place to call home, so I needed a place to stay during the off season. I had this trailer customized, Rusty and Dusty was paying for everything… so why not have top of the line equipment."
"You even have your own bobble-heads." Sally said, playfully smacking one of them "That's pretty narcissistic."
"No it's not!" Lightning said defiantly "The company that made them, gave me a few. Is that a crime? *Just then, Lightning's trailer phone started ringing.* Hello?"
"Hey, my man!" Harv said via speakerphone "How ya feeling?"
"I can't complain." Lightning said "What's up?"
"Ever since your accident, your merchandise has been flying off store shelves!" Harv partially yelled "You need to get hurt more often!"
"No thank you!" Lightning said, rolling his eyes "Once is going to be enough."
"Do you know you're pulling in an extra five million from the merchandise alone!..." Harv exclaimed "…Well I gotta jet, See ya later, Kid. Break another axle! Or whatever you can do to sell products!"
"Okay!" Lightning said, rolling his eyes again "Bye."
The phone line went dead.
"How much do you make?" Sally asked her eyes wide "You don't have to tell me. I'm just curious that's all."
"I made little over thirty million last year." Lightning said honestly "Harv gets five percent of my winnings, plus ten percent of the merchandise profits. Doc gets twenty percent. Ramone gets five percent. The Rust-Eze company pays the for the haulers and the pit crew. I have an idea what they are paid, but I don't know for sure."
"You made thirty million dollars last year!" Sally said faintly "Just by running around on a track?"
"No not all of it." Lightning said "Some of my earnings came from endorsements too."
Sally stared at him.
"That's incredible." She said "I have a college degree and I didn't make that kind of money…even when I was practicing law in LA."
"I don't know what to say." Lightning said thoughtfully "It was tough in the beginning. When I started winning races, the money started pouring in. Doc has been helping me invest most of it. Before my accident, I was giving a percentage of my winnings to charity."
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that." Sally said "I knew that you make a lot, I just didn't know exactly how much."
Lightning chuckled before kissing her lightly.
"I know you like to watch the morning news." He said "The pedal on your right works the TV."
"But you don't like watching it." Sally said as she pressed the pedal "What do you want to watch?"
"It doesn't matter." Lightning commented as the TV came on "I'm going to take a nap."
COMMENTS:
Guest 2
Flo really has that smooth motherly touch taking care of Lightning.- Later on in the story, Flo is called the "Unofficial Hostess of Radiator Springs".
You don't get many women out there with that touch but by Flo's nature she sure is amazing.- In the stories she has the habit of mothing everyone... she can't help it, it's just part of her personality.
I've felt the aftermath of having work done on my teeth. It's not nice. I could just imagine the burning feel of some operations. Sally's really on edge being upset but at least she's strong for Lightning. Lightning's obviously a little sensitive with his manhood and all.- Despite all his bravado, Lightning is very body shy. It's something that he admits to later in the story.
Haha! Mater was funny with his manhood.- I thought we needed a little comedy relief.
You really have made changes but they serve good- Thanks, I vey happy with the way it has turned out. I'm starting to work on Distractions now. Hopefully I've have it ready by the time this story is finished.
Hope your knee isn't too bad.- It's okay, it's just taking a long time to heal. It sucks getting older.
I dropped a slab of concrete on my foot once as of being a bit careless. I'm lucky enough to keep my foot let alone lose a nerve- I'm sorry to hear that. I hope your foot healed well.
I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY
Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.