Chapter 10. - Meetings and Moms -
As Lightning rolled off the table, he stared out the office's window. Doc saw the sadness in Lightning.
"So, your Mom is a viper." Doc said "Vipers are a racing breed."
"Not mom, even though she has aunts and uncles that are champion racecars in Scotland." Lightning said "I hadn't talked to mom until she called me when Sally and I were in Phoenix… She believes racing ruined my relationship with my fiancé, Chelsea. I have a feeling that she's bringing Chelsea with her. I don't want them here! You're closer to being my father than my father is. I'm not saying he was a bad father… It's… It's, he was so busy building his movie studio, he was never around much… I-I-I…"
"Lightning, calm down." Doc said as he put a tire on his fender "If this town can turn an asshole as big as you into a respectful gentle car, I'm sure it can change your parents too."
"My parents are a lot worse than I ever was." Lightning said glumly "Besides, I think it's just my mom coming."
"Well we'll figure something out." Doc said "Don't worry about it too much."
"Ok, Doc." Lightning said sadly "Thanks."
"No problem Rookie." Doc said "Now, go get your girlfriend. I'll meet you up at Wheel Well in an hour. No going over forty."
"You gotta be kidding me!" Lightning complained "It'll take a half an hour to forty-five minutes just to get there!"
"That's why I said in an hour." Doc said smiling at Lightning. "Go on, get going."
Half an hour later:
Lightning and Sally were halfway to Wheel Well.
"Can we pull over?" Lightning asked out of breath. "I need a minute."
"Are you okay?" Sally asked as she stopped on the side of the road "We're almost to your headquarters."
"My axle is incredibly sore. I'm also very out-of-shape." Lightning said quietly, catching his breath. "The climb up the mountain is tough."
Sally pulled up next to Lightning.
"I'll push you if you want." She offered "Or I can call Mater. You know he's always willing to help you."
"I'm okay, I just need a moment." Lightning said "I'll let you know when I'm ready."
About five minutes later: Lightning slowly started up the mountain.
Twenty minutes later: They reached Wheel Well. Doc was already settled in the conference room when Lightning and Sally arrived.
"It's about time you guys got here." Doc said, glancing up "I was about to call you."
"It was tough getting up here." Lightning said, struggling to catch his breath. "It doesn't help that I'm terribly out of shape."
Doc's expression softened.
"It's okay Kid. Grab something to drink, then park yourself at the table." He said "We have a lot to discuss."
Lightning went to a small refrigerator and pulled out two sodas. He sat one in front of Sally, before parking himself at the table.
"I just got off the phone with the Chairman of the Correction Committee." Doc said as the couple popped the tops off their drinks "The racing league is tired of all of the negative press they have been getting about allowing Chick to get away with his bullshit. The league is willing to send an arbitrator to hear our case in exchange for us not filing a law suit against them. We'll have a hearing and not a trial."
"I'm confused by all of this." Lightning said "First of all, what is an arbitrator?"
"An arbitrator is a person, usually a retired judge, but sometimes it is an attorney or someone who knows the legal system extremely well." Sally said "He or she is empowered to preside over a hearing."
"This hearing… is it with lawyers and stuff?" Lightning asked, Doc and Sally nodded "What happens if Chick doesn't show up?"
"Then he'll be in contempt." Sally said "A warrant will go out for his arrest. Legally, Chick has to appear before the judge no matter what... A hearing is a step down from what you would call a trial. It isn't used very often, so that's probably why you haven't heard of it before. And a lot of times, reporters will call it a trial, when it is a hearing."
"Okay… I think." Lightning said "No wonder attorneys have to go to school for a long time… All of this is tough for me to understand, we haven't even got into the nuts and bolts of the case."
"It's okay, I understand the process and that's all you need to worry about." Sally said lovingly "You just worry about getting better."
"I've demanded a jury over a bench hearing." Doc said, Lightning looked confused "A bench hearing is when the judge, or arbitrator in this case, decides guilt or innocence. A jury hearing is what you would expect it to be."
"Does Chick have an attorney yet?" Sally asked, Doc nodded "What's his name?"
"Justin Sunspur." Doc said, causing Sally to freeze in her tracks "I've heard he's a good lawyer."
"No…not him." Sally quietly said to herself "Please… anybody but him."
"Sally, are you ok?" Doc asked "You look like you just saw a ghost."
"I'm fine, I just zoned out there for a moment." Sally said "I'm okay now."
Lightning and Doc looked at each other; it was not like Sally to 'zone out'.
"What is your evidence?" Doc asked "I did some research on Chicks behavior on the track, but it is a long shot and I don't want to use it unless we have to."
"As you know, all racecars are fitted with black boxes. It records everything that is said between a racecar and their crew chief." Sally said "Last year, at the beginning of the season, the black boxes were improved. They still recorded internally, but they also record everything within a twenty-foot radius externally. If Chick said anything incriminating, Lightning's black box would have picked it up. Chick's would have recorded it too."
"Sally that's a brilliant idea! I forgot all about the black boxes." Doc said, before turning towards Lightning "I'll remove your black box when I replace your engine. I'll contact Duncan so he, or one of his deputies can be there to take possession of it as soon as I remove it."
"That sounds like a plan to me." Lightning said as pain shot along his axle, making him shift his weight "I'm fine, it was just a spasm… It's gone now."
Sally gave Lightning a concerned look but he pretended that he didn't see it. As Sally and Doc discussed the legal parts of the case, Lightning's cell phone rang.
"Great… it's my mother." Lightning said sarcastically "What in the hell does she want?"
"Lightning? Sweetheart!" Bella said through the receiver "It's your mother."
"Hi Mom." Lightning said dully "What do you need?"
"I'll be arriving in Radiator Springs in about two hours." Bella said "Have everything cleaned up by the time I get there."
"Mom stop that!" Lightning scolded "I'm not going to tolerate you insulting everyone."
"All right." Bella said "Is there going to be a place for me to stay without getting dirty?"
"That's what I'm talking about!" Lightning exclaimed "You belittle people! You really need to stop that!"
"Lightning, I know how to handle myself." Bella said, obviously not concerned "I'll see you in a couple of hours."
"Fine. I'll see you later." Lightning said "Bye Mom!"
Lightning sighed and closed his eyes.
"Are you okay?" Doc asked "You can take a pain killer if you need it."
"I just wish my mother wasn't coming." Lightning said "She complicates everything."
"Just focus on getting better." Doc said "She'll shape up sooner or later."
"I honestly hope so." Lightning said "But I somehow doubt it."
"Why don't you head back to town while Sally and I fax our paperwork to the arbitrator." Doc said "It shouldn't take us long."
Lightning nodded before he drove out of his headquarters and onto the sloping road that led back to Radiator Springs. Lightning slowly made it back to Radiator Springs. Since it was downhill, the trip back had not been as exhausting as the trip up. Lightning was tired, even a bit nauseous when he pulled into Flo's.
"Why if it isn't my favorite racecar." Flo said happily "What will you have?"
"Do you have anything that'll help an upset stomach?" Lightning asked hopefully "It feels like a whole flock of butterflies are puking in my stomach."
"I sure do." Flo said as she smiled sympathetically "You sit tight, I'll be right back."
"Thanks Flo." Lightning said "I just hope I can keep it down."
He gazed down the street and saw an unfamiliar sports car driving towards him. It dawned on him that he had no idea what kind of paint job his mother was wearing. Just then, someone kissed his fender. Lightning saw Sally standing next to him.
"Hi Handsome!" She said "Why are you looking at that car so intently?"
"It's because I have no idea what my mother is wearing." Lightning said, as the car drove past the café "I thought that was her."
"Well, I have some good news; the arbitrator accepted our paper work." Sally said "Based on the severity of the case, Doc is trying to get a court date as soon as possible."
Lightning cringed as pain ripped through his underside.
"What hurts?" Sally asked "And don't tell me nothing. I can see the pain in your face."
"The usual." Lightning said "My axle is making my stomach hurt."
"I'm sure your mother has something to do with it as well." Sally said "You haven't eaten anything in a while. Have Flo fix you something light, hopefully that will help."
"She's already bringing me something." Lightning said "I don't know what it is, I just asked for something that would settle my stomach."
Roughly ten minutes later: Flo brought Lightning a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, and a large pile of crackers.
"This should settle your tummy." she said "If you need anything else just ask."
"Thanks Flo." Lightning said "What would I do without you?"
Flo hugged Lightning warmly.
"If you need someone to talk to, my door is always open." Flo said, then turned to Sally "Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine, thanks." Sally said "I'll get something later."
Flo drove back into her café.
"I don't want my mother to come." Lightning groaned "She's only going to upset everyone. Flo is closer to being my Mom, than my Mom is."
"Cars change Light." Sally said kissing him lightly on the fender "Your mom might like the town. It's pretty humble."
"She hates humble." Lightning said "And I hate her."
"You can't hate her as much as you say you do." Sally said "Just give her a chance."
"Whatever." Lightning said "You and the rest of Radiator Springs are my family."
Sally smiled, but it quickly turned to a frown.
"That doesn't explain why she's coming to see you though." She said "Do you think she changed her mind about you racing?"
"I doubt it." Lightning said "I have a few ideas about why she's coming, but I'm not positive."
"Is it something I can help you with?" Sally asked "If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine."
"I just have a feeling she's planning something." Lightning said "Can we talk about it later tonight?"
"Okay." Sally said, giving Lightning a loving look "I'm going to be home all evening, so you can come over whenever you're ready."
"I'm going for a drive." Lightning said abruptly "I need to clear my head."
"Do you want me to come?" Sally asked "Or do you want to be alone?"
"I think I want to be by myself." Lightning said "I have a lot of things to think about."
He finished his soup and kissed Sally on the fender. Then, Lightning pulled out of Flo's and headed towards Willy's Butte.
At Willy's Butte: Lightning sat in the middle of the track and stared blankly into the desert, feeling very overwhelmed by everything that was happening to him. Tears formed in Lightning's eyes and he tried to fight them, but it was no use.
"Are you okay?" Doc asked "I came out here for a little exercise. I didn't expect to see you."
Lightning saw that Doc was wearing his old racing tires.
"Ouch!" Lightning cried as pain ripped through his underside "It's okay. I came out here to clear my head."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Doc asked "It's not healthy to keep everything bottled up inside."
"I'm just worried about how my mom is going to treat everyone." Lightning said tearfully "I know why she's coming. She's going to try to get me back together with Chelsea. *shivers ran along his body.* Just thinking about it makes me want to barf!"
"You know, I was wondering why she would contact you after all this time." Doc said "You need to sit her down and explain to her exactly how you feel about Chelsea. She'll never stop bothering you unless you make your feelings known."
"I'll try doing that." Lightning said "The thing that is worrying me most is my surgery… I know I shouldn't worry, but I made the mistake of Googling it. I read all the complications that can happen."
"It might be a serious and complex surgery." Doc said "But it's something Michael, Zoe, and I have performed before. I wouldn't worry too much about the complications. You're young and healthy, most of the time the complications are due to pre-existing medical conditions."
Lightning opened his mouth to say something, but he just gasped in pain.
"And that's another thing I'm upset about." Lightning said when the pain subsided "I shouldn't have let my pride get in the way. This is all my fault!"
"Listen to me, this was only your second season… Despite all your success, you're still learning." Doc said firmly "You'll win the cup… I know it seems a very long way from now… But believe me, in the next couple months, you'll be begging for some time off. *Lightning sniffed sadly as he stared at the track ahead of him.* Look, I know that you're upset about everything that's going on. Believe me, it's going to get better. Besides your mom and axle, what else is bothering you?"
Roughly a half an hour later: Lightning felt better after talking to Doc about everything that was on his mind.
"… Kori Turbowitz called." Doc said "She wants to know if you're willing to do an interview after your engine transplant."
"That's fine." Lightning said "Thanks for everything."
"No problem, Rookie." Doc said "Now let's take a few laps."
Lightning nodded as he and Doc drove slowly around the track a couple of times. Later: Lightning watched Doc race around the track. As always Doc power slid around the corners. After thirty laps, Doc drove up to Lightning breathing hard.
"How did that look?" He asked "It felt good."
"Your technique was perfect." Lightning said "I can't find anything wrong with the way you raced."
"Well, my entire career was on dirt." Doc said "I'm going home now. If there's anything you need, just call."
"I will." Lightning said before grinning "Don't screw Sophia to hard."
"How did…" Doc asked before he saw Sophia driving towards them "Mind your own fucking business… Sophia has been so busy with the newspaper, I haven't gotten laid in two weeks."
Lightning started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Sophia asked, Lightning was laughing and pointing at Doc "Do I even want to know?"
"No you don't." Doc said before he kissed her "The kid is jealous that I'm going to get some 'action' tonight… Light, I'll see you at six a.m. tomorrow morning for training."
Ten minutes after Doc and Sophia left, Lightning headed back to town. He drove to the Cozy Cone. Sally was talking to customers, then headed back to her office.
"Sally, can I talk to you?" Lightning asked driving up to her "I'm sorry I blew you off."
"It's okay, I'm not offended." Sally said "I know that you're stressed out, it happens to the best of us."
"I know, but I still feel guilty about it." Lightning said "You want to go for a drive a little later?"
"I would love that." Sally said as she kissed him "As soon as my last guest gets here, we can go up to the waterfall. There has been a lot of rain in the mountains and I hear it's spectacular right now."
"Lightning?" said a familiar voice making Lightning cringe "We're here!"
Lightning turned around slowly to see his mother, a pearl colored viper, standing behind him.
"Hi Mom." Lightning said "I see you finally made it."
Bella rushed up to Lightning and threw herself upon him, causing a substantial amount of pain.
"Oh Honey!" Bella said in an overly dramatic voice "I've been so worried about you. Look who I brought to see you!"
Lightning looked behind her and saw Chelsea, a cotton candy colored Lamborghini. His stomach lurched so bad that he almost vomited. Lightning wished that he did, he knew that it would freak her out.
"Hi, Stud." Chelsea said in a sweet, girly voice "You're looking hot and sexy."
She licked her lips in a sexual manner.
"Hi Chelsea." Lightning said in his best I-don't-care-about-you-anymore-so-leave-me-alone voice. "Mom, Chelsea, this is Sally: my girlfriend."
"Hello Sally." Bella said in a cool, uncaring voice "It's nice to meet you."
Chelsea simply glared at Sally.
"Welcome to Radiator Springs." Sally said politely, ignoring the rude greetings "Was your drive okay?"
"Yes." Bella replied curtly "Lightning, I would like to speak to you in private."
"I'll see you later." Lightning said as he kissed Sally on the fender. "I still want to go on that drive."
"Okay Sweetie!" Sally said "Have fun!"
Without another word Bella turned around and headed off in the direction of Willy's Butte. Lightning slowly followed her.
COMMENTS:
Guest 2
Some dark pasts people have to their names but then Lightning psyched up to open up to Sally since he loves her. As well as being committed you should know to understand each other for what makes you happy. Example it's not an easy life for soldiers in the army but some manage to balance it in terms of their social, married, and family life. Naughty boy Lightning but Sally loves him. Some mothers can be dramatic. I can taste trouble here since I know who she's bringing to surprise Lightning. Doc's got a loving father connection with Lightning here. Don't know if you are but please have Lightning open up to Doc how much he is like a father to Lightning in your next chapter- As you can see, Lighting is overwhelmed and drove to the desert to clear his mind. Doc just happed to show up and they have a hart to hart.
In terms of Lightning speaking Irish please have him curse a little in Irish towards Chick. Seems intimidating that way- I think I can work something in.
The way Flo shapes up in being a mother to Lightning please have him open up to her about it and his past history with his own mother. Given how long it's been since Lightning had any contact with his family please have him confront his mother a little. Funny how it's taken Lightning to get injured for her to want contact with him again- Some parents just don't care for their children unless they get hurt.
To disown someone you cut off all means of contact. Cut them out of your life, treat them like they never existed and as if they're a stranger. That's what Bella has done to Lightning. It takes a matter of time before you warm up to your family as of having no contact for many years- Lightning admits that he isn't used to having his parents around and it'll time to mend the bond.
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.