Chapter 11: Sparky, Shut UP!

The night of Mom Racer's Birthday, Speed was still down in the dumps while Pops, Sparky, Spritle and Chim Chim were happy just to know that there was a birthday cake waiting to be eaten. Sitting at the table, Speed's mind was busy thinking back to a week ago when he saw Trixie in the elegant, little store smiling up at Jessie who happily said he was going to buy her the beautiful, black dress she was wearing. No matter what Speed seemed to do, he couldn't get Trixie out of his mind. She was always there making him remember the special times that they had shared together before he chose to end their magical bond.

Speed barely sang happy birthday with the others to Mom Racer and when she opened the gift from him, it didn't seem to faze him that she looked a bit surprised upon seeing it. He just remained still with both of his elbows on the table - his sad face being held up in both of his hands.

Sparky wanted to climb under the table when he saw the shirt he had picked out with Speed. He hadn't really paid attention to it in the mall when he had purchased it.

"Uhh...Speed. This is...pretty," Mom Racer said out of the kindness of her heart for her son even though it was quite possibly the scariest shirt she had ever seen, with the green, blue and purple stripes going across it.

Spritle on the other hand asked, "Speedy. Didn't you look at the size? That shirt is big enough to fit even Pops!"

"Hey!" Pops responded offended as he folding his arms, but it wasn't the size Spritle pointed him out to be that made him act insulted.

"Sorry, Pops," Spritle said scratching his head not meaning to make Pops feel huge since the shirt was big enough to be a tablecloth.

"How could you insult me by imagining me wearing a shirt that ugly?" Pops asked before letting out a big laugh. "Speed. You really should have let Trixie help you pick out your mother's present!"

Just from hearing Trixie's name, Speed lifted his head out of his hands as if it had struck a nerve.

Mom Racer noticed and elbowed her husband to make him stop laughing. She then leaned to him and whispered, "You know they broke up and that he's very depressed over it!"

"Oops," Pops said covering his mouth. "For a second I completely forgot," he whispered back to his wife. "Maybe I should go talk to him."

"That might be a good idea, Honey," Mom Racer whispered hoping her husband could help Speed since nothing else had seemed to work. She hated Speed looking so isolated in his pain.

"Come on, Son," Pops said standing and then walking around the table to put a hand on Speed's shoulder, nudging him to get up.

Speed didn't question where Pops wanted him to go, but slowly stood up as if he had nothing better to do anyway.

"Good! More cake for us!" Spritle cried out as Pops and Speed made their way to leave the room.

"Let's go out to the garage," Pops said as Speed just quietly followed behind. Pops hoped that just being around the Mach 5 might make Speed feel a little better.

Once in the garage, Speed leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets. Seeing the Mach 5 only made him feel worse. Memories of the many times that Trixie sat in the passenger side raced through his mind. She had always been there, almost as if she had been a part of the Mach 5. Whether they were in races together, helping Inspector Detector together or sharing a very passionate moment with each other, they had always been in the Mach 5 for the most part…together.

The dark eyes, which belonged to Pops, began to examine his son a bit more closely. He took note once again of Speed's depressed state. Pops shook his head knowing this had to end soon. "Speed. You have got to snap out of this. You have a race coming up next week."

Speed lifted his eyes to Pops and said weakly, "I'll win it."

"You don't sound too convincing," Pops said as he leaned next to Speed on the wall. He waited for his son to say something, anything, but he remained quiet. "Speed. I know you miss Trixie. Shoot. We all do. But, you have to move on with your life, meet other girls."

Dismayed, Speed responded, "I've met plenty of girls and I never felt right with any of them."

Even though Mom and Pops had tied the knot at a young age, Pops said, "Son. You're too young to be tied down anyway." Pops figured it might be best if Speed concentrated on something else rather than relationships for a while.

"Yeah, too young to be tied down," Speed said not sounding like he agreed at all. "That's what I thought when I decided to break up with Trixie. I was so stupid to think that she would always be there no matter what, like I could have my cake and eat it too. I hate that I hurt her so much!"

"You're only human, Speed," Pops said seeing that his son was really beating himself up.

"I know Pops, but you should have seen her the day I broke up with her," Speed said turning his eyes to Pops revealing the regret and the pain in them. "She asked me what she did wrong. Damn it! She didn't do anything wrong! I couldn't have asked for someone more devoted and loving to me!" Speed exclaimed just before pushing himself off the wall. Looking like a two-year child who wasn't getting his way, he threw his hands up in the air and cried out, "I just wish so much that I could go back and not break up with her!"

"Speed," Pops said knowing he actually had to be the calm one at this sad moment, "You two have always been so close. It wouldn't surprise me if you eventually ended up back together."

Speed shook his head 'no' as he looked at his Father. "Pops. You should ask Sparky how upset she was when I broke it off with her. As tough as she always acted on the Go Team, I hurt her so badly that she'll never take me back." Feeling like he was losing his mind and wanting to pass the fault on to someone else, he suddenly yelled at Pops, "You're my father. You should have told me not to let someone like her go!"

Shocked at Speed for acting like this was his fault, Pops pushed off the wall and was about to explode, but instead somehow composed himself. In low, but tough, superior voice, Pops commanded, "Don't take this out on me. You're upset because of what you have done. It's no one else's fault but your own that you thought she wasn't enough for you. I had thought you were crazy her. I knew she loved you, just like the rest of the family did. I never dreamt that you'd break up with her."

Speed was surprised at Pop's straight forwardness about his love life, and knew the older man was right.

Seeing the anguish on Speed's face, Pops felt he had to relieve his son of some of the guilt he was feeling. "Son," Pops said in a kind voice now wishing he hadn't been so hard on Speed. "For the most part, you were a good boyfriend to Trixie. You always wanted her around, and you were the best at protecting her."

Speed smiled a sad thank you to Pops and said, "I'm sure I wasn't the best boyfriend when I didn't hide that I was looking at other girls." Becoming mad, Speed said sarcastically, "Now she has Mr. Perfect for a boyfriend."

Pops watched his son walk over to the Mach 5 and put his hands on it - leaning on it. "Son," Pops said, as he walked to stand close behind Speed, "You have to stop punishing yourself like this. It's not getting you anywhere. Forget about women period for a little while and just concentrate on the Mach 5. You're too young to ignore all the other great things in your life like…the Mach 5."

Speed didn't have the heart to admit to Pops that he liked racing much better when Trixie was his navigator.

Suddenly Pops pulled his wallet out of the back of his pants. Opening it up, he pulled out a few bills. "Here," he said holding the cash out in front of Speed.

Speed stood up from leaning on the Mach 5 and asked, "You're giving that to me?"

"Yes. I want you to go out tonight and have fun," Pops ordered in a way that let Speed know that he wasn't going to accept no for an answer.

Hesitantly, Speed took the money though all he really wanted to do was go crash up in his bed.

Smiling, Pops said, "I'll go get Sparky and tell him that the two of you are going out on the town tonight."

"Sure, Pops," Speed said not sounding too eager as Pops heading out of the garage.

"Where's Speed?" Mom questioned when Pops returned back into the house.

"He's outside waiting for Sparky," Pops said smiling as if he had really accomplished something.

"Waiting for Sparky?" Mom asked raising an eyebrow.

"I convinced Speed to go out," Pops said happily since Speed needed to get out and have fun instead of just moping around.

"Do you think that's a good idea?" Mom asked worried about her middle child in his downhearted condition.

"He'll be fine," Pops said positively. "Plus, I'm going to tell Sparky to keep a keen eye on him. Sparky!"

Sparky was glad to be called away from the table since Spritle and Chim Chim had been climbing on him, driving him crazy. "Yes, Pops."

"I gave Speed some cash and I want you to take him out tonight."

Liking the idea, Sparky only said, "Cool."

"Honey," Pops said winking at his wife. "I need to talk to Sparky for a minute."

Knowing that her husband was going to tell Sparky to take care of Speed, Mom Racer walked back over to Spritle, who was picking at the cake.

"Sparky," Pops said sounding like a drill sergeant. "Take Speed out and make him have a good time. I don't even care if he has a couple of drinks so long as he doesn't drive. Just remember that I expect you to keep an eye on him. Speed may be tough, but losing Trixie has really taken a toll on him."

"Yes, sir. I'll keep a sharp eye on him," Sparky said very enthusiastically.

Watching Sparky as he left, Pops thought to himself, I'm glad Sparky will be there to take care of Speed incase my son does drink too much.

As Sparky entered the garage, he was happy to see Speed already sitting in the Mach 5 as if ready to go.

"Alright, Buddy," Sparky said happily. "We're going to hit the town tonight!"

"Look, Sparky," Speed said staring at his hands, which were on the wheel. "I really don't want to do this. I'm only going for Pops."

"Speed. After a couple of drinks, you'll be feeling good in no time."

"I have no desire to drink tonight," Speed said very unenthusiastically.

"Look, Speed. I won't drink so you can. You don't have to worry about driving back tonight."

Speed let Sparky's words go in one ear and right out of the other. Ten minutes later, Speed was headed to a sport's bar that Sparky had been persistently begging to go to because he knew that there were usually plenty of girls there. "Now. Are you happy?" Speed exclaimed as he parked the Mach 5 in front of the sport's bar.

"I can see you're just going to be loads of fun," Sparky said about out of patience for Speed's mood. "I swear. You are making me feel like I need a drink," Sparky said remembering Pops telling him to watch Speed.

"Who's stopping you?" Speed asked getting out of the Mach 5.

"Fine. You should know that Pops told me to watch you tonight," Sparky said as if he was babysitting Speed.

"I don't need to be watched," Speed said, though he knew Pops had only good intentions in mind. Because Sparky had been putting up with Speed's bad mood, the young racer suddenly decided to be nice and said in a friendly voice, "Go ahead and drink, Sparky. I'll drive us home later."

"Really?" Sparky asked as his eyes lit up.

"Yes," Speed said knowing that all he planned on doing was to sit at the bar and stare at the wall.

"Thanks, Speed," Sparky said happily as they entered the crowded sport's bar, "But, I'll only have one drink. This is your night to drink."

As Speed pulled a stool away from the bar so he could sit down, he thought, There's no way that I'm going to enjoy myself here tonight.

"What will it be young men?" the older, bald, bar tender asked wiping the bar in front of them with a rag.

"Give me a draft," Sparky said ready to party.

"I just want a soft drink," Speed said sitting down as he took notice of the rows and rows of bottles of alcohol against the wall, behind the bar.

"Speed. Remember, I'm only going to have one beer because I want you to drink and let loose," Sparky said knowing he had been ordered to take care of Speed.

"Sparky. Just go ahead and have a good time. I owe you that much," Speed said pulling out the money Pops had given him. He gave it to Sparky who gladly took it. Speed didn't want to drink any alcohol to forget his misery. It was almost like he felt the need to punish himself by staying sober to remember what he had done to the sweet girl who had once practically worshipped him.

"Speed. If I haven't said it before, you are my best friend," Sparky said slapping Speed on the back. "Ooh," Sparky suddenly said as a female caught his eyes. "I spoke to that pretty girl at a car show recently. Do you mind if I go tell her hello?"

"Go ahead," Speed said not even turning his head to see the girl. He just continued to stare at his glass, which he was holding between both of his hands. After about two hours of telling himself how foolish he had been, Speed heard a slow, sexy voice on the side of him.

"Well hello, Handsome," the female said.

Speed lifted his head to see a pretty brunette and only wished she was the brunette he really wanted to see.

"You have the most gorgeous eyes," she said putting a hand on Speed's shoulder.

"Please just leave me alone. You'll find better company with anyone else in here. Believe me," Speed said wanting her away from him.

"Oh now come on, Honey," the brunette said as she began to move her hand into the back of Speed's hair.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want this right now," Speed said standing up, leaving the pretty brunette looking dumbfounded. No one had ever turned her down before.

Speed walked across the bar to Sparky who was definitely having a good time. "Sparky," Speed said folding his arms. "Don't you think you drank enough?"

"Speed. Don't be such a party pooper," Sparky said placing his arm around the girl's waist he had been talking to.

Hating to end the good time that Sparky was having, Speed said, "Sparky. I'm sorry, but I wanna leave."

"Not yet," Sparky said clearly not ready to go. "I have a surprise for you."

"I don't want a surprise right now," Speed said afraid that Sparky was going to try to set him up with someone.

"It's in the juke box," Sparky said beginning to slightly stagger over to it.

"What?" Speed asked confused as he repeated, "In the jukebox?"

Once to the jukebox, Sparky yelled to everyone in the bar, "Quiet, everyone! I'm dedicating this next song to my lifelong buddy, Speed Racer."

Speed couldn't believe how very unreserved Sparky's drinking had made him.

"Just play the damn song!" someone yelled.

"Yeah!" someone else agreed.

Slowly, from being tipsy, Sparky began to put money into the jukebox and then carefully found the song that he wanted to dedicate to his friend. Ever so slowly he cautiously pushed in the numbers for the song.

Speed waited patiently for a best friend type of song to play, but got a surprise when a totally different kind of song came on. It was the music to a Rick Springfield song named, "Jessie's Girl". Speed froze in his spot as he watched Sparky sing loudly with the song, especially as he sang the chorus:

AND SHE'S WATCHING HIM WITH THOSE EYES.

AND SHE'S LOVING HIM WITH THAT BODY I JUST KNOW IT

AND HE'S HOLDING HER IN HIS ARMS, LATE, LATE AT NIGHT

YOU KNOW I WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE'S GIRL

Sparky then felt the need to change the words a bit as he sang:

SPEED WISHES HE HAD JESSIE'S GIRL.

"Everyone sing along!" Sparky yelled happily.

Speed wanted to kill Sparky, but instead began to drag Sparky out of the bar. The crowd sang along with the song as Sparky had instructed them to.

Even after they were outside, Speed could still hear the crowd inside singing:

SPEED WISHES HE HAD JESSIE'S GIRL.

Speed walked over to the Mach 5 and yelled at Sparky to get into it. After Speed was in and ready to leave, Sparky was still walking around the Mach 5 before suddenly falling across the hood of it.

"I don't believe this," Speed said still feeling humiliated from the song in the bar. "You are suppose to be watching me tonight!" Speed exclaimed wondering what Pops would think if he saw Sparky passed out across the hood of the Mach 5.

Speed got back out of the Mach 5 to assist Sparky off of the hood, but then Sparky suddenly lifted and started singing very loudly:

AND TRIXIE'S WATCHING JESSIE WITH HER EYES

AND TRIXIE'S LOVING JESSIE WITH HER BODY, I JUST KNOW IT

With that, Speed's jealousy at the thought of Jessie touching Trixie in anyway, shape or form, made him haul off and punch Sparky clear across his face. "Damn it!" Speed shouted out after regretting what he did, but then he had to admit to himself that he was glad not to hear Sparky's mouth anymore.

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Author's note: The song "Jessie's Girl" belongs to Rick Springfield.