The next morning, Lightning went out to Willy's Butte to meet up and practice-rather work with Cal. Lightning saw Strip and Linda join them today. Lightning walked up and greeted them, "Hey, how is everyone?' He asked. Meg grabbed out a few lawn chairs out of Linda's wagoneer while Strip answered, "He's getting better. Still havin trouble with his grip." Lightning glanced down at Cal down on the track. This time, he had his own race car. "Mentally or physically?" Lightning asked quietly. Strip sighed. No need to answer. Both though. "Better get to it." Said Lightning with enthusiasm as he headed down to the dirt track. Linda smiled and called out, "Go easy on him." Strip adding, "Good luck."
Lightning walked up to Cal and asked, "How are you feeling today?" Cal gave Lightning a mean glare before snapping, "I'm tired. It's early." "Okay, okay. Let's just get to it then." Lightning yelped. Cal placed his helmet over his head and once again, had some trouble with the latch. Lightning didn't say a thing this time. Just let cal take however long he needed to latch it. He got it. Cal then crawled into the race car's window and began to buckle up. Having slight trouble with that too. Lightning waited. And waited. Cal growled furiously and hit the dash! "Fuck!" Cal screamed! Lightning leaned in to the window and asked, "Want some help?" Cal angrily snarled, "NO! I can do it myself!" But he was having trouble. "Come on!" He growled at himself. Lightning sighed and reminded that "There is nothing wrong with accepting some help, Cal."
Cal growled and swung his arm at Lightning, seeming like he tried to hit him! Lightning fell back onto the ground. Staring up at Cal with confusion. Did Cal really just try to hit him? Lightning stood up and dusted himself off then snarked, "I'm just trying to help you race again. No need to be a jerk." Cal scoffed, "I know! I'm sorry! I just.. I get so angry and I still feel drunk. I shouldn't even be here." He admitted. Lightning sighed, "You just need practice and to ease off the pain killers." "No, Light.. I.. I should just give up." Cal whined as he finally stopped messing with the buckle and just did that. Gave up. Man, Lightning hated seeing that. Lightning cautiously reached into the window and buckled Cal up in a quick motion.
Cal sighed. He was depressed and frustrated. Lightning tried coaxing Cal and saying, "You got this, Man. I know you can do this. You can come back from this." "Not unless I somehow fix my shake." "Well, I'll help. I'll do some research. If not medications, maybe there is surgery. I don't know, but.. I'm not giving up on you, Cal. Neither is Meg, Strip, Linda. They are all here because they want to see you come back. So come on. Let's try a few laps at least, alright?" Lightning asked. Cal nodded in the helmet. "Good." Lightning replied as he patted the roof of the blue race car. He stepped back and motioned for Cal to go. Cal did. Slowly. Easing his race car up to about a hundred and kept it steady. So he was doing better and taking that turn okay. Not fast, but okay...
Cal pulled the race car over and unlatched the belt before crawling out the window. Lightning smiled and proudly said, "You are doing great!" Cal tried taking off the helmet. His hands shaking. He was just having trouble with grip. Lightning reached over and unlatched the helmet. Cal pulled it off his head and announced, "I think I could race if the board would just approve my meds." "That's good to hear and I agree. You're racing seems fine. Not fast, but fine" "Doesn't matter though, Light.. The board is only going to see me as an accident waiting to happen with this shake." He then held up his left hand. It shook pretty badly. Lightning sighed.
What could they do? "You should start taking your medications.." Lightning mumbled. Cal quickly snapped, "No way! I have to learn to cope without it if I want to race again!" "You can't race with that thing anyway.." Lightning reminded softly. Cal sighed. That sort of broke his heart, but Lightning was right. No need to put himself through the pain. No meds meant he would tremor, which would prevent him from racing. Taking the meds would stop the shake, but would prevent him from racing. It Seemed Chrysler was trying to end his career. Lightning frowned and said, "I'll try to see if there is something else we can do. I talked to the President this last weekend.. I don't think he's going to be much help." Cal snickered at the idea. "Thanks, Lightnin'.. Thanks for tryin." "You're welcome. I know you would do the same for me." Lightning said with a smile. Cal chuckled and corrected, "You would never crash like this. I was an idiot. I can not believe I pulled into traffic like that. I knew better." "It was pretty stupid." Lightning agreed. Cal nodded.
Cal glanced up at his wife and family. He looked at Lightning and asked, "Well how was last weekend anyway? Something good had to have happened." Lightning snickered, crossing his arms. "I got to meet my rookie." "How was that? Is he promising?" "She, and no. She's the poster child for spoiled rotten, daddy's money. She doesn't even like racing all that much." "Wow, really?" "She never said it, but she just... She has this feel about her. She's not there because she wants to be. She's there to get famous and make money. She'll never last." "That's sad." "Her Father offered me a job during the off-season as a guest speaker at a college." "A speaker?" "MMhm. For three years. I'd have to move to North Carolina though for those months." "Sheesh.. It's nice out there though. My Uncle owns a ranch out there." Cal mentioned.
Lightning continued, "It sounds too good to be true. He's offering me fifty thousand per speech." "That's normal." "What!?" Lightning was shocked! Cal chuckled and explained, "Well yeah. You are a professional racer, a celebrity, piston cup champ. He's probably making more than he's paying you to come out. I've had my fair share. Not multiples in one place, but.. The pay is amazing. My Uncle up there once got paid Two hundred grand for a two-session speech out in California. We made a vacation of it." "Wow. I didn't know that was a thing." Admitted Lightning. Cal snickered, "It's a thing." Man, Cal sounded like Linda. "See you tomorrow, Light." Cal said as he waved and headed up to his family. Lightning just waved his friend off and started to feel good about this offer from Kaleb O'Reilly. It would be a good thing...
Lightning walked into the house and hung up his keys. "I'm home, Sal." He called. No answer. He grabbed out his phone and looked at the time. "Oh.." He mumbled. She'd still be at work. It was quiet at the house when alone. Lightning didn't like it. He pulled out his girl's name as he walked into the kitchen and sent her a text,
Lightning
Just got home. You at the cone?
Then he glanced up to see the mess in the kitchen. Covered in all kinds of decorations, cards on the table. He walked over and saw they were save the dates. Different colors and styles. Photobook of dresses. That caught his attention a little. He reached to open it up when his phone buzzed, stopping him.
Sally
Wheel Well. The kitchen is a wreck. I didn't have time to clean up before I had to deal with a complaint. It's just wedding stuff.
Lightning
More like a bomb went off. I can clean up if you want me to?
Sally
Can you pick out one of the save the dates?
Lightning stared at the table. Cards were spread out all over the thing. So many colors and styles and ways to say save the date.
Lightning
I'll try.
He then sat down and started glancing at different cards. It was quite overwhelming really.
Lightning
Isn't this your job?
Sally
Our job.
Lightning sighed reading that. So picking out a card. The blue one with white lace around it? Baby pink with the gold accent? Pale yellow with white block lettering? Green? Why was there a green wedding card? Purple, no. Red with pink cursive? No, it looked more like a valentines card. Black and white? Simple. Was it too simple? Which one did Sally like out of all these? Baby blue with black cursive and stripes out-lining the card? That was the one that seemed more like Sally but at the same time. What was the theme? Lightning glanced around the room at the explosion of wedding decor. Most of them were white or baby pink... Some were more rustic styled, while some looked like something from a club party. He sighed. Couldn't they just get married and be done with it? He wondered. But Sally wanted a wedding and he wanted to see her walking down the aisle to him. He did want to see that...
Sally pulled up in the driveway to see Lightning sitting on the steps outside. She shut off the car and got out, locking it up with a *beep*. "Hey, Stickers." She greeted. Lightning smiled and greeted back, "Hey, love." "Did you pick out save the dates?" "You could say that." He said with a smile. Sally glared at him and said, "You look suspicious.." Lightning chuckled and motioned for her to come inside. Sally followed Lightning to the kitchen where she stopped and gasped!
The kitchen was cleaned up, neatly decorated in a single theme. White lace streamers hung around the counters and cabinets, glass mason jars were filled with dirt and greenery with a little water to give it a moist look with some of the fake wildflowers, white, in them. The color palette of orange, burgundy, brown and white was laid on the table next to the baby blue and white cursive style save the date with a small knot tied around the card. It was very indie-rustic feel. "Lightning.. What is all this?" "It's our wedding. If you like it?" "It's beautiful. Where did you come up with this theme? What even is it?" Sally asked as she gazed at it. It just all came together. Lightning smiled, "Well, we'll add some cactis-cactie? Cactis'? To it and lanterns with lights or candles of course. I thought we could do a photoshoot near the waterfall to add it the touch at some point." "OH yes! I didn't even think about that! These colors go so well together.. Did you google this?" Sally asked as she crossed her arms. Lightning chuckled and answered, "No. It's Radiator Springs." Sally raised a brow in confusion. Lightning rolled his eyes and explained, "The colors of the canyons, the hills, the clear skies, and dark caverns. The dirt, the moss, the flowers, cactis, the lace to keep the rustic, old town feel. The lights will be more like what we have decorated at Wheel Well and Taillight cavern, and a touch of blue for the"-"Waterfall.. Oh my gosh.. This is amazing. It's.. It's so perfect." Sally complimented as her eyes teared up. Lightning grabbed his girl close and asked, "Babe, what's wrong?" Sally wiped her eyes as she smiled, "I just.. It's perfect. It's our wedding." She whimpered. Lightning felt proud. "Want to get a sneak peek of the lighting?" He asked. Sally looked up at him and then he shut off the main light in the kitchen. Lanterns that Sally didn't even notice before were lit up above the cabinets. "Oh my gosh.. It's beautiful.." She gasped. Holding onto Lightning's hand tightly. Lightning gazed down at Sally and asked, "Think you can marry me in a setting like this?" Sally giggled, answering, "Yes. A million times, yes!" She exclaimed! Lightning snickered. She looked so beautiful in the dim candle like lights. Lightning was a lucky man. He held Sally close and cooed, "I'm going to make sure you always have everything you want. Always." "That's sweet, Stickers.. But You are all I want." "Well, good. That makes it easy." He joked. Sally giggled against his chest. One thing for sure here, you would never find another couple more in love and ready to spend the rest of their lives together...
It was early the following morning when Lightning's phone buzzed, waking him and Sally up. He reached around for it and grabbed it. He had to squint to stare at the bright screen. Sally turned away and covered her head, shielding herself from the light. "It's Cal. I better answer this." Lightning announced. He sat up as he did. "Hello?" Lightning got out of bed slowly. Stretching and yawning a bit. "It's..." He paused and glanced at the clock. "God, Cal.. It's six twenty in the morning." Lightning griped. 6:22 to be exact. "Yeah.. Fine. See ya." He hung up and set the phone down. Sally turned around and asked, "Everything okay?" "Yeah, Cal just wants to get to practicing." "Now? He couldn't at least try sleeping in?" Sally whined. Lightning snickered as he crawled up over his love and kissed her lips. "I could always be a little late over there." He husked. Sally giggled and covered her head. Lightning laughed! "HA! Playing hard to get, are you?" He then, without mercy, began tickling her sides ruthlessly! "STOP!" Sally cried out in her laughter! "I give! Stop! PLEASE!" She shouted as she gasped for breath, laughing forcefully. Lightning only replied, "Oh no. You did this to yourself." "LIGHTNING! Stop!" Sally laughed! He did. Finally. Lightning stopped and the two gazed into each other's eyes. "I love you." He cooed. Sally smiled, lifting her head slightly so that they may kiss softly. "Go on. I have work to do anyway. A lot to figure out before the end of the season if we really are moving to North Carolina." "Are you sure you're okay with it?" Lightning asked. Sally shrugged, answering, "Yes and no. I know it's best for us, and it is a good opportunity for you, so... I think we can make it work.. Some-how." "Thank you." Lightning replied and kissed Sally's sweet lips once more before hopping out of bed and getting ready to meet up with Cal...
Lightning got out there to see Cal barely making that turn. Over and over. He sighed. Cal just didn't know how to race dirt. He never was and never would be a dirt racer. Lightning walked out to the track as Cal pulled up the car and quickly got out the race car. Lightning crossed his arms and asked, "So what exactly am I out here for? I was enjoying sleeping in." Cal lifted his hands at chest level and announced, "No tremor!" Lightning was shocked! "Are you taking the meds?" He asked. Cal nodded then explained, "Thanks to you talking to the President, the board approved a drug. I can race!" Cal exclaimed! Lightning's eyes widened as a smile crept onto his face! "Cal! That's amazing! I can't believe he actually listened to me!" Lightning replied. Cal nodded then hugged Lightning! It was unexpected and odd. Cal hugged LIghtning tight and said, "Thank you. Thank you for helping me and not giving up, man." Lightning slowly pushed Cal back as he said, "You're welcome, but.. Don't ever hug me like that again." "You got it. and I owe you one for this, McQueen. I mean it. You ever need anything, you name it, it's yours." "Thanks, Cal. But it's nothing. I know you would do the same." "True. Now, can we practice on asphault.. I hate that turn. I hate dirt!" Cal chuckled. Lightning nodded, "Sure, but don't let Strip hear you say that." "No, of course not. He'd give me a lecture all about how he use to race." Cal shivered at the thought of another lecture by his uncle. Lightning smiled, just glad that Cal was going to be back racing!...
Cal's jaw dropped in shock! "You took me out!?" He asked Tex. Strip crossed his arms, standing next to Tex. Lightning stood by Cal and asked, "Why would you do that? The board approved his meds." Tex then motioned for the two racers to calm down and explained, "It's for your safety Cal. You just wrecked." "Two weeks ago!" Cal defended. Strip finally stepped in saying, "It was my idea to take you out of the next two races, Cal." Cal and Lightning both stared at Strip in awe! Cal stumbled to find words as he asked, "W-why-wha-what-Why would you do that? You were a racer.. You know I can race! You've had the worst accidents and raced the very next race!" Strip nodded and replied, "I did and I was young and stupid. This is best for you. Trust me, Cal." Tex then added, "I'd listen to your Uncle, kid. He's got a whole lot more experience than you." Cal was furious at Tex, at his own family! He had no words to say to Strip for this one! Cal only tried convincing his sponsor. "Tex, please. I am ready. With all respect, Strip isn't your racer anymore. I am. And my say should come before his now." Tex glanced at Strip. Strip sighed and nodded, asking his nephew, "You really think you are ready?" "YES!" Cal whined. Strip glanced at Tex, at Lightning, back to Cal before saying, "Still no." Then walked away. Cal was just more and more angry with his Uncle! "Tex!?" He pleaded! Tex sighed, "The man has spoken, Cal. I know it's hard but.. It's only this race and next week. Then you'll be welcomed back properly." He patted his racer on the shoulder then walked back to the dinico tent. Cal shook his head. "I can't believe my Uncle did that.." LIghtning placed a supportive hand on his friend's shoulder. Cal glanced at Lightning. It sucked! IT just really sucked! "You want to hang out in my pits during the race today?" Lighting asked. Cal sighed, "Nah... I'm just going to my trailer.. Probably head home early with Meg.." Cal moped away. Sad and upset about not getting to race. Maybe he even felt a little betrayed by his Uncle. Lightning hated that. Part of him agreed. Cal should wait a week or two, but Lightning also knew how badly Cal wanted back in the races. "HIYA!" Shouted an annoying and girlie voice from behind! Lightning jumped, "AH!" "AAHAHHAHAH!" Laughed Tiffany! "I got you! Wow. You sure are a jumpy one." She snarked, crossing her arms. Lightning rolled his eyes and asked, "What do you want?" "Um.. I'm here to see how the top dogs act on the track." "Great.. Just.. Follow me to the pits. The race will start soon. Are you racing today?" "No. Thought I'd just watch." "You will never learn anything if you don't race." "I'm learning by watching. It's my thing." Tiffany said with a smile. Lightning only rolled his eyes again. Then The President walked by. Lightning quickly ran over to the man and called, "Mister President! Wait up!" The man stopped for the racer and asked, "Everything okay?" Lightning nodded and answered, "Yes Sir. I just wanted to thank you for what you did for Cal." "Oh. I didn't do anything. The board had a.. Change of heart.. You could say. Kaleb O'Reilly funded an um.. Push... For Cal's medication approval. But you are very welcome." The President replied with a smile. "Good luck in today's race, Lightning." he added before walking away. Lightning stared. Kaleb did this? It was so good. Too good to be true. Kaleb seemed like the perfect boss to work under for a few months out of the year. But 'funding' for a push for Cal. It was clear that Kaleb was trying to bribe Lightning now...
"Lightning, over here" "No, here!""Can you give us a ka-chow?""Show us the bolt!""This way Mister McQueen!""Just a moment Mister McQueen.""LIGHTNING! Over here!" The press shouted to grab the racer's attention. Lightning just smiled and waved for them. Giving them a few flashes of the Bolt before security helped him make his way out of the winner's podium and into the parking area for the racers. Tiffany was quick to catch up and smiled, "Congrats on the win there, Mister McQueen." Lightning snickered, "Thanks. And Lightning is fine. We've been over this." "Yes, of course. Sorry. So what now?" "I pack up and head home for the week. Probably talk wedding plans with my fiance'" "OH right! Sally. She's beautiful, Lightning." "Thanks. I'll tell her you said that." "She really is a lucky girl." Tiffany replied. Lightning just smiled then stopped near Bobby's garage. Bobby was in there packing up boxes. Tiffany blushed and slowly backed away, saying, "I'm just.. Gonna.. Yeah.." And walked away rather quickly. Lighting watched her rush off before making his way into Bobby's pits. "Hey, Bobby." He called. Bobby set down the box in his arms then smiled, "McQueen! Great race today. I totally let you win." He snarked. Lightning snickered and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay. Whatever makes you feel good about a loss." "Ha! What's up? How are things going with Tiffany?" "She's.. Okay. Hey, can I ask you somethin? Personal and private." Asked Lightning. Bobby stared at his friend for a moment before answering that. "Sure." He said as he walked over and closes the front door and large garage door. "What's up?" He asked. Lightning sighed then announced, "Sally stopped taking her birth control a while back and didn't tell me." "Wow. Um.." "She's not pregnant. At least I don't think so. She would have told me, right?" "I mean..." "She didn't tell me she stopped taking the pills though.." "Right." "So.. I can't believe she did that." Lightning vented. Bobby nodded and agreed, "Yeah, that doesn't even sound like her." "She's not herself anymore. For the first time in a while, I saw her. The woman I love and want to be with this last week. But.. Look, I'm not telling you so that you can judge me or tell me not to marry or. I'm telling you because I need this off my chest." "Okay." "Everything I am about to say is just doubts that are overflowing in my mind and I am not acting on them, understand?" "Understand." "And none of this gets to Sally." "Got it. Whatever you say, stays in this room. Just me and you. Vent away, let it out." Bobby replied. Lightning nodded then took a deep breath before letting it all out quickly, "Okay.. Sally is a bitch. I can not believe she did that and lied to me. She says it's not lying and I know it's not lying, but she lied. Not to mention, she's a freakin lunatic since we got engaged! She's not really made any wedding plans and is constantly crying! At first, I thought it was nerves, then Megen made me think that Sally is going to leave me and you know what? She might. I'm not Mister perfect. And she died her hair. It stinks. She has fried it and it feels like.. Like.. I don't know! But it's not soft and it certainly doesn't smell like flowers anymore! She is taking an emergency contraceptive like candy now and that can't be good for her. I fucked her for the first time, knowing she-WE had no protection, came in her and now I'm in a panic! I'm panicking! Not to mention married. I proposed to her. I am getting married. MARRIED. Meaning if she does anything to tear us apart, I can't walk away because, oh? Look at that binding ring of a contract wrapped around my finger. She's a fucking attorney! An attorney! She is going to eat me alive if we ever divorce. And I don't know why I am even thinking of that right now, because I want to spend the rest of my life with that woman. That crazy, weird-smelling hair, dyed, fried, perfectionist, psychotic woman who at the moment... Wants to make all and any decisions for us-for me! I get no say. I had to whine about moving to North Carolina and what sold her? The money! She was a hard no until I told her the price on my head. So is she a gold digger? Why would I even ask myself that? She made more money than me for years. But now I have two bank accounts and I am not sure how to tell her that. She is going to kill me and worse... She'll get away with it.. I bet she knows where to hide a body in Raditator Springs.." Lightning paused. Bobby scoffed, "Man, stop that. You are the one being crazy. That.. That was a lot of words. Why are you moving to North Carolina?" Bobby asked. Lightning sighed, "Kaleb O'Reilly offered me work during the off-season. It's amazing pay and a great opportunity for me. I'll be speaking at his brother's school." "Wow. Fancy." "Yeah... I haven't even said yes yet.." "Why do you have two bank accounts?" Bobby asked. Lightning looked at his friend before answering, "In case... I set it up a few years ago actually. Just... When I made Sally my attorney, we got into a big fight a few weeks later, so... I set up another account and have been having most of my checks deposited in that one. So.. Sally thinks I'm making about... Only thirty percent of what I'm actually making." "Okay... But why?" "In case we broke up! She was and is my attorney, Bobby. At the time, I was worried that she would drain me if she were that pissed at me." Admitted Lightning. Bobby chuckled, "Dude. You are the psychotic one. But you are right. Sally is totally going to kill you when she finds that out. Are you having her sign a prenup?" "No." "You should. It would save you the pain and money in case you two divorced." "I'm not thinking like that because it's not going to happen. Sally and I love each other and we are never getting a divorce." Lightning assured firmly. Bobby just shrugged. "Okay. Glad I was able to help you take some of that weight off your chest. Feel better?" He asked. Lightning nodded slowly. "A little." He answered.
"Now don't think just because you are stressed out and over-thinking that I'm goin to take it easy on you next week, McQueen. I'm winning the next race." Announced Bobby. Lightning snickered, rolling his eyes, "We'll see about that, Bobby." "We sure will." Agreed Bobby. Lightning opened the door and headed to his own garage, "See ya next week." "See ya, McQueen!" Lightning did feel a little better now. Getting all of that off his chest. Bobby was one of his closest and best friends.
Lightning walked into his garage to a loud, "SURPRISE!" Shouted the crowd! Lightning's eyes widened as he saw Mack, Rusty, Dusty, and some of the Rusteze club members. "Wow. What's, what's going on guys?" Asked Lightning. Rusty chuckled, "Your engagement celebration." Dusty adding, "We're sorry it wasn't sooner." Lightning smiled, "You guys didn't need to do this. Really." "OH, we know." Said Dusty. Rusty nodded, "But we wanted to. We love you, Lightning. You're like a son to us." "Yeah, if we were to ever settle down for once." Joked Dusty. Lightning did appreciate the gesture. Mack then announced, "I brought drinks!" And handed a bottle to Lightning. Lightning stared at it. Some brand he never heard of. "Thanks." He replied kindly though. Rusty wrapped an arm around the racer and said, "Lightning, we love ya and we love Sally. Tonight, we want to celebrate you and congratulate you on this journey." Dusty then added, "With that, we also want to give you our own advice with women." Lightning stared at all the older people and asked, "All of you?" "Pretty much so." Answered Dusty. Lightning put on a smile, a fake one, and thanked his sponsors for that. Although, he had a feeling this was going to be more boring and agonizing than anything...
The guys had a microphone and a speaker placed in the corner of the garage where one at a time, those you wanted, could give some friendly advice to the soon-to-be-married man. One gentleman said, "Never leave your clothes on the floor. Clean up after yourself. Your wife isn't the maid, she's your wife." Another said, "Be clear and set rules. Women need rules to follow." "Make a chores list. Trust me, it'll save you the headache." Said another. One at a time, gave a little advice, one by one. Until.. Rusty stood in the corner with the mic in hand and said, "Now, that that part is over with. The real show begins. But! Keep all hands to yourselves and please remain seated for the show. Miss Lorain will be here momentarily." Dusty then walked to the door and shut the garage part then opened the small door to let in a dark-skinned woman wearing a trench coat. Lightning quickly whined, "No, I don't want a stripper or any kind of thing like that. Sally would"-"Relax!" Snapped an older man. "She's not a stripper. We're classier than that. She's a singer." "... Oh..." Lightning mumbled. A little confused and a little surprised. THe Rusteze club had class? Lorain walked up to the front and dropped the trench coat to the floor in a sexy way. The men screamed and whistled for her. She was wearing a long and sparkling, navy blue dress. Her hair was large and up with fake diamonds in it. She spoke softly and deeply. A sexy and sleepy way. Lightning sighed and sat back for a little bit, but eventually snuck out of the garage. Tiffany was outside and asked, "What is going on in there. Who is singing?" It wasn't just Tiffany, a few other people were gathered outside the 95 garage, overhearing the woman singing. Lightning sighed, "Some Lorain. The guys are just throwing some sort of engagement thing for me." "Awe, that's sweet." "I think it's more for them at this point." Lightning said with a smile. Tiffany just giggled at that. "See ya next week, Tiff." Lightning said as he began walking away." "Oh, okay. See ya, Lightning." She called back. Lightning headed to his trailer for a much-needed rest. As he opened the door, another racer congratulated him on the win today. "Thanks. Good race." Lightning replied as he shut the door. Then, Bbbzzzzz. BBBbbzzzzz. His phone began buzzing. Lightning stared across the trailer at it. "That's convenient.." He muttered as he walked over and picked up the device. Kaleb O'Reilly. Probably wanted a yes or no answer. Lightning sighed. Sally seemed to be on board so, He answered.
"Mister O'Reilly."
Lightning McQueen. Congrats! You did impressively well as always out there.
"Thanks."
But I think you know I'm not calling to talk about tonight's race.
"Right."
So? What's it gonna be? Should I start renting a home for you and the Mrs.?
"..."
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance Lightning.
".. Yes. Yeah, I'll take the job."
GREAT! I can not wait to introduce you to my brother and show you around the school. We can work out minor details closer to the end of the season. I'll start getting you a few homes to choose from and a car.
"Wow, thanks."
No problem. It was part of the deal.
"No, I mean.. Thanks.. For what you did for Cal. That means a lot to me."
Oh. Well, sometimes... A little push is all the board needs.
"Yeah, well. I owe you."
Not at all. It was my pleasure to help you and your friend out, Lightning. I'll call you soon with more details.
"Okay, thanks."
No, thank you!
He then hung up. Lightning set down his phone and stared at the photos on the trailer shelf. His team, his friends, Sally, Mater, and Doc. Doc would want him to do this too. Talk about racing to future racers and crew members. Doc would also want Lightning to stick to training during the off-season. Lightning would have to figure out how to balance that, and also, as he just realized.. Find a track he could practice at whenever he pleased in North Carolina...