Author's Note: Hey again! Thanks for so patiently waiting! Go check out my Spotify Playlist called In the Fast Lane! Of y'all have any suggestions for more songs to add, feel free to PM me! Also, go follow my new instagram account at ezziesharley! Fan art, sneak peaks, live videos! This story has an ig now. And a ton of wonderful readers that I appreciate so much! If this as well as a few others chapters have Spanish titles, if y'all want me to translate them for you, just ask! I don't bite! Anyways, hope y'all enjoy! Oh! And something big is coming, but I won't say what! Just be prepared!
Chapter 29: Algunos Bailando
The day went on and soon the night was settling in. Several cars had been rushing around town trying to make sure everything was perfect. The only car not seen out and about was Harley, who was cooped up in Ramone's shop all day. Finally, the time had come. Miguel's had light blue instead of lime green accents to compliment Harry's paint job. Many cars had settled at the café but left the center empty. Miguel waited patiently for Harley outside of the House of Body Art. His father drove by and chuckled.
"My boy being a man. Escorting a young woman." Pancho smiled with pride.
"Papa…" Miguel whined, slightly embarrassed making him laugh again.
"Miguel?" came a voice from behind Pancho. Harley came out revealing her new look to the two cars. "Hey, Pancho" she said with a smile. Miguel caught a glimpse of her and melted.
"H..Harley, wow.. Rosia did a good job." he said as she saw her drive out with a pearl finish shine. The iridescent color of light blue with purple streaks down her sides was mesmerizing. Absolutely stunning.
"Yeah she did." she said as she admired her own paint job. "Your family really knows how to treat a girl." she chuckled and Miguel chuckled with her. "Hey, you're blue!" she noticed his blue accents.
"Oh yeah, we thought painting over the green would compliment your paint, so Tio Ramone hooked me up." he explained.
"Well, I'm gonna go find Ramone and Francisco." the shiny blue Impala said. "I'll see you two on the dance floor." he winked at Miguel, making him slightly flush with embarrassment, then left.
"Your dad's funny." Harley said as she drove up beside Miguel.
"Don't support him, please.." He said as they began to drive to the café.
"Oh come on, he's not that bad." Harley said. Miguel rolled his eyes just as they were driving up to the front of the café. The sun was setting, the dusk was covering the town. The only light was from the traffic light flicking on and off its yellow hue. The third flicker lagging behind the others as always. Voice dimmed and faded put as a microphone check sounded and the voice of Ramone started to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen.. tonight's a night of celebration! A grand fiesta to honor Harley Davis Stockrim!" a spot light gently came on and shone brightly against Harley and Miguel.
"That's our cue." Miguel whispered and began to drive forward with Harley close to his side. "She is escorted by sixteen year old Miguel Delgado son of Pancho Delgado. Harley, our Quince, is the daughter of Paul 'Doc' Hudson." Harley caught a glimpse of Doc furrowing his lids in a scowl directed at Ramone. He didn't exactly perfect his real name being announced for all to hear. Harley giggled quietly, but quickly gained her composure.
Miguel lead her in a circle around the café so all could see her in a new light. A new color. A new beginning of her life.
"Harley has been here for nine years and now, we celebrate her coming of age tonight with a Quinceañera! Radiator Springs style!" music played and whoops and hollers came from every car. Oos and awws could be heard.
"It's time for our dance." Miguel said with a half smile. He held out a tire, she smiled and took it with her tire. They spun in a circle, reversed away and came together again. The two danced a formal ballroom dance, one that hadn't been practiced, but they're partnership was unquestionable. They were the perfect dance partners. She followed his lead, they slipped up a few times. A few chuckles came from the crowd, but none of it could be heard by the couple.
"You're a pretty good dancer." Harley said under her breath.
"You're a really good partner." he said back catching a small glance at Doc who seemed to be the only one not enjoying the scene. Miguel quickly turned, skidding slightly. He smiled an awkward smile as an apology, Harley gave a forgiving giggle in return. The music faded, the dance ended. Miguel lead her to the front of the cafe where a 1959 El Camino was parked. He was painted black with a white stripe on either side of him. A second spotlight came on and illuminated the pastor.
"I, Father Julio, am honored to be the pastor at this momentous event of Harley's life," he started. Miguel moved away from Harley and parked himself off to the side, just outside of the halo of light surrounding Harley and Father Julio. "I would like to start with a prayer. If you would all bow your hoods." all cars present did as they were asked. Harley glanced around, having only ever prayed with her father when she was two. It was something she didn't remember. She saw that even Doc followed and that was enough to make her follow everyone else. With a lowered hood and eyes closed, Father Julio continued. "Great Manufacturer, we are grateful for this day and for this night. We pray that You may be with our dear Harley Davis Stockrim, that You may carry her through her life as she leaves her childhood and treads into womanhood. We thank You, Lord, for giving Harley a complete childhood, with all its hardships and all its joys, she made it through at Your grace. We ask that You bless this night and bless this car. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen." a low murmur of "Amens" could be heard throughout the crowd; Harley assumed that meant she could open her eyes and looked up again. Father Julio cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone once again. "The padrinos of the tiara: Flo and Ramone Marin." Harley glanced over to the side and saw the Marins driving up to her. Flo had a tiara on a serving tray with her husband on her other side. With big and warm smiles, they drove up to Harley. Harley lowered herself, her wheel wells hiding the tops of her tires, and Flo proceeded to slide the tiara from the serving tray to her roof.
"Happy birthday, sugar." Flo whispered.
"Thanks." Harley smiled kindly and the couple drove off.
"The padrino of the doll: Elizabeth Tailer." Harley looked around in search for this mysterious 'Elizabeth' and came to a surprised discovery, but one that made her smile as Lizzie came over with a little doll of a car that was eerily similar to Harley. Paint job and everything.
"Here you go, sweety." Lizzie said as she pushed the doll to Harley's side. "I think a doll is silly, but I guess it must have some kind of important mumbo jumbo. Happy birthday." she said and Harley kept her warm and loving smile to her grandmother like friend.
"Thanks, Lizzie." she said, getting a little nod from the old Model-T. She moved her shaky axles off to her original spot beside Red. Father Julio continued on once she had left.
"The padrinos of the tires and hubcaps: Luigi Marino and Guido Moretti." Harley had gotten much better at Italian over the years and could now somewhat survive a simple conversation with Guido, with Luigi's help of course. The little forklift came carrying four brand new tires that read 'Light Year' on them and four shiny silver hubcaps riding on top of the tires.
"La mia prima peetstop del grande Guido?" Guido chuckled at her Italian causing her to look at Luigi with concern. "Did I say that right?"
"Heh heh, almost." he said, "you want to say 'della' not 'del', Harley."
"Shoot. Della grande Guido?" she corrected herself.
"Sì! Un peetstop professionale!" Guido exclaimed. He tossed the tires and hubcaps as high as he could and with lightning fast reflexes, he sped around the Quince and replaced every tire and hubcap. All the while, Luigi had a timer and was closely watching the seconds tick by. As soon as Luigi reversed away, he spun and blew off his drill.
"Ten seconds, Guido!" Luigi called out. The little forklift smiled with a nod.
"Ha! That was awesome!" Harley shouted jumping up. "Era fantastico, Guido!" Guido smiled brightly and nodded.
"Buon compleanno!" He wished her a happy birthday and harley returned the smile.
"Gracie!" she thanked.
"The madrina of the paint job," Father Julio continued, "Rosalinda Hernandez." Rosia came forth with a nod and smiled to Harley. She drove up and nudged her side as a hug.
"Happy birthday, mija." she said with a voice that was sweet and smooth as honey.
"Gracias, Rosia." Harley said and she smiled as he with pride.
"There you go, you're gonna catch on soon enough." she said and drove off.
"Y ahora para el regalo final," Father Julio announced, "Now for the last gift to help you leave childhood and enter womanhood." Harley glanced around wondering what it would be and who would present it. "The padrino of the emblem: Paul 'Doc' Hudson." Harley had a faint look of surprise cross her face. Doc was not who she was expecting.
"Hey, Har." he said driving up to her with a tiny object wrapped in a cloth. "Happy birthday." he said as he began to uncover the emblem.
"Doc, I didn't expect you to want to have any part in this." Harley quietly said to match his volume as she held a smile of relief and of joy.
"Well, I figured if I can't stop it, might as well accept it." He revealed a shiny silver emblem outlined in black. It was clearly two separate emblems put together, but they were crafted together almost seamlessly.
"Doc… it's so pretty." two numbers glistened in the spotlight.
"I found these two number and put them together, I thought maybe you'd like it." Doc smiled down at the 89 emblem he had in front of him. "It's the year I got a daughter that I never had. And I would never ask for a better one." Harley smiled as tear glistened into existence on the bottom of her windshield. "It's don't think a better daughter can even exist."
"It's love it… thank you so much." She said holding back her emotions.
"You're very welcome." he said and gestured for Ramone to come over. He came with a few tools. "Where do you want it at?"
"Um…" Harley thought for a few moments. "I guess.. oh! By my taillight." she said with bright eyes. "That way when I race away, the only lyrics thing my competition will she is a shining 89!" Doc and Ramone chuckled.
"Alright then, come on Ramone." Ramone and Doc quickly put the emblem on her as fast and as safely as possible.
"There you go, mijita. You're all set." Ramone said. "So 89 will be your racing number, huh?" he asked and nodded.
"I like that number and that year." She said as she looked over at Doc who returned a warm smile.
"Clear the dance floor, it's time for the dance." Father Julio said as he reversed away dragging the now unplugged microphone away with him. Doc and Ramone left with the tool and Harley's look-alike doll while Miguel came up.
"May I have this dance?" he rhetorically asked. Another slow song came on and they danced around the café. "So how do you like the Mexican culture so far?" he asked.
"I have to say, it's beautiful.. I love it!" Harley admitted.
"Just like you." Miguel said and Harley blushed ever so slightly. Soon, Sarge came up and Miguel moved aside handing Harley over to the next man.
"Evening, solder." Sarge said as he lead her in the dance.
"Evening, Sarge." Harley said back with the same forceful tone.
"You're becoming a young woman. A strong one at that," his hard expression melted away and he smiled with kind, old eyes at her. "I couldn't be more proud at such a young cadet." Harley smiled back.
"Thank you, Sarge. I'm glad I've gotten to be your cadet." Sarge chuckled slightly before it was his turn to move along. Ramone came up and of course took the opportunity to show of his hydronic while Pancho and Francisco made fun of him in the background.
"The best dance for the best Quince!" Ramone said with a suave smile.
"Ha, well I think you win the award of best dancer then." Harley chuckled.
"You know I do!" he said as they danced near his brotherly Impala friends.
"Whatever, man!" Pancho called out and they all laughed as they danced near the center again.
"This Quinceañera wasn't the most traditional one, and it was the most extravagant one, but I hope you like it anyway, mija.." He sincerely said as he looked around then looked at her.
"I love every single bit of it." she truthfully said. Next, Sheriff came in and replaced Ramone.
"Happy birthday, Harley." He said with a big smile. "Remember when we first met.. you were terrified of me?" Sheriff asked and Harley laughed.
"I was scared of everyone!" she said "But you did look like a big scary cop car to a little six-year-old Harley. You can't blame her." she laughed again at a distant memory. "When Doc went to talk to someone and left me with you! I was so nervous." Sheriff laughed as he remembered it.
"I think I was too, actually." he said. "It was here, at the café. He needed to talk to Flo and he told you to stay and talk to me. By the time the old timer came back, we were laughing up a storm!" Harley and Sheriff smiled at the fond memory.
"It was such a weird little kid!" Harley said and Sheriff shook his hood.
"Not at all, just a wary one. Which was actually a good thing.. until you went from wary and cautious to curious and adventurous when you started sneaking off." Sheriff raised a lid at her and she scrunched down.
"Heh, yeah.. good times right?" she said with a guilty smile.
"Mhm, sure was, kid." he sarcastically replied. Sheriff led her to the front and her final dance partner came up. She smiled sweetly and he smiled warmly.
"Hey Doc." she said quietly as they began to dance.
"Hey Har." he replied and she chuckled slightly. "What?"
"You know, you're the only one who has ever called me that." she explained.
"What, Har?" she nodded and Doc shrugged his tires. "Well I guess it's just my special nickname for you then."
"Yeah. It is." she said as they continued around the café. They danced in circles, Doc lead, Harley followed. It was a sweet father-daughter moment, one that Harley always wanted with her real father, but was just as happy with the one she had. One that Doc never dreamed he'd ever have.
"Thank you." she said as she nuzzled his side.
"For what? Ramone was the one who put this together." Harley chuckled and shook her hood.
"Not for the party. For you." Doc's engined warmed and he smiled with pride and with joy and gratefulness. "Frank's for never giving up on me.. for always looking out for me.. I love you Doc." she said as the dance came to an end.
"I… I love you too Harley.. I love you too.." He inhaled deeply before going on. "I know you're becoming a young lady, but no matter what, I'll always be there ready to defend you at any moment… no one will ever hurt you. I won't let them."
"Thanks, Doc.." she said and smiled.
"Alrighty ladies and gentlecars!" Mater took the mic and started to announce. "Get Guido to put you on some dancing tires 'cause it's time to party!" he pointed a tire at the dj forklift from East L.A. "Hit it!" The music started going. A track of Selena Quintanilla started playing, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom. Cheers rose and several cars went onto the dance floor. "If dancing ain't yer forte, then we got some food for y'all to eat served by our own Flo! And her crew of helpers from Ramone's home town!" several women went out and began serving the cats who decided not to dance. Harley stuck with Doc for a little while until Miguel tracked his way through the crowd and found her.
"Señor Hudson," he said as Doc eyed him. "May I take your daughter to the dance floor?" Harley looked up with hopeful eyes, but Doc tried his best to ignore her. Of course, he failed and caught a glance at her and sighed.
"I guess so.." He gave in and Miguel smiled and gave a slight nod.
"She is in safe tires." he said then held out one towards Harley, "Vamos, reigna." Harley chuckled and took his tire. Once out of earshot, she questioned him.
"What's reigna mean?" she asked and he smiled with low eyelids.
"Queen." She again blushed at his compliment. "You're wearing a tiara after all."
Doc watched the two and shook his hood. Just then, his old friend drove up and parked beside him.
"Are you learning to let her go?" Sheriff asked and without looking away, Doc answered.
"I'm not sure about that yet… but I think I'm learning to let her grow up." Doc explained then glanced over at Sheriff.
"Well, that's better than nothing." he said and gave an understanding nod. They sat there parked off to the side in silence for a while until Sheriff spoke up again.
"You know, Miguel isn't a bad kid." Doc furrowed his eyelids at him.
"She's too young to date. Don't even think about it." Doc said
"Hey, it's part of growing up." Sheriff smirked while Doc rolled his eyes. "You can't tell me you never had a girl of your own when you were young."
"I was older than she is." he flatly said.
"Sure you were." Sheriff chuckled and nudged Doc's side.
"Oh yeah, and how old were you?" Doc said and nudged back.
"Sixteen." Sheriff said and Doc nodded.
"Still older than she is." He stated in a tone of victory.
"Yeah, well, Miguel is sixteen." Doc rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, and I'm sure he has a girl back home. I don't like him." Doc said as he searched the crowd for Harley. But they were hidden behind the cloud of dancers.
"You only don't like him because he likes Harley." Doc scoffed then suddenly had a serious look engraved into his face.
"Is that… why the hell is he here?" Doc asked as he viciously eyed a car who was late to the party. Sheriff noticed the harshness of his friend's glare and searched the crowd as well until his eyes landed on an electric blue car.
