The Porsche with the Pinstripe Tattoo
Chapter 7:
Another week went by. Doc was having Sally race around Willie's Butte.
" You're doing great, Sally," the Hornet praised from the sidelines. " Bring it in!"
Sally pulled in and stopped, panting.
" And to think I was driving those speeds a couple of months ago without breaking a sweat," she huffed.
" It's all part of recovery," Doc stated. Trust me. I know."
" Yeah, I saw the newspaper," the Porsche recalled, hesitating. " The one about your crash."
Doc froze, staring at her.
" You went into my garage without permission," the Hornet raised his voice, appalled.
" I came to get you for dinner and you were sleeping with the doors wide open," Sally replied. " Not my fault you have a shiny trophy in a spot for all to see, or I would've never known."
The Hornet groaned as he face-tired, shaking his hood.
" Do the others know about this," the Porsche questioned.
" No," Doc replied, curtly. " Never told them and I don't intend to. It's not something I like to talk about."
" How come," Sally pressed.
" I just don't," the Hornet snapped then started driving away. " Come on. Let's go get some lunch."
Sally watched him for a moment. Why wouldn't he want to tell his friends about that part of his life? The Porsche pushed that thought aside and followed him. Doc remained silent. So did Sally.
Once again, the gang was gathered at Flo's, doing the usual. Though, Doc was quieter than normal. Mater, on the other hand, was more talkative. He was stuffing his face, while chatting with his mouthful. Sheriff, who was parked next to him, side-stepped away to avoid the crumbs that were flying everywhere. He then turned to Doc, who was poking his food and nibbling.
" What's got you all worked up," Sheriff pressed.
" Huh," Doc glanced up then back down. " Nothing. Just tired. It's been a long week."
" If you say so," the Mercury shrugged.
Flo drove over to Sally.
" Has he given you an answer yet," she questioned.
" Not yet," Sally replied. " If I didn't know any better, I'd say he doesn't want me here."
" Now that's not true," Flo soothed. " He'd love to have you here. We'd all love to have you here. The problem is there's nothing here for you. You have no way of bringing home the bacon. None of us here do. Let me put it like this. If we don't get any business in the next couple of years, Radiator Springs will be a ghost town. You would have to move back to LA."
" That's a chance I'm willing to take," Sally commented.
Soon, it was bedtime. Everybody was asleep, except for Doc. Doc was in his office, preparing paperwork. He put a doctors note in the fax machine. Next, he began dialing numbers. The fax machine fired up, sending the information to the recipient.
" Sorry, Sally," Doc whispered to himself.
After he sent the fax, he drove to his garage and went to bed.