Author's Note: Thanks again to people who have been faving, following, and reviewing this! Sorry this chapter is super short, the next one will most likely be the longest, so hopefully that will make up for it. This is all I got typed up right now, so it'll be at least a few days before the next update.
"I'll admit, a lot changed after the crash," Smokey said as he led Doc and Lightning to his service garage. "When Hud was forced out of racing, well- "
"I did a few things I'm not too proud of." Doc interrupted.
"Like what?" Lightning asked.
Smokey stopped at the entrance to his garage and looked at Doc. "You want to tell him, or should I?" Doc sighed and said nothing, but gestured for Smokey to continue. He knew this was going to come out eventually. Better to get it out in the open now, he thought to himself.
Smokey decided not to sugar coat things, but just stated exactly what happened as a matter of fact. "Hud up and left town, and pretty much broke all contact with everyone. He didn't speak to me again for 50 years. Might have gone on that way for good if you hadn't shown up, because not long after that tie-breaker race, these letters started coming in from a place called Radiator Springs." Smokey opened his garage door, and what they were met with amazed Doc. Not only had Smokey kept nearly every letter, picture, and article Doc had sent him, but he had them all displayed on a bulletin board. Doc realized Smokey must look at that board nearly every day.
"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Hud, but it seems to me racing wasn't the best part of your life," Smokey looked at Lightning, "Looks like you are." With that, Smokey left the garage and went back outside.
"Smokey is usually right about most things," Doc said as Lightning looked over at him. Doc turned and faced Lightning, giving him a proud look. "You still got a lot of stuff, kid." Then Doc too left the garage, leaving Lightning to get a closer look at those letters.
Lightning rolled up to the bulletin board and took it all in. The letters appeared to span almost his entire career. It seemed like Doc made note of every accomplishment:
"…and you're not gonna believe this, but I'm now the hot rod's crew chief…"
"…won his first Piston Cup. Now, don't tell him I told ya, but I'm mighty proud of him…"
"…but I'm glad he's got friends on the track looking out for him. A couple of racers by the names of Bobby Swift and Cal Weathers…"
"…so, I said to him, "So you think because you have 3 Piston Cups now, you're some kind of big shot?" …"
"That was quite impressive, Smokey," Doc said as they waited for Lightning outside. "Makes me feel a little guilty for keeping your letters in a drawer."
Smokey gave him a curious look. "And is that all you're feelin' guilty about?"
He should have known Smokey wouldn't let him off the hook completely. Doc took a deep breath. "Listen, I know I shouldn't have left things the way I did. But after a while it seemed like too much time had passed. I'm sorry I left you hanging all that time." It wasn't the most eloquent apology, but it was all Doc could manage to say at that moment.
As it turned out, Smokey mainly just wanted to watch him squirm. He smirked and said "Take it easy, Hud. I gave up on being mad at ya a long time ago. I'm just glad you've found something that makes you happy again."
At that point, Lightning was rolling out of the garage, his mind still processing everything. He knew he and Doc were close, but to find out what the Hornet really thought of him was a lot to absorb.
Doc spoke to him first. "There's a lot left in you too, y'know."
"Are you ready to show 'em what you got?" Smokey added.
"Yes, sir." Lightning responded earnestly.