Because yesterday was Father's Day and this one is mostly about Lizzy's father.
By the time she reached the hospital, dusk had fallen and she couldn't feel any worse. "Mama." Lizzy rushed into her mom's arms.
"I know, Baby. Todd is in there right now."
Lizzy nodded and they walked towards the room. "Where are Sean and Henry?"
"Sean's at a rodeo and won't be checking in until tomorrow and Henry is in Talladega. I wasn't going to call him."
"But it's his father. Henry would want to be here."
"And your father wouldn't want a fuss."
"I just think you should tell him."
"I'll consider it." But she didn't call Henry and when Henry did call she didn't mention it. Sean arrived Saturday and Lizzy went back to the house to shower and change. After doing so she called Cooter and she told him what was going on. He was sympathetic and expressed concern for her. After they hung up Henry called. As they talked about his racing he could tell something was bothering her.
"Mousey, I know something's bothering you. Todd told me that you were visiting with your brother Cooter, and now your home. What's wrong?" Henry asked.
"Mom doesn't want me tell you."
"It's that bad?"
"Daddy ... he—It's terrible. Dad's in a comma. He slipped and hit his head. Mom doesn't want you to make a fuss but you're his son."
"I'll be there soon."
"Henry."
"He's my dad."
"Okay, I'll see you soon." Two hours later Henry showed up at the hospital. Everyone knew who told him but no one said anything. By the following morning David hadn't woken and Lizzy could barely take sitting there any longer. "I'm going to get coffee, anybody want coffee?"
"You don't drink coffee," Sean said as he toyed with the Stetson in his hands giving Lizzy a rare look at his dark hair.
"No, but I can't sit here any longer."
"I'll go with her," Henry said. The blonde stood and followed his sister.
As they walked to the cafeteria Lizzy looked up at her brother. "Are you really not going to race today?"
"Dad's in a coma, Lizzy. There's only one place I want to be."
"Yeah but he also wouldn't want anything to change. Remember the "Fever of '72" and the sprained wrist in '76?" David had worked through both as if neither was a problem.
"I know you're right but I feel like—why are you so eager to go?"
"Have you ever seen Superman get hurt?" Henry shook his head. "What about Captain America?" Again a no. "That's my superman in there. He can't get hurt. It's impossible." Lizzy swallowed back her tears then changed the subject again. "What about your sponsors and owner? Certainly after qualifying fifth they expect you to race."
"They'll understand. Are you really that anxious to not be here?"
"That's my superman, he can't be hurt and seeing him like that kills me. I love him almost as much as you do but I've been here for three days and I can't take it anymore."
"I get it." When they returned to the room with coffee for Sean and Todd, Henry saw the look in his kid sister's eyes; she really couldn't take it. What he was about to do would break his mama's heart but for his sister he had to. He picked up the phone and called the team owner. In a hushed tone Henry told the owner what was going on and his plan. Though hesitant at first the owner eventually agreed and passed the message along to the crew chief. "They're going to let you race instead of me. Be careful. Chad will meet you at the track. Take my car."
"You are going to put my baby behind the wheel of that infernal contraption? No way!" Leslie ground out, shaking her finger at her oldest.
"Mom!" Lizzy cried.
"You listen to me, both of you. I didn't mind you two and Todd tearing down every dirt road in Chickasaw County, or when Lizzy and Sean want to fly at breakneck speeds in a rodeo but I'm not letting her get involved with pro-racing. You dad reassured me and gave me a very reasonable argument that you were capable of handling it, so I said "Fine, Henry can race," but I will not allow you to put my baby in a four hour, free for all, demolition derby."
"Mama you can't tell me that NASCAR is any worse than Powderpuff."
"Men going at it for championship points versus girls and a couple hundred dollars. Yes I can."
"Okay, but these women are out to prove themselves which does make them more dangerous. If you don't want—won't let me race then fine, I'll go back to Hazzard because that man is my superman and Superman isn't supposed to get hurt." Lizzy stormed out of the room and Henry followed after a quick glance at his mother.
"Mouse!" Henry called. Lizzy stopped but didn't turn to face him. "Be careful out there, kid. I'd never forgive myself if Mom turns out to be right."
"Careful out where?"
"You and I both know you were about to head off to Talladega."
"Maybe."
"Take my car. My driver's pass will get you in if Chad's not waiting at the gate." Lizzy turned to look at her brother. "I don't want Mom to be right, please be careful."
"Of course."
"Good luck, Kid." Lizzy and Henry hugged and they went back their separate ways.
Five hours later, with less than 50 laps to go in the race David Jackson sat up and looked at his sons. By the time the doctor had come in to evaluate him there were 20 or so laps left. At about the same time as the doctor left the room Cooter entered it. "Um, hi, I'm Cooter Davenport. I'm looking for my sister, Lizzy."
"You've got the right room but she's not here right now," Todd said.
"Oh. I was sorry to hear what happened, Mr. Jackson."
"Thank you."
"Why are you here looking for your sister? She said she was going back to Hazzard," Leslie said.
"I haven't seen her since Thursday and her car is parked outside," Cooter answered.
"If she's not in Hazzard ... Henry Patrick Jackson, you didn't," she growled.
"Henry, what did you do?" David asked.
Henry looked at his father then at the TV that was currently showing the NASCAR race.
"You put my baby in that car after I told you not to?" Leslie asked. Henry could tell how angry his mother was getting just by her voice.
"My daughter in a professional auto race? My God," David breathed.
"David!" Leslie nearly shouted.
"I agree that it could be dangerous but she's a smart kid, she'll be fine," David argued.
"She's in third?" Cooter asked, hearing the announcer.
"Doing pretty well for herself." Henry grinned.
"I think Mom's right. It's dangerous and she shouldn't be out there. You can't go from county road races to a professional auto race. That never works well," Sean said softly. He was always soft spoken and never raised his voice but he was also the most protective of Lizzy's brothers.
"I understand your concern, but if I learned anything this summer about Lizzy it was that if you tell her not to do something she really wants to do, she's going to do it anyway. I know that she's your baby, but she's growing up and the one I got to know is an amazing woman. The best thing to do is support her," Cooter said. "Especially since she just came in third." He motioned to the TV where it was displaying the results for the race.
"I don't like this, Henry but perhaps if you can explain it—"
"Dad was in a coma. He's Lizzy's superman. As hard as it is for you to see the man you love in that bed, it. Broke. Lizzy's. Heart." Henry swallowed and brushed his hand through his dirty blond hair. "Lizzy has never, ever, ever seen Dad hurt or down or so helpless. She couldn't take it. I gave her an out. One she desperately wanted and possibly needed."
"Boys, will you give us a moment?" David asked. Todd, Sean and Cooter rose from their chairs as Henry looked a bit hesitant. "Go on, Henry, it'll be okay." Henry nodded and the four boys stepped into hallway. "Have a seat," David said as he motioned to a chair. "Sweetie, I know you're scared and you worry about our baby but she's fine. Henry was only trying to help her. He'd never knowingly put her in more danger than she can handle. He taught her to race and she's never lost a country road race."
"I know but it's different when it's a pro race. She could have been seriously hurt and I don't know if I could live with that—"
"Leslie, honey, I know you're upset, we prayed so long for a little girl and then we got Lizzy and it seemed like a miracle. But she's fine."
Leslie stared at her husband as she took his hand. "I don't like this, David."
"I understand but Cooter was right. We have to support her or we'll lose her. Would you rather never see your daughter again?"
"I don't want that, I just want my baby safe."
"I know." David patted his wife's hand comfortingly. She had been his rock for years, the unflappable level head behind his more spontaneous side but she always got emotional when it came to her babies. Just over two hours later Lizzy returned to the hospital just as David's test results came back. As the doctor read over the test results in the hallway, Lizzy slipped into her father's room as quietly as she could. However because the family was waiting for the doctor to return, all eyes instantly turned to her.
"Lizzy," Cooter acknowledged, standing and hugging her. "Congrats. Third in a pro race. How's it feel to break a record?"
"It's awesome. I know you're upset Mom—" Lizzy said, turning to her mother.
"No buts. You deliberately disobeyed me. I have had the last two and a half hours to think about this. I understand why you did it but under no circumstances will I ever accept or condone you lying to me."
"I apologize for having to lie to you but—"
"No. Buts."
"Mom—"
"I said no, Elizabeth."
"If that's the way you feel then I'll—"
"Stop it, both of you!" David snapped. Both women looked at him. "Cowgirl," David said, looking at his wife, "we talked about this. You promised you would be okay and if she wanted to explain then you'd let her and wouldn't hold it against her." Leslie took a deep breath and slowly let it out. David then turned to his little girl. "My spunky, little Monkey, I love you and I know it's tough on you to see me hurt. Come here." Lizzy looked at her brothers; each one different in their own way but each nodded knowing that the man they considered a dad would never hurt her. Finally her eyes landed on Cooter. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze then let go.
Lizzy approached the bed thinking over what she was going to say. "Daddy, I—"
"I know," David said, shushing his daughter. He took her hand and she perched on the bed facing her father. "I know how much it hurts for you to see me like this and I wish you never have to but that doesn't excuse lying to your mother. We both know how this feels for you. Your mom is only trying to protect you. I get that you're grown and don't think that you need to be protected anymore but when you have or adopt your own kids, you'll understand how she feels. It's a mother's job to always protect their kids no matter how old they get. Our door is always open to you no matter what you kids do."
"Mr. Jackson," the doctor said entering the room. "Oh, I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?"
"No, what's the good news?" David asked.
"All your tests have come back cleared so we'll have you sign some paper work and you'll be set to go home."
"Thanks Doc," David said. "Kids, we'll meet you back at the house."
Out in the parking lot Lizzy looked at Cooter. "So you headed back to the ranch?" Cooter asked.
"I feel like I owe it to my dad to be there for him at least for today but I'll be back to Hazzard soon."
"Okay, call if you need anything."
"I will."
Later that night after a very quiet dinner and after her mom had gone to bed, Lizzy curled upon the couch next to her dad. They sat in silence for a while until her dad looked down at her. "You're a smart girl, I've always liked that about you but why did you lie to your mom? That wasn't the smartest idea you've ever had."
"You were hurt; all the rational thought went out the window when I made that decision. I'm sorry, Daddy." Lizzy stared down at her hands and her dad smiled wrapping an arm around her.
"Please try not to do it again. I am very proud of you though. Third place in a professional NASCAR race. Not even Henry has done that. The guys in town are going to be so jealous of me."
"Daddy!" David only smirked. "Do you think Henry is mad at me?" Lizzy bit the edge of her lip and twisted a strand of her hair around her finger.
At first David wanted to blow off the question as a joke and his daughter just asking to reassure herself nothing was wrong but then he saw her actual fear showing through the nervousness and knew he had to calm her down. "Why would your brother ever hate you? Is this about you spending time with Cooter? I know we were all surprised to find out you had an actual sibling but—"
"No, Papa, he doesn't mind Cooter, I meant that I came in third when his highest place is fifth."
"Do you remember when you were about seven or eight and your brothers all got dirt bikes for Christmas but we said you were too young and couldn't have one? Three and a half months later they set up a race around the outskirts of the property. I remember the look on their faces when you came 'round that last corner on your souped up mini bike and beat all three of them to the finish line. They were shocked you did it all on your own. Not only that you beat all of them but that you did all that work on the bike without their help. I know Henry's not mad at you."
"But—"
"The only one who was upset that day was your mom because you disobeyed her. My spunky, little Monkey had to do everything her big brothers were doing. I respect that about you. Henry isn't mad. When we saw the results, he looked so proud."
"Thanks, Dad," Lizzy said.
"Get some sleep; it's been a long day for all of us."
"Night, Daddy."
"Night, Monkey." David answered, kissing the top of her head.
Lizzy followed the old familiar path up the stairs and passed her brothers' rooms. She suddenly stopped in front of the white door. It looked the same as every other door is the hall but this one; the one across from the bathroom was different. "How long you gonna stand there staring at my door, baby?"
Lizzy took a deep breath then turned around to see Henry leaning against the bathroom door frame. "Henry, are you mad at me?"
"Mad about what Lizzy-gator?"
"The race."
"I told you to go, Lizzy."
"About the placing."
"Aw Lizzy, of course not. I'm a little jealous that a girl who barely knows how to drive a stick came in third but not mad."
"It would have been higher but like you said I barely know how to drive a stick. Are you sure you're not mad?"
"Of course not, Mousey. I love you and I could not be more proud of you. Sure, I'm a little upset that you scored higher than I ever have but in all honesty it's just going to push me to work harder. I should be thanking you. Really. Thank you."
"Night Henry." Lizzy said. Henry nodded and they both went to bed.
Sure enough two weeks later, after a huge wreck took him out the first week, Henry came in first and thanked Lizzy for giving him the push he needed. He said in the victory lane interview that if his sister could come in third place in a NASCAR race barely knowing how to drive a stick shift then a professional like himself should definitely be able to do better than that.
Lizzy spent the rest of August and much of September in Hazzard though she did still compete in rodeos every other weekend. She loved getting to spend time with Cooter and the Dukes. It felt perfect but she knew it couldn't last. Especially when she got her letter informing her of the annual Atlanta Rodeo classic.
"What's that?" Cooter asked, looking at the letter in her hands.
"The Annual Atlanta Classic. It's the official start of racing season. I'm gonna be gone more often than I'm here."
"When do you leave?"
"That's the thing, it's in Atlanta. Less than an hour from here. I don't have to leave until Friday. Until then—"
"Then Thursday we can have a party. Everyone here's gonna miss ya. Especially Bo."
"I like him Cooter but I know he's not ready to commit plus I'm really busy a lot. It's best if we keep it simple."
"As long as you two know what you're getting into."
So I'm getting the feeling that not many people like this story but that's okay. Those that do please review. Oh look I rhymed.