Lightning walked into Flo's with Sally by his side. "SURPRISE!" The town folk shouted! Mater then setting off this little confetti cannon. But it barely did worth anything. He glared at it and muttered "Awe shoot.." then BAM! the thing went off an confetti went everywhere! Lightning chuckled a bit at that. Sheriff walked up and said, "Gave us all quite a scare there, kid." Lightning just nodded. Mater then ran up and hugged his best friend. Lightning patted Mater on the back.
Mater exclaiming, "Good to see you, buddy!" Lightning then pushing Mater away gently as he was hugging just a little too tight. Then Luigi and Guido and Flo and Ramone and Sarge and Filmore. Lightning could feel his heartbeat in his chest coming up his throat! Then he could feel the anxiety attack coming. Everyone telling him things, smiling, hugging! It was too much!
No, calm down! Breathe! He was telling himself a he tried to resist the panic coming on! Not here. Not now! His thoughts only making this worse! Sally noticed and grabbed his arm, pulling out of the crowd of friends and announcing, "Alright, Lightning has had a rough recovery. One at a time and calm down. He doesn't need to get to worked up." Lightning's breathing slowed back down as he looked at Sally. She was amazing for that. Sally gazed up at her husband and he smiled down at her. She could see the appreciation in his eyes.
He sighed. Felt better again. Flo then asked, "How are you feeling?" Lightning shrugged, "I'm alright now. Glad to be home." Then Filmore said, "We didn't really get to see you much at the hospital. You took forever getting back up, man." "Yeah… I did…" Lightning said as he faked a smile. Sally hated this. She could tell he was extremely uncomfortable. She just didn't understand why. This was just the townsfolk. They were like family. Then Luigi with, "We did not know how well you would recover. Everyone was so worried and we didn't get much updates until you came out of the coma."
Lightning nodded and faked a bit of a laugh, "Wow, yeah. Sorry. Didn't mean to scare y'all." Ramone then with, "Yo, your brother put the Bolt up before I could get ahold of her. Bring her by and fix her up right." "Will do, Ramone.." Lightning replied. Then Mater asking, "Then maybe next week we can go cow tippin! It's been ages!" Then sarge with, "Maybe if he has time. Got to get back into shape to beat Storm." Then Flo asking, "Are you planning on racing still?" Everyone stared at him. Lightning stared back like a deer in headlights. "I… I.." He tried talking. Would he race again? "I don't.. I don't know…" He finally admitted with a frown. Everyone stared at him.
No words. Just eyes on him. Some of them astonished even! Mater saying, "Well… What are you gonna do if you don't race?" "You can't just quit, man." Filmore suggested. Sarge then nudged his friend with his elbow. Filmore confused as to why he did that. Lightning scoffed, "Well, I don't know. Things are different now. I'm different. The bolt can't even race. I… I haven't even tried driving yet!… I… I don't know if I can." He growled. Everyone kind of frowned. Sheriff then walked back in carrying a cake. "I brought the welcome home cake!" He announced. Everyone staring. He looked around and asked, "What?… What did I miss?"
Lightning growled and snarled, "This was a mistake. I'm sorry." Then turned and left the cafe. The little belle dinging as he opened the door and it swung shut. Everyone then stared at Sally. She just didn't understand. She sighed and apologized to everyone before following after Lightning. Sarge then growled at Filmore, "Way to go, man." Filmore asking, "What did I do?"…
Sally caught up to Lightning by the end of the street near their home. Grabbing his arm and stopping him. "What was that about? Everyone just wanted to see you?" "Or judge me for being a failure!" He snapped at her! Sally sighed, "Oh Lightning… It wasn't like that…" "Every one of them expect me to go back, but what if I can't!? What if I'm done!? What if it's over for me!?" He shouted. Sally opened her mouth to say something but before she could some news reporters noticed him and shouted his name!
"There he is! Lightning!""McQueen!" Running towards them. Snapping photos. Lightning ignored them and walked into the house. Slamming the door in the reporters faces. Sally stood there as they then ran to her. Snapping pictures and asking tons of different questions all at once. She hated this. Lightning was so broken and she thought seeing friends would help.. But she was wrong and made it worse….
Sally woke up in bed alone to the sound of an engine. She sat up and began to panic! Where was Lightning!? She jumped our bed but before she could do much else she felt woozy and sick to her stomach. "Oh god… Not again." She whined then ran to the bathroom. Throwing up again! It felt to painful! Whatever big she had gotten was killing her stomach! After a few minutes of what seemed like puking her guts out. She was fine. Sally cleaned her face with some water and stared at herself in the mirror. Of course she had to catch some stomach bug.
This was ridiculous. She grabbed some medicine out and took it. Hoping that would give her some relief. She then walked out into the kitchen. Lightning wasn't there either. She began to really worry. But as she walked further into the kitchen, headed to the garage, she found a note. She grabbed it and read it. Sighing. Poor Lightning. He was so broken right now. She set the note down and walked in to the living room….
Lightning sat in front of Doc's grave. The Bolt on the road behind. He and probably been sitting there for about forty minutes now. Silently. Not speaking. Just sitting in front of the old tombstone. Just staring at the name engraved. He sighed. Staring. He could really use Doc right now. Just sitting there. Staring at the grave. Depressed and broken. He needed Doc right now. Wishing he could remember something that Doc told him. But right now he couldn't. Tears gathered in Lightning's eyes.
He needed Doc. He needed to go back in time and talk to him. Just hear his voice. Just hug Doc one last time. And he broke down. Lightning hit the ground with his fist and began crying. Crying so hard. Looking up at the sky and letting out a painful scream! Breathing hard and he cried. Calming down again. Wiping his eyes. He stood up. Walking up to the grave and placing his hand on it. Just resting his hand on the tombstone for a moment before finally taking a deep breath and walking back to the Bolt. Getting in and looking at the grave once more before driving off slowly…
Lightning drove to Doc's garage. Pulling up and getting out. He walked up and unlocked it. Opening up the garage door. Pulling the bolt in then closing it. Dust flew everywhere as he closed the garage. He swiped at the air with his hand. Coughing a bit. He turned on the light. It flickered at first but then it turned on. Lightning looked around at the boxes and organized junk. Then he walked over to the old camera and tapes. He looked around and found the old screen. Maybe there was something in the old tapes.
Something Doc could tell him through the past. So Lightning cleaned up the camera. Fixed up the white screen and set up the camera. Having to rewire a little of it. Taking his time and being careful with Doc's old belongings. Lightning fixed the dented films. Straightening them out carefully before rolling them back up. Taking his time. Making sure to take such care of Doc's stuff. Then setting the film tape in the camera and turning it on. It flashed a bit then began to play some of Doc's old races. The races Lightning remembered watching as a kid..
"The Hudson Hornet takes first at the Daytona!"
"Hudson takes home his third piston cup!"
"Hudson breaking the speed record for fasted lap at fireball beach!"
"The Hudson Hornet doing his signature move! What an amazing racer ladies and gentlemen!"…
Lightning parked the Bolt back in the garage of his home. Shutting the car off then leaning back into the seat. Letting out a sigh. Brushing his right hand over the steering wheel. "Maybe we don't go back, old girl…" he muttered aloud. He sighed and got out the car. Sally then opened the garage door and smiled at her love. He smiled a little but it turned to a frown. Sally walked over to him and hugged him. Lightning falling limp in her arms. So broken. So lost. So depressed. "I love you…" She whispered. Lightning wrapped his arms around her. "Love you to.." He replied. He just hurt so much. He hadn't hurt like this in a long time.
But he smiled a bit as he hugged her. As he could smell her. As he could feel her against him. She was his saving grace. "I love you so much." He said again. Holding her closer and tighter. "Thanks… For staying by me through everything.." He said. Sally frowned hearing this. Her guilt. She felt the tears come on. "Yeah… Of course.." She whined. Lightning had no clue. He was absolutely clueless to her pain and guilt and betrayal. Probably for the best. Sally sniffled and closed her eyes. Taking his embrace in. Just praying that he'd make it through this depression…
Sally woke up next to her husband. She looked over at him. Not sure if he was awake and resting or asleep still. She sighed. This depression he had was bad. He'd just sit around and mope. Eventually he'd eat and shower but she'd often have to coax him. He wasn't really ready to be seen in public yet. The only time he really left the house was to visit Doc's grave or garage. He really was just sleeping his life away send being home. Then suddenly sat got up and ran to the bathroom! Sick again! Nothing was kicking this bug she had for the past couple of days. Sally finished in the bathroom and stumbled back to bed.
Laying down. She then gently shook Lightning by his shoulder and asked, "Lightning.. You awake?.." Lightning rolled over and lay towards her on his side. "You're still sick?" He asked. Sally sighed answering, "Yeah, I guess so.." she was miserable. "I have to get back to the motels though. I've been away long enough." She gripes. But her stomach. God it turned on her. Lightning stared at her a moment before suggesting, "Why don't you just stay in bed today?" "I wish.." "You have help. You don't have to get back to work today." He reminded. Sally nodded and thought a moment before answering, "I think I'll just go to the doctor. Get some antibiotics for whatever this is and get this over with. Tylenol and ibuprofen just aren't cutting it." Lightning nodded in agreement.
They lay there a moment. Silent. Lightning rolling onto his back and staring up at the ceiling. "Any plans today?" Sally asked Lightning shrugged, "The usual probably.. I may go to Flo's for a drink later.." "Let me know if you do, I'll meet you there. If I'm not puking my guts out." She growled. Lightning snickered then looked at her. "You're beautiful." He complimented. Sally rolled her eyes. Nah, not after puking her guts out. Lightning closed his eyes and finally asked, "Should I bother trying to go back?" Sally looked at him. Staring. "To racing?" She asked.
Lightning snickered and looked at his wife, "Well, yeah. What else?" Sally smiling and answering, "I want you to do what makes you happy. I think you can do it though. Just be smarter this time." "Yeah…" Lightning didn't have the same faith in himself as Sally did. He wished he did. "I want to…" He admitted. Sally cuddled up to him saying, "Then do it." She was so supportive. Even after the accident. Honestly, Lightning was thankful for that from her. "I don't know.." He replied. He was still unsure what he would do. "I guess I should call Rusty and Dusty.. Talk to them.." "And Cal and Bobby." Sally reminded. Lightning sighed. He honestly didn't want to. He knew it would only stress him out. Sally suddenly sat up. Feeling sick again….
Lightning stared at the screen. Seeing Doc barrel roll through the sand on the fireball beach. He sighed. Hating this part. The moment Doc's career ended. Doc getting out of the car and stumbling to the ground from his injuries. The medical team running to him. The video cut off and went black.
"When I finally go put back together expecting a big welcome, you know what they said? Your history! Moved right on to the next rookie standing in line. There was a lot left in me… I never got a chance to show them.." Doc said with a frown.
Lightning sighed with a frown. Staring at the newspaper article of Doc's crash. He felt horrible. he needed Doc right now. He needed to ask him what he needed to do. How to handle this. The door of the garage squeaked open. "Hey, Stickers…" Sally muttered. Putting on a smile. Lightning just continued to star at Doc's picture. "Hey, Sal…" He muttered quietly. Sally stared at him. "How you feeling?" She asked. Lightning not even paying attention really with, "Yeah, great. Really, really great…" Sally frowned a bit. He was so depressed.
Sally glanced at the article then walked up to her husband and asked, "Been thinking about Doc again?" "Yeah.." he muttered. Sally then walked up closer to Lightning. Staring at the article. Lightning continuing, "You know they told him when he was done. He didn't decide.. I don't want what happened to Doc, to happen to me.." "But that hasn't happened." "No.. But I can't go out on the track and do the same old thing. it won't work!" Lightning shouted with frustration.
Sally quickly suggested, "Then change it up! Try something new." "I don't know, Sally.. I"-"Don't fear failure. Be afraid of not having the chance. You have the chance! Doc didn't. And… And you can either take it or do what you've been doing. Sitting. In here. For days. I mean I love what you've done with the place. The monster movie lighting, the musky air freshener.. And don't let anyone tell you you're not working that unshaven mountain man look. Because WOW. I have never found you more attractive. And now that I've been in here a couple of minutes, the stench?… I'm getting kind of use to it." "Okay, okay, okay, Sal.. I get it.." he glared. "I get it." Rolling his eyes.
Sally smiled warmly saying, "I miss you, Lightning… We all do…" Lightning sighed and thought about what she had said for a moment. Trying something new. He just didn't know what if anything, if he had anything in him to give it another chance. Suddenly Mater busted in and loudly asked, "Did it work, Miss Sally!? Did you set him straight with your lawyerly power of persuasion? Is he ready to start training!?" Lightning snickered. Should have known better. Sally smiled and asked, "Well, stinkie?-Stickers? What's it gonna be?"
Lightning thought a moment before smiling a little. "Alright. Yeah. Maybe I can do this. Try something new, right? Yeah, I am. I decide when I'm done." He said with enthusiasm. Sally smiled and placed a hand on Lightning's shoulder, "I was hoping you'd say that." She said softly. Lightning then added, "I'm gonna have to talk with Rusty and Dusty about it though." "Shoot! I'll get them on the horn! Get it? Horn? I'll meet you at Flo's!" But before he took off, Lightning stopped him. "Hold on there, Mater. I don't want to tell everyone yet. Just keep this between us three for now." "Well, alright. But why?" "I got to come up with some things first.. I need to think about a few things that will need to be addressed.. Tomorrow." "Shoot! I can't wait!" Mater exclaimed then took off jumping and stumbling around with excitement.
Sally grabbed Lightning's hand in hers. Being supportive as always. Lightning then turned towards her and asked, "Are you sure you want me to do this? If you want me to stay, I'll"-"I want you back. And I know racing is the thing that will do just that. Just promise you won't let yourself get torn up out there. Don't let fear set in. No panic attacks. Be safe and come back to me." Lightning nodded assuring, "I'll always come back to you, Sally." Sally smiled. Both did really gazing into one another's eyes. Sally leaning in and kissing him on the cheek softly. "But seriously. You gotta shave." She griped. Lightning chuckled a bit and reluctantly agreed to that…
"You okay?" Lightning asked as Sally was sick again the following morning. Sally just ran back and fourth to the bathroom. Puking so loudly into the toilet. Man, she was really sick. Lightning got up and out of bed. That was enough for him. She was going to the doctor. She came out and Lightning laid her clothes out. "You have to go to the doctor. You can't shake whatever this is." Sally nodded. Holding her stomach as it cramped and turned on her. "Yeah.. Okay." She muttered. "But I'm not sick through the entire day. Just mornings and when I smell…." her words trailed off softly. Her eyes widened with fear. Lightning noticed and raised a brow. Staring at his wife. "What? When you smell what?" He asked then briefly proceeded to smell his own shirt.
Sally stared at him. Something was wrong. And something bad by her expression. "Sally?…" he muttered with concern. Sally swallowed nervously. Almost choking on her own spit. "I.. I have to go. I'm going to get dressed and head out to the doctors. I'll try and check on the motels when I go." She said. Lightning nodded a little. Still. Her expression was weird and scary. She looked like she saw a ghost suddenly. It would be a lie to say that Lightning wasn't a bit overthinking this moment. I mean.. It wasn't rocket science. She had been sick. They had sex like last week or so ago. But pregnancy didn't happen that fast, did it?
He honestly wasn't sure how it worked one hundred percent. Especially sense Sally has been on the treatments. That made her out of whack as it was. Or was she even on it anymore? Sense the accident. He was unsure. Sally finished getting dressed and kissed his now shaved cheek. "I'll be back." She said. Leaving. Lightning watched her leave the room. Then stood alone. What was he to do today? Sit and mope? Loathe in self pity? Sleep the day away? He sighed. This depression he had was winning badly….
Sally walked into the motel office bathroom. Closing and locking the door behind her. She opened the brown paper shopping back and pulled out the pregnancy test. "Oh please no.." She whimpered. After how long she had been trying, this was the first time she hoped not! She knew better. The timing. Can't get pregnant by a man in less than a week and show symptoms. Maybe? She could hope. But no! It didn't matter because it was going to be negative. She had a bad stomach bug. That's all this was.
Sally opened the box. Her hands shaking. Her eyes filling with tears. If this stick read two lines, she knew Lightning would just die! This would send him over the edge! But it was going to say negative! It had to! Sally wiped and flushed and placed the test back into the box. Setting it on the counter of the sink. She then sat on the floor. Holding her knees to her chin. Growing so fearful. "Please, God.. No.. I didn't.. It didn't mean anything.. I don't want this.. Please.. I can't lose him… I'll.. I'll never do something like this again.. It was a mistake!" Trying to think of how Lightning would even handle this if she were! Tears fell from her eyes. She reached for the test but stopped. She couldn't do it. Not alone. So sally grabbed her phone out and called the one person in town she trusted other than Lightning. Flo…..
Flo knocked on the bathroom door and panicked as she asked, "Sally!… What's wrong!? You said it was urgent." Sally opened the door and let Flo inside, locking the door behind her. The two barley able to fit in the small bathroom of the office. Flo saw the pregnancy test box. Her eyes widened as she asked, "Honey… Are you pregnant?" "I don't know! I'm to scared to look!" Sally cried with fear! Flo didn't understand but then again. Sally and Lightning had been trying for so long. Flo just figured she was scared to see another negative result. "Sally.. It'll be okay. No matter what it says." Trying to comfort the younger woman.
Sally shook her head and wiped her eyes as she fell to the floor again. Crying as she admitted, "It won't be! It will be the end of us if it is!" "Lightning would love to be a dad.. He could probably use some positive news right now…" "No! You don't understand! I messed up! I made a huge mistake!" Sally cried loudly. Flo knelt down and placed a hand on one of Sally's knees as she asked, "What are you talking about, baby girl?" Sally cried. Crying so much and such emotion. Flo was actually worried. Sally cried as she admitted, "It wouldn't be Lightning's!" Flo's face turned white. "What?.." "I messed up! I messed up bad! I slept with Ben while Lightning was in the hospital in a fucking coma!! Multiple times! I'm a whore! A horrible person!" She cried!
A hard cry. Flo stood up and stared at the box. Not sure what to say here. This was not normal for Sally. "No… No, you're not... We don't even know yet.. Does Lightning know?.." "Of course not! He's been so depressed and broken… Flo, this will kill him! I'm going to kill him!" Sally yelped! Flo stared at Sally crying on the floor. Ben. Her ex husband. Flo sighed and asked, "Are you sure it's not Lightning's? If it is positive?" "Lightning and I only had sex before the race and then just last week! I took a test back at the hospital during his recovery. It was negative back then! Can you get pregnant in a week!? And show symptoms!?" She shouted! Flo frowned. As a woman, she knew that answer. Flo took into count how Sally had been sick for a few days then knelt down and told Sally to breathe. In and out.. In and out.
Getting her to calm down from her panic. "We don't even know the results.." she reminded. "It could be nothing. And you are just sick from everything else going on.." Sally calmed down and nodded. Breathing in and out. She looked up at the box and asked, "Can you look first.. I'm scared…" Flo stood up and stared at the box. Not feeling good about this. Flo grabbed Sally's hand and helped her up. "We'll look together. Come on. I'm sure you're just panicking." Flo assured. Sally nodded. Watching Flo grab the box and reach in the box. Slowly pulling out the test stick. Looking down at the results. Flo dropped the box. Holding the test stick. Sally's heart dropped!
Two little lines. Positive.
Flo grabbed Sally by he shoulders and instructed, "Woman to woman. Don't you say a dam word to Lightning. You go to the clinic. Get an official test done and get them to tell you how far you are! You never know and it could be Lightning's. Maybe you're further along than you think and it's from before the race." Sally just stared in shock at the test. But she knew her body. She knew what or rather this was. And it wasn't Lightning's! But… Following Flo's advice, Sally would go to the clinic for confirmation….
Sally sat on the exam table. Clothed. She was waiting for the doctor to come in. Nervous. What if she really was? She knew it was going to be Ben's. How would she tell Lightning? What if she didn't? What if she put it off as his if she was? No, she couldn't do that. She could barely keep it together with the affair itself! The door opened and the doctor walked in. Sally eagerly awaiting the news. He walked to the table and looked over papers he had in his hands before announcing, "Well, you're definitely pregnant." "What?…" "Yup. Congratulations. I know you and Lightning have been trying for a long time. Seems like it's paid off!" He smiled.
Sally's face was pale! The doctor chuckled a bit saying, "Shocked, huh?" Sally nodded. She was going to be sick! "H-how far along am I?…" She asked quietly. "A week?… Or maybe ten- eleven weeks?.." Hoping so because then that meant it was Lightning's. The doctor thought a moment then answered, "Let's get an ultrasound so I can size up your baby and I can tell you exactly." Sally nodded. But oh god….
Sally sat on the bed. The tech using the the machine to measure the baby. The doctor standing there and staring at the screen. "Great heartbeat. Little one is strong." The doctor bragged. Sally smiled. A fake one. God.. Please be Lightning's baby!… Her eyes filled with fearful tears. Just begging the lord to let this be her husband's baby. The doctor looked at the measurements the tech was taking the announced, "I'd say you're somewhere around six, Seven.." "Oh…" She whimpered. She knew what this meant. It was Ben's! ((I realize the time frame is wonky. But it's the best I could do. Sorry))….
Sally walked over to Flo's. Standing near the town folks as Lightning spoke to Rusty and Dusty on the phone. He was talking about plans to get training and get back to racing. Sally frowned. Not even paying attention. She betrayed him. And he was going to go off training soon. She would have to tell him before he left. Otherwise he'd come back seeing her big belly and pregnant. She had to break his heart. She had to hurt him. She had to destroy them. She just had to sleep with her fucking ex! So she slowly disappeared. Heading home to think of how on earth she would talk to him….
Lightning returned home that night. At least he was in a better mood at the moment. Or seemed like it. He hung his jacket up and set his keys down. Locking the front door behind him. He walked in to see Sally on the couch. No tv. No lamp or light on. Weird. He walked in and looked at her. "Sal?" He called. She looked up at him from the couch. Her eyes red and puffy from crying. Lightning's eyes widened and he immediately asked, "Woah, what's wrong?" Sitting next to her. "Is this about me racing? Leaving? I told you, I won't go if"-"No. it's not that.." she interrupted.
Lightning stared at her. Something was seriously wrong. "What's wrong?" He asked. Sally looked at the floor. He had never seen her this depressed and broken. Even through everything they had been through. "Sal?…" He called softly. Sally felt herself choke on her own heart coming up her throat. "I have to tell you something.. It's bad.. Really bad… And I'm sorry.." Now she was scaring him! "What's wrong?.. I.. You're scaring me." He warned. That didn't make this any easier. Sally took a deep breath and said it. Just get it out. "I'm.. I'm.. I'm pregnant." She announced.
Lightning stared a moment. Not sure how that was bad at first. "Sally, that's.. That's great news. Forget it, I'll stay. I'll stay and make sure you are okay. I won't let anything happen this time, okay?" He assured. Oh that made this worse! Her eyes teared up. Tears falling down her face. "Hey.. It's okay.." He assured and hugged her. Sally pushed him away and stood up. Turning away as she pleaded, "Please let me finish! That's not all of it.. There's more to it!" She shouted. Lightning sat there. Confused.
"I'm.. I'm weeks pregnant.. You were in a coma.. Just.. Please don't leave me.. At least not tonight." Lightning's brows lowered, "What?.. I don't.. I don't understand.." he muttered, but he was putting the pieces together. Sally looked at him. Facing him. "It's.. It's not yours, Lightning… I made a mistake.. I thought.. I thought I lost you and so.." "Wait, no. You.." he stared at her. Not wanting to believe this. But he stared up at her eyes. Her tear filled eyes. She meant it.. She meant this!
Lightning stood up and his heart sank! "What-You-No.. No, you didn't. You wouldn't do that. You.. You're saying you… But you're perfect.. " he couldn't make the words. Just shocked and his heart broke! Sally's lips shivered as she whimpered, "I'm so sorry.. It.. I made a mistake.. I didn't mean.. I didn't think.." "Wait, you slept with someone else? And you didn't tell me until now? Now that you are pregnant? And it's not mine?.. Because you fucked another guy!?" No way this was true!? The anger and betrayal hit him! Sally fell to her knees as she began to cry! "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! It meant nothing! I love you! I didn't do this on purpose! And I was going to tell you!…" "When!? When I was in the fucking ground!?" Lightning asked!
He just stared at her. Tears filling his eyes. "Are you really pregnant?" He asked. Sally looked up and wiped her eyes before answering, "I went to the doctor.." because she'd been sick. Lightning tried not to cry. But oh my god this pain he felt. Holy shit! He couldn't breathe! He couldn't swallow. His heart ached. His chest felt physical pain! "No… No, you wouldn't.." he whimpered. The tears building as he took a few steps away from Sally and the living room. Sally looked down at the floor. "This doesn't make sense.." He whimpered. "Why?… Why would you do that!?" He shouted in anger! He was going to kill her! Not really.
But his anger towards Sally right now was beyond hatred! Sally cried answering, "I don't know!… It just happened!" "Who!?" "No one!" "Who is he!?" "I… I…"-"Who the fuck put his hands on you!?" "It.. It was Ben… I'm so sorry…" Lightning stared at her. Watching her cry. Tears rolling down his face. Staring at his wife. His wife who cheated. Now pregnant with her ex husband's child. Seriously. Lightning turned away. He could not look at her right now. The pain hurt so bad. This was a new pain. He never felt this before. "No!" He shouted, "This isn't true! What about us!? Why would you… You just wrote me off and fucked your ex!? What the hell is wrong with you!?" He snapped!
Sally covered her face with her palms. Crying into her hands. "Fuck!" He shouted and KICKED the side of the couch! So hard it moved slightly! Sally jumped back from the sudden scare. "I'm sorry!" She screamed! Lightning screaming at her with, "Sorry!? You're sorry!? I'm gonna kill him! I'm going to fucking kill him!" Kicking the end table and busting the lamp on it to pieces when he did. Sally stared at the glass on the floor begging, "Calm down.. I'm sorry! I love you!.. I want you!" "Well, what-what-Did you like it!? Did you-did you actually-were you even thinking of us!?" Staring at her.
He sighed, "Of course not.. I can't believe this.. God dammit, Sally.. I can't.. I can't look at you right now. Fuck!" He shouted and kicked the table that was already tipped over again! Rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair. Sally jumped back a bit. He was furious! Lightning could not be near her another second. He stepped back and said, "I.. I need air.. I have to get out of here.. I.. I have to… Just.. Breathe." Then rushed out the front door, slamming it shut! BAM! "FUCK!" He shouted outside! People nearby staring. He just faked a smile and waved.
The people not minding after that. He sighed. Wanting to scream! Wanting to cry! But he could not fall apart! He could not let this get to him! Not Sally. This had to be a bad dream! Sally was his perfect saving grace! Not her! Not his wife! Ben was a dead man! How dare he touch her! How dare he sleep with her! How dare he knock her up like this! Lightning walked back in. Slamming the door again and walking into the garage. Sally's eyes widened. No! She got up and ran into the garage after him.
Grabbing the Bolt's keys before he could grab them and shouted, "No! You're not driving while you're angry!" Lightning looked at her with the most threatening expression and growled, "Give me the keys." "… No…" she said. Hiding them behind her back. Lightning shouted, "Give me my god dam keys, Sally! "No! I won't lose you again!" She cried. Tears running down her face. Lightning breathed heavily. Staring at her. At her eyes. Her expression of fear and regret. He took a few steps back. His backside hitting the bolt. He stood there. Staring at her.
Then he fell to his ass against the car. His breathing hurt. His chest hurt so much! He was going to be sick! He looked up at Sally and asked, "Why?…" tears running down his face. Sally frowned. Thinking before answering that, "I… I was drunk at first.. I wasn't thinking.. And then… I was a horrible person.. I… I didn't think you'd make it.." Lightning felt sick hearing that! "Multiple times?… But Ben?… Really?…" Lightning asked as he shook his head. He already didn't like the fact that Ben and Sally had a weird relationship. But he tried respecting that for Sally. He tried being understanding, but he should have known..
Sally sniffled saying, "I know.. I'm sorry..I didn't want to be alone.." "What were you going to do? Just write me off and start a family with him?
Does he even know?.." Lightning asked. Sally shook her head. Lightning sighed. Not sure what to do here. He didn't want to leave her, he loved her still. Somehow. But this!? This was a lot! The idea that someone else had touched her, kissed her, slept with her.. Put his member inside her. That was his! That was all his and she was special and now… Now she was like any other girl he had. They had betrayed him.
They all ran off with someone else or had something better to do.. Molly, Josie, now Sally. Those were the only women he ever thought he really and truly loved.. Thought they loved him.. And Sally was special. She was different. And now?.. She was just another name up on the women that hurt him. Probably the worst of all of them. Lightning wiped his eyes and got up. "I'm.. I'm going to bed.." He said. As he walked in he stopped and added, "I'll clean up the mess I made and sleep on the couch tonight." Leaving her alone with the Bolt. Closing the door behind him softly. Sally stared at the car. She messed up. He was so hurt! It hurt her seeing him so hurt! How could she! How could she be pregnant!? Sally stared down at her stomach. Her uterus really. Hating this baby a little. Partly thinking of ending this pregnancy! She hated this! She hated herself!….
Sally walked into the living room. Lightning wasn't there. She walked into the garage and the Bolt was gone. She almost called him, but decided to give him space. He was hurting. Sally instead called Flo.
Hey Babygirl
"Hey, Flo… I…" She paused and began to cry again "I told him.. I went to the doctor and the time line only fits Ben.. I told Lightning last night.."
Oh baby… I… Um.. How did that go?
"We had a fight.. Then went to bed. Separately.. I woke up this morning and the Bolt is gone.. I.. I was hoping Ramone could go off after him.. Maybe talk to him. I think he just needs to vent instead of bottling up about this.. I trust-we trust you and Ramone."
Hmmm. That means I'd have to tell Ramone what's going on…
"Yeah… Lightning might not like that, but I think he needs a friend right now… Just.. Check up on him and make sure he's not doing something stupid…"
Yeah, I understand.. I'll talk to Ramone.. But.. Sally… What were you thinking?…
"I wasn't. I wasn't thinking.. Not clearly. Not seeing the full picture of what I was doing and what could happen.."
Have you told Ben?
"No… Should I?… I mean I obviously I know I should, but.. I don't… I can't get rid of this baby. I can't possibly do something like that.."
I know… That baby did nothing wrong, Sally.. You have to remember that.
"Yeah, I know…"
I'll talk to Ramone. We'll find Lightning, baby.. Just hold in there. Stay calm and take care of yourself…
Flo hung up. Sally messed up big. This was bad….
Lightning sat in front of Doc's grave. Just sitting. Thinking. He heard a car and looked back. Just Ramone. He sighed and looked at the tombstone again. Ramone walked up and sat down next to Lightning. Silent. Both just sitting there. Not saying a word to each other for what seemed like forever. Lightning glanced at Ramone and asked, "Did Sally send you out here?" Ramone nodded. Lightning scoffed, "She tell you what she did?" Ramone sighed, "She told Flo. Flo spoke with me about it…" Lightning shook his head and admitted, "I hate her. I hate her for this. I can't believe she would do that. I would have never done something like this to her. She wrote me off, good as dead as an excuse to fuck someone."
Ramone didn't reply. Just listened. Just being the friend Lightning needed. Lightning sighed and frowned. "What's this even mean? I'm suppose to go off racing.. I was going to try racing again.. But now?… Now this?… I can't look at her right now. I'm angry and I'm hurt and I don't know how to deal with this." He admitted. Ramone frowned. He didn't know either. What Sally had done was a huge betrayal. Trust was out the door at this point. Lightning was done. Ready to shut her out right now. Ready to walk away and forget her. It would hurt but he really was debating on a divorce. This was just too big a betrayal to look over.
A betrayal that would last the rest of their lives. "I can't ask her to get an abortion… Not after everything she's been through… I… I think it's best I walk away from this.. Leave her to her happy little life with Ben." "Is he coming?" Asked Ramone. Lightning shrugged, "That guy loves Sally still. I know he does… He found his chance and took it. Now he gets her and the family." "What if he doesn't want to?" Ramone asked. Lightning snickered snarling, "He will. Trust me." He hated Ben so much for this. Ben knew exactly what he did! Even if he didn't know Sally was pregnant yet. Lightning pulled his knees up to his chin. Resting his arms on his knees. In thought.
Ramone sighed. Staring at Doc's grave. He didn't know how to help. This was bad. No one and I mean no one expected Sally to do something like this! Lightning buried his face into his arms. Crying. Ramone stared at him. He hadn't seen this side of Lightning. Ramone wrapped an arm around the man. Letting him cry his aching heart out for a moment. This pain and betrayal he felt was nothing Lightning had ever felt before. Lightning was going to have some decisions to make here…
Lightning returned home. It was dark out. Sally immediately looked towards him from the couch in the living room. He stared at her. Staring. Both just staring. He sighed. broken and really just done. But.. He had time to think. "Lightning…" Sally murmured. Tears gathering in his eyes. Lightning felt such pain. This pain was too different. He didn't like it. He walked over and sat down next to her. Not looking at her though he asked, "What are you wanting to do?… You're keeping it, right?"
Sally stared a moment. She shouldn't. She really shouldn't but she nodded with, "Yeah…" "Does Ben know yet?" "No…" "Okay… Um… Talk to him. See what he wants.." "I want you… I want us…" "Yeah, well you should have thought about that before spreading your dam legs for him!" Lightning snapped! He was so angry, so hurt. Sally just stared. She messed up here. Badly. And there really was no way to fix it. "I'm sorry…" She whimpered. Lightning rubbed his eyes. His head was killing him. "I still.. Love you.. I do.. I don't want to leave you." He announced. And he did. He loved this woman still and he didn't want everything they built thrown away.
"I… I'm here… For whatever you decide.. I'm not leaving you.." He added. Sally's eyes widened with shock! She was so sure he would leave her! Lightning took a deep breath before continuing, "This is bad, Sally.. The press is going to eat you alive… Slander my name… Ruin everything I'm already trying to fix…" Sally frowned. He was right. The wife of Lightning McQueen cheats and winds up pregnant at the same time Lightning's career is going down the drain. It was bad. Lightning thought about this a bit more before continuing, "For now… Don't make this a big thing.. Don't talk to the press or reporters, whatever.. If anyone noticed or asks, just… Just.. If the press catch wind, just say it's mine for now.. We can deal with this more later. I'm going to go train. Rusty and Dusty want me to in Florida in two days.. I think some space would be good for us…" "Lightning.. I'm sorry…" "Yeah.. I know." He replied as he stood up.
Sally crying, "I love you…" Lightning didn't look at her. Just stood there a moment. Silent. Then walked away. Leaving her alone with her thoughts as he walked out of sight down the hall. Sally felt tears roll down her face. She lost a part of him and his trust yesterday. She just hoped she could get it back…