Happy new years!!! I'm posting tonight instead of tomorrow so if anyone parties to hard or stays up to late. No worries! Have a great and safe new years!!!! Thank you all! I hope we all have a great new year together with the story as well!!!!
Sally vomited violently into the toilet in the bathroom once more. Carson walked over and knocked on the door, "Sally… Are you okay?…" She just puked more. Carson sighed. Thinking about what she had said before. They were trying. He really was hoping she wasn't pregnant. And not because he didn't want Lightning to be the father of his grand children. But in the fear that Lightning might not make it. Sally did not need to be a single Mother of a dead man's child. "Sally?… Baby?…" He called. Knocking once more. The toilet flushed. The sink ran. Sally finally opened the door and panted a bit. "I'm alright.." She assured.
Carson nodded and pulled her close. Hugging his daughter. Sally then asking, "Can you take me back to the hospital?" Carson nodded with, "Of course. I think Chad and Minty are already there." "Okay… I should apologize to Chad… I can't believe I said those things.." "I'm sure he understands. You are stressed. And sick all morning.." "Yeah.. The food you made this morning really got to me." Sally admitted. Carson stared at her a moment. Enough that Sally pulled back and asked, "What?" With a raised brow.
Carson sighed and carefully questioned, "Have you taken a pregnancy test?…" Sally stared a moment. Asking, "You don't think?… Oh… I.. I…" she lost words. Placing a hand on her stomach. What if she was!? "I could be…" She admitted. Tears filling her eyes. Carson frowned. Really hoping she wasn't. "I'll get you a test after I drop you off at the hospital for later." "No. No, let's go now and then I'll take it while I'm there. It would be a miracle. We have been trying off and on for so long. I… I could be, you're right!" She exclaimed. Now Carson had mixed feelings. Sally looked happy again with the idea of being pregnant! But what about Lightning. This would be such bad timing….
Minty sat next to her youngest son. She placed her hand over his. Just wishing he'd wake up. Is was the 24th now. It has been almost a week sense the crash. Chad sat across the room. Sniffling a bit. Watching his Mother. Minty glanced over at Chad and asked, "What did Sally mean when she said that nasty little thing in the waiting room?" Chad wiped his eyes before sighing, "Nothing." "Chad." Minty scolded. Chad shook his head answering, "It was a long time ago. But when Monty had made me his proxy, he told me that if anything… Like this?… Should happen and… The doctors say his mind was gone basically.. He wants me to pull the plug. He doesn't want to live if his quality of life isn't good, Mom…"
Minty stared at Lightning. Sniffling and nodding as she replied, "Sounds like Monty…" Chad then asked, "What if he doesn't wake up?.. The doctor said his brain activity is low. If he can't get better…" "He will get better… He'll come back to us. Look, he's off life support and he's stable." "He said there may be brain damage." Chad reminded. Minty snickered adding, "We also never heard anything about results from that." Chad nodded muttering back with, "I just hope you're right.. That he comes back to us, Mom…" Chad thinking about how they hadn't spoken.
"I never got to apologize for being so stern with him before.. I should have called.." Chad whimpered then began crying again. Minty frowned. Tears forming in her eyes as she admitted, "I spoke with him the night before, hun.. He planned on calling you after the race.. He was going to call and make holiday plans…" She wiped her eyes. Chad nodded then stood up. "I need a little coffee. You want anything, Mom?" Wiping his eyes again. Minty shook her head. Holding Lightning's hand. "No, thank you.." She whispered. Chad sighed then left the room….
Minty sat in the room. Watching over her son. A coma. Sheesh. Minty fixed his hair. Looking at his facial stubble. "Look like you need to shave soon, Mon. You gotta wake up, baby.. You knew better than to push this hard." The door then opened. Sally stared at Minty. Minty sighed and leaned back in her chair. Sally closed the door and walked in. "Hey, Minty…" Sally greeted softly. Minty sighed, "How are you doin?" "I'm.. A mess." She admitted with a fake smile. Minty noticed the store bag in her hand and asked, "What did you bring?"
Sally glanced at the bag and thought a moment before answering that, "I… Lightning and I have been um..:" Tears gathered in her eyes with the realization that if she were. There was the chance she'd be doing this alone. "Lightning and I were trying… And…" Minty's eyes widened as Sally continued, "It's probably stress, but I've been sick.. And…" The tears fell as Sally began crying. Minty got up, walked to Sally and wrapped her arms around her daughter in law. Sally crying in Minty's arms. Minty felt her heart break for Sally even more. "It's gonna be okay." Minty assured, "You won't be alone. You got me, okay?" She made clear.
Sally nodded then pulled away. "I'm just.. I'm gonna go take it.." Walking into the bathroom. Minty sighed. Watching Sally close the curtain to the small bathroom. Minty stood there. She stared at Lightning. This was bad. He needed to wake up. He needed to wake up now!
A few minutes went by and Sally came out of the bathroom with tears. Minty asking, "What?… Well?…" "It's negative… Probably for the best under the circumstances.." She whimpered. Tears falling again. Minty sighed. Somewhat with relief. Then she nodded and wiped her own tears. Sally asking, "What if…. What if he doesn't wake up, Minty?… What if it's so bad that Chad"-"No. stop. It's not going to happen. My Monty is a fighter. He's coming back. I know it." Minty interrupted.
Sally nodded. Wiping her eyes. She walked over and stood by Lightning's side. Staring at him. All banged up and bruised. She placed her hands on his. "Please come back to me… I need you, Stickers." Sally pleaded with no reply. Not a sigh, not a flinch, nothing. He was completely out of it. "He's healing… He's just resting and healing." Minty stated. Sally nodded. Both women staring at the man the loved. One raised him, one cherished him as her husband. Both praying for the same thing. Wake up. Please wake up, Lightning….
Letting others visit hurt to. Luigi and guido visited some… Filmore and Sarge. Mater walked in with Sally. Mater walking up to the end of Lightning's bed. Staring at his best friend. His eyes teared up. "He looks peacefully asleep…" Mater said. Sally nodded. Sitting across the room. Watching. Observing. Mater walked to his friend's side and sat down. "What's wrong with his eyes?" "Debris got in them." "Will he be able to see? He's gotta be able to see to race." Mater explained. Sally sighed, "Mater… He might not…" "What you mean? He's Lightning." "Yeah, but.. Even if his health would allow it.. This was a traumatic accident. The mental state he's going to be in… Lightning… Might not be able to handle it… We just don't know…" Tears rolled down Sally's cheek. Mater stared at Lightning. Taking in the understanding of how bad this really was….
So to try and lift the mood a bit. Carson and Minty decided to have a dinner/ mini thanksgiving like feast at Carson's place with just himself, Minty, Chad, and Sally. Just trying to keep it small, simple and get everyone's spirits lifted a bit with a good meal of chicken, beans, bread rolls, potatoes, ham, corn.
Minty finished placing a few rolls in a bowl and carried it onto the dining room. Carson walked in and said, "This looks great, Minty. Thank you." Minty smiled adding, "And thanks for ordering most of this. It looks good. Everyone could use a filling meal." Carson smiled a little. It was nice. The four sat at the table. Minty by Chad, Carson at the end, and Sally across from Chad. Minty then saying, "Alright.. Let's pray." Chad bowing his head along with Minty. Carson raised a brow and glanced at his daughter who shrugged and bowed her head. Carson just didn't figure Lightning's family the religious type.
Minty cleared her throat and began, "Father.. Thank you for watching over us. Thanks for this meal. Thanks for keeping us all healthy.. Thanks for watching and for continuing to watch over our Monty…. Please bring him back strong and healthy. Please save him. Please be with us and his crew and friends as we all go through this…" she began to whimper. Her eyes filling with tears. Chad reached over and rubbed his Mother's back softly and supportively as she continued, "Please watch over us. Watch over Sally… These are difficult times, Lord… We need him back.. Please.. Whatever you decide… And thank you… Amen." Then the family began dishing plates. Carson helping his daughter some as she just sat there in depression.
It was hard for Sally to take even a bite of food. She felt nauseous. The three mostly ate. Minty noticed and said to her, "Please eat, Sally… Monty would be so hurt knowing you're doing this to yourself…" Sally grabbed the fork and forced down a few bites. Minty was right. Lightning would be pushing her. Making sure she ate properly. The silence was deadly. No one saying a word. Just the metal clanking of utensils over the glass plates. So quiet. No one knew what to talk about.
Then as Sally played with her food she asked, "Could you really do it?" Everyone stared at her. She looked directly at Chad and asked again, "Would you really let him go if the outlook wasn't good?" Chad stared a moment at Sally. Carson and Minty just staring at their children. Chad sighed, "If the doctors told me that his quality of life would be bad or nonexistent than yes. It's what Monty wanted…" "You will not take him away from me." "You don't get a say in this." Chad snarled.
Sally hit the table and shouted, "He's not yours! I will not let you pull the plug on him!" Chad angrily yelled, "So you'd let him live if he had such damage you had to wipe his fucking ass!? If he could walk or speak and just drooled everywhere!?" "I will not lose him!" "You are so god dam selfish! What about what he wants!?" Chad shouted! Sally only shouted back, "I'm not giving up on him!" "You're such a selfish fucking bitch!" Sally had it! She grabbed her fork and threw at Chad! Chad thankfully ducked down in time! Carson snapped! "Sally!" Chad stood up and hit the table. Sally then stood up and yelled, "At least I wouldn't kill my own brother!"
Chad back with, "At least I wouldn't let him suffer! You don't get to have a say! MONTY WANTS YOU LEFT OUT OF THIS!!! Probably because you're a spineless little bitch who puts her own fucking needs ahead of his!" Minty snapped, "Chad!" But no use! Sally snapped back with, "I am going to get a court order! And I WILL WIN! You don't deserve to make any of his medical decisions!" Chad with, "Good luck with that! I'll make sure you can't touch him! He's my brother!" "He's my husband! I love him! I can't lose him!"
Chad shouted back, "I can't lose him either! Who do you think helped raise him!? Who was there for every first!? He's my fucking brother!" "So don't give up on him! Please! Do not let him go!" Carson finally had it and stood up! BAM! Hitting the table loudly and shouting, "Shut the god dam hell up! Both of you!!! Sally, go to your room!" "Dad!" "NOW!" He ordered. Pointing towards the way. Sally glared at Chad then stomped off.
Chad then shoved his plate back and snarled, "I'm not hungry." And left. Leaving the house and slamming the door as he stepped outside. Minty sighed. She then began crying. Her heart breaking apart. Carson frowned as he stared at her. The family was being ripped apart. Not really, but it sure felt like it to Minty. Carson took her hand and held it. Rubbing her shoulder as he knew. No one was hurting like Minty was hurting.
Carson shooshed her gently and assured, "It's alright… It's going to be alright.. He knows you love him. Lightning knows you love him. He's a fighter. Don't worry about Chad.. He's hurting. That's all. Sally doesn't mean a lot that comes out of her mouth. They are just learning to grieve.." Minty cried into Carson's arms. There was no pain greater than a mother losing a child. Nothing….
Following day came. No change. Lightning was still in the comatose state. Minty and Chad stayed with him until closing. Sally was falling apart. Every day he didn't wake. The wreck was November 19th and it was already the 26th now. With no change. He was full coma and possibly had organ damage. The only hopeful part was the fact that Lightning wasn't on life support anymore.
Sally sat the bar. Tapping at her glass of alcohol. Staring at it. She sighed. Watching the little bubbles. Sitting in the dark and loudly obnoxious bar of LA. Wiping her tears. Sipping her drink. This was life now. This is what it was now. A man walked up and asked, "Is this seat taken?" Sally glanced at him, pointing to the stool next to her. Sally sighed, "Nah.. Go ahead." Then as he began to hit on her, she stood up and walked to the bathrooms. A couple was in there having some.. Fun… Gross. Sally locked herself in a stall, sat on the toilet and let out quiet cries. She hated this. She didn't want this. Just pleading for god to take this pain away!
Sally whimpered. Holding her mouth with her hand to keep her cried quiet. But they didn't go unheard. The woman from the couple that was in there tapped on the door as she fixed her clothing. "Hey… You okay in there?" She asked. Sally took a couple deep breaths before answering, "Yeah!… Yeah, I'm fine.." "Did someone try something? Hurt you?" "No, no! Nothing like that! I'm fine, really.." Sally then stepped out of the stall. Her eyes red and watery. The woman frowned and muttered, "Oh my god… You're Sally?.." "No, you got the wrong girl." "Sally McQueen.. oh my god…" she stared.
Sally wiped her eyes. Fearful of what the woman was going to ask next. But she didn't. The woman hugged Sally saying, "We're all praying. We haven't heard anything sense the accident.. I'm so sorry…" Sally fell apart in the strangers arms. The woman holding Sally. Brushing Sally's hair. "We miss him. We all miss him.. You don't have to tell us fans anything. Just know we are all on his side and we are praying… I hope he gets better…" She whispered to Sally. Sally nodded. Extremely thankful for race fans like this woman. Who understand. Who care. Sally almost forgot that some fans, not all were actually decent people….
Sally returned to Carson's. Getting out of the cab and walking to the house. She went inside and closed the door behind her. Carson rushed to her and asked, "Where have you been!?" "I went out for a drink." "What!? Sally, I raised you better than that!" Carson scolded. Sally glared at her Father. Not saying a word. Carson sighed and rubbed his eyes then hugged his daughter saying, "Don't scare me like that… People do stupid things in these situations…" He was so worried about her. Sally hugged her Father and asked, "What's going to happen to him?… To me?…" Carson hugged his daughter tighter before answering honestly, "I don't know… I'm sorry…". Sally sighed and just embraced her father. Hating everything she was feeling. This pain was consuming her. She just needed Lightning to wake up already!….
The following day came. It was early morning. The crew, Minty, Chad, Sally and Carson were in the waiting room. Neuro came back to do more scans with Lightning. Not to much longer and he should be back in his room. It was quiet. No one saying anything. Sarge flipped though tv channels. Skipping RSN as it said something about the cup. Sally quickly shouted, "Turn it back!" Sarge quickly clicked back to RSN and everyone stared at the tv watching.
"No one has heard anything about Lightning McQueen's condition. Some fans beginning to fear the worse as they set up a memorial, bringing flowers, cards, posters to the track in honor and support of the racer." The screen showing the LA track entry fence covered in flowers, home made signs and posters, pictures of Lightning throughout his career in frames, stuffed teddy bears, cards, candles outside of it.
"The crash happened a little over a week ago when Lightning was coming out of a turn when he suddenly lost control of the car and hit the wall. Spinning out and flying into a violent multiple barrel roll of a crash. Sally and the Weathers have been seen outside Fiat east hospital a few times, but no one has made any statement about the racer's condition. Meanwhile, Jackson Storm interviewing for multiple hit shows as he has become the first Rookie in the sport to win the Piston Cup. Jackson"
Sally then muttered, "Turn it off." Sarge pressed the off button and the screen went black. Sally sighed. Jackson won the cup?.. Really?.. Her eyes filled with tears. Lightning would not take that news well when he woke up. If he woke up….
The doctor walked in. A different one. Again. It was very stressful having a different doctor every other day. But then a second one walked in. Filmore muttering, "This can't be good…" Chad, Sally and Minty rushed to the two men. Chad asking, "So what of it?!" Minty adding, "Is he alright?" The two men glanced at each other. Then one of them put their hand out towards Chad and introduced himself, "I'm doctor Evens. Head of neuro. Nice to meet you." Chad cautiously shook the man's hand replying, "Chad.. Lightning's brother.." The other doctor then saying, "I'm Dr. Kristopher. I'm Lightning's doctor for now. Chad is Lightning's proxy." God Sally hated that and rolled her eyes, showing her dislike of this.
Evens nodded then began, "I looked over Lightning's scans. Now, nothing is for sure. But there does seem to be decreased brain activity sense the previous scan. He is stable. Which is great. But… His oxygen levels and lack of.. I honestly don't expect much of a recovery at this point." Sally's world fell apart. Minty asking, "Are you sure?" Evens sighed, "I think it's a safe bet to say activities will continue to decline over the next couple of days.." Chad then asking, "How long does he have?" Kristopher answering, "Three… Five days at best.." Minty couldn't breathe! Sally fell to her knees. Carson running to her and pulling her close. Chad then asking, "Treatments?…" His heart beginning to beat faster and faster.
The neuro guy shrugged answering, "Once he drops so low, we can do life support again with your verbal consent.. Other wise, we wait it out.." Chad's breathing labored. This was it. He was loosing his brother. "What are his chances?..Waiting it out?." Chad asked. But before the doctors could answer, Sally suddenly grabbed onto Chad's pants and begged, "Please! Please don't let him die! Please put him back on life support! I'm not ready! I'm not ready to say goodbye! Chad, please!" She cried hard. Cried loudly. Carson pulled Sally back into his arms. Holding her and letting her violently cry in his arms on the floor. Chad nodded a little then asked, "How long before he drops that low?.." Evens sighed, "Anytime… But between three and five days."
Chad glanced down at Sally. Minty covered her mouth to keep from crying as hard as Sally was. Everyone else in the room stared at Chad. Waiting to hear his decision. Chad nodded and finally said, "Put him back on life support if he drops.. When he drops…" Then he pushed between the two doctors and left the room. Taking a walk. Breathing heavily and panicking. Minty crouched down and held Sally with Carson. Everyone's hearts were breaking with this news. Lightning was going to die like this…
Sally sat with her Father in the ICU room with her husband. Her hand on his. Staring at the monitor. The quiet hurting and stinging so badly. Carson sighed. What the doctors told Sally, broke her so much. Sally squeezed Lightning's hand and mumbled, "Come on… Wake up… Please, wake up.. Come on.. Please… Wake up, Lightning. Wake up!" She finally shouted as tears filled her eyes.
Carson then spoke, "Sally… Stop…" Sally stared at her Father then back at Lightning. Sniffling and wiping her eyes and nose. She let go of his jeans whimpered, "I'm not ready.. I'm not ready for this. I didn't get to say goodbye. Not a real goodbye… I want to tell him I love him. Just see him smile one more time. Or see his blue eyes.. Please…" She begged.
Carson's eyes teared up as he replied, "We don't always get to say goodbye.. He knows you love him.. He knows you love him very much." "I don't accept that! Chad shouldn't get to choose when he dies!" "Chad told them to put him back on life support when it gets bad again." "For now!? But he could change his mind! Chad could decide to take him off at any point! I'm scared ! I could lose him at any time!" She was panicking!
Carson frowned. "Sally… I'm sorry…" He just didn't know what else to say right this moment. Sally held Lightning's hand. Cherishing her last couple of days she possibly had with him. Suddenly the door opened. It was Dr. Kristopher. He walked in, closing the door behind him. Sally immediately asking, "Is it more bad news?…" Dr. Kristopher shook his head answering, "I'm moving Lightning downstairs sense he's stable." "What's that mean?" asked Carson.
Kristopher smiled, "It means there will be an extra bed. You can stay with him overnight now and have all the visitors you want." Sally's eyes lit up as she asked, "Really?" The doctor nodded. Sally squeezed Lightning's hand saying, "Hear that, Stickers?! I get to stay with you. I'll get to see you first thing we wake up in the morning." Kristopher snickered with a smile. Glad to see a bit of uplifted aura in the room. Carson thanked the man. Then the nurses came in to prepare Lightning to be moved.
As they moved him, Carson asked, "Do you want me to run by the house and bring some of your things?" Sally nodded replying, "Yes, please. I'm glad I get to finally be with him." Carson just stared at her. Sally was on borrowed time. If Lightning was going to drop like the man said, this wouldn't last and he was so worried for Sally. "You should move back home.." Carson suggested.
Sally raised a brow and asked, "What?" "Move back home. Once this is.. You just shouldn't be alone. You could have a fresh start like you might need." "Don't talk like Lightning is dead! He's very much alive! He's going to come back to me!" Sally shouted with anger then left. Following the nurses taking Lightning to his new room. Leaving Carson alone for a moment to think about things…