Sally was asleep. Tossing and turning a bit on the little uncomfortable bed in the corner of Lightning's new room. It was a couch that folded out to a bed. Convenient. Sally could fairly hear voices whispering. What?.. They sounded familiar. Sally turned and sat up in bed. Looking over to see Flo and Ramone speaking with Minty. "Flo!" Sally exclaimed as she hopped out of bed and ran to her close friend! Flo hugged Sally with so much love!
"Oh, Sally… I'm sorry it took us so long to get out here. But with the diner and the motels.." Flo explained. Sally immediately asked, "How are my motels?" Ramone snickered answering, "Swamped by press. The media won't take their eyes off those places. And business is a bit shaky because of them." Sally frowned. She hated seeing that. Flo then asked, "How are you holding up?" To Sally. Sally sighed. Looking at Lightning. At least she was crying now. "I'm… Getting use to this…" She admitted. Flo and Ramone hurt hearing that.
Flo then asked, "Would you like to come get breakfast with us? Won't be nothing like the V8 cafe, but the hospital does have some nice food." Sally stared at Lightning then nodded, "Yeah… I need to start eating better." She admitted. Knowing she had not been taking care of her body. She needed more than just food. She needed another shower, wash her hair, shave, make up. The works. Minty then saying, "I'm gonna stay with my son. You all enjoy." Flo nodded. So the three left the room. Leaving Minty alone with Lightning.
Minty sat down and let out a sigh. Staring at her son. She glanced out the window. Looking out at busy LA. Minty sighed again. Looking up into the sky from the window. "Hudson… Could you maybe tell God not this time. Not yet?.. You got that way of convincing people that I don't…" Her eyes teared up. Looking at her son. Thinking about what Chad might do. It all hurt. It all hurt to much!
Knock, knock. At the door. Minty instinctively said, "Come in!" Then thought about how it could be the media! She got up to slam the door shut when it opened but was relieved to see Cal, Meg and Strep and Linda. Cal saying, "We were told he was moved. That's great news." Minty let out a sigh of relief. Linda walked up and said, "We've all been praying for him.. We just know he's gonna be okay.." Strep wrapped an arm around his wife. Minty staring. Cal then introducing, "Sorry. Uncle, Aunt, this is Lightning's Mother, Minty.. I think?" Minty nodded.
Linda gasped a bit and said, "Oh my Lord.. I'm so sorry.." Strep then with, "Well, Lightning was like family to us. If there is anything I could ever do, you just let me know, Mam. He was like a son to me." Minty nodded and thanked the couple. Strep placing his hand over one of Lightning's arms, "He was very supportive of my last race.. He showed respect like no other racer out there.." Linda leaned on her husband. Meg then came up and asked, "Where's Sally?" Minty answered, "She went to get breakfast with the couple from Radiator Springs. Flo and… I can't remember his name." Cal nodded saying, "Ramone." "That's it." Meg then nodded and replied, "As long as she eats…"
Strep looked at the monitors. Checking the kid's stats. Thing is, Strep had been though this. Multiple times. Once himself, not this bad. But then he lost his brother and his son to racing. He knew pain like this all too well. Strep then asked, "What are the doctors saying?" Minty stared. Her eyes teared up before asking, "Want the truth? Or the hopeful side of it?" Cal and Meg felt their Hearst break hearing Minty speak like that. Strep answering, "Give us both."
Minty nodded and swallowed painfully before answering, "The hopeful part is that he wakes up soon, but he probably will drop down in vitals again. When he does, the plan is to put him back on life support… The truth is… In his condition, the doctors said he has three to five days before…" She paused. Her eyes tearing up. "And it's been a day.. So I'll be lucky if I get four more days with him." The tears poured. She began crying. Holding her eyes. Linda came around and held Minty.
Strep and Linda knew this pain. Losing their son in an accident in the pits before. Losing a child hurts like something else! Strep wrapped an arm around Cal. Cal glanced at his uncle. Unsure why but let it be. Probably being supportive. Strep held his nephew close. Meg began to sniffle. "Does Sally know?.." She asked. Minty nodded. Still crying. Meg felt her heart rate increase. She wouldn't know what to do if something like this had happen to Cal! Sally must be distraught! "I'm going to find Sally.." Meg announced as she left the room.
Meg found Sally in the cafeteria with Flo and Ramone. Meg walked up and sat next to her friend. Hugging her. Sally tightly hugged her friend tightly back. "Meg… Thanks for coming back.." Meg replying, "Of course, Sally…" letting her friend go then staring at the breakfast. "What's that suppose to be?" Meg asked with disgust. Sally giggled a bit answering, "I think gravy." Meg smiled. Hearing Sally giggle a bit for the first time sense the accident. Flo and Ramone smiled. Happy to see her smile a little bit. Meg had a way of cheering even the saddest people down.
Meg then asked, "I know you probably don't want to leave Lightning. And I know you've been wearing a lot of the same things. So I went shopping for you. It's in the car. But I bought you some really comfortable sweats and some pajamas and comfy soft and sexy style shirts that are extremely soft! I also got some new sneakers. Wearing those pumps and slippers has got to be killing your feet. Want them?" Sally nodded, "Definitely! Thanks so much, Meg. That means a lot to me. Really, it does." Sally said as her eyes teared up. Meg held Sally close again. So thankful to see that Sally was actually doing pretty well considering….
Meg and Sally stood in the lobby. Staring out at the parking lot. At all the press, media, some fans. Some fans had begun leaving little teddy bears, pictures, posters, flowers outside the hospital. Meg sighed, "They really just want to know what's going on. It's going to be hard to get to the car with all of them." Sally nodded. Staring out at them. Then she asked, "Should I make a statement?" Meg glanced at Sally before answering, "That's up to you. Plan it out though. Don't answer any questions. Just say what you want to say and that's it." "Hmm.. Okay.." Sally muttered. Staring out at the crowd and thinking. What would she even tell them? Lightning was dying.
Sally sighed then nodded once more. "Okay. I know what to say. I'm ready." Meg's eyes widened as she asked, "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Are you? Because the media can be brutal." "I know. I know and I think it's time they knew what was going on. Maybe not everything. But they, the fans, deserve to know." Meg smiled. Happy that Sally was deciding to speak to the fans. They did indeed deserve to know what had become of the champion….
The doors to the hospital opened. Sally stepped outside along with her friend Meg. The crowd instantly drawn to them.
Cal looked out the window and saw them. He turned to his uncle and asked, "What the heck do they think they're doin!?" Strep, Linda, and a Minty rushing to the window to see Meg and Sally surrounded by the media and fans.
"WhatstheconditionofMcQueen!?""Isheplanningtocomebacknextsrason!?""Ishealive!?""Whatweretheinjuries!?""DoesLightningrememberthecrash!?" So many questions were being screamed at her!! Sally could feel her heart rate increase, her breathing quicker. Meg noticed and grabbed Sally's hand in support. Sally looked at Meg who whispered, "You can do this."
Sally took a deep breath then faced the media and finally spoke, "Lightning is alive. He's had a rough recovery. Lightning has suffered severe injuries and currently, he's… He's got a long way to go. We appreciate the support of the fans through this. Thank you. Thank you for your prayers and support and love. Lightning will continue to recover and hopefully soon… Hopefully soon he will be able to go home.. Thank you…" Sally and Meg then returned inside. Meg hugging Sally proudly after being able to say a few words. She then held up two shopping bags with a smile. Able to sneak to the car and grab them…
Ben stared at the tv in the break room of the hospital. He frowned. Sally just be so distraught and hurting. She may have seemed so confident and alright when she said those things to the press, but he knew her. He knew she was good at hiding her emotions in certain senecios….
Chad walked into Lightning's room. No one was there right now. Just him and his brother. Lightning laying in the bed. Still comatose. Chad walked up to his brother's side. Holding onto the rail of the bed. He sighed. Staring at his little brother. "Come on, Mon… I need you to wake up.. Show us some hope.. Please…" Of course nothing was said back. Chad frowned and continued, "I'm not mad. I'm not mad at all about before. I know it seemed like it… I guess I was disappointed.. But.. I can't stay mad at you…" No reply. No movement. Nothing.
"We have always got out of bad situations together. This is no different." Silence. "You have always liked to scare me." Chad said with a snicker. "I know you don't want to die.. I know you better than that.. I.. I miss you… Sally hates me right now. It's your fault though." Utter silence. "You never told her I was your directive, huh?.. I mean I get it, she can be scary. She threw a god dam fork at me. I think she was trying to kill me." Dead silence. Chad sighed, "Honestly, I figured you changed your directive by now. I didn't think I was still on it.." Chad paused and placed a hand on his brother's hand.
"Can you just please wake up.. Get better… I know you don't want to live if your life will be too hard, but I don't want to make that decision.. Please don't make me.. Please?…" He begged softly. Trying not to cry. But of course there was no reply. Chad wiped the tears that began. "God dammit, Monty… You're such an ass." He growled. "You could at least say something." He joked and smiled. Trying to stay positive. But.. Chad hated this. Hated everything about this. He just wanted his little brother back! TO HUG HIM AND TELL HIM HOW SORRY HE WAS! To hear Lightning argue with him about it. Threaten to beat his ass for this. Come on! Just wake up…
It was officially December. The city was decorated for Christmas with lights, holiday music, Santa's everywhere, decorations in all the stores for sale, holiday drinks on advertisements. The hospital put up trees with lights and holiday music played in the cafeteria. Some other families had decorated their doors with wreaths and decorations. But Sally hadn't for Lightning. It was sort of difficult to get into the Christmas spirit right now.
Sally sat with her husband. Along with Cal, Meg, Strep, Linda, Minty, Chad, Ramone and Flo and the Rusteze pit crew. It was a full house. Filmore scanning through tv channels. Sarge and Mayer playing card games. Cal and Strep looking over some RSN over Cal's phone. Linda discussing everyday things with Minty. Chad sitting next to his brother and watching Filmore flip the channel annoyingly every couple of seconds.
Sally sat on the couch between her Father and Meg. Just sitting. No words. She was extremely depressed. Meg reached into her purse and pulled out a granola bar. "Here." She said. "Got to keep your strength up." She smiled. Sally hesitated but took the bar. Sighing. "He's not going to wake up, is he?.." She asked quietly. Carson frowned and pulled his daughter close. Just trying to comfort her. Meg stared at Lightning. It's had been so long sense the racer was awake. Sally closed her eyes. She was so exhausted. Physically, emotionally, mentally.
Then a doctor walked in. Another new one. Great. "Hi. I'm DR. Gonzales. I work in Neuro. Im just going to have a nurse come in and get Lightning set up for a few scans. I'll have him back in two hours, give or take." Chad then asked, "And results?" "By the end of the night. I'd say about seven or so." Chad nodded. A nurse then walked in and began getting iv lines together and getting the bed ready to wheel out. Sally watched. Watched the nurse and doctor take Lightning away again. He was having scans done nearly every day. She hated this. It was always bad news anyway…
The doctor walked back into the room. Sally turned and asked, "Is he finished?" The doctor sighed before answering, "I'm having cardio take a look at him and run a few more tests while I have him." Chad questioning, "Cardio? What's wrong with his heart?" "No, it's just precautionary and easier sense I already have him down there. So once cardio finishes up, he'll be brought back up." He explained then left. Sally sighed. She just knew it was going to bad results. Lightning was dying. His days were numbered. And Sally began to accept this and come to terms that he wasn't waking up. He wasn't coming home….
The nurses rolled pulled Lightning's lifeless body into the machine. Pushing contrast into the Ivs. The machine started up and the bed moved inside the machine. Scanning Lightning's body and to show the doctors what they were dealing with. The doctor staring at the screen across the room. Looking for brain activity and how much. He sighed. The nurse next to him asking, "Is that less than before?.."
The doctor nodded, "Yeah.. How am I suppose to tell this family that he's not gonna make it at this rate." "Could you not do surgery?" "Not on this. His organs keep failing. At this point it's going to drop. One after the next. The brain is the only thing holding him together. His heart is the only thing keeping him alive. It's going to take a miracle for this guy to come back from this."…..
The nurses wheeled Lightning back into the room. The doctor walking in and looking at the family. Sadly having to break the news. Lightnings organs were failing. One by one, his body was fading. They all broke. Crying. The doctor went over treatment options with Chad. Deciding to push more medications through Iv lines and more oxygen therapy for now. Other than that. They'd all wait and hope for a miracle….
Bobby and Jesse walked into the room. Staring at Lightning in bed. Jesse walked over first. Laying a hand on Lightning's hand. "I'm sorry…" She whimpered. Sally sat in the bed. Staring out the window next to her. Carson and Minty in some chairs. Everyone else had went out for a late dinner. Bobby looked at Sally and asked, "He's not in ICU… That's good, right?"
Sally stared at Bobby. She didn't say anything. Instead, she stared back outside. Staring at the Christmas lights outside. Carson then answered, "His organs are failing. The doctor is trying some medications and therapy. It doesn't look good." Bobby immediately looked at his friend. Lightning lying there lifeless. Bobby's eyes teared up. "No… No, it can't be. Lightning wasn't suppose to crash. He was to good." Jesse glanced over at her husband then motioned for him to come here. Bobby walked up to Jesse.
Both standing and looking over their close friend. It was heartbreaking. Seeing him slip away slowly. Bobby placed a hand on top of Jesse's on top of Lightning's. Sally stared at them. She wasn't crying anymore. She just stared. Depressed and giving up on life. At this point. In her eyes, it was just a waiting game now. Waiting for Lightning to die….
It was late. Chad, Bobby, Jesse, Sally, Minty, Carson, Cal and Meg were in the room with Lightning. Cal finally standing and stretching. "I think we're gonna head out to the motel." Meg stretching a bit to adding, "We'll be back tomorrow. Probably after lunch." Sally didn't say anything. Meg and Cal glanced at each other. Worried. She was shutting down. Bobby then spoke up with, "Y'all be safe out there. It's busy with Christmas around the corner." Cal nodded. Meg walked up to Sally and hugged her.
Though it seemed that Sally didn't care at all for Meg's support now. Meg looked at Sally and softly said, "Call me if you need me." Sally didn't reply or nod or anything. Just stared at Meg. Meg smiled a little. But it heartbreaking seeing Sally like this. Just giving up entirely. Cal and Meg left. And not long after, Bobby and Jesse announced they were leaving too. Jesse walked up to Lightning and brushed his hair. "Get better." She said then leaned down and kissed Lightning on his forehead before she and Bobby took off for the night. Minty looked at Sally then at Lightning. Chad suggesting, "It's getting late, Mom.. We should go to…" Minty sighed with a frown.
Hating leaving her injured son like this. But she nodded and got up. Walking over to Lightning and holding his hand for a moment before walking out the door. Chad looked at Carson and said, "Night.. We'll see you two tomorrow." "Alright… Have a good night." Carson replied. The door closed. It was just Sally and Carson now. It was so quiet. Just the beeping of the machine every so often. Carson looked at Sally. Watching her stare outside. Watching her lift her knees up to her chin and hold herself. He sighed. No words would comfort her right now. It broke his heart. Seeing Sally like this.
Knowing his daughter would soon face the most painful thing someone would have to. Knowing she wouldn't get the chance to say anything else to Lightning and he reply or smile or anything. Carson wrapped an arm around his daughter. Sitting with her. "Are you staying the night here?" He asked. Sally glanced at Lightning then nodded. Carson kissed Sally's head. Holding her close. She sniffled a bit. Her heart wanted to cry, but it just couldn't. She had no more tears to give at this point. "I'll stay a bit longer." Carson added. Sitting with her. Sally finally spoke saying, "Thanks, Dad…" she was so quiet. So broken. So alone. Though she wasn't, she was so lonely.
BEEPBEEPBEEP! BEEPBEEPBEEP! BEEPBEEPBEEP!
The machine started beeping loudly over and over. Loudly and obnoxiously! Carson and Sally stared at Lightning. Unsure what was going on. Two nurses rushed in and looked at the machines then a doctor ran in. Carson realizing and standing up. "Let's go." He said. Taking Sally's hand. Sally hesitated. Staring. Watching the doctor push something into the Iv line then place an oxygen mask over Lightning's mouth and nose. Carson pulled Sally out of the room. She didn't fight it. She understood the situation. Lightning was dying….
Carson and Sally sat in the waiting room for about an hour. It was extremely late. It was hard to keep their eyes open. The doctor walked in and called, "McQueen." Sally glared at the man as she and her Father were the only people in the entire waiting room. The doctor blushed a bit then walked up to them and began explaining, "I've moved Lightning back into ICU.. His oxygen dropped critically low and so his pulse and blood pressure followed…" Sally sighed replying, "So it's like you said.. One by one.. His organs are failing, right?" Looking up at the doctor.
The man frowned before answering, "He is just not ready to fight on his own. I don't plan on taking him off life support. Even if he seems to be doing well on his own. We need to not only stabilize him, but he needs strength. Strength he doesn't have right now." Sally sighed. Carson just sat and listened. This was terrible. Sally then asked, "Can I see him?.." The doctor glanced at Carson before answering, "Tomorrow." Sally nodded then stood up and said, "Come on, Dad… Let's go home…" Carson standing up. Thanking the doctor before they headed to his house for the night….