Sally finished getting settled and took a deep breath. Proud of her organization skills as she had placed everything neatly away from her bags. She heard a knock and called, "Come in." The door opened and it was Kristine. "Oh.. I thought"-"I was Monty?" The girl asked rudely. "Well, I'm not.. So.. Keep your panst or.. Towel thing on." "Skirt." Sally corrected. "Whatever." Sally just stared at her. Then she noticed she had an old camera. "What you got there?" Sally asked.

Kristine looked at the camera then walked over to the dresser as she explained. "Just do me a favor and press record if you and my brother get into any freaky shit. But not to freaky. Just Pg thirteen or maybe a little more scandalous." "What?..." "That way I can sell screenshots and make some cash to buy food for the rats." "Right..." "I'm serious.." Kristine said firmly then left the room, leaving the camera there on the dresser. Sally glared at the door once the girl was gone and then took the camera and put it away in a drawer...

Sally walked out to find Lightning in the kitchen with his Mother who was laughing. "Oh. Sally! I was just telling Monty about our old neighbor's horse getting loose and the wildest thing is that the horse was in the front yard the entire time!" She laughed. "Funny thing was, he thought I meant our front yard." Sally faked a smile as she walked up close and next to Lightning. "Oh darn. Monty, do you think you can run by the market for me? I don't have a few things to make one of how favorite meals." "Sure.. Just.. Write me a list." Lightning answered. "Wanna come or stay here?" He turned and asked his girl. Sally quickly answered easily "Coming!.. I mean.. I..I'm.. Going to come along.." She cleared her throat and tried not to sound to eager to leave. Minty noticed that though anyway. Lightning to as he asked, "Everything okay?" "Hmm? Yes."

Then Minty spoke up saying "If you'd like to change and don't have anything else other than the suit stuff, I think I have a few things that might fit you down in the basement." "Oh no, I'm fine Mam." Sally assured. Minty's brows raised as she explained "Okay, but you two gonna get a lot of looks walkin around dressed like that." Sally's brows lowered as she looked at Lightning. Lightning only shrugged and gave that look like, I told you so, again. Minty wrote out a small list then handed it to her son.

"There ya go. Don't take to long and no detours Mon. Chad will be home soon to and I like to have dinner ready for him. Like a woman should." She pointed out. "Do you cook?" She asked Sally. Sally glanced at Lightning before answering that "Yea. Not a lot, but I do sometimes." Lightning smiled and butted in adding "She cooks good to. Makes a great breakfast." Minty smiled hearing that. "I'll bet. That's good. Maybe you can help tomorrow morning." "Oh.. Um, I guess." Said Sally. Minty smiled again then shooed the couple out saying "Go on, get. Get back quick."...

After getting most everything on the list and chekcing out, the couple made their way in the parking lot to the jeep. But the cracked and old pavement was giving Sally a hard time with the shoes he had even though they weren't heels. SHe had to stop and adjust them a few times on the way to the car. Lightning began to get annoyed and asked "Do you me to just carry you yet?" Sally glared and explained "No. Just.. I'm use to sitting at a desk in these shoes and.. Thought they were more comfortable than this.. Ouch.. I think I have blisters.." Lightning sighed then asked "You want me to go back into the market and buy you some shoes?" "No, I'll.. I'll be fine." Sally assured. Lightning raised a brow. "Are you sure? He asked." Sally nodded and again assured, "I'm fine, really." Lightning knew she was lying and just wanted to be right so just rolled his eyes and let her suffer on her own terms.

The couple made it to the jeep, finally, and Lightning tossed the few bags into the back then got into the driver seat to find Sally distraught and looking in the little mirror. "What's wrong now?" He asked. Sally looked at him and in a whiny tone answered "My hair is fluffing up." "Fluffing?" "GOD AND I"M SWEATING WORSE THAN BACK HOME!" She said as she realized her arm pits looked gross! (To her) Lightning snickered and shook his head. "You look fine. It's just hot here." "HOT!? My hair is going to be a cotton ball by the end of the night!" Lightning couldn't help laugghing at that. "Remind me to get a picture." He joked. Sally slapped his shoulder scoldiong "It's not funny! How is your hair so perfect!?" She griped! Lightning smiled anwering "Because you can't mess with perfection." Sally just glared at him. "Sorry, Look, you just need some breezier clothes. Don't layer.. These expensive brands you wear are thicker and.. Lose the pantie hose and.. I don't know? Hair spray?" Sally only pouted. Lightning found it rather funny and teased, "I love you though cotton ball." Sally furiusly SLAPped Lightning's shoulder again playfully. Lightning chuckled and started the jeep and backed up when CRUNCH!

Lightning sighed and pulled forward just a little bit. "Great.. You hit someone!" Sally griped loudly. Lightning glared at her saying "You need to get out of this mood your in real quick!" Then got out of the jeep to deal with this mess. He heard the driver door of the tall custom white chevy silverado with black rims and hood and nice lights over the top slam! This was reading nothing but expensive to Lightning. "Great.." he muttered as the female voice of the driver began rambling "The hell you learn to drive man!" "Yeah, I'm... Sorry, I was.." He paused as they both looked at each other. It was Mollie. "Distracted." Muttered Lightning. "Monty?" Questioned Mollie. Lightning was surprised to have ran into her, but really shouldn't have been with this being a small town.

Lightning's brows lowered as he asked "How's Greg?" Leaning on the jeep. Mollie felt bad for that, but defended "You left and didn't call or anything for weeks Monty." "Whatever! Just move your dam truck." He snarled. Mollie's brows lowered. "You hit me!" "And you're in my way!" He yelled. Hearing that, Sally took a deep breath and fixed her har the best she could before getting out of the jeep. "I think what Lightning means is that if he can just get your insurance information, you can be on your way.." Mollie and Lightning looked at Sally, Mollie snickered which turned into a bit of a giggle. "Oh ho ho wow.. Who the hell is this?" Lightning rudely answered "My girlfriend, Sally." Sally was confused and started to realize that maybe they weren't arguing about the small little accident that had just happened like she thought.

"Why does she look like she came from the white house?" Mollie asked. Lightning only snapped his answer back, "Because unlike some women, she has standards." "Standards? You must not be one of them." Mollie joked. Sally butted in with "Alright, what um.. What is going on Stickers?.." "Stickers? What is that? And Lightning? Really? This is who you are now?" Mollie asked. She shook her head and continued. "Look, I don't even care about the scratch. If you need my insurance for your.. Little rental Jeep thing... You can call me. Or don't. You're good at that." Then she turned and got into the truck. Leaving. Lightning watched her leave, angry with that little reunion. Sally had to ask now, "Who was that?" Lightning shook his head answering "No one important. Come on, let's go." He said calmly. But Sally was still curious about that dark skinned girl..

"We're back!" Lightning announced as the couple walked in. Minty shouted "In the kitchen please!" Lightning smiled at Sally saying "Come on, Mom is gonna wind up making us help with dinner." Sally's brows lowered. "Well make up an excuse for me. I have to deal with this hair!" Then stomped off to her room. Lightning stood there a moment. She was being really prissy it seemed suddenly or.. Maybe Sally was just that different from Lightning's family. Lightning went into the kitchen and set the bags down on the little island.

"Get everything?" Asked Minty. Lightning nodded then admitted "I don't think Sally is liking it here very much.." Minty raised a brow as she snickered. "Well duh. She's not from our neck of the woods is she?" Lightning shook his head. "How did you two meet?" She added. Lightning watched his Mom get things out of the bag answering "Just uh.. Well I wrecked into her town.. Quite literally.. And.. She was the attorney that got me sentenced to fix an entire road." Minty almost laughed hearing that. She began frying up the meat then asked. "What's she like? When she's not here." "Um.. Wait, why are you probing?" Lightning asked. Minty's eyes widened. "I'm not probing." She defended.

"Mom..." Lightning growled. Minty snickered. "You're my son Mon. My baby boy. You'll understand one day when you have your own kid. You'll probe." Lightning shook his head and rolled his eyes. Minty emptied cans of bean into a pot then asked "So? You gonna tell me what she's like? Or do I need to probe her myself?" "GOD MOM!" "I know.. It sounded bad. I heard it after I said it. You know what I meant." Minty admitted there. Lightning shook his head then answered a bit unwillingly, "She's nice. She works hard. Runs a motel and is an attorney at the same time. She really is alright with my career and it's busy schedules, she is smart, very smart. She's faithful.. Which is more than I can say for most girls.." He growled.

Minty frowned and looked at her son. "I'm sorry about what happened with Mollie." "Chad told you?" Lightning asked. Minty nodded. "I ran into her at the market.." He admitted. Minty snickered and shook her head scolding. "Monty... I do not think Mollie had any right to do what she did to you, but you did just abandon that poor girl. You went off on your dreams and I am proud of you for that. I am very proud of you. Just.. You did you and left her behind. You should talk to that poor girl and make things right." "What!? I hate her! I'm not doing that." "MONTY! You should! You don't have, but you SHOULD." Minty made it clear. Lightning crossed his arms and sighed. Then Sally walked in.

Her hair was frizzy, but in a tight bun. "Hello Sally!" Greeted Minty with a smile. "Hi.." Sally greeted. Lightning noticed that Sally wasn't weaing the pantie hose anymore to as she came and stood next to him. Minty looked at Sally from time to time as she cooked and made conversation. "So Monty tells me you run a motel. Are you the manager?" "Well I own it. It's my motel." "Oh. Sounds fun. What kind of motel is it?" "Um.. The kind you just stay at fir short periods, more of a passing by type of place. Nothing fancy or anything. I live in one of my rooms. Um.. Lightning does to or uh.. Monty. Monty does across from mine." "Aww. So? You two really don't live together?" Minty asked. Sally shook her head answering "No, I.. I just don't think we are quite ready for that. I mean we've only been together a year!" She giggled with a cute smile.

Minty giggled slightly as well. "Well. You seem real nice Sally. Tell me, where did you grow up? Because I know it wasn't in a place like this!" Sally snickered and glanced at Lightning before answering "I grew up in California." "oh. City girl huh? Must of been wild." "It um.. I guess sometimes it was." Sally admitted. Minty smiled then continued. "And you are so pretty Sally." "oh. Well, thank you Mam." "And well mannered. Someone like you might do my son some good." Minty joked. Lightning's brows lowered as he spoke up, "Alright Mom.. That's enough." "Oh I'm far from done Mon." Minty warned. Sally looked at Lightning confused, so Lightning explained. "She's probing." Sally looked at Minty who explained. "I am just getting to know the girl my Monty is seeing. That's all." Sally smiled replying awkwardly. "Oh.. Well.. Probe away." She smiled nervously. Lightning snickered and shook his head.

Minty smiled hearing that and announced. "Dinner is almost done. Monty, mind grabbing Krissie?" "I guess." Lightning sighed and looked at Sally with a smile and whispered something into her ear as he walked away. Sally's eyes widened then her brows lowered. Minty noticed but thought it was cute and playful. Once alone, Minty said. "Don't be nervous around here honey. We're open books here. Got nothin to hide, so you just be your normal self." "Oh. I.. I am." Sally assured. Minty finished up dinner and replied. "Monty is afraid you're not liking it here." "What? NO, I like it here. I swear I do. It's..."-"Different?" Minty asked.

Sally blushed correcting. "I was going to say rustic.. And.. Uniquely styled.." "MMhmm." MInty hummed. She then began dishing plates as the front door opened. "Wow. Smells good Mom." Said Chad. He walked in and saw Sally standing near the island. "Oh.. Hello." He greeted. Minty looked at her son answering "Chad, this is Sally. She's visiting with Monty." "Monty's here?" Asked Chad. Minty nodded. Lightning and Kristine walked in. Chad turned and saw Lightning and smiled. "MONTY!" Chad exclaimed. Lightning smiled awkwardly greeting "Hey.. Um.. I- WOAH.. Okay.." Chad suddenly hugged his little brother. "Where have you been bro?" Asked Chad. Lightning pushed his brother away answering "Racing. Making a life for myself." Sounded sharp. Chad snickered replying. "I'd say. Congrats on that cup! Hard to believe my little brother is a racing champ now." Lightning smiled back proud like hearing that.

Kristine looked at Sally. Just staring. "ALRIGHT KIDS! Dinner is ready. Grab a plate and sit down." Minty ordered. So once everyone had their plate and was seated. Minty at the end,Kristine and Chad on her left, Sally and Lightning on the left. Sally stared at the plate. It looked worse than dinner food. "What is this again?.." She asked, careful not to offend. "Jowl?" She added. Minty nodded answering. "Yep. Good ole greasy jowl with lucky's black eyed peas, greens and sweet corn bread." "Wow.. And.." Sally paused and looked at her boyfriend. "You grew up eating this?" She smiled. Lightning could see it was a fake smile though. Lightning sighed answering. "Not really. This was more of a breakfast meat." Chad had to ask now, "Have you ever eaten it before?"

Sally shook her head. "Oh, you'll love it. Can be a bit greasy, but it's got good flavor." he assured. Chad seemed nice for sure. Sally stared at the plate as Minty said. "Well, dig in everyone." as most everyone dug in. Lightning saw Sally hesitating so leaned close and quietly asked. "Are you okay?.." Sally nodded. "You don't have to eat it. I will gladly get you something else. I'm sure Mom has something around here more like Flo's at the least.." "Stop. It's fine. I can eat it." Sally scolded quietly.

Kristine noticed them and cleared her throat grabbing the couple's attention. "You alright there barbie?" Lightning glared at his sister. Minty was quick to scold. "Krissie! Don't start or so help me I will take you out back and make you pick you're own switch! Say you're sorry." Kristine looked at Sally dead on and pretty much mouthed. "Sorry..." Minty shook her head in disapproval. Sally sighed and stared at the plate. She had to be nice and eat some of it, so she did.

Sally took another bite of the jowl and after a few bites said. "This is actually okay. For something I've never tried before." She admitted. Minty smiled replying. "Good. Glad you like it." Chad then asked. "So, Sally what do you do for a living? Surely you don't run around following that goof." Referring to Lightning. Sally giggled a bit answering. "No. I do go with him to some of his races, but not really. I run a motel back in Radiator Springs." Chad nodded impressed. "I'll have to come visit sometime." "You should. Something tells me that you, all of you would love Radiator Springs. It's a lot like this town really." Sally replied. Chad nodded again saying, I'll have to remember that."

Kristine watched Sally eat a few more bites then said. "You know what jowl is right?" "Um.." Sally muttered. Kristine butted in saying "Pork." Before Sally could answer. Sally just nodded slowly. Unsure what Kristine was trying to do. "I think it's good." Sally said. "Just not my personal favorite." Kristine dead stared at Sally and said. "It's the pig's face. You're eating his cheeks. You're eating Porky's face." Sally stared at Kristine and possibly turned a little pale. "Excuse me?" She asked. Chad and Lightning looked at Kristine like REALLY? Sally looked down at her plate and could just feel the food coming back up and visualized the freaking pig and shook her head as she bit her lips then repeated.

"Excuse me." As she quickly walked off. Lightning called for her with "Sal, wait.." "She's pregnant. Monty got her pregnant with his once every two weeks schedule." Announced Kristine calmly. Chad's brows lowered. Minty asked "What on earth are you talking about?" to her daughter. Lightning shot a mean glare to his sister then said to his Mother "Nothing. She's being a brat." then chased after Sally. Leaving Minty and Chad to deal with Kristine.

Lightning walked into Allison's old room and to the bathroom connected to the room. He knocked on the door calling, "Sally.. Sally.. You okay?.." He asked. Sally opened he door. She looked fine. Just upset. "Did you get sick?" He asked. Sally shook her head answering. "No.. I just.. I'm prissy! You're right.. I'm a spoiled princess.. I can't fit in here." Lightning snickered and hugged his girl. "I don't want you to fit in here Silly." "But you even made fun of the way I dress on the plane!" She whined. Lightning shook his head and smiled. "I love you Sally. I was just.. Picking on you. Look, I'm sorry. I just meant because of where we are you didn't have to wear all this and dress up. You know I love how you look, how you dress. I think you are the sexiest woman on earth. You're smart, beautiful, loyal, a good listener because I complain a lot."

That made Sally smile and look up at her boyfriend. "And Kristine is a bitch." "She's you're sister!" Sally scolded. Lightning nodded repeating. "Still a bitch." Sally snickered and shook her head. "I'm sorry I ran out like that. Just.. Is that really what jowl is?" She asked. Lightning opened his mouth to answer, when Sally stopped him saying. "Nope. Never mind. I don't want to know." And then took a deep breath. "Let's get back to dinner."...