To reader who wanted to borrow/use Josie character, I have no problem with it. All i ask is two things. Give my story. name a shout out in the story sense i created the character and OFCORSE Tell ME THE NAME OF THE STORY SO I CAN READ IT WHEN I CAN! It sounded cool. I just read your review asking about taking the character. YES, just give my name and this story that she is from a shoutout and update me. Thats all. if you do it of course! Thanks for the compliment! I was pretty happy that I some how made such an interesting character and relationship between her and Lightning that someone wanted to start a story based off of it. Thanks. Cheered me up for a while!
Lightning drove hard for the New York race and wound up taking 2nd place in the end. He stood on the stage next to the 1st place winner, Joe. Lightning was happy for the younger racer. Joe was one of the younger, new racers on the scene and wasn't half bad, but he was even happier that Doc coached him for once again. Lightning waved to the crowd of fans, cameras, mic and such. In the crowd he saw Sally. Standing there smiling proudly at him. He smiled happily back. Staring, no gazing at his girl. All he could think about was how in just a few short weeks, he would grab her hand, pull her up on this stage and purpose in front of all these people. She would probably freak out, maybe cry and say yes of course and everyone would cheer for them. "LIGHTNING!" Shouted Joe next to him. Lightning snapped back from his little day dream and looked over at the younger racer who laughed and continued "I said good race! I could learn a thing or two from you." He slapped Lightning's shoulder gently and friendly like. Lightning smiled and nodded, thanking the fellow racer. "Thanks Joe. You did great out there! Congrats on the win. I look forward to chasing you in the playoffs." "You to Lightning!" Replied Joe. The two nodded once towards each other than Lightning walked out behind the stage where he was crowded by mics and flashing cameras, including Kori, although it had been such a long time, it was like they never met anymore. Lightning walked away and lost them in more crowds as he made his way to his garage where Sally stood outside waiting, leaning on the door.
Lightning smiled as he walked up to her and grabbed her hips. "Good race?" He asked. Sally giggled answering "As always." She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and the two kissed gently. "You smell like ass..." Sally gently admitted. Lightning snickered admitting "A few hours in a hot car wearing a fire suit will do that. I'll go shower." "Great, I'll grab something for us to eat." Sally offered, but as she began to walk away, Lightning grabbed her hand and stopped her saying "Don't worry about that. I'll be quick and then I'll take you to dinner." Sally smiled and assured him that "You have spoiled me enough this weekend Stickers. It's okay. You can relax weirdo and besides, we're meeting my Dad for breakfast tomorrow before ur flight home." Lightning sighed. "Okay. But stay away from the steaks here.. They taste weird in New York." He griped. sally nodded and walked off leaving Lightning to shower. Before Lightning took a step, he saw Doc near the trailer, coughing up a storm. Lightning grew concerned and walked up to Doc, crossing his arms and asking "What is wrong lately? It's time you talk to me." He said firmly. Doc finished the coughing fit and cleared his throat before replying "I told you I'd talk to you after the race this weekend.. You just finished and have plans with Sally, right?" "Sort of... But you are hiding something from me." Lightning's tone got a little rude now as he continued. "Obviously you are quitting the team and you don't want to work with me training anymore and.. I thought maybe you're just old, but then I saw the bloody tissues last week and I googled so much crap like an idiot and I can't find any good reasoning except for pneumonia, cancer, and vaping for that unless you cut yourself by accident, but then you have this violent cough and I'm scared because you won't talk to me." Doc and Lightning stared at each other. Doc knew the kid was onto him now and frowned muttering "We should talk privately.." Lightning nodded. Doc glanced next to them at the trailer. He sighed asking "Why don't we wait until everyone has left and there are no chances of the media over hearing or catching some photos later." "But"-"I will talk to you when we can be alone and talk Lightning. That is just how it's going to be!" Doc yelled in anger then coughed again a few times. Lightning stared a moment. Watching another fit go by then nodded saying "Okay.. Let's just talk tonight after the teams start packing up and leaving.." Doc nodded then walked into the trailer, slamming the door behind him. Leaving Lightning a little scared and confused...
Doc lay in the trailer. Thinking and resting. He wasn't going to be able to come to anymore races. Traveling was hurting him anymore. Just hurting his health and making resting harder. He cleared his throat then got up and went and grabbed the small medical kit he always brought with him in case of anything. He checked his temp, blood pressure, etc. Just making sure he was.. Okay. He knew by the symptoms worsening, he didn't have long. He heard a knock on the door and he quickly shoved the medical stiff back into the small bag it came from and called "Come in.." The door opened and it was Lightning. Doc sighed with a frown. It was time. It wasn't the place for it, but Lightning wouldn't let it go now. Lightning locked the trailer and walked over, sitting next to Doc and asked "What is going on?.." So softly. You could hear the fear in the kid's voice. Doc stared at the floor. Thinking of how to say it. How to say.. I have cancer.. I'm dying and there is nothing more to do. Thinking about how Lightning would argue about how Doc should fight the cancer with everything he has left in him, take drugs, etc.. But then Doc would have to explain how he was tired and sick and tired of being sick. "Doc?.." Lightning called. Doc stared at Lightning and his blue eyes. Not in a weird way, just.. Staring. He was about to tear this kid apart when he was suppose to be hyping him up for getting ready to marry Sally. Lightning was suppose to be preparing for the Grand Prix, his biggest race yet and now.. Doc was about to rip all of that to shred on this kid. "Doc." Lightning called firmly. Doc nodded and began.
"I am not really sure how to tell you this Lightning, but.. I won't be able to attend anymore of your races because I'm sick... I'm dying." With that, the two stared at each other. Lightning's heart began to beat so fast and hard, painful like in his chest and up his throat. His breathing quickened. He could not or rather did not want to believe this. His eyes began to water as he replied asking "That's.. That's not true. That's a fucked up joke Doc." He tried laughing it off, but you could tell Lightning believed Doc. Doc nodded and continued "I tried treatments. Different ones and they helped for some time, but.. Now they only make me more sick." Now Lightning began to fall apart. He choked up, his mouth and eyes watering up and tears began to fall. Lightning shook his head, his body shook with fear and anger and pain. "No." He replied. "No, you can find something to fight this. What-what.. Sickness is this? You mean like cancer? You have cancer?" Lightning choked. Doc's eyes teared up. Some how seeing Lightning in pain over this was worse than the feeling of the cancer itself. Doc nodded and wrapped his arms around his racer saying "Yeah.. It's cancer and it's spread.. I'm just tired Lightning.." Lightning broke and cried into Doc's arms and chest. He was no longer able to play the strong, brave, man who rarely cried. He just fell apart. He was going to lose Doc.. Forever. "No, you have to fight this.. You have to fight.." Lightning cried. Doc sighed and held the kid close as he explained "I have.. I have and I can't anymore kid.. Sometimes.. There just isn't anything that can change or fix these kinds of things.." "How long?.. How long do you-you have?" Lightning asked as he pulled away and up, staring at Doc for answers. Doc frowned answering honestly. "I give it about a few months.. If I'm lucky." Lightning then stood up and angrily asked "Wait, how long have you known!? How long have you known and not told me!?" Doc broke apart to here. He never saw Lightning like this. "I was trying to protect you and prepare you." "That's why you trained me the way you did!? Training me for these crazy jumps and mud tracks and fucking drafting and fucking hair pins and wet bridges that I will NEVER see in my entire career!? Forcing me to lose sleep and rip car after car apart until my body was so sore I couldn't get out of bed!? So you could protect me from this!?" Boy he was angry. Full rage right now. Doc swallowed nervously and hearing it like that did make him rethink some of the training. "I just wanted you to be okay without me." Doc explained. Lightning only yelled back with "I WILL NEVER BE OKAY WITHOUT YOU!" Lightning stood there in heart ache, staring down at Doc. Both silent for a moment. Doc sighed and tried calming the kid down with "You are a great champion racer in the making Lightning. I have no doubt that you can continue your career without me. Look how well you've been doing these last few races with Leon." "Fuck you Doc. Leon is a piece of shit and this sucks! I..I don't.." Lightning lost words. He was shocked and in such pain and was clueless. What was he suppose to say about all of this? How was he suppose to feel? How was he suppose to be okay through this and prepare for.. For Doc's death?
Doc shook his head slowly and continued "It's not fair. Life isn't fair.. But I'm still here for now Lightning." He reminded. Lightning stood frozen. Staring at Doc and listening. "I'm still here now. And.. I'm not going to leave you until.. I have to." Doc assured. Lightning snickered rudely and asked "What about me? I need you for far more than just racing Doc and you know it. Who else is-is going to-to tell me I'm an idiot for.. Anything and everything I do!? Or scold me for street racing or forgetting some stupid thing with Sally? What about my Mom?" He asked in a snippy way. Doc cocked his head a bit and asked "What about your Mom?" Lightning shook his head and growled "Don't play that game with me, I know you're fucking my Mom! What about her Doc? You just fuck around with her and what? Leave her? Die on her like that? Is it just me and my family huh? You like to fuck with us?" Doc sighed and tried to think of words. "Kid.. I never... I never tried to hurt you or your Mother and you know that." Lightning only looked away, arms crossed, like a snooty child. Doc stared at him. "You are looking for blame and I understand Lightning.. If this is your way of coping and healing.. Let it out on me, give it to. I can take it.. But someone who can't take it is Sally. Mater, the folks back home.. Your Mother.. Take this out on me, okay?" Doc asked. Lightning shook his head in anger at Doc. How dare Doc even say that, ask that. "Fuck you.. Fuck you and your fucking cancer!" Lightning growled then stomped out the trailer, slamming the door so hard it shook the trailer a little. Doc sat there in thought. It went.. Better than he thought it would.. But he really wasn't sure how that would go..
Lightning stomped out of the trailer and stood outside for a moment before the rage just built an built until he let out a horrible, painful sounding scream of frustration. Doc could hear it from inside and it was painful to hear. People around stared at Lightning, wondering what was wrong. "FUCK!" He yelled! Sally even heard it from the garage behind the trailer and ran out, opening the door. She knew it sounded like Lightning, but wasn't sure. It was. She ran over to him and saw the pain and anger in him and quickly asked "Woah, Lightning what's wrong?" She honestly was terrified! She hadn't seen this emotion in him. Lightning looked at her and yelled "Fuck off!" Sally froze. Standing and staring directly at his face. Confused as hell. What happened with that talk with Doc? She wondered. Lightning stared at Sally. Seeing her confused expression, he realized he shouldn't have yelled at her like that and looked away crying "I'm sorry. I'm sorry.." He was falling apart. People were staring. Lightning McQueen breaking and crying? Luckily it was just pit crew members and a few racers around and no cameras or anything. Bobby and Cal ran over to see what was going on and were shocked to see Lightning crying. Sally grabbed him in her arms, hugging him closely, confused still and let him cry. She saw the crowd of on lookers.. She saw Bobby and Cal and shrugged. Bobby and Cal glanced at each other. They knew something was bad though. Cal then turned and shouted at the other crew members and few racers "Just go on please!... Mind your own.. It's private and personal!.." Thankfully, these fellow racers and their teams walked away. Leaving Lightning and Sally to whatever, but there would chatter about this later. Lightning McQueen was in a weak position now and for some time, no one on the track would look at him the same.
Doc opened the trailer door and called "Lightning.. Come inside.. I'll go if you need me to." Lightning tried not to, but he couldn't stop it. He suddenly yanked away from Sally's arms and turned towards Doc yelling "How can you give up!? How can you just give up and not fight!? Is this because you're just use to doing that!? What have you taught me?! To never give up! You have pushed me and pushed me to the brink of insanity, but when it's your turn?... You just give up!?" Doc nodded replying "Lightning.. It's not"-"NO! You do not ever get to tell me to keep pushing and keep training anymore! I GIVE UP!" He yelled furiously! Doc and Lightning stared at each other silently. Neither knew what else to say. Bobby, Cal, and Sally stood there confused and worried. Doc sighed and softly said "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't know how to." Sally quietly and cautiously asked Lightning. "Is this because I saw Doc and your Mother?..." Lightning turned and snapped "No! Doc... Doc.." Lightning paused and glanced back at Doc before continuing "Doc hasn't changed sense the day I met him. He's a fucking liar." "Lightning!" Sally snapped scolding. Lightning snapped back her with "He's dying of cancer!.. He's dying.." Lightning whimpered with tears. Everyone there stared at Doc. Shocked somewhat. Sally breathlessly asked "Is that true?.. You have cancer?.." Doc nodded admitting "I didn't want you to find out this way.. Him either.. But.. Well I guess there's no right way to say it." "Well what about treatments?.." Sally asked with tears forming in her eyes. Doc nodded once more and explained "I've had treatments for a while, but now.. It's spread and it's not helping. Just makes me feel worse." Doc then glanced over at a shocked Bobby and Cal. Doc sighed and asked them to keep it quiet. Both agreed. Lightning and Sally and Doc all stared at each other. Doc apologized.
Lightning shook his head and began to cry again saying "Fuck you for this.. Fuck me.." He mumbled then began walking off. Sally began to cry to and called for him to stop, but he didn't. Sally covered her mouth as she began to cry more. Bobby quickly shouted "I got Lightning, Sally.. Don't worry." An chased after him, catching up rather easily. Sally looked up at Doc with tears. Doc was dying!? "Who else knows?" She whimpered. Doc sighed answering "You four I reckon and Minty, Lightning's Mother." Sally wiped her eyes as she whimpered. "Doc.. Tell me that this isn't true.. Please.." She begged. Doc didn't answer, didn't have to.. The damage was the done, the band aid was ripped off painfully. But this hurt was far from over...
Bobby caught up to Lightning saying "Hey.. hey, things will be okay." Lightning stopped and snapped at his friend with "HOW!? Doc's dying!.. He's going to be dead Bobby!" Bobby looked around. No one around this spot at the moment besides them. He nodded replying "I know.. I know it hurts man, but.. You have a lot of people who will be here for you, for Sally and everyone really when it happens.. I'm here, okay? Come here." He coaxed and reached for Lightning. He pulled Lightning close and hugged him, trying to comfort his hurting friend. "Doc is still around for now man.. Make the most of what you got left, kay?" Lightning nodded against his friend. Bobby sighed and hated seeing Lightning in such pain. "Seems like you could really use a drink right about now. Want to come stay with me and Jess for the night?" Lightning pulled away, wiping his eyes and shook his head. "No.. I.. I should go back to Sally, but I really could use a drink right now Bobby." He sniffled. Bobby smiled a little and nodded, patting Lightning on the back saying "That's it. We are gonna make it through this. One step at a time McQueen. I got your back." "Thanks Bobby.." Bobby and Lightning walked to over to Bobby's trailer for a few drinks. Bobby even texted Sally and let her know that Lightning would be back at the motel late...
Sally lay on the white, leather couch. Waiting up for Lightning to return as she was so worried about him. Suddenly she heard the door open and shut. She looked over and saw Lightning who was still wearing his race suit, looked horrible and smelled of alcohol. Bobby stood next to him and announced "He's not doing well. I didn't know if I should even bring him over or keep him for the night." Sally rushed over to a stumbling Lightning. He was drunk and quiet. Depressed really. "Thank you for bringing him back here." Sally said. Lightning leaned against the nearest wall and slid down it to his ass and sat there on the ground. Bobby sighed asking "You want me to stay Sally?" She shook her head answering "No... Just.. Could you help me move him to the couch at least?" Bobby nodded then carefully pulled Lightning up, leaned him on him, throwing one of Lightning's arms around his own shoulder then slowly walking him to the couch in the living room of the suite. Bobby, with help from Sally, sat Lightning down on the corner seating of the chair. "There.." Said Bobby. Sally thanked him again. Bobby nodded then kneeled down in front of Lightning saying "Hey man.. Call me when you sober up. Let me know how you're doin, alright?" Lightning didn't say a word. Just stared at nothing blankly. Bobby sighed with a frown as he stood back up and turned to Sally. "Call me. Let me know how he's doin... How are you doing?" He then asked. Sally shrugged answering "It's.. It's not quite processed.." Bobby understood. "You two know that Jesse and I are here for the both of you. You guys need anything, just a call away." he assured. Sally thanked Bobby and walked him out the door. Closing it quietly behind him and resting her forehead on it. She took a deep breath then glanced back at Lightning. Drunk.. broken.. Staring at nothing and so quiet. Poor Lightning. This would be hardest in him. Sally walked over and Sat down next to him. He didn't move, didn't speak. "Lightning?..." She called. Nothing. "You.. Should shower.. It might make you feel better.." Nothing. "I called my Dad.. Told him something came up and we won't be able to do breakfast. Maybe next time though.." Nothing. Sally frowned and her eyes teared up. "Lightning talk to me.." She whimpered. "Don't shut me out!" She yelped. No words. He let out a quiet sigh and closed his eyes before quietly growling "Shut up... Just.. Shut up." then opened his eyes again to stare blank like at nothing. He sounded angry still. Sally swallowed hard and kept herself from crying. She knew this was not Lightning. This was depression and pain and drunk anger. "Fine.." She muttered then leaned on his shoulder. Neither spoke another word to each other the rest of the night...
The next morning came. Sally walked up to Lightning who was laying on the couch. Barely moved at all last night. He looked horrible, smelled a hundred times worse than he did before. "Lightning." Her sweet voice called. Lightning looked up at her and sighed saying "I know.. Shower." Sally snickered and shrugged. "That to, but.. I was going to tell you Doc's here." Lightning looked over to see Doc standing near the front door. Doc sighed muttering the kid's name. "Oh Lightning.. This is what I was most afraid of." the old man admitted before walking over and sitting down across from Lightning in another chair. Sally sat down next to Lightning. Lightning stared at Doc and apologized. "I'm sorry about last night.. How I reacted.." It was the first he had really spoken in hours! Doc nodded replying "I understand. You've always had trouble with emotions. It's okay. I want you to get through this as much as possible now while I'm alive, okay? I don't want to see you wreck yourself." Lightning stared at Doc a moment then asked "Is that why you were training me with Chick before? making me get angry and upset and racing at the same time?" Doc nodded. Lightning held back the tears and continued "How long have you known you had cancer?" Sally curiously listened in. Doc sighed answering "About a year I think. Maybe more." Lightning's eyes widened and his heart hurt more. "You knew were dying a year ago!?" He was angry, but more hurt than anything. Doc shook his head and explained "I knew I had cancer a year ago.. This last... March.. Treatments weren't helping anymore and it spread fast to multiple places and now.. Well.. Here I am." Sally then had to ask "Why aren't the treatments helping? What about surgery Doc?" Doc nodded answering "I have looked into some new method treatments, but here is the thing.. Surgery is not an option now. It's.. Inside places that can't just be removed.. Treatments make me feel worse.. I could start them up again and.. mm Hold on." He paused and had a minor coughing fit before continuing. "I could start treatment again and it may give me another month or two.. But the side effects are worse than the cancer. I'd be in a hospital, in pain, tired as hell... I would die miserable. I want to see you race. I want to see... Life, the town, friends. And not from a hospital bed on some machine." "Whose going to take care of you in the uh.. Final stages than?.." Sally asked. Doc smiled answering "I hired a nurse for the home. She's scheduled to start in about a week and.. She'll pretty much live with me until.. She is not needed." Lightning shook his head and snarled "I can take care of you instead of some stranger!" Doc snickered replying "Thanks kid.. But you have a career and.. Busy plans that I hope I didn't get in the way of." Lightning glanced at Sally with a frown. How was he suppose to ask her to marry him and be all happy about it with this in the back of his mind!? Doc coughed a bit then continued "Besides.. My last stage here will make my body do all kinds of natural, but.. Not very decent things and I don't want any of you folks in town seeing me like that." Sally and Lightning hated it, but they understood. Doc sighed and stared at Lightning and made sure Lightning knew one thing for sure. "Lightning.. I am proud of you. You are the finest racer I have seen in a long time and it has been an honor to be your coach these past years and I am sorry that I am not able to travel with you for the remainder of the season. This is just too much on me anymore.. Please understand.." Lightning nodded silently. Afraid if he spoke, he might cry all over again.
The three went quiet. Not sure how to say anything or even what to say. Sally did think of a question though. "What about the town? You're the mayor Doc.. What will become of Radiator Springs without you?" Doc frowned and took a moment to breathe before answering "Ramone will take over until the town takes a vote for someone as usual." Lightning then asked "Do you really like this Leon guy?.." Doc nodded. Lightning sighed and that made him re think this guy. Leon wasn't Doc, but he was Doc approved. "You will need a good coach in the playoffs Lighting. Leon will be a good man for the job." Doc assured. Lightning simply nodded again without any real words. Sally then looked at Lightning and asked "You want me to make you breakfast? get you a shower started? Doc, you want to stay for breakfast?" Doc smiled answering "I'd love to." Sally smiled back with "Great! I'll just order something from the kitchen for all of us. Stickers." She grabbed his attention. "Go shower." He nodded and watched her walk off to the bedroom to call and order food. Doc and Lightning looked at each other. Doc smiled a little and said "I'll miss you. But as long as their is a Chrysler up there, I'll be watching you. You just keep racing and doing what I taught you Rookie." Lightning smiled a little at being called Rookie and the thought of Doc watching over him in the after life, but.. It hurt so much...
So naturally, next came Doc telling the folks of Radiator Springs. They didn't take it well. Everyone was heart broken by the news and Doc's news of refusing anymore treatments. Lightning called his Mother to vent and found out she already knew about it before. Things went by slowly in a depressing way that week. And Lightning made the decision NOT to enter the World Grand Prix, seeing that it would be right after the cup race and he did not know how long Doc had exactly and would hate for something to happen while he was out of the U.S...
This chapter was shorter and it's because it was hard to write honestly. I am sad Doc is going to die.. (RIP Paul newman) It just sucks. I think he would have loved Cruz and could have helped Lightning in Cars 3 majorly.
And as for my situation at home. So my husband and I arent fighting, but.. I dont know. Things are so.. Eeehh. I guess. almost normal. But now that trust is gone and I dont know how someone would even get it back.. I guess its a time thing and let me tell you guys. Having sex with someone who has broke you is a bad idea. I cried. I FUCKING CRIED during sex! I felt so stupid and ridiculous! I hated it and hated myself for crying in that moment. So.. Sex life is kind of dead and I hope it doesnt screw up my stories some how. Writing seems to be helping me not think about it and sit in a corner and cry all day. At least for now. So thanks guys, really and truly you readers are why I write and right now, knowing people are reading the story is distracting me from more mental break downs. You all are life savers!
