Sheriff stared into the hospital room at Lightning who appeared to be fast asleep. Sally stood next to the officer and asked, "Did you catch that man who did this?" Sheriff nodded. Sally let out a sigh of relief. Sheriff continued to stare at the racer as he asked, "Do you two feel safe?" Sally frowned before admitting, "I don't feel safe with Lightning… I don't feel safe with him racing anymore, but.. What choice do I have?" Sheriff glanced down to the cold floor. Unable to give Sally any answers. Flo rushed over and grabbed Sally, pulling the young blonde close. "Oh, Honey.." She whimpers, "Are you okay? What happened?" Sally's eyes filled with tears, "I almost lost Lightning for the third time… I.. I can't keep this up. And what if?.. What if I lost him? What if I had been pregnant?" Flo caressed Sally in a motherly way, just being there for her friend. Sally cried into Flo just as Sheriff noticed Lightning waking up. He tapped Sally's shoulder and nodded Lightning's direction. Sally ran to her husband's side and fell over him. Crying and muttering words to him, but he could never make them out. Lightning slowly lifted his arm over her back and rubbed her to let her know he was here and could comprehend her at the least. Sally stood up and asked, "Are you okay?…" Stupid question. Lightning smiled a little answering softly, "I'm alright.. I'm alive, thanks to you.." Sally smiled hearing his voice. "Don't cry, babe.. I'm here." He assured. Sally wiped her eyes and nodded, but this was enough of this. Lightning reached up and placed the palm of his hand over the side of Sally's face. "Hey.." He began, "I'm staying home this week… No more racing for now.. I don't care what Miranda, the sponsors, or anyone says.. I'm staying home with you for a while.." Assured the racer.
Sally sighed and asked, "You need the rest anyway, Stickers." "Yeah, but.. I'm done for now… No more racing. Not just the week coming, but.. For a while. I can't go back anymore. I'm.. I need a break. I should have listened to my gut before when I didn't even want to race the season and.. I didn't.. I'm taking a leave. Even if it cost me the cup." "Are you going to retire?" Asked Sally in a whimpering voice. Lightning sighed and dropped his arm as it was getting tired. He was silent and thought about the idea. Retirement… He was not ready for that, but.. At this rate.. He was depressed, he was exhausted, he was overwhelmed and drained… Lightning looked up at his wife before answering, "I don't want that, but.. I'm tired of being used, smattered, depressed, tired.. I barely see you… Racing has always been my life.. But.. It's taking my life away…" He was not sounding himself. Sally frowned and replied, "This is not you talking.. This is clearly the depression, Lightning. Give it time. Take a break, that's fine. But your spirit is so broken right now. To the point that you are not thinking like you. No matter what racing is taking from you, it's keeping you alive. It's who you are and as much as I'd love for you to retire and… We start a different path of out lives.. I know that's not where we are at right now and certainly not where you are yet. You need to get better. Physically, emotionally, and mentally better before you step back onto that track." Lightning agreed with that last part for sure. So he nodded. No other words, just agreeing with her. She was probably right about all of it anyway. Sally had a way of always being right… Most of the time…..
Lightning and Sally walked to the exit of the clinic where they could see the huge parade of press awaiting them. Lightning sighed with a frown. He did not feel well enough to handle them right now. Sally held his hand and said, "We can find another exit. Or have Sheriff handle them and then we sneak out when it's a little more calm. Oh! Or"-"Nah, don't worry about it, Sal. I can handle it." "Are you sure?' Asked his love. "I don't know if you can right now, Stickers.." Lightning snickered admitting, "I've been faking a smile for a while with the fans. What's one more time, huh?" He acted as if it was funny, but Sally did not find that funny at all. That truly worried her, but she also knew that it had to be a part or symptom of the depression. Lightning walked out the doors with a smile on his face as he waved to the cameras and fan group. One by one, they all started shouting questions, "Mr.McQueen, over here.""McQueen, what happened last night?""Did you finally get a look at who did this?""Was it the same man who shot you?""What happened?""Are you going to be at the coming race?" Lightning just smiled and waved at them without answering a single question. Getting into Sally's car and she as well, driving them home for the day….
The couple walked into their home together, locking the doors behind them. Sally let out a sigh of relief, but… Home was beginning to feel like anything other than home. She frowned. Thinking about what Sheriff has asked her earlier.. Did she feel safe? No… Lighting grabbed her hand and said, "Let's talk." Sally stared into his deep blue eyes a moment before nodding and following her husband into the living room, where they sat side by side on the couch. At first, it was silent. Neither saying a thing. Lightning took Sally's hand in his and began, "We have been through a lot lately." "Yup." Agreed Sally. Lightning looked to her as he continued, "I've put you through a lot lately." "Yup." "I'm sorry." "You can't help most of it." "I could have…" Admitted the racer. Sally sighed. She didn't think so. "Sal… To me.. I don't know how you feel, but to me?… Our marriage is falling apart." Sally's eyes teared up hearing that. "I wish it was as simple as the near death experience we had could some how magically make us back to how we were before and closer than ever, but.. Guess that's just in the ,movies, huh?" He tried to make a joke. Sally frowned as she didn't find it very funny. "Now, I don't want to give up on us or anything. I don't want to leave you or.. Say this sin't working out and.. No, I'm here to stay and I'm telling you this because I think.. We need to… Do something and not let this continue like it is or…" he paused. Sally stared at him and asked, "Or what?.. What are you saying is our future, Lightning?" Lightning looked downward answering, "At this rate, we don't have one in my opinion." God that hurt. Sally didn't reply. She was so quiet. Lightning was hurting her, but he needed to confront this and he knew that. He needed to try and save them before it was too late!
Sally then shrugged and asked, "So what do you purpose we do about this? Is this all because of me wanting a baby?" She asked in such a pitiful way as if she knew it was the problem. Lightning shook his head answering, "No, I don't think that is the problem. How you are going about it, isn't helping us any." Sally crossed her arms and turned away as if that right there made her shut down. Lightning sighed. It was the one thing she wanted and the one thing that she would not budge on. "Sally… I want a baby with you." "Just not right now. I understand that maybe not this very second.. After everything that keeps going on, I get it, but… I know it's never going to happen with you in reality… Is it?" She asked softly. Lightning frowned. Thinking before answering that, "It will." "Yeah.. I've heard that before, Stickers. What else is the problem with us?" She asked, changing the topic a little. Lightning thought for another moment before answering that, "Your attitude, my career, your many jobs and obligations to those jobs…. Time together or rather lack there of… Loneliness… yeah, loneliness.." The way he said that word. Sally stared at him. Was he?… "Lightning.." She grabbed his attention. "Are you?.. Lonely with me?" Lightning shook his head and explained, "I'm not lonely with you. I just.. I'm lonely and without you most of the time and when I am home… There's this.. Distance.. ever sense we started getting into arguments over having a baby. Again, I'm not saying that having a baby is the problem! I want to make that supper clear to you. It's just.. Unless I'm fucking you…. It's like you don't even want me around." Sally slightly giggled at those words which pissed Lightning off a little. "What?' He asked. "What's so fucking funny?" Sally snickered explaining, "Lightning McQueen feels he's being used for sex. Yeah, right. That's like your dream, Stickers. Nothing but sex. No griping, complaining, no commitment, just sex." "Why would you say that!? Yeah, okay.. Before you, all I wanted was sex! But then I met you!!!" He shouted! Sally stared all wide eyed in what seemed like disbelief. "I met you and I wanted more than just your dam body! And it seems like all you want from me is mine!" He was angry and Sally didn't get it completely. She only argued, "And yet you go around kissing other women." Lightning sighed.
Frowning and thinking of how to reply to that. "I was wrong to do what I did with Tiffany…" "I know why our marriage is failing, Lightning." Sally stated. Lightning stared a moment before asking, "You do?" He then knelt down in front of her and asked, "Then tell me what it is so that I can fix this. So that we can fix this, Sally." Sally frowned admitting, "It's not you or even Tiffany… After so much pushing for the baby, the arguing , the heartache, the stress, jobs and just us.. Growing. We are still growing up it feels like every week and.. I hate myself for this and not seeing the so many red flags we shared with each other and.. I started resenting you for being you… I started hating you for just being yourself and I started pushing away and wanting to be alone and then blaming you and your career for that loneliness I'd feel when I finally was alone and yet I didn't want to be around you. The selfish nature you have only ruled my anger and hatred and so I started not to care about anything you did and yet I car so much about you, I couldn't just let go of you. I love you and you're the man I want to be with for the rest of my life, but… It's me. I'm failing us and.. I'm the one making everything worse than it needs to be for us… There are so many weekends that I make up work just to avoid going to the races with you because I don't fit in and I never have with them and I don't like that version of you anymore. You are not the man I loved and fell in love with… You are changed and I didn't make that change with you and so we're not syncing up anymore. We want different things and.. Those things can't intertwine together it seems. So I stopped trying to keep up with you and you didn't even notice that you were leaving me behind while becoming the great Lightning McQueen… I was just his wife in the background who… Who is struggling to keep up with him… And now it's like.. You are so far ahead that… It seems impossible for us to reach the same.. Level, I don't know… And.. Having a baby might.. Might have forced you to stop and slow down enough that I could change and catch back up.. Then we could continue together.."
Lightning sighed and thought about this before speaking because that was a lot. "I'm sorry I.. I did this to you and I'm sorry I never realized that I was moving too fast for you. So… I'm… I'm trying to figure this out." He paused a moment. "What… What besides a baby, would I need to do to help you catch up or.. for me to meet you wherever you are?" Sally frowned. She didn't know. She wished she did, but this was not an easy question and she only made it seem hopeless. "Lightning… I think we need a break and.. To be apart with no communication for a while." "I.. I don't see how that would help, but… We've gone without talking for like a week or two before. If you need space, fine." "No, like… A month or two." Sally corrected. Lightning stared at her. He was done. Sally was giving up and pushing away once more and he had no fight in him. She wanted him gone, fine. He'd go and not speak to her for two fucking months. He wanted to scream at this BITCH! Blame her for this and blame Ben! She just wanted to fuck her ex husband probably, or maybe she just hated Lightning that much! Lightning was so furious and hurt! Part of him wanted to pack up right now and slam a door in Sally's face and not speak to her at all! Ever again! But… He wanted this to work. He wasn't losing Sally this way. Lightning took a deep breath and stared at his wife. Thinking… Thinking and staring at her with a loss of words at the moment. What could he do? What should he do? Lighting swallowed nervously then nodded before asking, "Are you just.. Pushing me away so that you can learn to be without me for longer periods of time so that a divorce won't hurt as bad?" Sally shook her head. Lightning nodded a little. Thinking. "Sal.." He began, "I'm forbidding this. Because if that's really what you want, you'd get the dam divorce papers. I am not racing for a few months. I will be here with you and…" He paused and stared at his wife. Gulping what he was thinking of saying, "And we can keep trying for a baby. Three months straight? Three months of no racing, I'll be home, I'm… Physically healthy and able for the most part. So… Let's.. Make a baby." Sally just stared ay him. This is not Lightning. This is not what he wanted. "If a baby is what will save this marriage, than there is nothing stopping me-us from having one. I'm.. I'm in." He said. Sally only scoffed, "No, you're not. You just don't want to be alone."
Lightning was lost. What could he do to save this? Sally was putting up a stone wall and all he had was his bare hands to try and tear it down. "sally… It sounds like you want a divorce. But you don't want to say it out loud." Sally stared at Lightning hearing that. Sally shook her head replying, "That is not what I want. I want you. But I want the Lightning I fell in love with." "That Lightning was a fucking jerk, who if he was here right now? Would have walked out that door and not said a dam thing to you and would get a divorce faster than a lap around that dam race track. So no, that's not what you want, is it?" He asked. Sally shook her head. Lightning stood up and growled, "I needed my wife. I wanted to be with you and by your side for a few months while I healed up and I thought you would be there by my side while I go through all this crap right now, but I obviously was wrong…" he turned and began to head to the bedroom before stopping and adding, "I'll pack my bags and have Mack take me someplace for a while. I'll give you some space, but I will not do the no communication thing for some two dam months. I'm not doing that and if you do?" He paused and thought about it before continuing his threat.. "If you do?… I'll deliver the divorce papers to you myself." And he walked away to the bedroom. Leaving Sally alone with her thoughts…..
Lightning went to the track the following week. Walking through the garages, looking for Bobby mostly. "Mr. McQueen!" Called out a familiar voice. Lightning turned to see Kori. He sighed and greeted, "Hey, Kori.. Look, I'm not interested in giving a statement or anything about everything going on right now. So, please.. Just"-"No, that's fine! I get it. I just.. Wanted to see how you were doing?" Kori asked with a kind smile. Lightning stared a moment. He knew better than to trust Kori, even if they had slept together years ago. Lightning put on a smile and nodded, "I'm alright. I'm here where I need to be." "Oh. I thought you'd be taking a break." "Well.. I'm here, but.. I'm not racing today." "What?" "Yeah.. So.. There's your scoop. I am sort of.. Taking a breather for a while. It'll be fine." He reassured her. Kori nodded and asked, "How is Sally?" Lightning stared blankly for a moment. The moment of silence only making Kori assume things. Lightning nodded once more than scoffed with a cocky smile as he answered, "Never better. We're even closer after all this. What can I say? When you find the right one, things are just.. Great." Kori nodded replying, "Good. I'm glad the two of you are holding up. Keep it up, Lightning." Kori smiled then walking away to find another famous racer to bother.
Lightning sighed. And, almost forgetting what he was doing, he walked off in search of Bobby again. Making his way to Swift's garage, he entered. "Hey, Bobby!" He called. Lightning walked in to see the race car with the hood open and no one around. He sighed. "Where are you?" He mumbled under his breath. Then the side door opened and the racer appeared. Bobby smiled and happily greeted, "My man! Lightning! How are things!?" He asked as he walked up and hugged his friend, patting his back as he did so. Lightning pulled away, answering "Alright.. Um.. Do you have more of those, um.. The.. Medications? To help calm you down?" Lightning asked softly. Bobby crossed his arms and asked, "I mean, yea. Aren't you racing?" "No. I'm taking a break for a while." "Than what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be home with your wife? Relaxing?" Bobby scoffed. Lightning frowned, looking downward. Bobby sighed asking "That bad, huh?… Alright." He then walked over to his tool box and shifted some tools around before getting a pack of cigs out and handing them to his friend. "Take them slowly. These things can really fuck you up if you don't know how to take them." "Yeah, I know. I've done fine before." Lighting replied. Bobby nodded and asked, "Are you going to be okay?" Lightning just nodded. Bobby sighed and asked, "Want some company later? I could meet you someplace after the race?" Lightning thought about it, but knowing Bobby.. They'd just wind up at some bar and drunk and then possibly making more and bigger mistakes right now. Lightning shook his head answering, "No, I'm good. Just gonna go back to Texas for a bit. Relax.. Work… Sleep.. Something." Bobby smiled, "Alright. You do you, man. Take care of yourself though, alright?" Asked the purple suited driver. Lightning nodded, thanking his friend once more before headed out on the road….
Bobby stood alone for a moment. Thinking. With Lightning like this, he actually stood a pretty definite chance of winning the cup this year. But that did not matter to Bobby right now. Lightning was not doing well and he needed help. Bobby began to feel he was failing Lightning as a friend, and wondered how he could help Lightning. The only way Bobby knew how to help was through drugs, drinking and women. That was all he knew… But… He also knew from experience that those things could only help so much. And marriage problems? Bobby knew nothing of that! Cal did.. But Cal could potentially make things worse a lot of the time. Even if Cal didn't mean to. Bobby hated this helpless feeling. He really cared for Lightning and had to find a way ton help.. Even if it meant just being the supportive friend who does nothing but listen.. Even though that felt pretty useless right now too him……
And this… This is where some problems really began to take hold of the McQueens. Lightning went to Texas and stayed at some motel. He dare not cheat on his wife. He very much wanted to make things work. He loved Sally with everything in him, but things were bad right now. So he turned to porn nightly. Watching what seemed like hours of it. And between taking the medications and drinking and iron. He made himself feel not so shitty. Shitty. That was definitely the word for it. His life was falling apart, his marriage was crap. All Sally wanted was a baby. Nothing was going right. The President of Nascar wanted to use him more than anybody. Life was hell right now. It would be a lie to say that ending himself did not go through his head a few times. But he could never do that to his family, his friends back in Radiator Springs, Cal and Bobby… Sally. He had to find a way to recover and become better again. To become happy again…..
Ring Ring…. BBbbbzzzz… Ring, ring… BBBbbzzz… Lightning opened his eyes slowly. The morning gone. He lifted his head from the pillow of the motel bed and glanced at his phone on the bedside table. 11:53AM. He growled into the pillow. Ring, ring… BBBbzzz. He grabbed the phone and without a thought, answered the call, "..Hello?…"
Lightning?
It was Sally.
"Hey.. Mornin.."
Good morning. Sorry.. I did not know you'd still be asleep.
"Yeah.. I was. (Yawn)"
Do you want me to let you go back to sleep, hun?
"No. I'm up now. What's up?"
….. Just checking in.
"Okay. (Yawn)" Lightning sat up and rubbed his head, brushing his hair back as he asked, "What are your plans today?"
Um.. Well, just the usual. Working.
"Sounds horrible."
I like it. I like being busy.
"I know."
…. So.. It's been three weeks.
"Yep. Just nine more weeks to go."
Keeping count?
"Nah.. Just the cup."
How will that go?
"Oh I already know that I won't be in it. I won't make up the points."
Oh…
"…. It's been like five days sense I've heard your voice."
Yup.
"Why did you call me?"
Why you got to sound so hostile suddenly? I thought you said we need to talk or communicate at the least, right?
"Yeah, but… Don't call me if you don't want to. I wouldn't…" He stopped. Thinking. About saying that he wouldn't want to bother her, but.. He wanted to make this work.
"I.. I wouldn't have even left if you'd just asked me to stay.. But.. I want to do whatever you want for this work in the end. So… I'm here for you. Whenever you need me."
Thank you for that, Stickers. How are you doing?
"Me?… I'm.. I'm good." He said hesitantly as he stared over at the tissue mess on the other side of the bed. He was disgusted with himself. He sighed.
Are you?
"Yeah, of course."
What have you been up to these last five days?
Lightning hesitated answering as he stared at the tissues once more. "Um… Stuff…" He quietly slapped his forehead.
Stuff?
She giggled.
"Sorry.. Still waking up." He admitted into the phone.
Okay. … Well… Have a good day, Lightning.
And she hung up. That was it.
Lightning sighed and tossed the phone down on the bed He stared at the tissues and scoffed at himself. Stuff. Yeah.. He was doing soooo good……
Sally walked out of the office of the Cozy Cone motel to be stopped by Flo. "Oh. Hey." Sally greeted with a smile. Flo crossed her arms and asked, "What are you doing?" Sally sighed and her smile faded away. "What do you mean, Flo?" She asked. Flo grabbed Sally's arm and pulled her back into the office, closing and locking the door behind her. "With this marriage!?" Flo snapped! Sally looked away in anger and defended herself, "I'm taking a breather from all the bullshit that keeps circling around Lightning." Flo scoffed in anger, "You are so stupid." "Excuse me?" "You heard me! You sent that man away when he wanted to be with you. How dare you treat someone like that!" "I didn't ask your opinion and honestly, stay out of it, Flo. It's not your marriage." "It won't be yours much longer either at this rate!' Flo yelled! Sally shook her head, not believing what Flo was warning. Flo sighed and tried to help.. "Look.. You have been married before and I fully believed it wasn't his fault or her fault.. It was the both of you and a stressful situation.. Ben was working all the time and put you on a back burner.. You begged him to be there for you when you were hurting and what did he do? You said he put you off and pushed you away.. You had his baby and things happened and you wound up leaving him…" "And your point, Flo?' Asked Sally in a rude manner. Flo's brows lowered as she began to point out, "Lightning and you are fighting and are in a stressful situation. Only this time… You are pushing him away.. So far and hard that you made him leave town.. Does that sound familiar to you?" Sally stared with wide eyes at Flo. Yeah.. It did sound familiar.
Sally frowned and admitted, "Well.. Maybe he shouldn't come back.." Flo's eyes filled with such anger at this younger woman! "SALLY!" She snapped! But Sally only fought, "No! Our marriage is garbage! He only wants to race and I only want a family! It's over! I'm nothing more than a place holder for that man and he knows it! He knows deep down the very same thing! He just doesn't want to let go because I'm his precious first wife and everyone pressures him to be perfect and make sure our lives look perfect to all the fans and his family. So of course, Lightning would never get a dam divorce. His threats are meaningless. So I'm fine with that because I'm not going anywhere. This is my town and my motel and my life. He's just using it to look good." Flo just stared in awe. Not a good awe. Sally was furious and not herself. Flo shook her head. Not sure what too say to that.. So Flo nodded, replying "Alright… Okay. I'm sorry." And left quietly. Sally sighed and sat down at the chair at her desk. Hurting inside. She hurt so much and maybe she didn't even mean some of those things she had just said.. But.. She said them none the less……
Lighting sat on the couch. Bored out of his mind. Browsing the different channels. Nothing.. Nothing.. Nothing to watch. He sighed and shut off the tv. Walking over to the bed, he plopped down. Staring at the tissues and bottle of lube he had on the bedside table.. Thought about it. Nope. To dam bored and not in the mood. He sighed. Nothing. Absolutely nothing to do. Lightning grabbed the pack of cogs he bought and grabbed one out. Beginning to smoke. Breathing in the drug felt good, but.. This would only last a few moments before he would be bored out of his mind again. He knew he could visit his family. They were less than an hour out from where he was staying anyway. He sighed… Smoking in bed… So bored.. So lonely.. So depressed.. How was he going to make this marriage thing better? He really tried thinking. All he could come up with was having a baby with Sally… That's it. He was going to have to. And… Honestly, would it be so bad? Bobby seemed to be doing well in his marriage. Cal to…. Why was his so wrong? Lightning began thinking about his career and thinking about how he met Miss Sally. How well things were going. The premise he made.. To start trying. He didn't hold up his end go the deal… He was in the wrong for that and he knew it. He had to make it up to her. But even if he came home and announced he was ready, Sally would never believe him. It was like she wanted the marriage to completely fail at this point.. Lightning made the decision to talk to the one person he really needed to right now…..
Knock, knock… He knocked on the home door. Lightning just stood and waited for the warming answer. The door opined and Minty opened the door. "Lightnin.." She whispered before hugging her son. Lightning smiled, "Hey, Mom." "What brings you down? Is Sally with you?" Lightning shook his head answering, "No, just me this time. Is Chad around?" He asked. Minty crossed her arms and asked with suspicion, "What's going on?" Lightning snickered answering, "What? Nothing. Why?' He asked nervously. Minty rolled her eyes before answering his previous question, "He's at the shop. Probably will be there until seven tonight or so. Want to come in and talk?" She asked her son. Honestly, she was just being a little nosy because she could tell that something was off. Lightning shook his head and started to leave but stopped and turned back around, facing the porch and asked his mother, "I know that I.. Come from a broken home and.. I was just born so it probably doesn't apply, but.. You know how… Barb became like her parents.. Chad.. You can tell he's.. Different.. Robert.. Well…" Minty cocked her head to the side and asked, "What do you mean What are you asking?" Fearful her son would want to know exactly where he came from. Lightning sighed, "Well.. It sort of looks like problems are inherited.. No matter if we were taken away or not and into a better life with you and Dad.. Um.. Do you think addictions and divorces and abuse and neglect and all that crap that got us taken from where we came from.. Are inherited and.. We're all just destined to wind up like our birth parents? No matter how hard we try?… And if so?… What's that mean for me? I don't know them at all.. I don't even know why I was taken away.." Minty frowned and walked down to her son. Placing a supportive hand on his shoulder as she answered, "I think some problems do tend to follow generations around, but… If it helps any… I was…. Told… You were not taken by social services.. Something.. Happened and… We may never know, but…I can tell you from what you have accomplished.. That you came from a strong family and with strong willed parents I'm sure. Probably a stubborn bull of a man and sweet and beautiful, golden blonde of a woman. What's going on?" She asked softly. Lightning shook his head before answering, "I… I…" he just could not ask her. Not his Mother this time. "I really want to speak with Chad." Minty nodded. Kissing the cheek of her youngest son and smiling before heading back inside……
Lightning walked into his brother's shop. The place was looking really good actually. Lightning was impressed with the upgrades. New flooring, new desks, new walls and a painted flat ceiling. Chad glanced over and saw his little brother. "Hey, Kid!" He shouted as she grabbed a rag and cleaned up his hands. Lightning smiled as they met each other on the floor. "What brings you into town?" Asked Chad. Lighting awkwardly admitted, "I've been here for a little over a month actually…" Chad's brows rated. "A month? And you haven't stopped by?" Lighting smiled awkwardly for a moment before answering, "Didn't know when a good time would be." Chad glared. He knew that was a lie. Chad sighed and crossed his arms before asking, "So what brings you by? I've noticed you were absent at the races… That because of… Everything?" Staring at his brothers abdomen. Lightning glanced down at his healed wound before answering, "Yes and no.. Um.. I was drugged and wound up in the hospital. I'm fine!" "What!? What do you mean? Like you over dosed!?" Chad asked on fear!
Lightning motioned for his brother to shush before admitting, "Yeah, but not by choice." Chad only scoffed, "I'm pretty sure most overdoses are not by choice. Are you doing drugs now? The pain killers… Oh god.. You're addicted, aren't you?" He whined. Lightning only growled, "Would you stop? Please? No, I'm not. I just.. Something happened and I don't want to talk about that part. I just… I think I… Messed up pretty bad and"-"Well if you are doing drugs, then yeah, you did! Don;t you remember what happened to Barb!? Or well.. I guess you were young.." :Stop. I know. Not.. It's not the drugs, sheesh. It's Sally."
Chad stared a moment before asking, "What happened?" Lightning sighed before explaining or admitting, "Well… I think she wants a divorce.. But she wants me to do it." "Why?" "She made me leave and she doesn't even want to talk to me. Although, she did call last week and.. It was good I guess.. But. I'm starting to feel.. Like.. I don't want her… And I don't know how to…Deal with that.. This feeling. I love her…" Chad stared at his younger brother. Lightning was really wanting and seeking help right now. Chad sighed and asked, "Well… Out of us.. Neil is the only one whose been married three times.. So.. Asking him might be the right way to go about. I know he divorced the first one because they had a baby and.. The baby didn't make it and the two of them couldn't get along anymore. The second now was because they couldn't have a baby and.. Couldn't get along anymore.. The third one… Well.." "Yeah.. She became sick and passed away, I know." Lightning muttered before continuing, "Sounds like marriage is only about producing offspring at this point." Chad could not help but chuckle at that. "Yeah, okay. Well.. Aren't the two of you trying?" "No…" "Oh. Can she not?… Have any?" Chad asked in a delicate way. Lightning shrugged answering, "I mean, I don't know. We haven't been trying consistently or.. Whatever. But.. That… That might be the answer." Lightning said with a smile. Chad raised a brow and asked, "What? She can't?" "Yeah.. Maybe we've been going about this all wrong. If she thinks she can't instead of me just not wanting one right now, then she'd stop and back off." Lightning exclaimed. Chad stared with confusion. "What do you mean?" The older brother asked. Lightning rolled his eyes saying, "Never mind, thanks! I got to get back home." He then dashed out just as quick as he had shown up. Chad just stood there, confused as ever.
Sally was sipping her morning coffee at her desk of the cozy Cone motel. Looking over the budget go the motels when the door swung open. Sally stared wide eyed at her husband! "Lightning?' She questioned. Lightning ran up to her desk and exclaimed, "I am your husband and I have not been doing my job. I am not letting this marriage fall apart anymore, okay?" "Lightning.. I"-"NO, listen! I am madly in love with you and these past few months-no.. This year has been horrible to us. I'm putting a stop to this. I still have about two months before I return to racing. Now, I know you won't like this very much, but I hired another manager for each motel." "WHAT!?" Sally snapped as she stood up. Lightning only continued, "Well.. I am technically owner of one and co-owner of another. So.. I hired one. This way, we can have more time together and you can come along to some of the races now without it causing a problem here." "But, Lightning.. That's not"-"Not all. I also went ahead and got myself a new attorney." Sally's eyes widened! "You did what?" She asked. Lightning sighed and explained, "It's to much for you and I appreciate everything you have ever done for me, but it's time you were my wife and not another part of the racing career." Sally shook her head in awe. This was a lot to take in. "Lightning… What have you done? Why?" She asked in what seemed like fear. Lightning smiled, "I am stepping up and being the man I need to be for this marriage. You don't have to like it and I know that you are not going to like the changes being made to your work, but.. It's happening and I'm doing this because I love you and all you're crazy." "I'm the crazy one?" Sally asked.
Lightning snickered and continued, "Um.. There's more…" Sally was about to scream as he continued, "So.. I am not leaving and I am staying here with my wife and for the next almost two months… We are going to keep trying for the baby." Sally frowned and mumbled, "Lightning…." "NO, I mean it. I promised. I made a promise and honestly.. I want you and I want you to be happy and I think I'll be happy if you're happy." He explained. Sally stared at her husband a moment. He was acting…. Strange. "Are you on something?" She asked. Lightning shrugged answering, "Just the medications I am suppose to be on." "What about racing?" "It can wait. We can't." Lightning had really stepped up suddenly. Sally stared. Confused and unsure how to react. A month ago, the two were threatening divorce and now Lightning was taking such initiative. Sally smiled replying, "Okay. Okay, are we?.. Are you really doing this?" She asked. Lightning nodded with a huge smile on his face as he approached Sally and pulled her close, hugging her tightly. Honestly, Sally was still unsure of this, but if he was going to step up so much suddenly, she would not fight him and let him. She wanted to see how this would go…..
