The next day he went to get some lunch at Flo's. He was still a bit upset about not being able to race but he didn't have a choice. He was nervous that it would be just like what happened to his dad when he went back. Then Doc came in without Lightning even seeing him.
"Hey son, something wrong?" he asked and almost made Lightning fall out of his chair.
But he caught him before he fell.
"Jeez, you scared me. And kinda, I'm just scared that the same thing that happened to you the season you had to miss is gonna happen to me. " he said.
"Ah don't worry kid, this was gonna be only your fourth season so it's too soon for that to happen. And besides, you get along with the company you work with better than I did and any other racer." he said smiling.
Lightning smiled back. "I guess you're right, that was your fifteenth season wasn't it?" he said.
"Sixteenth actually." he fixed.
A few weeks later there was a race. Even though he couldn't be in it didn't mean he couldn't watch it. So he and Matter watched the race and hoped Chick didn't win the entire season.
"What do you think, is he gonna win?" Matter said.
"I hope not." he said back.
"Me too." Matter agreed.
As they sat there watching the race Doc could tell that Lightning was a little upset. But there was nothing he could do, he was hurt too badly.
A week later, "Alright rookie, let's take a look at your ankle and wrist." Doc said.
So he took a look and liked it so far.
"Well, you can get rid of your crutches and your ankle's all set. As for your wrist, still have a little bit to go with."
Lightning was glad he could slide with.
He nodded his head and said, "Ok dad."
So Doc took off his cast and was good with his foot.
"You should still ice your wrist though ok?" he said.
"Ok." Lightning answered.
When he got out of the office Mater saw him without his crutches and smiled.
"Looks like someone's done with his crutches."
"Yup, down to my wrist. Still have to ice it a bit though." he said.
After a bit he went to Flo's for lunch and saw Sheriff talking to Mater about something.
"Hey guys, what's up?" he said.
"Hey Lightning, Mater said you were down to an ace bandage with your wrist and done with your ankle." said Sheriff.
He nodded. "Yeah, hopefully I'll be able to do next season."
Then Doc put his hand around him, "Don't worry rookie, you'll be able to get back before you know it!" he said.
"You're probably right." Lightning said smiling.
Later that night he found something with his name on it. So he opened it and was a bit surprised to see what it was. Tickets to the Piston Cup because it was the last race of the season.
On the note it said, Lightning, since you don't need your crutches and don't have anything to do I thought we could go watch the race. Dad.
He smiled and was glad he got to see one. While he was making some dinner he heard Doc come in.
"I'm home."
"In the kitchen making dinner." Lightning said.
"So I can see that you got my letter for you. You happy?" he said smiling.
"Yeah! Thanks dad." he said.
"No problem Rookie."
Then it popped into his head, "Are they all gonna see me?" he asked worried.
He missed being seen like a normal person sometimes.
"Probably Lightning, so get ready. When they first saw me after years the day I was at your piston cup they were all surprised." Doc said.
He sighed, "I miss being normal sometimes."
"Don't worry kid, you'll get used to it before you know it." Doc said.
Lightning smiled.