Chapter Ten
May 1st, 1996
Beaut
The first signs of spring have started to bloom, and with them comes the reality that my time here is running out. Every day feels like a countdown, a reminder that soon I'll be leaving for Stanford. It's exciting and terrifying all at once. I want to soak in every moment, capture every memory, and hold onto the people I love just a little bit longer.
As I walk through the neighborhood, the scent of blooming flowers fills the air. The sun is warm on my face, and I can't help but think about how different things will be in a few short months. I spot Letty and Mia sitting on Letty's porch, sipping on iced tea and laughing about something.
"Hey, Beaut!" Letty calls out, waving me over.
I join them, sinking into the chair between them. "Hey, guys. What's so funny?"
Mia grins. "Remember the time Vince tried to impress that girl at the races and ended up crashing into that dumpster?"
"Oh my God, yes! That was so funny. He thought he was hot shit." I laugh.
Letty shakes her head. "He thought she was into him because she kept looking his way. She was just trying to warn him."
The memory brings a smile to my face. "I wish I could bottle moments like these and take them with me."
Letty nudges me. "We'll make plenty more memories before you go, chica. We still have all of spring and summer."
"Yeah, and you can always come back for holidays and breaks," Mia adds.
I nod, appreciating their optimism. "I know. It's just that everything is changing so fast. I feel like I need to document every second."
"Then let's start today," Letty suggests, pulling out her Polaroid camera. "We'll take pictures and make a scrapbook. That way, you'll have something to take with you."
Mia claps her hands together in excitment. "I love that idea! Let's do it."
We spend the rest of the afternoon taking silly photos with Nina, capturing candid moments, and making plans for the summer. Each click of the camera feels like a promise, a way to hold onto the past even as I move forward.
Later that evening, Dom comes by to pick me up for our usual car ride. Even though I have my own, it's still the best feeling ever to ride with him. As we drive through the city, the lights reflecting off the hood of his Barracuda, I lean my head against the window and watch the world go by.
"You're quiet tonight," Dom says, glancing over at me.
"Just thinking," I reply. "About how everything is changing. About how much I'm going to miss this."
He reaches over, taking my hand in his. "We'll make it work, Beaut. Stanford isn't the end for us. It's just the beginning of a new chapter."
I squeeze his hand, grateful for his reassurance. "I know. I just want to make sure I remember everything. Every laugh, every kiss, every moment."
"You'll make new memories when you get there," he promises. "And I'll be there for as many as I can."
As we pull up to our favorite overlook spot, Dom turns off the engine and we sit in comfortable silence, watching the city lights twinkle below. I take a deep breath, feeling a mix of anticipation and nostalgia.
"Let's take a picture," I suggest, pulling out the Polaroid camera from my bag.
Dom raises an eyebrow but smiles. "Alright, let's do it."
Snuggling up to him on the drivers side, I lift the camera and take our picture as we both smile. He takes the camera from me and before I know it, he kisses me on the lips and snaps another. As the pictures develop, I look at our smiling faces and feel a sense of peace. At least when I'll miss him the most I'll have something to look at.
It's finally summer! Gradutation was last week and it feels like the shackles of high school have been unlocked. And I'm turing eighteen soon. Right in time.
I have been so enjoying my last break before going off to college. I've been spending it with everyone I love. My dad, Dom, Letty, Mia, and Nina. We've gone to the beach, the zoo, races, parties... And throughout all of it, Dom and I have remained completely head over heels for each other. Everyone in the community knows I'm his by now and he has already planned his first weekend to come see me at Stanford. It really settles my jitters that things are going to fall apart when I leave for ten months.
Truth? I'm really starting to get nervous. Nervous about being away from my family, nervous about the classes, and nervous about the people I'd meet. It isn't going to stop me from going, but I hate not knowing what to expect. I really should have gone to the campus to look around beforehand. I just didn't want to spend a weekend away from my family when I was already about to leave.
Which is exactly why I've been fitting in all of this quality time. I don't want any of my family to think I'm just leaving them forever or that I don't care that I'm leaving. In fact, we're ending these sixty-eight days with a bang my last weekend. At the beginning of the summer, I talked to Dom, Hector, Edwin, Tommie, hell, even Johnny Tran, and they're all down for my idea.
Three days and two nights deep in the desert where no one will bother us. No drama. Nothing but racers, chasers, and big-money races. We've been referring to it as "Race Wars."
Not only do racers get the chance to win big, but they also get to earn major bragging rights in the community if they win against big-timers in different jurisdictions. Usually, the street race scene goes in cliques, so the best of the best only race in their territory. This will be the one big event where they all come together to prove who's really the best once and for all.
And of course, I plan on winning big that weekend. I've got a pretty decent-sized nest egg that should take care of my living expenses for all four years at Stanford, now I'm just putting it all in a savings account. Not all at once, mind you... Only a couple hundred at a time. I don't need the IRS looking into me. Doing it this way, I could just be depositing my bi-weekly or bi-monthly paper route or babysitting money into my account.
I'm not a "criminal," I just don't want questions as to where this money is coming from. I also want a decent nest egg for after I graduate. Not only will I graduate debt-free, but with a leg up financially. To be able to take some time off and maybe do some real traveling before figuring out what I want to do for the rest of my life.
As the days go by and Race Wars approaches, the excitement in the air is palpable. Everyone's talking about it, making plans, and tuning up their cars. Dom and I spend hours in the garage, making sure my car is in perfect condition.
"You're going to blow them all away," Dom says, wiping grease from his hands as he looks at me with pride and lust.
"Thanks, Dom. I hope so. I want to leave a mark before I go," I reply, feeling the weight of the impending farewell and also the weight of his smolder.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me close and burying his face into my neck. "You already have. No matter what happens, you'll always be a part of this community."
I lean into him, feeling the warmth and security of his embrace. "I know. But I want this weekend to be unforgettable."
"It will be," he promises, kissing the top of my head. "We'll make sure of it. Who knows, maybe it can become an annual event around here."
Dom
I pull out of our spot and head into Oakland. Not something I really want to have Beaut around for but they have some pretty decent racers around her. Race Wars is her idea after all.
We've been making our rounds for two weeks talking to every racer about Race Wars. Making sure everyone knows the stakes and the rules. Beaut is beside me, her energy contagious. It's been a whirlwind of a summer, and I want to make sure this event is everything she's dreamed of before she leaves for Stanford.
"Hey, Ray!" I call out to one of the racers. "You ready for Race Wars?"
The big muscle head grins, nodding enthusiastically. "You know it, Dom! Got my car tuned up and ready to go. Heard this is going to be the biggest event for street racers in the state."
"That's the plan," I say, clapping him on the back. "Spread the word. We want everyone out there."
As we move on, Beaut tugs at my arm. "This is going to be epic, Dom. I can feel it."
I smile down at her. "That's the goal, Beaut. Make it unforgettable."
We head over to another group of racers, and I spot a familiar face. It's Marco, a guy who used to race with Jake. I tense up, hoping this doesn't lead to questions I can't answer.
"Dom! Long time, man," Marco says, extending a hand.
I shake it firmly. "Yeah, it's been a while. You coming to Race Wars?"
Marco nods. "Wouldn't miss it. Hey, speaking of old times, we used to see your brother racing around here all the time... You haven't seen him recently, have you?"
I shake my head, keeping my expression neutral. "Not since the day they took me off to LOMPOC."
Marco looks surprised. "Really? I thought for sure he'd be back by now."
"Yeah...," I say, trying to brush it off. "I'd really like to talk to him as well."
Beaut looks at me, suspicion flickering in her eyes. She doesn't say anything, but I know she's thinking about the same thing she asked me a few months ago. That Jake took off so he didn't have to face me. I feel the guilt gnawing at me. I was the one who picked up the damned torque wrench in the first place.
"Well, if you see him, tell him we're all rooting for him," Marco says, giving me a pat on the back before walking away.
As we continue making the rounds, Beaut is quieter than usual. I can tell she's thinking about Jake. She misses him. We all do. But the truth is, I don't know where he is, and it's tearing me apart.
"Dom," Beaut says softly, pulling me aside. "Do you think Jake is okay?"
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know, Beaut."
She nods, but I can see the worry in her eyes. "I miss his bossy ass," she says with a sad smile.
I look around, making sure no one is within earshot. "Beaut, there's something you should know. Jake... That day at the race... He tampered with our dad's car. He was the last one under the hood. That's why he crashed."
Her eyes widen in shock. "What? Dom, why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to tear the family apart," I say, my voice low and pained. "I confronted him when I got out, and told him to leave. He doesn't deserve to to be in the family after what he did. I can't forgive him."
Beaut looks down in shock, processing this new information. "Does Mia know?"
"No," I say, shaking my head. "And I don't want her to. It's enough that he's gone. She doesn't need to carry that burden too. I don't want to ever discuss him again, okay?"
She nods, understanding. "Okay. I won't bring him up again."
I pull her into a hug, grateful for her support. "Thank you."
As we pull apart, she gives me a determined look. "Let's just focus on Race Wars."
"Yeah," I agree, feeling a renewed sense of purpose now that she knows everything. "Let's make this the best event ever."
Beaut
The night before we head out to the desert, I sit in my room, looking at the pictures and memorabilia I've collected over the years. I pack a few essentials and leave room for new memories. My dad knocks on the door and comes in, sitting beside me on the bed.
"Big weekend ahead," he says, a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Yeah," I reply, trying to keep my own emotions in check.
"I'm proud of you, munchkin. You've worked hard, and you're going to do great things at Stanford," he says, his eyes filled with pride.
"Thanks, Dad. I couldn't have done it without you," I say, feeling the tears welling up.
He pulls me into a hug, holding me tight. "Just remember, no matter where you go, this will always be your home."
"I know, Dad. I love you," I whisper, hugging him back.
"I love you too, munchkin," he replies, his voice thick with emotion.
...
The next morning, we load up the cars and head out to the desert. The drive is filled with laughter, music, and anticipation. As we arrive at the site, the sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the vast expanse of sand. Tents are set up, engines roar, and the atmosphere is electric.
This is it. Race Wars has begun.