Chapter Text
The time for the tiebreaker race had ended. Sally watched the television with happiness in her heart. Maybe LIghtning had not won, but in her eyes, he did win. Hell, maybe even more than just that trophy. He had won the respect of the whole racing world. With her hands clasped together, chin leaning against them, she watched as the RSN replayed the important highlights of the race. Her eyes were swelling with tears, as she watched with pride and happiness.
“He did well,” Red said quietly, touching her shoulder.
“He sure did.”
Red smiled. As he walked away, Sally turned back to face the beautiful town outside the window. The town, in which Lightning had brought back its beauty. She took a deep breath, and let it out. For the first time since he left, she felt a weight off her shoulders. Her heart was at peace for a moment. She knew that someday, she would repay him for what he did.
~
As the day rolled by, Sally found herself getting bored around two. No one was there to keep her company except Red and Lizzie. She knew if she talked with Lizzie, she would be asking a million questions, maybe some to which she did not have an answer. Sally sighed and turned to look at Lizzie's shop. She was playing soft country music on her small radio. Lizzie always had music on, always matching the vibe. Sometimes Sally hated it. Especially now. She did not like how country music sounded nostalgic to her, or that it made her want to be sad all over again.
With nothing else to do, Sally got up from the small couch in the front lobby of the motel and walked over to Lizzie’s shop.
“Hey, Lizzie,” Sally said, as she stepped into her shop.
Lizzie turned around to face the young woman, “Hello there, dear. What are you doing here nowadays? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else?”
Sally let those words sink in, “No, I’m not…I was just with you watching the race. I’m supposed to be here.”
“Hm.”
Sally sighed, and walked out of the doorway, “Got anything planned today?”
“Anything planned? I’m going to go see my dear Stanley like I always do. That hotshot fixing the neon made me realize how much I miss him.”
“Really? That kid?”
“Well yeah, who else? Are there any younger guys out here? I’d say Doc but I'm already seeing batches of white hairs on his head.”
Sally chuckled at her humor, “That’s nice, I guess.”
“You seem funny lookin'. What’s troubling you?”
“Nothing. I was just stopping by to see if you wanted company.”
“Well, I sure do appreciate that. But like I said, I’m off to see my husband.” The older woman pinched her cheek and slowly left her shop. Sally would ask if she could help her, but she knew a stubborn Lizzie would say no.
Sally sighed and slumped on the chair next to the door. She placed her elbow on the table and leaned her side cheek against her palm. All she wanted was a distraction to keep her mind off her situation. But of course, when she needed it, it wasn’t there.
Before she could leave, she saw Red approach her. He was carrying two plates of food with him.
“Can I sit here?” He asked gently. She nodded. “I made food. I was going to drop it by but noticed you weren’t at the Cone.”
“Thank you,” She replied with a sigh. She took the aluminum foil off and stared at the food. She suddenly was hungry. Red handed her a fork, and she started to eat her rice. “How are you?”
“Good. You?”
“Decent.”
Decent. Such a bland word. Decent was not the word she would use, but used it anyway. She was feeling beyond decent. She felt like a ton of bricks had fallen on her and was struggling to come out of the pile.
“Did you like the race?”
Sally nodded slowly, poking the cooked potato, “Yeah, of course.”
Red nodded as well. He wasn’t the type to bother people with questions, but he knew something was up with Sally. He usually is too shy to ask questions, but with Sally, he is comfortable to ask.
“Is something wrong Miss Sally?” He asked. Sally sucked in her breath as she poked the potato even more.
“No. Everything is fine.”
“Are you sure?” Sally nodded once again. Red wasn’t buying it. He did not want to pry into her private life, but then again, he knew she wasn’t fine. It soon dawned on him that it was probably about last night.
With hesitation, Red spoke, “Is it about Mr. Mcqueen?”
Sally stopped smashing her potato and looked at him. “Why would you say that? It’s not about him! Why does everyone think that?!”
Her instant flame made Red quiet down. Sally noticed and sighed. She set her fork down and leaned back on the chair. A calm breeze was flowing through the town. It felt nice. For once.
Sally shook her head as she looked back at the man in front of her, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lash out at you like that. It’s just that…you know, a lot of things are happening in my life lately.” Red nodded. Feeling guilty, Sally looked down at her fingers and played with her ring. “You’re right, it…it is about him.”
“Did you want to talk about it?”
Sally sighed. “What else is there to talk about? Just about the fact that he is gone, and can’t do anything about it.”
“What if he does come back? You never know.”
“I’m really not trying to keep my hopes up, Red.” Red looked at her, raising his eyebrows. “I’m really not.”
Red nodded once again. They both continued to eat in silence. Thoughts jumbled in Sally’s head while she ate. All she wanted for once was peace. And seeing how things were, she doubted that was coming anytime soon. That peace she felt at the diner only lasted about 10 minutes. All she needed was peace for at least 10 hours.
“What am I supposed to do now?” Sally whispered as she leaned her cheek onto her left arm. She continued to pick on her food. “I…I can’t get myself to move on quickly. I just can’t. I hate the fact that I had to meet him. If I hadn’t, I would be in a way better position than what I’m in right now.”
Red swallowed his water, and replied, “You can’t force yourself to move on. It takes time to do so truly.”
“Hm.”
“Life is…crazy at times. But I think this is the craziest thing that could’ve happened to you. And I don’t mean it in a bad way. I mean it in a good crazy.”
“Instead of crazy, use chaotic,” They both smiled.
“Miss Sally, in all the years I’ve known you, I don’t think I’ve seen you as happy as you were with Mr. Mcqueen.”
Sally sat there quietly. She let Red continue. “I also think he likes you very much. Just be patient. You will cross paths with him again.”
“I don’t want to wait. I'm not in the position to do so.”
“Be truthful with yourself. Do you care for him?”
Sally hesitated and nodded. Red smiled and continued with his talk.
“I believe he cares for you as well. Even if you don’t believe it, just think about how he brought back the heart of the town just for you. Think about the last words you both exchanged with each other.”
Sally got into thinking. She knew Red was a good listener, and he always made her think deeply. She found it helpful, and always often talked to Red just cause he always listened. So, Sally thought back deeply to the last night.
“I told him goodbye. It looked like he was on the verge of tears. If I admit, so was I.”
Red smiled warmly, “I think you have your answer, Miss. Sally.”
Sally raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”
“He loves and cares for you.”
