[chapter five]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
This story is gonna be darker, and deal with serious, sometimes disturbing
issues. Just so everyone knows. Okay? Okay.
**
~Jimmie's POV~
"Hey Matt!" I call out in the shop as Matt pokes his head out from under the car he is working on. "I need a favor."
"What do you need?" He asks guardedly.
"Jeff and I need some copy written right away about the Race of Champions. Do you think Faye could do it? She mentioned that she writes freelance."
"I'll call her and see." Matt snaps and I step back a pace.
Well, jeez. Okay then.
"Thanks, man. Just let me know."
**
"Hi Faye!" I call out with a wave when I see her talking to Matt in the parking lot. "Great job on that copy!"
She gives me a strained smile and a small wave while Matt glares at me.
Well, she did do a great job.
Jeez.
**
"Hi Faye." I say when I see her sitting on pit road. "Can I sit here for a sec? I have a few minutes to kill."
"Um…sure." She answers tentatively.
"You okay?" I ask with concern. "You seem distracted today. Actually, the last few times I've run into you. Work not going well or something?"
"No, work is fine. Thanks for throwing me that job, by the way. I really appreciated it." She says with a grateful smile as she gently rubs her right wrist.
"Sure." I nod, noticing her actions. "You hurt yourself?"
She pauses, then reacts. "Carpal tunnel. Occupational hazard."
Makes sense to me.
**
Man, I am dog tired.
I hate racing all day, then flying home and not getting home until after dark.
I think I could sleep for a week.
Everyone calls out their goodbyes and good jobs as we filter into the parking lot. I noticed that Matt didn't have Faye with him this weekend. Hope she's okay.
I stare up into the sky for a moment, breathing in the night air before turning to walk towards my car, now the only one in the parking lot.
It's a beautiful night. Maybe I'll take the long way home after all.
Nothing beats a good drive after a day at the track.
Man, I really am a car geek.
I pull out of the parking lot and into the deserted streets, winding my way home. I glance across the median to the park near my house, looking to see if park patrol had run off all the high schoolers and their mini-keg parties.
Hey, that looks like Faye's car!
Against my body's tired wishes, I pull in and shut off the engine.
Maybe I can finally talk to her for more than 30 seconds this time.
I think maybe she could use a friend.
Maybe.