Back in 1945

2

The next morning I woke and threw on some brown pants and a button up shirt that was just a little to big on me. I threw my helmet and my leather jacket into a bag with my other racing equipment before making my way out my window, jumping from the second story as quietly as I could trying to not wake my dad. I walked around the front and found Bucky and Steve sitting against the fence around my yard.

"What are you guys doing here?" I said as I opened the gate.

"We didn't know where the track was." Bucky started.

"Or when the race even was?" Steve continued.

"You like apples?" I asked.

"What?" Steve questioned.

"Apples!" I said as I pulled two out of my bag. I threw one to each before grabbing one of my own and starting the walk downtime street. The two boy stood on either side of me.

"What's in the bag?" Steve asked.

"Something you don't need to know about." I said as we walked. "But, when we get there need both of you to go bet against racer number 19."

"Why?" Steve said/

"Just trust me." I smiled as I walked backwards to face them. It was a 10 minutes till we got to the bus, a 20 minute ride and wee were walking into the track.

"So there's 6 races?" Bucky asked.

"Yep" we walked up against the fence as the racers lined up. I got the boys up to speed on the racers going up, telling them who was leading in the ring so far and the states of each one.

"It's like baseballs but with cars" Steve said excitedly.

"It's like baseball but waaaaaaayyyyy cooler" I corrected as I leaned back against the wooden bleachers. We heard the announcer tap the mic, then leading to him letting us know the race was about to begin. We watched as the racers took off, running around the track for a few laps before the checkered flag was waved and the drivers pulled into the bays. The whole time me and the boys had taken up each of our favorites and cheered throughout the race. Once it was over and they announced the drivers for the second race I grabbed my bag and leaned into the boys.

"Remember, bets against 19" I said as I passed them each $10 and left. I kept walking as they questioned me. I slipped into the back ways and found my way to the pit where all the drivers were checking their cars. I pulled the cover off of my dingy car and put the jacks up, putting the new tires I had on the back end, checking the front and hoping they would last through the race. I checked some last minute things and did a little work until the second race was finished. I put on my helmet with my hair in a braid tucked away, pulled on my gloves and jacket before slowly pushed the car out by myself, exhausting my entire body.

Once on the track I got in my car and wait as the announcer talked about the racers. Within 10 minutes the gun had sounded and everyone took off. I fell behind at the beginning, taking the outer ring around the corners, before coming to the last Tao and a half. I dropped my gear and slammed on the gas, letting my back tires slide as I drifted around the last turn, pushing myself up to the top three. I pushed my car as hard as it could go until I made it around the corner before the others and finished in first. I drove my car back as far as I could before I had to get out and push it into my bay, a smirk still plastered to my face from the win.

"Damn kid! You made me nearly $200 on you alone. Keep bringing in the kinda money, it won't matter who knows your really a girl."

"Thanks John" I said as I took my cut. "Then when do I get paid like it?" I looked at my portion and it was barely half of what the guys get.