Unexpected

Part 45

Oh Canada, land of maple syrup and groundhogs. Groundhogs, you ask? Yes. There have been plenty of sightings on track over the years. And this year is no exception. The first practice session was great (as were the activities that we participated in for the Nissan team YouTube channel, such as log cutting). Free practice two? Not so much. I have my first crash in Formula One. I see the groundhog as I come out of a corner, try to avoid it but end up losing the rear of the car, spin 180 degrees, slide off the track, and hit a barrier, backwards. I remember to take my hands off the steering wheel and cross my arms over my chest as I brace for impact. It hurts. Worse than anything in F2 and F3. Probably because I was going faster than I ever had before.

"Sochi, you okay? Are you okay?" my engineer asks over the radio.

"Yes, I'm fine," I reply after wiggling my fingers and toes. "Sorry about the car."

"No worries. Turn the car completely off and remove the steering wheel. The medics and tow truck will be there soon. The session has been red flagged."

"Yeah, I'm sure debris got on the track."

Back at the garage I apologize again, knowing that the mechanics have to rebuild my car overnight for tomorrow's practice and qualifying. They reassure me that it's fine, it's not as bad as it looks. Instead they ask me if I'm okay.

"All good. I'll probably have bruises tomorrow, but that's expected."

Later that evening when I see George and Alex they also ask after my health. "I'm okay. But now I know how you felt, Alex, after your crash in China. Worse than F2, am I right?"

"I don't think so. Maybe you're just weak?"

"Oh, shut up, 'tough guy'. How long were you sore?"

"Two weeks."

"Please tell me that you crashed into the Wall of Champions," implores George, talking about a certain part of the track that was given that moniker after several different world champions had crashed into it. And plenty of non-champions.

"As a matter of fact, I did."

"Future world champion confirmed!" exclaims Alex.

Sangil calls me to ask if I'm fine. "I have a feeling I'll be answering that question for days to come," I answer. "I'm okay. Obviously I am sore from the impact, but I've been through this before."

"Do you have any injuries?"

"No, and not much bruising, either. My trainer put honey on the spots where the harness touches my torso, and hardly any bruises formed."

"Honey? That helps?"

"If you apply it soon after contact."

On Saturday I redeem myself by qualifying tenth. Hopefully tomorrow I won't lose positions, but gain some instead. And so here I am at the airport, which has become my routine on Saturday evenings.

Sangil comes around the corner, setting cameras off. He casually waves to his fans as he scans the waiting area for my face. We smile at each other when our eyes meet.

"Welcome back to Canada," I say when he draws near.

"It's great to be back, even though last time I was here I said I wanted to experience a Canadian winter."

"Not likely with the F1 calendar."

"There's never been a race in the snow?"

"Not that I know of. The tires would probably be too cold."

"Oh, the poor tires. Do they get goosebumps?" Sangil teases.

"No, but they do get tire blankets to keep them warm. As for me? I have to find my own way of keeping warm."

"I'm sure your trainer has ideas."

We stash his bags in the trunk of the GTR (white this time) and take off for the hotel. He tells me how the preparations are coming along for the new Japanese single. Vocals have been recorded, music video filmed, jacket photos finished - just post production work is left. They've been practicing the choreography, both for the new song and brushing up on previous songs.

"You said the title is Come Over?" He nods. "It seems to me like it and Weekend Secret got switched. Wouldn't you tell someone to come over first, and then tell them that this is your weekend secret?"

He stares at me until I take my eyes off the road and focus on him for a brief moment. "Will you ever stop teasing me about that song?"

"I'll be your secret, baby."

He groans. "Does this mean I have your permission to tease you about something? I'm sure some of your team radio messages will work."

"Go ahead. I haven't said anything like Seb, but I'm sure you'll find something."

"What did he say?"

"There's something loose between my legs, apart from the obvious."

Sangil laughs uncontrollably. "No, he didn't," he manages to gasp out.

"Yes, he did. And then he added, 'I'd be proud if it was what you think it is, but it's not'."

"You're making this up."

"True story."

"Well, I'm going to google your radio chats and see what embarrassing things there are."

I know I have plenty, but hopefully he won't focus on the ones that sound like I'm whining.

At the hotel Sangil joins me for a small evening workout. He shakes his head when he lays eyes on me. "Oh no, you didn't."

"Oh yes, I did." I have on a black tee shirt with Mrs.Shim on the back, and Korean characters for Shim Sochi on the front.

"It's selfie time," he says, whipping out his phone.

"I thought you'd be appalled."

"Pleased as punch, actually."

"What?!"

"This shows how much you adore me. Say cheese!" He snaps a photo.

"You lied to me?"

"No, I wouldn't call it that. Just a bit of play acting." He pauses. "Just don't wear it outside."

I laugh. "So a part of you does hate it."

"This is going on my Instagram."

"About time you updated it. Your fans have taken to stalking my social media, begging me to ask you to post. While others are thanking me for giving them something, since you're silent for weeks."

"I, too, thank you for posting pictures every race weekend. I knew I wasn't going to be as active as Suhyun." He pauses in the middle of uploading the photo. "Wait a hot minute. They see me for twenty or so minutes every week on We Got Married. Are they truly complaining?"

I shake my head. "They're not complaining. I think they just want a photo or two of you that's a bit more candid than WGM."

"They also get all of those taken by fans at the airports."

"There's just something more authentic about a picture that you personally take and choose to share with your fans."

"I'll try to remember that."

*****************************

Oh my boss