Cars Lemons (Book 1)

Lasting Gratitude (Stripe "The King" Weathers x Lightning McQueen)

Lightning McQueen looked around in awe as he approached the gates of the Weathers estate in Randleman, North Carolina. Sure, it looked like any other ranch in the South, but the Weathers family lived here, and Strip "The King" Weathers had invited him over! That definitely was an honor that people rarely got.

He had come all this way from Radiator Springs, and the fruits of his long road trip had finally come. Although he wasn't that old, he definitely wasn't young anymore, and he'd be lying if he said it didn't feel like a trek to get here. It was all worth it though, as he rang the bell at the gate.

There was a brief pause before he heard Strip's voice come in through the speaker. "Weathers estate; who is it?"

"Lightning McQueen? You invited me here?" Lightning said, wondering whether he should've called in or something before tire. It was the late afternoon, so they could've been caught off guard.

"Ah, Lightning! Let me open the gates for you real quick. Back up!" Strip said as the gates opened in his direction, his tone becoming more friendly when he realized it was Lightning.

Lightning reversed out of the way, and he followed the road towards the sizable house ahead as the gates closed behind him; at least the estate was secure. The surrounding area was full of trees and was most easily summed up as a peaceful landscape, as he approached the house that was certainly large, but not ostentatious in any way.

He expected to see Strip first thing as he neared the house, but instead he saw Cal, his old racing friend, coming right at him while Strip emerged from behind him. He smiled as he stuck out his tires for a hug which Cal eagerly accepted, glad to see his friend after the Florida 500.

"Lightning! So good to see you! You're not wearing that paint job honoring your mentor?" Cal asked, seeing that the racing veteran was back to his characteristic bright red paint job with the lightning bolt.

Lightning shook his hood. "It was a short thing to honor him when I passed on his racing number to Cruz. Besides, I got a lot of…feedback when pictures of me came out from Radiator Springs."

"Hey, do what you want! I thought it was pretty cool, and my uncle did too. Though everyone definitely recognizes you more with the red." Cal said, glancing at Strip who gave a confirming nod in response.

"Doc Hudson was very nice when I managed to meet him with you back in 2006. Can't believe it's been that long! He gave me the idea to take Cal under my wing, actually. Speaking of which, Cal was rearing to see you when I said you were at the gates." Strip told Lightning with a chuckle.

Lightning laughed as well, while Cal looked a bit embarrassed. "It's been about six months, and we don't see each other that often, now that you're not racing anymore, Cal. Thinking about doing commentary like Darrell and Jeff?"

Cal shrugged. "I don't know; Uncle Strip here has been asking me that same question, and I'm thinking it's probably the best thing to do to still be in the racing world somewhat; it'll always be my passion."

“Yeah, same for me. I couldn’t ever do something not related to racing. I've been doing it my whole life!” Lightning exclaimed. “So, does everyone from the Weathers family live here, or?”

Strip chuckled, though his expression turned serious when he recalled what happened in 2014. “Not exactly; only Lynda and I ever lived here, though Cal comes and visits from time to time; he lives in a house nearby with my brother and sister in-law.”

“Fitting all of the Weathers family into one house would be too crowded!” Cal remarked, laughing to steer away from what was implied since although it had been three years, losing his aunt was still a sore subject.