His Lucky Charm

Lone Winners

The following race Chick had qualified fifth. He had honestly given up hope ever winning a race at this point.

He walked out to his car holding his helmet. As he was about to get into the car, he saw Strip walking over. He quickly started to pull his helmet on.

Strip patted his back before he could escape to his car. Chick looked at him confused. Strip just smiled a bit. "You got this."

Chick just stared at him. He eventually saw Strip smile at him and then turn his back to him. Chick was confused. He just got into his car and got strapped in.

The cars got out to the track. The green flag flew. The cars roared down the track. Strip led the pack at Chick battled with the other cars to get to the front.

Chick could see that familiar blue car ahead of him. It made his mind drift to their childhood.

Chick jumped up the steps leading to a house door. Chick had flowers in his hands as he knocked on the door.

Strips father had passed away a few days before, and he was getting worried about Strip.

Strips mother opened the door. "Chick? Hey sweetheart. Come on in." She said as she ushered him in.

"Here Mrs. Weathers. I got these flowers for you." Chick said. He saw the tears prick her eyes. "Thank you hun... strips up in his room. Go cheer him up."

Chick went up the creaking stairs. He paused in front of Strips room. He heard quiet cries coming from his room. Chick opened the door slightly and saw Strip looking out the window crying as he wrapped himself in his dad's team jacket.

It was hard seeing strip sad. He was the one who usually had to cheer up chick. Chick walked in and carefully sat next to his best friend.

Strip wiped his eyes but more tears fell. Chick just wrapped an arm around him and stayed quiet.

Strip held his friends hand. "I miss my dad... so much... and I'm so scared I'm going to lose my mom."

His mother had cancer, and wasn't showing progress. He knew she didn't have long. Chick just looked at him.

"It's scary..." chick said sympathizing with him.

"You won't leave... right?" Strip asked as more tears went down his face. Chick just hugged him tightly. "I'm not going anywhere, ever. I promise."

Strip hugged him tightly.

"I'll always be right next to you. I'll be looking for that blue you wear all the time. Okay?"

"Okay."

Chick was now in second. He pushed and went to fight Strip for first. Strip defended well. The two went back and forth in position.  Chick overtook him on the turn.

It was almost the final lap. Strip pulled in front of him, and kept pushing to keep Chick at bay, but Chick switched sides and overtook him on the inside.

The final lap arrived.

Chick and strip were barely in front of each other as they came to the checkered flag. Somehow chick pulled in front of Strip and got his first win.

The crowds went wild. His team went wild as well. Chick nearly froze. He cheered as he pulled to the winners circle.

He climbed out of his car and pushed his fist to the sky. He won.

But... this win felt so empty. He looked at the blue car as it pulled beside him. Strip had the look of pure joy and excitement. Those emotions covered every bit of Strips face.

Chick was hesitant. Strip walked over to him and looked as if he wanted to hug him, but. He lowered his hand and patted his shoulder. He squeezed it ever so slightly. A way chick was familiar with.

"Congrats. I'm proud of you."  Strip said. He then walked past him, going up to the podium. Chick teared up, so he quickly lowered his visor. He sank to the ground a bit to catch his breath. This was a lot.

It was a perfect day, but it was not the perfect win he wanted.

Chick stood on the top step. He held his trophy to the sky. Tears picked at his eyes. He lowered the trophy and looked around. He turned and met strips gaze.

His eyes were filled with pure pride. Chick didn't understand how he could be still his biggest cheerleader after everything he's done, said, expressed...

How...

Chick lowered his trophy and was attacked with champagne. He laughed a bit as he grabbed his.

The shower stopped. Chick just met Strips gaze. Strip put his hat on and nodded at Chick. He turned and went to his team.

Chick just walked to his team and cheered with them, despite not being excited anymore. But hey... he got his first win.

Strip was nearly tackled by Lynda. He just wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Hey Sunshine." He said as he looked at her.

"Hey Rookie." She smiled a bit. Strip showed her the trophy.

"Always making me proud." She said with a smile just full of pride and joy. He just laughed.

"It's just a second place."

"But it's your second place, and you get points, and you did amazingly." She said so matter of factly.

Strip looked at Tex stunned. Tex just shrugged as he patted his drivers shoulder. "Hey. We are proud of you kid. We always are."

Strip smiled at that. He was learning right there that second place was also extremely important and hard to get. It honestly made him feel reassured.

Lynda linked her arm with his. "Come on Rookie, let's go get you some food and have some fun!"

Strip nodded. "Sounds good. I'm starving." He said with a laugh.

"Well don't worry boy! I'm gonna be making burgers tonight." Tex said as he smacked his back.

"We should have Lynda make them then. You're just gonna give me food poisoning... like last time." Strip said as Tex gasped in betrayal.

"What?! That was 3 years ago!"

"Still happened."

"Oh be quiet."

"Tex you can help me. That way we're all good." Lynda said as she started to think about what drinks to make.

"Sounds good to me."