Riding to Win

Chapter 9: The Day has come (Tyler)

"Don't you dare wake her up," I say to Dan. Normally wouldn't let him in, but he apologized to Violet and he has been concerned for her health for the past few days. I have been too, but there is just something that seems off about today. "She hasn't slept very well since arriving on this circuit and today is going to be hard enough for her."

"Tyler, lay off him," Dale says from the sofa. He has been sitting there since he arrived at the hotel about three hours ago. We are all waiting for Violet to wake up so we can meet everyone to go visit her father's grave, but we are not willing to wake her up. She has done a lot of rolling over and whenever she does, we all jump for the tissue box expecting tears right away. "Tyler, we are all edgy about her waking up. We all know it's going to be a rough day for her, but there is no reason to bite Dan's head off."

"Why doesn't everyone just relax," JIim comments quietly from the foot of the bed that Violet is sleeping on. "When she wakes up, she won't want tension to be present in the room."

"Speaking of tension, where is Tucker," I ask realizing he isn't here yet. If anyone should be here it's him considering that the loss of her father impacted him too.

"He's on his way. He stopped somewhere to get flowers for the grave," Dale says just as TUcker comes in. I gave him my key to the hotel room, knowing I was going to be with Violet almost the entire time we're here. "Hey Tucker, how are you this morning?"

"How do you think I am. This is the first time since his funeral that I've been to the grave. At the funeral, I was keeping Violet from killing herself and Ryan's wife from screaming at her daughter. Heaven only knows what Violet is going to do today knowing what is planned."

"Well Mr. Gloomy, Do you have any idea when sleeping beauty will wake up," Jim says receiving a dirty look from Tucker. "Easy dude, I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

"We are talking about visiting the grave of Violet's father and my best friend. Nothing will lighten the mood," Tucker snaps.

"Tucker, please don't yell. We both know that won't make the pain go away," a soft, quiet voice comments. Tucker's expression goes soft once he looks at the bed. Everyone turns around and sees Violet sitting criss-cross on the bed.

"Sorry kiddo, it's going to be a tough day."

"Not tougher than his funeral or watching him die," she responds. She climbs out of bed and walks to Tucker. She gives him a big hug that a returns. After holding each other, she pulls away, and grabs some clothes she goes to take a shower. We wait about ten minutes before she comes out in a loose t-shirt, sweatpants, and her hair up in a bun. She didn't bother to put on any make up, so she gets the attention of everyone. She looks exhausted and depressed.

"Violet, are you ready to go," Dale asks as we watch her go back to her suitcase. She pulls out a sweatshirt that none of us, but Tucker has ever seen before.

"Violet, are you sure wearing your dad's sweatshirt is a good idea for you right now?"

Everyone keeps asking questions for about five minutes before we decide that she is ready to go and we all leave. Violet and Tucker stay quiet the entire way to the meeting place. Violet keeps her head either on my shoulder or Tucker's. He rubs her back as tears slide down her face and drip from her chin to her dad's sweatshirt. When we get there, still without saying a word, everyone gets off the bus we rented for the day. Everyone is hanging out with big smiles until they see Violet and Tucker. Their faces drop faster than a sack of potatoes being thrown out a window.

"Is everyone ready to go," Dale asks being the first one to say anything. Everyone says yes or yeah while Tucker and Violet just nod. "Alright, Violet with your permission, let's go see your dad."