McQueen's Kid

cнapтər ғιvə

Chapter Five
I groaned, trying to ignore the pounding on my bedroom door. Seriously? Don't I ever get any peace in this town? "Rise and shine, Little Red! We've got a big day ahead for us!" Dad cheered, his happy voice making me want to chuck my pillow at him.

I opened my eyes, taking a glance at the clock. "Are you serious, Dad? It's not even 6!" I whined, hoping he would go away.

"Perfect! Then we can warmup as we watch the sun rise."

"We're training? But I just ended the season!" I exclaimed.

"Gotta stay in shape if you want to beat Storm's bumper!"

"But all my other friends get to sleep in! That's not fair!" I whined. They all got to truly have a break from the season while I was forced to train all year long. Wasn't I allowed to have a life, too?

"Well, they don't have a racing legend as their crew chief." He laughed.

"Or as their father." I mumbled.

"I heard that. Now get your fat trunk out of bed and meet me outside in five minutes!"

I gasped, opening my bedroom door. "I do not have a fat trunk!"

"You will if you don't start training." He teased, making his way towards the kitchen.

Mom strolled out of the bedroom, her eyes halfway shut. "Can you two be quiet? I'm trying to sleep." She yawned.

"That's what I was trying to do!" I blamed, pointing towards Dad. "He's making me train during postseason!"

She sighed, shaking her head. "Just listen to your father. After all, as much as I hate to admit it, he does know racing. Now go outside and make him happy."

"Can't I ever catch a break?" I groaned, driving towards to bathroom to freshen myself up a bit.

"Do you really think you'll wake up this early everyday? Please, I give your father a week." Mom chuckled, heading back to their bedroom.

xxx

We stretched beside Willy's Butte. The sky was a hazy gray as the sun began to rise. "I missed our Daddy Daughter Dates." Dad spoke, looking at me.

I chuckled, rolling my blue eyes at him. "We have Daddy Daughter Dates everyday. You are my crew chief after all."

"Yeah, but that's not the same," he replied, shaking his head as he looked towards the sky. Warm colors began to trickle from the dusty ground. "We're forced to uphold a perfect relationship. Here, we can be ourselves."

I bit my lower lip, looking towards the ground. "That's true. We don't have any cameras out here, judging everything we say and do." I softly spoke.

We were silent, parked beside each other as we watch the sky light up over our Butte. Willy's Butte was mine and my father's place. If we were missing, you knew where to find us. Right here. Slowly, the temperature began to rise. The cool breeze gently transformed into a warm wind.

"Well," Dad stretched, turning to face me. "Should we get to training? I've got a big day set aside for you, Little Red." He grinned.

"Oh, goody." I chuckled as I playfully rolled my eyes.

Dad really did have a big day planned for me. It was a rigorous workout, filled with many obstacles that challenged my acceleration, reflexes, and stamina. To say I was exhausted by noon was an understatement.

I rolled towards him, my tongue nearly dragging on the ground. "Dad, please? Can we take a break. I don't think my tires can take much more." I panted.