Life Could Be a Dream

Chapter 6- The Fabulous Hudson Hornet

Chapter 6: The Fabulous Hudson Hornet

Life in Radiator Springs couldn't be better for Fudge. She had a loving family and there was always someone to play with. With the lack of business in their town, they always had the time to play with Fudge and, of course, they were always willing to. Now that Sally had arrived, she was accepted as part of the family quickly and easily, even by Fudge. Sally had instantly adored Fudge, so it didn't take long for the human girl to love her back.

Still, there was one thing in her life that Fudge hated. It happened several times a year. Nobody ever told her that it was coming because they knew it would freak her out. It was the couple of times every year when Guido and Luigi would lead her out of Casa Della Tires and, instead of going over to Flo's, they would take her to Doc's clinic and that was when she would know. If they taking her to see Doc and she wasn't sick or hurt, it could only mean one thing. She was getting an immunisation.

It was on what Fudge thought was a typical day (well, she would always think that) about a week after her fourth birthday when her fathers took her over to Doc's. As always, she knew what was coming and, as always, she started to cry.

"No!" she shouted when they went past the café. "We go to Flo's!"

"We will go to Flo's later", Luigi promised her. "We need to see Doc first."

"No!" Fudge screamed. "NO!"

"Fudgie!" Luigi cried sympathetically. "I know you don't like the shots, but you need them, baby. They stop you from getting sick."

"But they hurt!" Fudge protested.

"I know they do, but Guido and I don't want you getting sick." Luigi gave her a kiss. "We love you and that is why we are doing this."

"Hey, Fudge!" Doc greeted her, attempting to be as non-threatening as possible.

"No, no, no!" was Fudge's only response.

"Come on, Fudge. Please don't be like that! It's gonna be all right. I promise you."

"No needles!"

"Sorry, kiddo, but you gotta have the needles."

"Needles?!" Luigi repeated, placing the emphasis on the S. He hadn't been told about plural.

"Yeah", Doc replied, being as gentle as he could. He tried not to look at Fudge as he spoke. "She's gettin' two today."

"But I don't want any needles!"

Doc sighed. "Bring 'er in. Let's just get this over with."

Fudge was settled down on the cot as Doc got his evil instruments of torture ready. The two Italians stayed by her side and began to sing to her until Doc called them over. They both left Fudge's side and went over to the Hudson Hornet. With nobody paying any attention to her, Fudge only had one thought: Run.

"I think next time I give Fudge a shot, we'd better change tactics", Doc declared. "She seems to know every time you bring 'er here and she ain't sick, it means she's gettin' a shot. So, maybe if you take her over to Flo's and I'll do it there where she's got the whole town cheerin' her on."

Luigi nodded. "I think that is a good idea. That way, we can distract her as well. By the time she knows what is going on, it will be over."

It was Doc's turn to nod. "Exactly... Well, we better get this one over quickly." He turned around to face the human girl... only to find that she was gone!

"Fudge?" The surprise was clear in Doc's voice. "Where did she go?"

"I don't know", Luigi replied. "I didn't see her leave. Did you, Guido?"