The Racing Blood

Family Breakdown

     "To whom it may concern,

     I, Kasey Kenneth Kahne, Junior, am writing this letter to inform you that I am ending my NASCAR career, effective immediately. I have greatly enjoyed my run with Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR) and the entire Farmers Insurance race team. I've had a great time with my team members, and I have enjoyed every moment of my career.
     I cannot get back into my car with a clear mental state at this time. My departure from NASCAR is on my own personal merit and has nothing to do with my team or my sponsor. I want to thank KKR, Farmers Insurance, my entire crew, and my fans for their support of me.
Respectfully,
Kasey K. Kahne, Jr. (K.J.)"
     Kasey looked at the letter of resignation in defeat. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed. Kale looked at his brother. "What do you think, Kase?"
     "I think my son has lost his fucking mind over something he can't control. I'm so... God!" Kasey put his head on the desk.
     Kale sighed and sat down on the edge of the oak desk, watching Kasey. "How do we make him feel better?"
     "I don't know," mumbled Kasey. "All I know is that he wants to talk to James and Allison Roop."
     Kale frowned slightly. "Why?"
     "He wants to apologize, I guess."
     Kale was quiet for a moment. "Why don't you let him? Maybe that'll help him. Hell, we can go to the funeral tomorrow night if he wants to."
     "Can we go, Dad?" asked K.J. from the doorway. Kale and Kasey looked up at him, surprised to see him standing there. "I want to at least pay my respects," K.J. said. Kasey looked at Kale then at his son.
     "If you want to go, I'll take you, K.J. I don't think it's gonna help you, but we can go," Kasey said, softly. 
     K.J. nodded and walked back up the stairs to his room. Kale looked at Kasey slightly confused. "How long was he standing there?"
     "He knew I would be reading his letter," said Kasey. He sighed and put his head back on the desk. He wanted nothing more than to make his son feel better. It was so hard to watch K.J. suffer in silence.
     The boy had locked himself in his bedroom and had only come out for food and to shower and pee. He had put all his racing gear in a box and shoved it into the hall closet along with all his NASCAR posters and items. He was basically taking NASCAR out of his life.
     Kasey looked at the door directly across from his office. That room housed all of Kasey's racing achievements on one side and K.J.'s achievements on the other. Kasey had dreamed that his son would grow up to be just like him. He wanted a racer child, and now he was watching K.J. self-destruct a bright future in racing because of an accident. It was hard for Kasey and his wife to handle. They were witnessing their only child have a mental breakdown, and no one could fix him.