Chapter 5
Rain………………………18:23:16
Speed
changed shift with Anthony twenty or so minutes earlier. Anthony was
capable to keep the car in third place not very far from Terry’s LOLA
Team car and the ALPHA Team car number eight.
The big
surprise was that a last minute registration of a third driver for car
number eight was the co-owner of ALPHA Team, Neal Legan.
For
more than an hour the gray clouds were moving in direction to the
track. The bright lightning has announced a new player in the race. The
rain.
Rex stopped near a baguette and croissant stand and could watch the positions on the race. He saw Speed running in third but the distance was starting to grow. Speed was reducing the velocity
- Come on Speed! –Rex mumbled. You cannot give up now. You can do it!. I wish I could be back on the track racing alongside with you! I would be pushing you to the limit. Rex repeated to himself while watching at the close circuit T.V. set on the stand. -Come on, li’l brother, Go FAST!!
Rex went to his car and donned his raincoat. He continued observing from his post but it was hard not to listen the broadcaster talking about the distance Speed was losing in every turn.
- Oh, Speed! Don’t give up!! –Rex , looking at the sky. Begging. No reply.
Meanwhile, at the Aldrey’s box, Albert joined Candy, Annie. At one point Albert asked Archie.
- Archie, do me a favor, please. -Albert told his nephew - Go downstairs with Annie and look for Georges at the team’s racing trailer. Ask him to bring my briefcase and the yellow envelop I left in the safety box.
- I’ll do it right away. Responded Archie and approaching the door –Annie can stay here. I will go faster going alone.
- –Archie replied Albert, while he was opening the door. –Please, take Annie with you, if you don’t mind –Responded Albert a little more serious tone.
- Como on honey, -Archie said to Annie and invited her to take his hand, -I know when Albert wants to talk in private. Let’s go!.
- It is alright! Annie, with a merry voice and acting as she did not understood the message from Albert. -We will be back with Georges in few minutes.
After they left, Albert approached to the sofa Candy was quietly following the race with the binoculars.
- Candy, Albert reaching the binoculars that Candy was using and bringing her attention to him –You have to do something about this ridiculous tug-of-war you and Speed have. I cannot believe that you two are incapable to find a solution. Good or bad.
- But Albert, I ….
- Let me finish, Candy!. Albert now in a different mood, and starting to get upset. Speed needs you and needs you now! Forget the gossip. Rumor are rumor. Period. Paparazzi live of that. Lovelace will be here and she will be in the same situation. What happened between she and Speed is not my business. My business is you and Speed. I know the two of you so well.
- Please send him a message , something that will make him react. If we lose this race, I am not going to convince the Board of Directors to continue spending money on this team. It is going to be hard to Pops Racer to continue on his own.
Try to understand that more people could be affected if the team is disbanded
Albert took Candy’s hand and asked her again. .Will you do it for me?
- A tear on Candy’s eye rolled over her cheek . After a moment, she answered back to Albert.
- I will do it for you Albert. Nothing else.
- Candy picked up the phone and called to the team’s boxes in the pits. She asked for Stear to pick up the call.
- Stear is in the back getting ready the rain tires, what’s up, Candy? Sparky asked her
- Sparky, will you please write this on Speed’s board and show it to him in the next turn?
- I am all ears, Candy, -Sparky answered.
Raindrops started to show on Speed’s windshield. With a quick move, he turned on the wiper and the short range lights. It was difficult to see the stop lights on the cars ahead.
- Come on, Speed. You have to concentrate! Speed was thinking while working the gear changes in the tricky turns.
- Why?....................I was so stupid. I got caught in her trap……………So naive.
When he approached the main stands to finish another lap, he saw his blue board on top with the phrase:
“Go Speed, go! wt 4 u “
Speed, all of a sudden, pushed the accelerator to give more gas and changed to sixth gear. -This is it………he thought….- it is the moment of truth…..
What else a young couple could ask? A fairy tale was not. But the real life. They enjoyed every minute that they could spend together.
School time was a limitation. Speed worked out good grades thanks to a tutor he found on Archie while Candy was encouraged by her notes to think on the possibility to study medicine.
Pops Racer was proud of his son. His driving skills were bringing home good results and the much desired funding to built the next generation of the Mach's engine was a reality. Now he had two protégées on Sparky and Stear.
Team GO was challenging the big boys on the GP circuit and in the Rally Circuit.
One afternoon. during the end of Summer, Speed finished his training at the race track and decided it was a good time to discus an important issue with Candy.
The Mach was neat and clean. Ready for a ride. After a short trip to the Hospital where Candy was studying, Speed parked close to the main gate waiting for his adored one to finish the day.
After talking about how good the day was, the smile on Speed face started to fade away. Candy noticed it and asked him if something happened. Why the unexpected change.
- Candy. –Speed said with a firm tone. I will register myself in the European Rally season this fall. That means I will not be home for several months. It is my chance to go the next step in my career.
Candy was surprised by the sudden announcement. But Speedy, why a decision like this? You are doing great in the CanAm circuit and you’re close to home and to me!
“Sugar”, I have to go to Europe. I want to race against the famous Racer “X”. He’s the best driver in the world and I think it is the best opportunity to learn from the best-
-And who’s this Racer “X”, inquired Candy. Where is he from?
- Nobody knows his identity nor his roots. But in the racing world he is the best. I wish I can be as good as he is.
- Well Speedy, that’s OK with me but what about me? You know that Albert won’t let me go to Europe every single weekend and miss classes at the hospital. I cannot bear the idea of being apart for so much time!
Speed turned to her and took her soft face with his hands and said.
-I will come back as a champion. You will see.
Tears were showing in Candy’s eyes and she, with a cracking voice told Speed.
-I don’t want you to go, Speedy. I need you here! Now!
-I love what I am doing in the hospital but more important, to be close to you. Please, don’t go! –Candy started to cry.
-Candy, I will come back soon. It will be just four months!
In four months many things can happen replyed Candy turning her head to the oposit direction and sobing.
Speed knew this was not the best decision but he was battling with himself to make the right one. He loved Candy so much he wanted to stay but at the same time, his desire to challange Racer "X" was difficult to forget.
For few minutes that felt like days, they stood quiet. Then, Speed looked at the hour and said.
-“Sugar”, I will take you to my favorite place. I think I have never mentioned this place before.
They got in the Mach and Speed drove all the way outside the city. The Sun started to show it’s orange and gold rays indicating it was time to give some rest to that side of the world and getting ready to give the wake up call to the other side of the planet.
-“Sugar”, this is the most difficult decision I have ever made. I don’t want to go if you won’t be there. However, I have to go if I want to be the best driver in the world. I promise I will be back in one piece! Pops will have the opportunity to finish the new engine and I will be ready for the next CanAm season and be here.
-Speedy, Candy responded, please don’t say something you cannot assure now. I will be here. I will wait for your return, and I hope nothing will happen between now and that moment of your come back. I have the feeling is a bad moment for you to go.
-Oh, “Sugar”, I will be just fine. Don’t worry. I will write to you on a daily basis. You will see.
Hopefully everything will be alright.
Both, sat on the front of the car and looked at the Sunset. It was magnificent. The warm rays touched their faces,
-Look, Speedy. The Sunset is unique. I’ve not seen such a beautiful view like this ever!
-I've told you this place is special to me. When I was at high school I used to come here and daydream on the day I will be able to enjoy it with the one I love on a very special moment. This is the time, Candy. The Sun will be my witness that I shall be back with you very soon…very soon.
Chapter 6 (to be continued)