• Timmy ran outside as he heard the screeching tires of an old car. The tail lights already racing in to the distance, bright headlights of another old classic racing around the curve of the road. It was just before dawn. At seventeen he just barely got his license, and now it was his eighteenth birthday. The races began every year on his birthday. Today his grandfather would let him pick his own old classic to fix up out of the, as he called it, classic grave yard. Timmy had dreamed of being in the races ever since he could remember. The first race he had seen was his dads twenty first victory in a row. On his tenth birthday however a terrible accident took his father’s life or so he had come to accept since a body had never been found.
    “Timmy get in here and away from those cars!” his mother hollered out the open sliding door as she had every year since his father accident. It seemed she would forever hate the races for the husband they took from her.
    “Oh I’m coming already.” Reluctant to leave his view of the racers speeding around the bend he dragged his feet heading back into the kitchen, receiving breakfast and angry glare from his mother.
    “Now remember what I told you yesterday.” She said in a proclaiming this is how it will be kind of way “Don’t go getting some silly old racecar. Get something sensible, like a ford or something.” She nodded as though her words alone would stop him anymore. Heaving a great sigh she plastered a smile on his face to please her.
    “Yes mama.” Already his grandfather was sitting on the back porch watching the racers fly by and waiting on Timmy to finish his food. The both knew what car he wanted for he had it picked out for years now.
    It was a scorching hot day already, there was no doubt that more than one of the cars would break down and need to be towed to safety. The junior races were a month away. Those that finished in the top three would get to race with the pros. The rookies had three races the top three in the last race were the lucky ones. Rookies weren’t well liked by the older racers very much, but when beefing on the races came around the pros didn’t mind handing out some advice which covered up warnings as well.
    “Hurry up boy or we’ll miss the finish!” his grandfather shouted threw the open sliding door receiving a glare from his daughter in law yet again that morning.
    “I’m coming!” he shouted back and quickly steaming with embarrassment pecked his mother on the cheek in farewell.
    “Remember at two you have an appointment with the collage dean! Don’t mess it up!” she shouted as he hurried out the door, it was the only good bye he got from her. Grumbling he got in the battered tow truck his grandfather used to get broken down cars off the road. Heading for the finish line to see who would be the winner.
    Sitting on the roof of the batter old truck watching the big screen that would show the racers as they came in. As they watched the announcer came on the loud speaker rattling off the possible top three.
    “For the top three as of this moment, in third place a three time victor, Mal Earnings. Second place Johnson Bringer with last year’s victory, and still called rookie by his competitors. Now with a glorious first place that may just be lost to him, Tod Ringer.” Timmy exchanged a look of concern with his grandfather.
    “He’s just now returning from retirement. His statement to the press earlier in the month was. Retirement was just too quiet for me and besides that the races are being dishonored by rookies and professionals alike. I wonder how his fellow racers are feeling about him right now?” and with that the speaker went silent again and the roar of engines could be heard in the distance as if suddenly entering a car that had been on for hours. On the big screen the last stretch was turning into a heated battle for that first place title in this placement round. Male Earnings trying to pass Johnson Bringer received a totaling smash into the wall leaving him out of the race, letting Kacy Jones to take the third place position.
    “I think Kacy’s gunna make his move on this final stretch.” Timmy muttered remembering the day he meet Kacy at his father’s unreal, he was just a rookie at that time but had come up to him with no sense of thinking Timmy had be left frail and unsteady.
    His words that day rang in Timmy’s head still, “Your father was a good man and an even better racer, my inspiration to take up racing myself. I would be honored if I could race you one day when and if you decide racing is your calling. If you ever need help I’ll be there to assist in any way I possibly can.” And with that he walked away.
    By now there were five miles left and Kacy was pulling a dubble blind veering left and gunning it to the right taking second place out from under Johnson’s nose. Now he came neck and neck with Tod, the roar of their engines being maxed out. Kacy Jones and Tod Ringer long time rivals zipped over the finish line in a photo finish. The stadium was an eerie silent as other racers crossed the finish.
    “It’s a photo finish! The judges will now take the time to analyze who will be taking that first place title and who’s left with second place.” The crowd began to murmur and a few small shouting matches broke out between people who thought differently, only a couple shouting matches became actual fights which Timmy watched with slight disgust.
    Nearly an hour later, “The results are final! Kacy Jones takes first place by a bumper!” The crowd roared its approval as Kacy and the judges shook hand grinning happily. Receiving another metal, it was clear from the sight of him in the background Tod was as angry as a lion being poked and prodded in its cage.
    “He races like your father did. Remember that if you make it past the junior races.” Timmy nodded as he jumped down.
    “Well looks like it’s time to get started on my car huh?” he proclaimed with a grin. Driving down the couple of blocks the twins where just getting there ready for their usual work and a car he didn’t recognize was waiting in front of the main building.
    “You go start on the car, see what you need to do. Your gunna need a crew to help just remember that.” And with that Timmy was left on his own with the garage and the view of an old rusted crumpled car that left much to be desired. It was once a beauty of a fire bird before the accident. Rocks from the ditch had left it gashed and ruined, a seat was missing and the other two looked as though animals have them for chew toys, the steering column looked as though it had been ripped from the car and thrown back in, no doubt all the louse tangled wires where the handy work of squirrels, the radio was gone, tires either completely missing or flatter than a flap jack, and all the windows had been broken or cracked which just wouldn’t do. The engine was pristine except a few spots where the wreckage had torn away and the battery was gone. A streak of light slithered across the floor as the door opened Timmy turned and found himself face to face with Susan his long time friend who had moved years ago. Her hair still long and sheen as it had been pulled back in a ponytail and the louse strands tucked under a greasy black cap, a black tank top revealed grease smudges, she was grinning that lopsided grin of hers and he could feel the heat going to his cheeks she already had overalls on tan full body grease on the legs and sleeves which were tied around her thin waste. She looked as if she hadn’t changed one bit from when she was a kid compared to him. He was lean from sports muscles built up from working on the cars that had come threw his grandfathers garage since he was twelve, shaggy brown hair, brood shoulders, a white grace stained muscle shirt clung to him and his battered old jeans where torn in places and graced all over. A sight that constantly made his mother furious and sad muttering all the time. “Too much like his father.”
    They stared at each other for a long moment before the twins burst in with an obnoxiously loud
    “HEY ITS SUE!” she turned startled and braced herself for the tight hug of the twin football grease jocks who prized themselves on tarring apart cars and repairing the wrecked bodies.
    “Hey Tim, we hear your putting together a crew for the races,” said Jem
    “And we want in on it. You two can be the engine part of the crew, and help with the interior wiring stuff.” Continued his twin Jim
    “Whale we do the rest of the body work.” They finished together grinning wildly. Susan and Timmy exchanged a relieved smile saying almost in unison trying to copy the boys.
    “Ok you’re in!”
    By the time they had gotten through with catching up on old times it didn’t pay to start work that day. Taking and overall assessment of the damages to the car they estimated the deadline for the car to be finished should be by the time briefing started. After the car was road and show worthy Timmy would have to do long days of training to get any good at it and work out the kinks of the car. After one week the engine was running smoothly, the steering column was working smoothly, and a new stereo was put in. By two weeks the body was half repaired and Timmy had a color scheme and design ready for the car. The briefing started three days before the first race and the car was ready to go.
    “Ok rookies! Time to get off your tricycle and get your butts in gear! This isn’t the type of thing you take lightly, you got that kiddies?” this year it was one of the oldest retired racers that was giving the briefing. He didn’t care wither you liked him just that you understood how dangerous the races were, he had sat by whale rookies had ignored other instructors but this year he would make them listen.
    “You can’t sit there in your puny little cars and expect to come out of this unscarred. I’ve seen rookies die because they didn’t listen to their elder racers and it’s a pity for them because they feel they didn’t emphases enough.” He lifted the pant leg on his right leg was a large gash that was almost like a dent in a car door. He told of his rookie year that he hadn’t listened to what he was being told and it almost cost him his leg, career, and not to mention his life. Everyone was listening as he rattled on and on about his many injuries and showed off scars, he was satisfied with this and left them with one final warning.
    “If you even think you can trust another racer, don’t. They only want to see you fail and they win, if you let them near your car you might as well just drop out then and there. That’s all I can give you, use this knowledge well kiddies.” Ann with that he left them to think on the ear full he had given them and with grate cushion each one left one after another all except Timmy who was thinking about finding the old man and asking him if he had raced his father or knew anything. Deciding it was better to get practicing instead he hurried out to Susan who was waiting by the car.
    “You sure took your time rookie.” She proclaimed with a teasing grin making him laugh despite the grim thoughts that still haunted his mind.
    Race day, everyone was excited although his mother had kicked him out for not even bothering to show up for the collage meeting and entering the races. She sat terrified in front of the television clutching a pillow, her eyes red and poufy from crying again over the thought of lousing her son the same way she lost her husband.
    “The rookies of the year seemed to be more at ease than ever as they line up at the start. One rookie that has caught the eye of the sponsors is Timmy Jakes, eight years ago he lost his father in the races some say he’s eager to join him whale others fear he may be just as good maybe even better than his old man had ever been. A great weight lays on his shoulders today, everyone expects him to win but can he do it that’s the question on everyone’s mind. Engines’ roaring at the starting line the stadium is alive with fans, rookie families, sponsors, and race fanatics. The countdown is beginning and there they go! Down the quarter mile stretch building speed but do they know how sharp the turn really is?” already five rookies hit the ditch rolling their cars one tipped on his side. Remembering the trick his dad taught him as a boy taking a sharp turn with ease and never loosing speed. He slammed down on the gas with one foot and applied the breaks with his free foot making the tail end drift over the pavement into place. Releasing the break he streaked forward already passing three rookies one flipped him the bird another actually moved out of his way. My grandpa’s voice chimes in on my headphones,
    “Doing good out there boy but you’re going to have to remember all of your dads old moves to get through this race.” With a chuckle Timmy got right up behind another car keeping speed with him.
    “I remember them gramps, how could I forget the long hours my mom constantly complained about us sitting in the car or being out driving. Those where the best times I had with my dad, and besides celebrating after a race no matter his placement.” This race would be a total of three hundred miles long with more sharp curves and crash spots than any rookie would dream there was.
    At home Mrs. Jakes turned on the TV flipping past the rookie placement race hearing her son’s name she flipped back.
    “.. and there goes Timmy Jakes pulling one of his dad’s oldest moves, the tail spin, making that first sharp turn and gaining speed? I think he’s just improved his father’s first trick. This boy has got it going for him so far, but will his luck hold out to the top three? Stay tuned to find out.” She cried out in terror forgetting the TV she hurried out to her car snatching up the keys as she marched out the door her apron still on. Keeping to the speed limit she hurried to the main gate of the rookie races, she caught sight of her father-in-laws truck. Marching up the gate, the guard looked stunned,
    “M-Mama?”
    She managed a semi calm tone to her voice. “I’m Mrs. Jakes, where’s my father-in-law”
    “He’s in the racers pit area mama, your boys doing a great job out there you know?”
    She huffed and walked into the stadium taking the underground tunnel to the pit area. After a while she finally found him, opening her mouth to start lecturing the old man she got cut off before a signal sound could escape her.
    “Alright on the next turn use the sling shot move you practiced, use the other racers speed to propel your own car ahead of them. You got that?” she faintly heard Timmy’s reply,
    “Got it, and will do.” Looking up at the big screen that provided constant views of the race to the stadium and the pit crews who also had their own screen maps telling them where each of the racers were.
    The second to last turn was coming up fast a long wide curve. “This is it” Timmy thought “This is the determining move for me.” Slowly he gained speed until it was like a sling shot coming off the curve he shot forward passing the two cars in front of him taking second. It was now the final stretch, anything could happen. If he won this race he would go on to start practicing for the big race and the second place winner as well as third would go on to the next two rookie races.
    “That’s my grandson! Keep it up. Hell you’d be giving Kacy a run for his money right now.” His grandfather chuckled trying to imagine that.
    “Thanks grandpa but this race isn’t over yet. I think I can get past him and still finish but so far every racer that’s tried to pass him gets crushed.”
    “Try it and be careful, he just might be cheating. Keep a good eye on him and what he does.”
    “You got it, and can you please tell mom I’ll be fine, I can hear her sobbing.” Another chuckle from his grandfather and the line was silent again.
    Thinking hard Timmy could remember what his father once said, “A dishonest racer will always expect to win, if you discourage them at the last second it’s like someone dropping their cheat sheet as they leave the class room. The teacher catches them.” Staying just a ways back until the last mile came. A quick shift and slamming down on the gas Timmy made the unexpected shot around the lead car. Taken by surprise his rival veered at him just in time to be caught by the cameras, the crowd roared as both cars crossed at the same time not knowing what had just happened. Timmy was trapped by a grip hooked that took out his gas tank and other parts as it released him. The announcer blurted a suspicion of one of them cheating and the judges came down to the pits to examine the cars.
    “This is crazy!” the voice of the other driver was shrill as Timmy got out of his car. “Why should my car be checked? He’s the one who cheated!”
    An officer’s voice could be heard cold and calm,
    “Sir it is mandatory we check both vehicles, unless you have something to hide?” a few hours later it was announced that Timmy had won due to cheating by Greg Ringer.
    Receiving the trophy of the junior races was a big deal for the crew and especially for Timmy, that night walking into the garage to work on the car Timmy got a warm welcome from not only the crew but other friends and family.
    “SURPRISE!” a surprise it was for him as he got welcomed and congratulated by all the guests. They said things like,
    “You gave your old man’s memory another good grace today.” Or
    “Would have given your pop a run for his money.” And
    “Good work boy, that’s the best racing I’ve seen since Kacy and your father raced each other.” One of the work benches had been cleared, cleaned, and covered with a thin cloth for the food and punch. The twins where hosting an arm wrestling contests at one of the tables and Sue was beating them both back to back, his grandfather and a few of his old friends where putting up a shelf under the one that held his father’s trophies, and Kacy was making his way over to the punch bowl by Timmy. The two people he most wanted to hear from he knew were not there nor would they be. His father was dead and his mother was probably at home. Interrupting his thoughts,
    “Hey rookie,” it was Kacy grinning at him, “what’s wrong? You seem quite down for someone who just won the first placement race.” Looking up at Kacy the one person out of his family that had always been able to comfort him he finally gave life to his fears.
    “My mom decided not to show,” looking into his cup half full of punch, “I wish dad was around to have seen it. He would have been proud instead of storming off like mom did.” Kacy merely nodded and directed him out of the garage unnoticed, stopping by two old practice cars.
    “Let’s take a drive. It’s a trick your dad taught me for when I got frustrated and needed somewhere to think.” With a smile he tossed Timmy the keys to a slick black Firebird with leather interior and one of the best repaired engines outside the garage.
    “Ok, why not.” Starting it up the motor was like a purring kitten he revved the engine a bit to get a feel of the power it had. Kacy was the first to pull out onto the road Timmy at his side looking over to see Kacy waving some head phone and pointing down. Confused he looked at the passenger seat and saw a matching head phone set with a speaker on it, putting it on Kacys voice could be heard.
    “The other part of the trick is keeping up with me as you sort your thoughts.” He chuckles and took off as the light turned green with Timmy right behind him.
    “You can’t lose me that easily old man.” This had become Timmy’s way of enticing Kacy for a long time now. They took the slightly crowded interstate out of town weaving through honking cars and down a ramp that led to the far back roads most never dared to travel. These roads were known for their tight turns, at night one could almost call this maze of back roads a black widows web. For most there was no escape, Timmy took no notice of the signs around him as he fallowed Kacys every move. Whipping wildly around every turn, and never once touching the gravel on either side of the thin roads.
    “Hey Kacy,” he paused for a reply,
    “What’s up kid?”
    “What do you remember about my dad?”
    Kacy knew from Timmy’s grandfather that his mother never told him much about his dad other than what he could remember of the races and constant car talk.
    “Well where to begin,” thinking a moment before replying, “I meet your dad the three years before I went out for the Rookie races. He and my dad had gone to school together and both worked in your grandfather’s garage when they were still in school. He seemed distracted that day, like he was looking for someone. Later on I caught sight of him taking off rather fast, that was exactly eighteen years ago so you can imagine how young I had been. Your mom went into labor during his placement race for that year and he nearly lost from the excitement. A few years later I meet him again, he was giving advice to us rookies for the first of the three rookie races. At the end he pulled me aside to give me extra warning about someone going around and trying to sabotage some of the rookie cars, I thanked him and ended up sleeping in my car that night. The next morning I spent looking over every square inch of my car. Your dad and grandfather came by with a few sandwiches. Your dad said to me “One of these days you and I will be out there racing, and I’d be damn honored if that was on good terms. So watch your back out there and always be the honest driver.” As he was walking away he turned back with a grin and gave me a word of advice. “Double check your gas and break lines boy.” Your dad was a great guy.s I’ll never forget all he did for me.”
    “Wow, I never knew that. Mom refuses to talk about him. It’s like he was never hear” Kacy could hear the sorrow in Timmy’s voice but only listened instead of making pity filled remarks.
    “I miss him. Sometimes I think I miss him more than mom dose, but then I catch her crying in her room on race days and events like birthdays and anniversaries. I feel like I shouldn’t be pained by it any more but the pain is still there. Sometimes I won’t feel it, like when I get a minor scrape or cut in the shop and don’t even notice it until later in the day. On other days it’s like someone dropped a car on me.” Still Kacy listened silently as he slowed down and came to a stop in a clearing of trees on the edge of a cliff, Timmy pulled up next to him. After a few minutes of silence he looked over to see Kacy getting out of his car headphones off so he did the same.
    “You know boy, I think your old man is out there watching over you to this day. You know he cared about you, and on the day of that final race he said the strangest thing to me.” Looking over at him Kacy continued.
    “He told me to tell you never to let the outside look of a person fool you, someone’s always out to get you just like how a car that looks great on the outside can really be a death trap. I don’t know what he meant by all that but, I think it was defiantly something important.” They stood in silence for a long moment before the radio in Kacy’s car blasted.
    “Where the hell are you two?! Everyone’s asking where you two got off to, now get back hear you two road hogs!” Timmy’s grandfather had always called racers road hogs, the two laughed as they got in their cars.
    “Last one back washes the cars!” Timmy said as he streaked off.
    “Oh you’re on little man!” was Kacy’s only reply before he was back on Timmy’s tail racing back. Pulling into the garage parking area it was a tie as everyone was staring at the mucked up cars. Sue came up to Timmy’s door as he was getting out.
    “Where in the heck did you two go!” she demanded in an angered whisper, “Everyone’s been worried sick. Thought you took off in a fit or something.” Her eyes were tinged red and slightly puffy as if she had been crying. Kacy and his grandfather were off in a corner quietly talking. He took Susan into his arms holding her comfortingly and whispered in her ear.
    “What’s going on?” she looked up at him and more tears flooded her pale blue eyes.
    “Y-Your mother is in the hospital.” Some sort of emotional chaos crossed his face, “The medics said it was just a panic attack, but no one knows what would have caused it.” Pulling away from Susan not wanting to believe what she had just told him he ran. He barely even herd Kacy and his grandfather shout after him he jumped into the car he had just been driving. Tiers screeching he was gone in minutes with Kacy hurrying to get under way. Gone and out of sight of everyone he just kept driving, going on only reaction. Finally he came to a stop when the car ran out of gas and coasted to a smooth stop next to a sandy beach. The suns first rays were just peaking over the horizon staining the water and the lightly clouded sky with brilliant colors. Tears stained Timmy’s face his knuckles ghost white from the constant vice grip he had on the wheel. This beach was the one place him and his parents had come every year just before the races, everyone was happy and anxious. He sat there for a long time just staring out at the water. Kacy pulled up next to him but he didn’t even register he was there. Getting in on the passenger side of the car Kacy put a hand on his shoulder and gave a light squeeze.
    “I can’t lose both of them.” Was all Timmy said they sat there in silence for nearly an hour before his grandfathers tow truck caught up to them. Not a word was said of what had happened or nearly anything else on the ride back. Susan was fast asleep in the passenger seat of the old tow truck slight redness around her eyes obviously having been up most of the time. Kacy said nothing but drove past the garage where the tow truck had turned in Timmy looked around as the car came to a stop in front of the hospital.
    “Go and see your mother, I’m sure she would be very glad to see you safe and well.” There was no room for argument in his voice so Timmy did just that. A nurse directed him to a room on the third floor where his mother lay sleeping peacefully in a small hospital bed, a couple machines at her bed side, and a chair already pulled up for visitors next to her. Taking a seat in the chair he gently held her hand, and for the first time since his father’s death he allowed himself to cry breaking the deathly silence of the hospital room. He is unaware of someone standing in the doorway until a calm, cold voice broke the silence of the room.
    “Well, hello Timmy.” Startled Timmy spun around as he stood from the chair he had been occupying.
    “Who are you? And how do you know me?” his eyes on the stranger hidden in the shadows, body tense no knowing if this man meant him or his mother any harm.
    “I am Mr. Burnan, I direct the races. I was just stopping by to see how your dear mother is doing. I had heard she was in the hospital but got no detail as to what happened. I sincerely hope she gets better soon.” Stepping into the light Timmy could see that this man’s smile was a well put on act. His eyes were as cold hand hard as stone just as his voice had been. His suit was stone gray, with a black silk tie, a white shirt, and shiny black shoes.
    “Thank you, but they say she will be just fine and can be released tomorrow. If that’s all I’d like to be left alone with my mother.” He did not turn his back on the man but kept eye contact daring him to try something.
    “Of course, I’ll be going now. It was a pleasure meeting you young man, your father was the greatest racer I ever had the pleasure of watching in my races.” He proclaimed turning around and leaving the room, Timmy shivered not liking the impression he got of Mr. Burnan. After a few hours Timmy left the hospital his mother still sleeping, glad to see that Kacy was there waiting for him.
    “How is she then?” was the first thing out of his mouth.
    “She can come home tomorrow. Mr. Burnan stopped by. He’s the director of the races. I don’t like him, there’s something just not right about him.” Timmy caught the flash of concern and furry that crossed Kacy’s face.
    “Do yourself a favor, and stay as far away from that man as possible. He’s bad news, he likes to buy off good racers just to watch them make a mockery of themselves. He tried to do that to your dad and me. Hell if it weren’t for your old man my racing days would have been over years ago.” The bitterness of his voice when he talked about Mr. Burnan sent chills threw Timmy.
    “Your dad had been defying the director’s wishes for his entire racing career. If that didn’t make him angry enough, him turning me against the director’s dirty schema sure as hell did. I’ve always admired your dad for that as well as his racing skills.” Now admiration filled his voice, Timmy could clearly see that Kacy meant well in what he did.
    “Why would the director try to rig the races like that?” Timmy was confused as he slowly began to realize that the true dangers of the races weren’t just on the track but all around him.
    “He wants the winners to be people he can easily control. That’s all he wants is control of people and the outcome of his backstage gambling.” More bitterness, the rest of the way to the garage was silence except the soft hum of the engine which seemed to calm them both. Upon arrival Timmy could make out his car raised and the Susan at work, taking off parts that had been damaged and replacing them with new ones. He slowly walked over to her hoping she wouldn’t be to mad with him.
    “Hey Sue.” His voice was quiet and tentative. He knew she had a temper as well as how protective she was of those close to her.
    “Hey.” Her voice was stiff and flat. She was upset, her posture, voice, and attitude showed that much.
    “Look I...” They both had started and laughed as they realized it.
    “You first.” They laughed again, talking in unison. Sue covered his mouth with her hand.
    “Look Timmy I know its herd for you. Your mom in the hospital and your dad already dead, but you have people you can talk to now. People who you can give you a shoulder to cry on ya know? Your friends, your grandpa, even other racers understand what you’re going threw to some degree. I…. we were all worried about you last night. You just took off like there was no one else around. I know you’re hurting Timmy but remember there’s always going to be someone around to help you.” He could hear the pain in her voice. His mind reeled trying to think of what he could possibly say to make her feel better.
    “Sue I… I’m sorry. I panicked last night, I couldn’t think. I just reacted. Driving was really all I could think to do.” His voice trailed off, his eyes turned to the ground. He couldn’t bear to see the pain in her eyes.
    “Promise me if something else goes wrong you’ll contact me?” there was a sad hope in her voice. Something he wasn’t sure was a good thing.
    “I promise, I’ll contact you when something goes wrong again. Promise you’ll stop being angry with me?” He asked in a kid like voice making them both laugh.
    “I promise.” She said with a smile. They got to work and finished by sun down the new parts attached and double checked. They were both blotched with grease by the time his grandfather walked in looking serious as ever with a tall man in a dark suite fallowing him into his office. Raised voices could be heard but no words could be made out of it.
    “I wonder what that’s all about.” Sue spoke his thoughts.
    “Don’t know but I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.” He nodded to the open door of the garage where two buff men peered in not seeing them they began to slink around.
    “Hey, you got business hear or are you lost?” Timmy raised his voice so he could be heard threw out the garage. Sue stood next to him looking confidant and dangerous.
    “None of your business boy, aint it a little late for you to be working out here? Bet your mammas looking for you boy.” This only made Timmy angry.
    “I’ll work on my car as long as I like so long as the owner is my grandfather. Now get out of here before I go fetch him from his office.” No sooner had he finished his sentence had his grandfather swung open the door to his office stomping out.
    “What in tarnashon is all the ruckus out here,” looking at the two men by the door then at Timmy and Sue.
    “You two don’t belong in hear now get!” he hollered at the men as the one in the suite strolled out behind him.
    “We will continue this conversation at a later time then Greg.” The man’s voice left no room for further discussion as he walked out the other two men fallowing him out muttering harshly.
    “Timmy, Sue, you two ok?” Greg’s voice was calm again but his posture was still stiff, like he was ready for a fight.
    “Yeah, were fine grandpa. Who where they? And why were they hear?” Timmy asked curiously. Sue looked between the two of them as if they were aliens in plain view. Greg was still standing stiff as if danger was still lurking about.
    “They’re from an underground agency. I have reason to believe they work for the director of the races. It only makes sense because the one that was in my office was demanding to have his boys look over your car in private. He said they were to make sure that it was ‘properly qualified’ for the races. I’ve been working these races most of my natural life, I know when a car is or is not up to quota.” Greg said with a huff, “It’s insulting! To think I can’t get an old car up to par with the demands of the races.” Timmy was snickering now. Susan elbows him in the ribs to shut him up.
    “I know what you mean, I’ve seen the one that was in your office before. He came to my dad’s garage before the accident. I know it was his men that set off the bomb, not my dad. Sadly I couldn’t make a proper accusation without proper proof.” Sue looked down. Anger and sorrow visible on her face as cold wet tears slipped down her cheeks. Timmy instinctively pulled her into a close hug and cupped her cheek gently whipping away the tears that fell with his thumb. It was all he could think to do for no words came to his lips. Greg snuck out from the garage leaving them to each other.
    Outside Kacy was leaning on his car and waved to Greg as he came out. Greg walked over his face pale with concern as he looked around his stride quick and deliberate.
    “What’s eating you Greg? I’m gone a few hours and suddenly I miss everything.” His tone joking as he trying to keep his mood light and cheery.
    “There at it again, just like with Timmy’s father. There trying to buy him over, threaten him, his mother, me. In my office he went so far as to include you, Susan, and the twins. This time I’m out of cards, he’s got the full house advantage hear. Kacy, I’m at a loss hear. I need some help. Do you think the agency will step in this time?” the fear was plain as the nose on his face. Kacy began to lose his calm persona.
    “I can’t say if they will or not but I sure as hell am gunna try to make them. For everyone’s sake that boy needs to have some kind of help. He has no idea what’s going on around hear dose he?” Greg shook his head miserably.
    “He’ll find out soon, but for now it may be best to let his go on being ignorant to everything. Maybe you could have him stay with you till his mothers out of the hospital?”
    “Sure he can. Id enjoy having the kid around.” Kacy was smiling again as Timmy and Sue came out hand in hand. Sue was still miserable looking but she had stopped crying. Concern flickered across Timmy’s face every time he looked at her.