Page 133 of The Champion
After applying another coat of sunblock to my littlerusty haired babies, Axel expressed his concern for Jameson again.
“Do you think daddy might see me race tomorrow if I makethe main?”
“Honey, he has an appearance to do so I don’t know thathe can make it here on Saturday.”
He nodded and walked back to his pit with his head hung.I never worried about how demanding Jameson’s schedule was until Axel beganracing. Jameson said he’d try knowing it was only a 30 minute flight toIndianapolis from Joliet...but hisappearance was at the same time as the main events. The chance of him sneakingaway was slim.
I sent him a text Friday afternoon before Axel startedthe B-Main.
Imiss you...but I think yourlittle buddy misses you more.
I then clicked a picture of Axel sitting in his car andsent it to him.
It took Jameson two hours before he replied with:What about the othertwo? They don’t miss me? And what about mama, she don’t miss her dirty heathen.He misses her!
I laughed and responded while watching Emma try to findCharlie inside Axel’s trailer we used to haul his midget.
Ithink they miss you but Arie is entertained with your mom and making signs for thefan club they created for him. I don’t think Casten even knows your gone.Sorry. He’s more entertained by all the dirt and the people.
Isee how I rate. How’s Axel doing?
Good.They’re getting ready to start the B-Main. He’s starting tenth with the inversion.
They’reinverting them?
That’swhat I said but yes, Jeff decided to invert them when Axel won the C-Main by anentire lap.
Letme guess...they pulled theengine for inspection after that?
Jameson knew USAC all too well.Yep.
Tellhim good luck for me. I’m heading out for qualifying now.
Goodluck to you too then and yes...I miss you!
Missyou too honey.
“Sway?” Emma called out on her hands and knees inside thetrailer. I tucked my phone inside my purse and peeked through the double doors.“Have you see Charlie. Noah is over...”she sighed and threw her hands up. “He was right there. What the fuck!”
“Emma...” Igiggled and pointed inside Axel’s back-up car. Both Charlie and Noah werecurled up in the seat, sleeping.
“Awww...” Emmacooed and snapped a picture with her phone to send to Aiden. “They are socute.”
“Whenthey are sleeping,” I amended with a smile.
I had to admit, with their black wavy hair and brightblue signature Riley eyes, they were adorable but they were shit heads. Havingjust turned four in November last year, they were slightly more behaved butstill assholes if you ask me. I had a feeling most would agree with me,especially Aiden right now who had a broken arm because of those two.
The horn sounded in the pits letting us know if was timefor the kids to line up for the main so I made my way over to Tommy and Axel asthey lined up on the grid. My little boy was fumbling with his helmet while hishead rested on the wheel. Nancy, who had followed me over there with the kids,motioned toward the stands and herded the rest of the kids into the bleacherswhile I tended to Axel.
I crouched down beside him, rubbing his back. “Are youokay little buddy?”
When he looked up at me, his eyes said it all. Axel wasvery confident when he was on the track but his nerves got to him before eachrace, something Jameson never had to deal with. I’m sure there were times whenJameson had nerves but not like Axel. At times he would become physically sickbefore a race.
“I’m scared.” He told me softly.
I very nearly cried when I saw him on the verge of tearsas well. With over 270 other kids here racing, the fact that he even made it tothe B-Main should have showed him he shouldn’t be scared. But with 270 otherkids, that’s what scared him the most.
Where is Jameson for this sort of thing? Or Justin,yes, Justin would be good too.
