Page 164 of The Champion
“Because...Arie isthe back of your truck,”
“What?” he panicked. “How the fuck did she get backthere? Jameson, it’s snowing and has been for the last half an hour.”
Jesus Christ!
“Pull over.” I demanded. Now I was the one panicking.Sway was beside me urgently clinging to my side trying to hear everything wesaid. Emma rushed behind her knocking all three of us forward into the granitecounter.
There was silence for probably close to five minuteswhile I heard Spencer getting out of his truck.
“Jameson...”Spencer’s voice was amused. “Your daughter would like some words with you.”
Shit.
Arie must have taken the phone because the next thing weheard was her screaming. “Those two better pray for lives because when I gethome,” she growled. “I’m gonna...I’mgonna kill those assholes!” Her voice marred slightly by her shivering.
“Without a doubt...youare your mother’s daughter.” I laughed at my ten-year old daughter’s use ofwords. We tried to teach them to not swear but really, were we good examples?No.
After that night, the boys kept their practical jokes toa minimum.
I ended up having a conversation with Axel later thatnight after Arie arrived home and we were sure she was all right.
“Hey buddy.” The door creaked open as I stuck my headinside.
Axel looked up with a furtive glance. “Hey Lil, I gottago...dad’s here...yeah...all right...see you then.” His cheeks flushed as shesaid something else. “I...love you too.”He whispered and then hung up quickly.
Chuckling, I moved inside his room. “Love huh?”
He shrugged leaning back on his bed tossing his phone onthe night stand. I noticed a picture next to his lamp of him and Lily when theywere about four when he began to speak. “Why not love?”
“Love is a strong choice to use when you’re twelve, buddy.”
“I know that...butit’s true.”
“Fair enoughbutyou need to be careful. You’reyoung and so is Lily.”
He sighed, that same sigh I used. The one I used whensomeone warned me about Sway when I was younger. Sure, it turned out well forus; we just celebrated our twelfth wedding anniversary. I was still just asmuch in love with her as I was the day I said “I do”. I also knew enough aboutAxel that his intentions with Lily were genuine. Without a doubt, he loved her.
“Do I really not get to race in Phoenix?”
“You need to learn there are consequences, Axel. You andCasten both. What you did with Arie today could have really hurt her.”
“I know...but dad...” he whined. It was difficult for mebecause if someone had told me at twelve I couldn’t race...I would have had a shit fit of epic proportions, no lie. Ithink I actually did at one time or another, I’m sure of it.
“All right buddybutif you mess with Arie again...I’m turning her loose on you.”
“Oh dear god,” He teased with a smile. He knew damn wellwhat she was capable of. Arie had repercussions down to a goddamn art.
Patting him on the back, I stood. “I say the same thingabout my sister.”
I found Sway in our room rubbing Arie’s back as she sleptin our bed. “How is she?” My hand ran up Arie’s back brushing her rusty locksto one side, her breathing, slow and steady.
“She seems good. I called Dr. Sypher. She said to keepher warm and hydrated.” Sway’s eyes met mine and I could see the wariness inthem. “Her temp is 94.5...that’s aconcern.”
Sway and I spent the rest of the night in bed with Arie,scrutinizing every shiver and breath she took. Something very strange happenswhen you become a parent. Suddenly, and in an instant, you’re not longerfocused on you and you alone. There is this tiny human looking up to you forcomfort, reassurance, care and most of all...love.It was a huge responsibility and I thought being a NASCAR champion was hard.Parenthood had nothing on that.
It turned out Arie was fine. She did end up withpneumonia from it but she was alive and the boys seemed to have learned theirlesson. We couldn’t ask for much more than that.
Cold Pits – Sway
