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It was personal shit Ihonestly thought no one would want to know and didn’twantanyoneknowing. I gave vague answers and eventually managed to kick out the reporterto make it to the drivers meeting.

That was one meetingyou couldn’t be late for. If you were, you started in the rear of the fieldregardless of your qualifying run. Taking a seat in the back next to Bobby andTate, they greeted me and asked how I was feeling.

I was pleasantlysurprised to hear that after the accident with Darrin, they stuck up for me. Iwould have done the same for either of them but they put their careers on theline, for me. That meant something to me.

After the driversmeeting, it was back to the hauler to meet with the team but of course, I onlymade it a few feet before Maggie, a reporter with SPEED, found me for aninterview.

Maggie was one of themore respectable reporters so I answered her questions. Signing autographsalong the way, she kept up with me knowing this was her only chance for aninterview.

“How’s the car?”

“My Simplex Ford isrunning great.” After signing a die-cast car, I handed it back to the kid nextto me leaving him with a bright smile. “Hopefully we can get on and off pitroad clean and finish out with a top then.”

“How are you recoveringfrom the injuries?” Maggie asked. “Do you notice if being back in the caraffects anything?”

“You know I’m sore andmy wrist was bothering me after happy hour, but other than that, I feel great.Better than I thought I would feel after an accident like that.”

“How are the lungs?”The microphone tipped back toward me.

“I still have someproblems there but I have a few breathing exercises I do to help me. Theydefinitely don’t let me forget”

“Now that Darrin issuspended do you feel Mike Tanner is any competition for you?” Maggie asked.

I shrugged signinganother poster. This time a younger girl, maybe around six, pushed her toy cartoward me, same bright smile as the boy.

I knelt to her level.“What’s your name sweetie?”

She grinned back when Inoticed her JAR Racing sweatshirt with Justin’s sprint car on the front. “Hallie,”

I winked handing thecar back to her after I signed it. “There you go sweetheart.”

Maggie tried herquestion again, “So, is Mike competition for you?”

“Not that I’ve seen.What is he like thirty ninth today?”

“Yes, thirty ninth,”

“Well...there you go.”

Maggie laughed and wenton to interview Bobby who got the pole today.

Before I entered thehauler, Lane was jumping on my back.

I cringed, my ribs werestill sore but I smiled despite my pain.

“Hey,” I ruffled hishair trying to shift his weight to be more comfortable. “Long time no seebuddy.”

“Uncle Jameson! I missyou.”

“You missed me?”

“That’s what I said.”He rolled his eyes.

“No, you said I missyou.” I corrected.

He offered another eyeroll which I found entertaining coming from a three-year old. “You’re aweirdo,”

“Amnot!”