Post by Insane Pirate Dragon on Jun 23, 2007 14:45:00 GMT -5
Ghosts From the Past
After a fight with his parents, young Chase runs off into the desert and ran into the one car he'd never thought he would ever see.
Disclaimer: All I own is Phoenix, Chases, and Sheila. Everyone else belongs to their respected owners. This is all in good natured fun.
And thanks to EV for helping me sort out a few ideas for it. Very much appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had all started out as a normal day at the California speedway while the racers prepare for the race that day.
A crossbred boy was bored as he sat in his mother's spot on pit row. His mother, the Trans Am stocker, Phoenix had gone onto the track to take a couple of practice laps before the start of the race. He sat by his Viper father, Boost, and watched as his mother went around on the track.
The teen shifted on his tires and looked to his father who had his younger sister Sheila close to him. "Hey Dad," Chase asked. "Is it okay if I go look around for a bit before the race starts. I promise I'll stay out of trouble this time?"
Boost sighed as he looked at his son. The boy did always find something that would get him in trouble, "Just be up in the box when the race starts." The Viper said. "Don't want you running around when the race starts. And watch what you do with your magic. We don't need you making a scene."
"I will," Chase said as he shifted into gear and headed off to wander around the different sponsor tents that were on the infield of the track, knowing that he was probably attracting a couple of glances because of lineage.
“…As they always say; ‘Like father, like son…” Someone whispered to another as Chase drove by. “Probably grow up to be a street racer just like him. Sad really.”
Chase picked up on their conversation with his sharp senses. The Vipes Am growled and acted like he couldn’t hear what was being said by the two gossiping cars. Despite all that his aunt and mother have done for the sake of Tuners like his father, there were always those who would never change. He pulled out of their view and hid behind a corner of a tent as the two kept talking.
“He gets it from both sides you know,” the other car said. “His mother use to race illegally back where she was born, somewhere in New England, New York maybe. She has a nice rap sheet to go along with it all. And they still let her out on the track. Honestly, I'm worried that their boy is gonna pick up on that streak soon enough…”
Chase froze in his threads. His mother was a street racer. He knew his father had street-raced before he was born and his mother was a stunt car, but he never knew she had street-raced. Why had she never told him that she street raced and ended up impounded for something like street racing.
The teen didn't waste any time turning tail and heading back to pit row where he knew his parents were gonna be. He wanted to the truth about his mother.
As he reached the pit, his sister was gone, probably was with one of their aunts, and his parents were talking. Chase slowed down as he neared the pit.
“…I really don’t know what to believe anymore Boost." He heard his mother say. "My father alive…"
For the second time that day Chase found himself hiding, this time behind a rack in the pits next to the #47's pit as he listened out of his father sense of smell and his mother's magical range.
"Do you really believe what he said?" Boost said. "They could easily be rumors by someone trying to make a fast buck."
“Could be, but rumors about my magic aren't false either. I want to believe it,” she sighed. “I really do, but I was there that day. Most of it was a blur for the next week.”
“Did you ever see him that morning?" Boost asked. "When you heard."
“No I didn’t, I ran out when I found out what happened.” Phoenix said shaking her front. “And I was so upset at the funeral that they had a closed casket. But when he said he saw him… I just don't know anymore…"
Chase froze again. His grandfather was alive somewhere. That’s something he couldn't believe. All these years he had been told he was dead, along with don't believe what the reporters would say about his mother. He turned and headed for the box.
When the race started, Chase’s mind wandered away from the track and was on what he had overheard all day. What was true and what was false he didn't know anymore. He needed to know the truth.
As Chase followed behind his father and younger sister as they drove on their way back home, Phoenix would be there shortly to spend the week until it was time for the next race.
Later that night, Boost had taken Sheila to get a new set of tires while Phoenix rested at home while Chase stayed at home.
“Mom?” Chase asked as he pulled into the living room where his mother was reading. “You got a minute? I want to ask you about something.”
“Sure Sweetie. I’ve got plenty of time,” the Trans Am said as she closed her book. “What is it?”
“What did you do before you raced," the Vipes Am asked. "I mean, I know you stunted when you met Dad but did you do anything before that."
“Chase, you know the answer to that,” Phoenix said as she put away her book. “Now why would I lie about something like that? You know me better than that.”
“I don't know?" Chase shrugged. "I know my mom the Piston Cup Winner, but I don't know about my mom, the street racer."
Phoenix clinched her eyes closed. "How-how did find out?"
"At the track," Chase said. "I overheard a couple of reporters talking about how dad raced and then they talked about when you raced and the trouble that you got into. When were you gonna tell me about that! I know Dad street-raced, but never you, why!"
"We were gonna tell you when you were a little older," Phoenix said. "You're still to young to understand what I had to do growing up. You would have learned eventually. We were just waiting for the right time."
“No Mom!” Chase yelled. "Why wouldn't I have understand! Dad told me about his street racing! And now I find out my mom did too!"
"Chase please," Phoenix said. "Don't be like this please… Let me explain…"
Chase didn't say anything but revved his engine. He heard the front door open when Boost came and darted out the door, onto the street tearing off for the distance.
Boost saw the teen dash off and looked to Phoenix. "What happened with him?"
Phoenix sighed and looked up at Boost. "He knows about the original BlackBird…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chase didn't stop as he speed out of town and into the desert. He put up his shields, blocking his signature and covered his scent. He didn't wan anyone to find him, especially his parents or aunt.
He didn't stop until he reached the caves that ran along the mountains. He had heard all kinds of stories about the caves from his parents and aunt. "Wonder how many of those are true," the Vipes Am snorted.
He turned his attention to another cave. This one hadn't had anyone inside for what looked like for years. And something was drawing him inside. The energy, it reminded him of his father somehow.
Something told him to not go in, but his curiosity got the better of him as he slowly entered the cave and turned on his headlights.
"Hey," Someone shouted gruffly from behind him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Chase, surprised, spun around and shone his lights onto the direction where the voice was and revved his engine.
"Boy," the car growled. "You're gonna blind someone with lights like that. How about you turn them off?"
Chase dimmed his lights slightly but kept idle as he faced down the car.
"Settle down," the car said as he pulled into view. "I'm not gonna eat ya."
Chase blinked at the car's size. He was a rather large car, what were often called land yachts. His dark blue paint job reminded him of his mother when she was in term with Sheila.
"What do you want?" Chase growled, not ready to trust the stranger yet, now matter how much he reminded him of his mother.
"I was on my way town to visit an old friend and family," the blue car said. "Saw you speeding away, look like you were running from the cops there."
"No I wasn't," Chase grumbled settled down on the cave floor. "And I wasn't running away either. I just needed to get away for a bit."
"Well I got a few hours before I got to go," the blue car said pulling into the cave entrance and settled a few feet away from the teen. "Willing to talk about it?"
"No," Chase growled. "I don't want to talk about it. And why should I tell you."
"I like your fight kid, reminds me someone I know." The car chuckled. "What's your name kid."
"Chase," the teen said. "Chase Streamliner." He glanced at the car. "What about yours?"
The older car paused for a moment. "Name's… Storm. You're Phoenix's boy aren't you?"
"Yeah," Chase snorted. "If that’s even her real name."
'Storm' turned to look at Chase. "Now what ever gave you the idea about her?"
"She lied to me, they both did," Chase growled. "I always heard rumors that she got in trouble with the cops, but she never told me she street-raced. I had to hear it from someone else. And when I told her she tried to cover it up"
"Now I'm sure she had her reason Chase," Storm said shifting. "Maybe she was waiting until you were older."
"That’s what she said," Chase said. "But I'm fifth-teen years old. My dad told me about his, but I didn't know my mom came from something like that."
"Chase…" Storm said. "You wouldn't have understood. Your mom… She's had it rough growing up. You do know what happened to your grandparents right?"
"She said they died when she was a kid," Chase said. "But what's that got to do with her not telling me."
"She didn't get to grow up with her parents," Storm stated. "Much like your father. You're their first kid who's reached their teens still with their parents. They're learning. They never had a parent growing up to show them how."
Chase was silent for a moment. "But… I just want the truth."
"And you'll get the truth Chase," Storm said. "Just be patient with her. She had it rough, she'll tell you when she's ready. You'll end up pushing yourself away from her if you keep asking her."
Chase nodded. "But when will that be? I just want to know where I come from."
"And you will," Storm said. "While you wait on her, look into your grandparents. You can always ask your Uncle Neil about that. He has some stories about them." He couldn't help but chuckle.
"How do you know so much about them?" Chase asked. "I've never seen you before. Where are ya from."
"Born and raised in New York," Storm said. "Came out here to see some friends who live out here. I watched your mom grow up. Now my time is running a bit short now. How 'bout I take you home." The car silently got to his tires. "I know for a fact that your parents are worried sick. I'll drive ya home."
Chase nodded and got to his tires. "I live on…"
"… Deusenburg Street, I know…" Storm chuckled as he moved silently along the road. "I've been there a few times already. Mostly before you before and around the time you were born."
The two drove in silence as they pulled into town. Most of the lights were off in the businesses. "They must be out looking for me," Chase said.
"Most likely," Storm said. "So lets get you home before your parents send the helos after you."
Chase cast another glance at Storm. "You remind me a lot of my mom. They way she talks and how she moves."
Storm chuckled and paused for a moment with a sad smile. "So I hear. But I bet you hear this all the time; you have your…”
“…My mom’s eyes, I know,” Chase said as they pulled up to the StreamLiner home. “She says my grampa had the same eyes."
"And let me tell you something about that," Storm said. "Don't let them think you are your parents or your grandfather. You're 'Chase'; you'll learn on your own and don't let them tell you what to do. As I always say, 'We crash so we can get back on the road'."
Chase narrowed his eyes in confusion, he heard that saying somewhere else, but didn't say anything as he reached up and knocked on his front door.
The door opened revealing a much-relieved Phoenix and Boost. “Chase! Thank Chrysler you’re alright.” The stocker Trans Am cried as she nuzzled him. “You had us so worried. We had Ed and your aunt out looking everywhere for you. Don't you 'ever' do anything like that again."
"And don't think you're getting away clean," Boost said sternly. "We'll talk about your punishment in the morning. Right now, we're happy that you're home."
“Sorry Mom, Dad." Chase said as he nuzzled Phoenix. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. I needed to vent and Mr. Storm told me something that I needed to hear from someone else."
He turned back to where Storm was standing in the dark on the porch, almost afraid to come into the light.
"Come in," Boost offered. "So we can thank the man who brought our son home."
Storm faltered for a bit before he slowly pulled into the doorway. "Found him in the caves. Stopped him from going to deep."
“We can’t thank you enough for bringing him home Storm. You have no idea…” She paused as recognition flickered in her eyes as 'Storm' came into view.“…Daddy?”
Storm smiled sadly as he came into view. “Nixie," he sighed. "Look at you now, all grown up. You look just as beautiful as your mom now."
Phoenix didn't say anything and rushed pass them and nuzzled Storm madly. "You don't know how much I've missed you all these years."
"Sssh, sssh," Storm said. "Its okay, its okay. Everything is gonna be alright."
Boost and Chase exchanged confused looks as they watched Phoenix embrace the car; both had 'who's this guy' on their fronts.
"Excuse me," Boost asked, felling protective of his wife. "But who are you?"
Storm sighed, with them he had no other choice but to tell whom he really was. "Names Chase StreamLiner," the older car finally admitted. "I'm Nixie's father."
"But where did you come from?" the Viper asked. "We all thought we were…"
"…Dead. Very much," the older Chase said looking at his at his daughter. "I've always been, despite rumors you've heard. But I was able to collect myself enough to make one last visit. And then I saw Chase on his way to the caves."
"But you said…" the younger Chase said. "You said your name was Storm."
The older car chuckled at his grandson. "Would you have believed me if I told you who I who I was? You would have ran deeper into those caves."
Teen Chase didn't say anything. His grandfather did have a point there. He would have darted deeper into the caves.
Grandfather Chase sighed, “Phoenix.” He touched fenders with her. “I’ve got to go; I can’t hold it much longer.”
Phoenix nodded and held back the tears. “I know,” she said as she nuzzled him once again. "Love ya."
"Love you," Chase said as he nuzzled her. He looked up at his son-in-law. "You keep taking care of her like you've been doing."
"I will," Boost nodded. "It was nice finally meeting you."
"And likewise for you," older Chase said. "And you," he gave his grandson a tire noogie. "Stay away from caves. I won't be there to catch you next time."
The younger Chase nodded and batted the tire away. "I will."
Grandfather Chase smiled once again and shifted silently into gear and turned to leave. "Good bye…" He said as he faded as easily as he appeared.
"Good bye…" Phoenix whispered as she stared out to where he once was.
"Mom, Daddy…"
They turned to see Sheila pulling into the living room. "Yeah baby," Phoenix said wiping away a few tears. "What is it?"
"Who was that," Sheila asked. "Did he bring Chase back?"
Phoenix looked at Boost and Chase with a faint smile. "Have we got a story for you…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments welcomed and encouraged...
After a fight with his parents, young Chase runs off into the desert and ran into the one car he'd never thought he would ever see.
Disclaimer: All I own is Phoenix, Chases, and Sheila. Everyone else belongs to their respected owners. This is all in good natured fun.
And thanks to EV for helping me sort out a few ideas for it. Very much appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It had all started out as a normal day at the California speedway while the racers prepare for the race that day.
A crossbred boy was bored as he sat in his mother's spot on pit row. His mother, the Trans Am stocker, Phoenix had gone onto the track to take a couple of practice laps before the start of the race. He sat by his Viper father, Boost, and watched as his mother went around on the track.
The teen shifted on his tires and looked to his father who had his younger sister Sheila close to him. "Hey Dad," Chase asked. "Is it okay if I go look around for a bit before the race starts. I promise I'll stay out of trouble this time?"
Boost sighed as he looked at his son. The boy did always find something that would get him in trouble, "Just be up in the box when the race starts." The Viper said. "Don't want you running around when the race starts. And watch what you do with your magic. We don't need you making a scene."
"I will," Chase said as he shifted into gear and headed off to wander around the different sponsor tents that were on the infield of the track, knowing that he was probably attracting a couple of glances because of lineage.
“…As they always say; ‘Like father, like son…” Someone whispered to another as Chase drove by. “Probably grow up to be a street racer just like him. Sad really.”
Chase picked up on their conversation with his sharp senses. The Vipes Am growled and acted like he couldn’t hear what was being said by the two gossiping cars. Despite all that his aunt and mother have done for the sake of Tuners like his father, there were always those who would never change. He pulled out of their view and hid behind a corner of a tent as the two kept talking.
“He gets it from both sides you know,” the other car said. “His mother use to race illegally back where she was born, somewhere in New England, New York maybe. She has a nice rap sheet to go along with it all. And they still let her out on the track. Honestly, I'm worried that their boy is gonna pick up on that streak soon enough…”
Chase froze in his threads. His mother was a street racer. He knew his father had street-raced before he was born and his mother was a stunt car, but he never knew she had street-raced. Why had she never told him that she street raced and ended up impounded for something like street racing.
The teen didn't waste any time turning tail and heading back to pit row where he knew his parents were gonna be. He wanted to the truth about his mother.
As he reached the pit, his sister was gone, probably was with one of their aunts, and his parents were talking. Chase slowed down as he neared the pit.
“…I really don’t know what to believe anymore Boost." He heard his mother say. "My father alive…"
For the second time that day Chase found himself hiding, this time behind a rack in the pits next to the #47's pit as he listened out of his father sense of smell and his mother's magical range.
"Do you really believe what he said?" Boost said. "They could easily be rumors by someone trying to make a fast buck."
“Could be, but rumors about my magic aren't false either. I want to believe it,” she sighed. “I really do, but I was there that day. Most of it was a blur for the next week.”
“Did you ever see him that morning?" Boost asked. "When you heard."
“No I didn’t, I ran out when I found out what happened.” Phoenix said shaking her front. “And I was so upset at the funeral that they had a closed casket. But when he said he saw him… I just don't know anymore…"
Chase froze again. His grandfather was alive somewhere. That’s something he couldn't believe. All these years he had been told he was dead, along with don't believe what the reporters would say about his mother. He turned and headed for the box.
When the race started, Chase’s mind wandered away from the track and was on what he had overheard all day. What was true and what was false he didn't know anymore. He needed to know the truth.
As Chase followed behind his father and younger sister as they drove on their way back home, Phoenix would be there shortly to spend the week until it was time for the next race.
Later that night, Boost had taken Sheila to get a new set of tires while Phoenix rested at home while Chase stayed at home.
“Mom?” Chase asked as he pulled into the living room where his mother was reading. “You got a minute? I want to ask you about something.”
“Sure Sweetie. I’ve got plenty of time,” the Trans Am said as she closed her book. “What is it?”
“What did you do before you raced," the Vipes Am asked. "I mean, I know you stunted when you met Dad but did you do anything before that."
“Chase, you know the answer to that,” Phoenix said as she put away her book. “Now why would I lie about something like that? You know me better than that.”
“I don't know?" Chase shrugged. "I know my mom the Piston Cup Winner, but I don't know about my mom, the street racer."
Phoenix clinched her eyes closed. "How-how did find out?"
"At the track," Chase said. "I overheard a couple of reporters talking about how dad raced and then they talked about when you raced and the trouble that you got into. When were you gonna tell me about that! I know Dad street-raced, but never you, why!"
"We were gonna tell you when you were a little older," Phoenix said. "You're still to young to understand what I had to do growing up. You would have learned eventually. We were just waiting for the right time."
“No Mom!” Chase yelled. "Why wouldn't I have understand! Dad told me about his street racing! And now I find out my mom did too!"
"Chase please," Phoenix said. "Don't be like this please… Let me explain…"
Chase didn't say anything but revved his engine. He heard the front door open when Boost came and darted out the door, onto the street tearing off for the distance.
Boost saw the teen dash off and looked to Phoenix. "What happened with him?"
Phoenix sighed and looked up at Boost. "He knows about the original BlackBird…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chase didn't stop as he speed out of town and into the desert. He put up his shields, blocking his signature and covered his scent. He didn't wan anyone to find him, especially his parents or aunt.
He didn't stop until he reached the caves that ran along the mountains. He had heard all kinds of stories about the caves from his parents and aunt. "Wonder how many of those are true," the Vipes Am snorted.
He turned his attention to another cave. This one hadn't had anyone inside for what looked like for years. And something was drawing him inside. The energy, it reminded him of his father somehow.
Something told him to not go in, but his curiosity got the better of him as he slowly entered the cave and turned on his headlights.
"Hey," Someone shouted gruffly from behind him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Chase, surprised, spun around and shone his lights onto the direction where the voice was and revved his engine.
"Boy," the car growled. "You're gonna blind someone with lights like that. How about you turn them off?"
Chase dimmed his lights slightly but kept idle as he faced down the car.
"Settle down," the car said as he pulled into view. "I'm not gonna eat ya."
Chase blinked at the car's size. He was a rather large car, what were often called land yachts. His dark blue paint job reminded him of his mother when she was in term with Sheila.
"What do you want?" Chase growled, not ready to trust the stranger yet, now matter how much he reminded him of his mother.
"I was on my way town to visit an old friend and family," the blue car said. "Saw you speeding away, look like you were running from the cops there."
"No I wasn't," Chase grumbled settled down on the cave floor. "And I wasn't running away either. I just needed to get away for a bit."
"Well I got a few hours before I got to go," the blue car said pulling into the cave entrance and settled a few feet away from the teen. "Willing to talk about it?"
"No," Chase growled. "I don't want to talk about it. And why should I tell you."
"I like your fight kid, reminds me someone I know." The car chuckled. "What's your name kid."
"Chase," the teen said. "Chase Streamliner." He glanced at the car. "What about yours?"
The older car paused for a moment. "Name's… Storm. You're Phoenix's boy aren't you?"
"Yeah," Chase snorted. "If that’s even her real name."
'Storm' turned to look at Chase. "Now what ever gave you the idea about her?"
"She lied to me, they both did," Chase growled. "I always heard rumors that she got in trouble with the cops, but she never told me she street-raced. I had to hear it from someone else. And when I told her she tried to cover it up"
"Now I'm sure she had her reason Chase," Storm said shifting. "Maybe she was waiting until you were older."
"That’s what she said," Chase said. "But I'm fifth-teen years old. My dad told me about his, but I didn't know my mom came from something like that."
"Chase…" Storm said. "You wouldn't have understood. Your mom… She's had it rough growing up. You do know what happened to your grandparents right?"
"She said they died when she was a kid," Chase said. "But what's that got to do with her not telling me."
"She didn't get to grow up with her parents," Storm stated. "Much like your father. You're their first kid who's reached their teens still with their parents. They're learning. They never had a parent growing up to show them how."
Chase was silent for a moment. "But… I just want the truth."
"And you'll get the truth Chase," Storm said. "Just be patient with her. She had it rough, she'll tell you when she's ready. You'll end up pushing yourself away from her if you keep asking her."
Chase nodded. "But when will that be? I just want to know where I come from."
"And you will," Storm said. "While you wait on her, look into your grandparents. You can always ask your Uncle Neil about that. He has some stories about them." He couldn't help but chuckle.
"How do you know so much about them?" Chase asked. "I've never seen you before. Where are ya from."
"Born and raised in New York," Storm said. "Came out here to see some friends who live out here. I watched your mom grow up. Now my time is running a bit short now. How 'bout I take you home." The car silently got to his tires. "I know for a fact that your parents are worried sick. I'll drive ya home."
Chase nodded and got to his tires. "I live on…"
"… Deusenburg Street, I know…" Storm chuckled as he moved silently along the road. "I've been there a few times already. Mostly before you before and around the time you were born."
The two drove in silence as they pulled into town. Most of the lights were off in the businesses. "They must be out looking for me," Chase said.
"Most likely," Storm said. "So lets get you home before your parents send the helos after you."
Chase cast another glance at Storm. "You remind me a lot of my mom. They way she talks and how she moves."
Storm chuckled and paused for a moment with a sad smile. "So I hear. But I bet you hear this all the time; you have your…”
“…My mom’s eyes, I know,” Chase said as they pulled up to the StreamLiner home. “She says my grampa had the same eyes."
"And let me tell you something about that," Storm said. "Don't let them think you are your parents or your grandfather. You're 'Chase'; you'll learn on your own and don't let them tell you what to do. As I always say, 'We crash so we can get back on the road'."
Chase narrowed his eyes in confusion, he heard that saying somewhere else, but didn't say anything as he reached up and knocked on his front door.
The door opened revealing a much-relieved Phoenix and Boost. “Chase! Thank Chrysler you’re alright.” The stocker Trans Am cried as she nuzzled him. “You had us so worried. We had Ed and your aunt out looking everywhere for you. Don't you 'ever' do anything like that again."
"And don't think you're getting away clean," Boost said sternly. "We'll talk about your punishment in the morning. Right now, we're happy that you're home."
“Sorry Mom, Dad." Chase said as he nuzzled Phoenix. "I didn't mean to worry anyone. I needed to vent and Mr. Storm told me something that I needed to hear from someone else."
He turned back to where Storm was standing in the dark on the porch, almost afraid to come into the light.
"Come in," Boost offered. "So we can thank the man who brought our son home."
Storm faltered for a bit before he slowly pulled into the doorway. "Found him in the caves. Stopped him from going to deep."
“We can’t thank you enough for bringing him home Storm. You have no idea…” She paused as recognition flickered in her eyes as 'Storm' came into view.“…Daddy?”
Storm smiled sadly as he came into view. “Nixie," he sighed. "Look at you now, all grown up. You look just as beautiful as your mom now."
Phoenix didn't say anything and rushed pass them and nuzzled Storm madly. "You don't know how much I've missed you all these years."
"Sssh, sssh," Storm said. "Its okay, its okay. Everything is gonna be alright."
Boost and Chase exchanged confused looks as they watched Phoenix embrace the car; both had 'who's this guy' on their fronts.
"Excuse me," Boost asked, felling protective of his wife. "But who are you?"
Storm sighed, with them he had no other choice but to tell whom he really was. "Names Chase StreamLiner," the older car finally admitted. "I'm Nixie's father."
"But where did you come from?" the Viper asked. "We all thought we were…"
"…Dead. Very much," the older Chase said looking at his at his daughter. "I've always been, despite rumors you've heard. But I was able to collect myself enough to make one last visit. And then I saw Chase on his way to the caves."
"But you said…" the younger Chase said. "You said your name was Storm."
The older car chuckled at his grandson. "Would you have believed me if I told you who I who I was? You would have ran deeper into those caves."
Teen Chase didn't say anything. His grandfather did have a point there. He would have darted deeper into the caves.
Grandfather Chase sighed, “Phoenix.” He touched fenders with her. “I’ve got to go; I can’t hold it much longer.”
Phoenix nodded and held back the tears. “I know,” she said as she nuzzled him once again. "Love ya."
"Love you," Chase said as he nuzzled her. He looked up at his son-in-law. "You keep taking care of her like you've been doing."
"I will," Boost nodded. "It was nice finally meeting you."
"And likewise for you," older Chase said. "And you," he gave his grandson a tire noogie. "Stay away from caves. I won't be there to catch you next time."
The younger Chase nodded and batted the tire away. "I will."
Grandfather Chase smiled once again and shifted silently into gear and turned to leave. "Good bye…" He said as he faded as easily as he appeared.
"Good bye…" Phoenix whispered as she stared out to where he once was.
"Mom, Daddy…"
They turned to see Sheila pulling into the living room. "Yeah baby," Phoenix said wiping away a few tears. "What is it?"
"Who was that," Sheila asked. "Did he bring Chase back?"
Phoenix looked at Boost and Chase with a faint smile. "Have we got a story for you…"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comments welcomed and encouraged...