Page 109 of Happy Hour

Marbles – These are bits of rubber scrubbed off tires when cornering. These small balls collect on the outside of the turn, and if a car goes wide (into the marbles, or “the gray”, referring to the lighter appearance of an area covered with marbles), then grip is lost. In addition, this rubber debris will stick to the hot tires and cause poor traction for the next few corners until they are rubbed off the tire.

Over the years, my life had been shifting and now, I didn’t know who I was anymore unless I was with Sway.

When your life is one long continuum of sleepless nights, exacting obligations, and frivolous women, veracity is something you cherish.

I had that with Sway, always had. That also wasn’t something I wanted to give up either.

That was until Charlie had me keep a secret for him, a secret that had the power to destroy all of us but more importantly, Sway.

“Jameson, it’s Charlie,”

“Uh...hey, Charlie,” I answered hesitantly knowing why he was calling.

He cleared his throat. “I’m not calling to lecture you about my daughter, though I should.”

“All right,”

Charlie thought my intentions were wrong and I thought his intentions were wrong. We didn’t see eye-to-eye most of the time.

“What I’m calling about is the negotiations for the track.”

I swallowed hard. I knew this was coming soon but I didn’t think it would be this soon.

“Oh...did Phillip draft the paperwork for you?”

“He did, thank you. Tate has the paperwork for you to sign since he was here last weekend.”

“All right...” I sighed. “How long?”

He gave his own deep sigh. “Six months...maybe less.” You couldn’t miss the sadness in his voice. He didn’t want this anymore than I did.

It felt like Mike Tyson punched me in the stomach as I slide back against the wall in the hauler, letting my head fall forward. “Does Sway have any idea?”

“No,” he answered immediately. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything. Tate said he let something slip last weekend. I’d like to tell her myself. She deserves that much.”

It pissed me off to no end that he hadn’t told her yet anyways. This is not something you keep from your only daughter who lost a mother at six years old.

“I understand.” I choked on the verge of tears. We may not see eye to eye but I still loved him.

“She’s coming home Monday, right?”

“Actually, her flight leaves tonight after the race. She wanted to be home before the Northern Sprint Tour and the Outlaws.”

“I appreciate that. I need her here with me.” He paused and I could tell he was choking up. “For a long time, I thought you were using her but I see it. I know you love my daughter. And I know how much she loves you.”

I was quiet. I didn’t know what to say.

“Jameson...are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just...I want to be there for her but I can’t.” I had so many obligations I couldn’t get out of.

“I know the feeling.” He agreed.

“When are you going to tell her?”

Maybe if he knew when, I could make a trip to see her and help her through it.

“I’m not sure yet...it’s not the type of news you just spring on someone the moment they walk through the door, you know.”

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