It had been two days since Junior had shocked everyone by waking up. During those two days he was poked prodded and mauled… he was getting sick of it.
His whole body was weak but at least the pain that coursed through it just a few days ago was concentrating itself in certain places.
The worst of all was his stomach. It hurt like hell and made it so hard for him to move. They wanted him to get up and try to walk soon and he wasn’t sure if he would ever be capable of that feet any time soon.
His head throbbed 24/7 and his knee was sore. So sore that even though he couldn’t look, he knew he was bruised. And for the life of him he couldn’t remember how that happened.
But he DID remember everything else though. He remembered waiting for Danny. He remembered being pushed to the ground and definitely remembered being stabbed.
The other problem was that he hadn’t spoken to anyone since that one word when he woke up. At first it hurt to talk and he didn’t want to even try it again… but after a while he sunk into himself. He just froze. He wouldn’t blink or react or even look at anyone. Thoughts ran through his head constantly but yet he never muttered a single word, phrase or sentence. It felt safe when he was deep within himself. Away from anything that could harm him.
This bothered Steve more then words could describe. He had spent countless hours the past two days trying to strike up a conversation. Bringing up anything that would cause something in Junior to let go and have him talk. Making sure he kept clear of the attack.
It was painful and heartbreaking to see one of the strongest people he knew lie there staring into space. Missing that Earnhardt gleam. The sarcastic answers. It was gone and Steve Park was determined to get it back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Kevin open the door right now!” Chocolate Myers screamed from the other side of the bus doors.
“Honey you need to qualify the car soon! Come on!” Kevin Harvick’s wife added.
I’m not driving today! Leave me alone!” They heard a voice say followed by some rustling.
“WHAT?” His Crewman shouted. “Your driving today and that’s FINAL!”
“Chocolate maybe we should leave him alone… I mean… he’s not taking things very well lately. The phone was ringing the other day and I couldn’t get it cause I was in the shower and Kevin was sleeping. By the time he got it the person hung up and he yelled at me for hours about how it could have been important and I should bring the cordless with me wherever I go!”
“Everyone’s been in a frenzy since last week but we have to try and act normal to get through all this ya know? That’s what we did for Dale.” Chocolate sighed and put his hands on his hips.
“Yeah but Chocolate we have to remember that we knew what happened to Dale. Know one is telling us anything about Junior…. And it’s tearing us all up. I wont dare not answer the phone now… It could be him ya know?”
“I can’t believe they are keeping us in the dark like this. I mean… I really can't ya know? That boys like family to me... his whole family is and I don’t know if he’s alive or…”
In front of them a door opened and Kevin Harvick rushed passed them carrying a bag.
“Kevin where are you going?” his wife asked as her husband made his way over to the gate.
“I’m goin home Delana… If you want to now then lets go... if you wanna watch the race then fine but I wont be in it.”
Chocolate Myers was not gonna let this slide.
“DAMN IT! I had less troubles dealing with Dale Earnhardt! Kid you knock off the act and attitude and get your ass behind the wheel of that Chevy before I put you there myself!”
If Chocolates’ words were a basketball then Kevin was a wall it bounced off of because his crewman’s shouts did nothing.
“Are you coming?” Delana nodded slowly and walked towards her husband leaving Chocolate standing stunned.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Steve headed back toward the familiar room he had been to many times lately. This was starting to get so routine that it made him sick every time. He’d rather be somewhere else then here right now. Before walking in he caught a glimpse of Jr’s sister Kelley chatting with a doctor. He took his hand off the door and waited for them to be finished for her to come over.
Once she was done Kelley headed over to Steve, her hands tangled in her hair in frustration.
“I don’t know how to tell Mom this one.”
“What did he say?”
“Steve… if there could be anything else wrong with him I’d be shocked. You wont believe what he said was wrong with him.”
“Damn it Kelley I wont if you don’t tell me!” Steve blurted out, exasperated.
Kelley looked at him sideways before looking anywhere but in the driver’s eyes. “They checked Junior’s tests… There’s brain activity. That’s the good news.”
“GOOD NEWS? Kelley that’s GREAT news!”
“Don’t get too excited now… I’m not done. He said there has to be a reason why he’s not talking to us. Not moving… He said he’s got post traumatic stress. Now what am I supposta do now?”
Steve’s eyes shut after listening to her words. Half delighted and half pissed off more then anyone could ever imagine, Steve spun around and entered Junior’s room. He shut the door on Kelley. Something needed to be done.
“Hey kid” Steve said walking in the door to Junior’s hospital room carrying two large bags of yummy smelling food.
Nothing…
“You’re prolly wondering what’s in the bags huh? Nothing for you!” Steve said while sitting in a chair and taking away Junior’s roll around table.
“Now Junior... I’m not doing this to tease you… you can just sit there and wait for your Jello while I eat all this good food. Mmm Hey look! Isn’t this your favorite?”
Again there was no answer. Steve looked over at his friend and noticed something near Junior’s hands. A Remote Control.
After Steve let 10 seconds of silence pass he made a move.
“Oh my god!” He screamed as he leapt out of his seat. “Martinsville Qualifying is on in 2 minutes!” He looked down at his watch for effect and ran over to the TV on the wall… pretending to look around for some sort of way to change the channel. Finally acting like he just noticed it near Junior’s hands he spun around.
“Hey Junior put it on! We’re gonna miss it!”
Seconds ticked by. Steve waited for a response.
Nothing. Always nothing.
Steve sighed and let his body go slack as he stood in front of the young driver.
“What the hell am I supposta do huh? Tell me! What in the fuckin world am I’m I supposta do to get you to talk to me! What did I do to make you stop?”
Steve charged his way to the side of Junior’s bed and waved his hand in front of the blonds face.
“I know you’re in there Dale… I’m not gonna quite on you!”
The Pennzoil driver’s shouts did not go unnoticed and Junior’s sister and a couple of nurses popped their heads in to see what was wrong. Steve grabbed for Junior’s shoulders and started to shake Junior’s fragile body.
“What are you DOING? “ one of the nurses yelled out as Steve’s shaking became harder.
“Leave them alone” Kelley blurted out to the nurse as she watched without blinking at the older man who was now fed up.
The one nurse made a Huff sound and walked out to find a doctor.
“You cant hide from us you hear me? You’re in there! You can’t hide from what happened! Junior it wasn’t your fault! It wasn’t our fault ok? The bastard who attacked you is the one to blame and you can’t hide from it!”
Steve’s shaking got even harder and Kelley, who was all for seeing what was going to happen started feeling the need to end it all. There was no way Junior should be being man handled like a rag doll in his condition. But before she could step forward something caught her eye. And apparently Steve’s because the shaking had stopped.
“Did you see that?” she whispered
“I sure did… “ Steve let go of one of his shoulders and grabbed Junior’s chin to try and have it face him.
“Did I hurt you?” He whispered into his face. The sight of Junior’s eyes squinting no doubt from pain was his answer and a start.
“People are coming Steve. I’ll try to keep them out as long as I can.” Kelley said while pushing the one nurse and the door shut behind her. Leaving Junior and Steve by themselves.
“Your scared… You know you are. And your hiding. From Pain… From what happened to you… from the man who did this to you… you’re in hiding from yourself. It won’t help you Junior. You can’t face things like that. Your father wouldn’t do it like this! Not this way!”
Something was happening… Junior’s eyes slammed shut and a painful expression took over his face. Steve didn’t let this new development stop him.
“He’d tell you to get out there and find the bastard. Stop your blubbering… Don’t let life walk all over you.”
Visions of a dream… a moment in time that Junior couldn’t quite put a date to flashed in his mind. Of his father. Telling him to go back. The Vision was so real… and so new. It caused his fists to clench.
“s…stop…”
“Stop what Junior? From telling you the truth?”
Suddenly there was furious knocking on the door and yelling from behind it. Steve tried his best to ignore it. And hoped Junior did too. With his hands still clutching Junior’s arms tightly he repeated himself.
“From telling the truth?
Juniors face contorted some more but yet he said nothing and never opened his eyes.
“He would tell you to get revenge Junior.”
That was all that needed to be said. Something so easy to say and could have been said days ago caused the young Earnhardt to break. Tears came down his checks as he struggled to get out of Steve’s grasp. Steve sat down on the bed next to him and instead of letting go… he put his arms around him letting him sob openly. A sight no one thought they’d see.
The banging on the door ceased has it was forcefully kicked open and three orderlies entered before a doctor and the two nurses. Kelley followed up behind smiling as she saw her brother letting out whatever it was that was keeping him in mental pain. She made her way over to join the embrace.
After a few minutes of letting out tears of pain, Junior tried getting out of the 4 arm grasp.
“What? What’s wrong?” Kelley said hoping they didn’t do something wrong
“Aren’t we missing Qualifying?” He said with a sniff as he wiped his eyes away with his IV-less hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Twenty minutes later Steve and Junior sat in front of a small hospital TV getting ready for qualifying. As much as being in his safe comatose world made him happy… being able to talk to people again was a lot better. Before he was dwelling on it. Now he had distractions.
Steve didn’t talk to him much now that he was back. It was kinda funny… When he wasn’t talking Steve had conversations about anything and everything and now… it was like he couldn’t’ find a topic.
Suddenly the screen in front of them show the familiar Nascar opening and Bill Weber sat in front of him with his grave face.
“Welcome to our Martinsville qualifying. Before we start with the first car to come out and try to qualify today we have to go back to last weekend. A silent terror rocked the Nascar community when Dale Earnhardt Jr. was savagely attacked on his bus last Sunday morning…”
Steve stood up and hit the power button on the television.
“I don’t think you want to hear this part huh?” he said with a half nervous smile.
“Leave it please.”
Juniors reaction shocked Steve and he turned it back on and stepped away.
“Look you don’t have to be so strong all of the sudden… take things slow.”
“I said leave it.”
“Fine… geez”
Steve sat down next to his friend and got ready to eat his food he brought. He was so glad to have Junior back and to see him trying to be that strong Earnhardt that he had in him. He felt he definitely said something right.
After the first car rolled onto the track Junior broke the silence.
“Why aren’t you there?
Steve looked up from his fork for a second to look at Junior sideways and set it down.
“Cause I’m here.”
“Thanks Mr. Obvious… Seriously. You could leave and come back. Why are you staying here?”
Suddenly the room felt thick.
“Cause I’m staying here… Why do you need to know why?”
Junior had enough. That Earnhardt Temper busted through.
“LOOK! I’m sick of being kept out of the loop! I’m getting just a tad bit pissed off that people are hiding stuff from me… I’m in pain yeah… but I’m not DEAD! None of the guys have called or visited… no one talks to me about what happened during the attack… and you wont tell me why your not qualifying your car…!”
Steve was stunned for a second at the temper fuming out of his friend.
“Umm… Well… Ok… you need to calm down. I was told not to say anything. And how would you know no one called?”
“I wasn’t asleep in my daze Steve. And not say anything? About what?”
“Well everything… Ok... here... they are gonna kill me cause they think it will hurt your progress but ok… First of all I’m not allowed to leave the area.”
“And why the hell not?” Juniors anger coursed through him and for a brief second over took his pain… But just for a second.
“I know what you told me. I’m involved now and even though the police know what I told them I’m still a part of this and they don’t want me leaving and getting hurt or something. I told them that’s bullshit but do they ever listen to me? No.”
“Well that IS bullshit… I’m sorry…”
Steve, who was in the middle of picking up his fork again, set it down”
“Why are you sorry? You didn’t stab yourself.”
Junior looked down at his hands.
“Sorry… that came out too blunt.”
"No... I’m just sorry I involved you. I should have just went to Mike or somewhere and left you out. Now its messed up your life.”
“Damn it… Junior this isn’t messing up my life at all… Not one bit. If you… well… If things didn’t work out as they did and you weren’t ok then things would have been messed up… but your gonna be fine and my life continues on so stop worrying yourself.”
“Fine… I will… only if I can have a bite of that Baked Ziti.”
Steve chuckled.
“I’m afraid I cant help you with that my friend. Want me to get your Jello?”
“Kiss my ass.”
Steve couldn’t help but laugh in his face.
“Sorry it’s just that I can torture you now… I love it!
“Wonderful… So why hasn’t anyone called me or visited?”
The older man next to him sighed out loud and AGAIN set his fork back down onto the plate.
“Am I gonna be able to eat this warm?”
“No… now spill.”
“You know… you are truly an Earnhardt… you got that intimidator thing down. Here.” Steve said handing Junior his cell phone.
“What’s this for?” Junior fumbled with the Sprint phone in his hand.
“Call someone… They disconnected your phone in here… That’s why it doesn’t ring.”
FINALLY Steve got to take a bite while Junior sat open mouthed.
“Mmm this is good.” Steve said with a mouth full.
“Why?” Was all his young friend could say.
“Ask the cops buddy… ask your mom... ask your siblings. I have no clue. Safety I guess.” He shrugged while taking an other bite.
“So you mean no one knows I’m ok? Like… no one has told them I’m awake and everything?”
“Nope…”
“Bastards” Junior muttered as he tried shifting into the most comfortable position he could achieve in his condition. His right hand still fumbled with the cell phone.
“Well don’t just sit there with the damn thing… USE it! Before Quals start.” By now Steve almost completely woofed down the whole plate of baked Ziti.
“Who do I call?” He said in an almost childish voice like he had just been given the greatest gift ever.
Steve sat and actually looked deep in thought in between bites of his freshly opened sub.
“If I were you I would call either Stewert, Kevin or DJ. They were the ones that were affected really badly that night. I don’t really wanna go into detail right now about that though if you don’t mind.
“But you will tell me what happened soon man…”
“Fine…”
Junior held the phone in front of him, staring at it like it would move. He wanted to call everyone to let them know he was alright… But Steve was right. Even though he didn’t know what happened… he should call the three that he just found out helped him.
Before he could stop himself his fingers went over the little numbered buttons and without hesitating… he hit send.
After the 5th ring he let the phone down and hit end.
“What’s wrong? No answer?” Steve said while wiping his mouth off and pulling a Twix out of his jacket packet.
“Nope. But I usually get the thing to leave a message when I call Kevin.”
“Maybe he turned it off. Probably doin something with the car.”
“Yeah maybe… Alright well I guess Tony is next.”
Before long Junior heard the ringing in his ear again and this time it didn’t take long for an answer.
“Hello?”
Junior paused a moment. He couldn’t’ help but notice that the home depot drivers voice was a few notches lower then it should have been.
“Hey…” was all he could muster.
“Oh God… Junior?” The once sad sounding voice was now replaced with joy.
“Yeah”
“MAN! How are you? How ya feeling? Are you ok? No one would tell us!”
“Yeah I heard about that.” Juniors face lit up in a smile from hearing his happy voice. “I’m living… It hurts like hell but what ever they’re giving me here takes the edge off. I was about to watch qualifying… thought I’d call someone first and let you guys know I’m alright.”
“Junior you don’t understand the crap that’s going on here… People are trying to concentrate on their jobs and stuff this week but no one can focus. The fact that no one knows if your ok or not is killing us here. Kev stormed out of here and went home about an hour ago! Why didn’t you call us sooner?!”
“Well I would have but Steve didn’t give me his cell till just now. And the fact that I only woke up a few days ago adds to it. Plus the bastards wont let me get calls in or out.”
“Well why the hell not?”
“Safety or some shit like that. They wont even bring up racing with me… Think it’ll harm me… Ha…”
“They apparently don’t know who they are talking about then.”
Junior chuckled “Well TELL them!”
“You sound good. I’m real happy about that. We were all worried.”
“Don’t get weepy on me now… You need to drive your car remember? No one likes a sobbing driver.”
“HAHA I wont! Speaking of the car, I have to get out there… but your coming along with me while I walk. Maybe they’ll catch me on camera and I’ll wave!” Tony said with a slight giggle in his voice.
“You’re an idiot! Don’t let the people think your getting soft now! Oh… by the way… who is driving my car?”
Junior noticed Steve’s head shoot up from his bottled water but ignored it waiting for the answer.
“Hank Jr… Good Kid… but he’s gonna get his ass kicked on that track. You cant just hop in Your car and drive well.”
“What’s that supposta mean?” Junior Chuckled
“Well look how long it took you to master the Budmobile.”
“Your saying this to bust my ass and I’m gonna ignore it. Go Qualify… I’m gonna call some others before Steve takes the phone away.”
“Alright Junior. Take it easy huh? Hey maybe I’ll come up and try visiting you if I can get passed the wardens!”
“Sounds good Tony. Good luck.”
“Feel better.”
And with that the two hung up.
“Kevin went home… and Hank is driving my car? Why not Kerry? I thought that’s where he went after he never came back.”
Steve capped his water and leaned back.
“Junior Kerry did go down there but it wasn’t to drive your car.”
“Whose car is he driving and why isn’t it mine?”
“He’s driving mine Dale… I didn’t ask… It just happened.”
Confused and slightly angered, Junior slunk into his hospital bed. He was worn out from the events of the day and felt the need for more drugs.
“My head hurts.”
“I’ll get a nurse.” Steve said before getting up and leaving the room.
