NOVEMBER 2002
KEY WEST, FLORIDA
The Nick Carter Racing Tent was buzzing with activity. The team had won their first of two races on Wednesday and they were just waiting for Saturday to roll around for the second race. Inside the tent were team members and friends and family members of the team, as well as fans were all talking and joking having a good time in the breezy Key West climate.
“Bill, get over here. You won’t believe who just walked up here!” Mary Kay exclaimed. Bill and Mary Kay Murray being the parents of throttle man Lee Murray.
“Who we got here?” Bill asked looking at the young lady talking to his wife.
“You remember Little Bit, don’t you?” When Bill nodded his head still looking at the young lady not sure where this was going, Mary Kay continued. “This is Little Bit’s daughter. Don’t you remember, little Cesilie?” Finally recognition spread across the older man’s face, and in true Key West fashion he embraced the young lady in a huge hug.
“My goodness, yes! I see the resemblance! But, I think you have a lot of your mom in you too, be thankful for that.” They all laughed. “How are you? How are your parents? Where are they?” And so the questions went as the old friends caught up. Cesilie hadn’t seen the Murray’s since she was a young girl of 13 when they moved away from Key West.
A little while later Nick came to the tent in search of shade, water, and his “pops” as he calls him. Mary Kay grabbed him by surprise. “Nick, I want you to meet someone.”
Here we go. He smiled. She was at least cute.
“Cesilie here is I guess you can say a friend of the family. Her parents are old friends of Mr. Murray’s and mine. We haven’t seen her since she was a little girl. You know, I delivered her.” Mary Kay stated. Mary Kay was a retired nurse. Cesilie blushed, shook her head and looked away slightly embarrassed.
Nick chuckled. It was kind of cute. Crooked smile and all he extended his hand, “Nice to meet you, Cesilie. Do you live here in Key West?”
Meeting his stare, “No, we moved away a long time ago. I live in Ft. Lauderdale now. Just down here on vacation and thought I’d catch the races. Congrats on Wednesday’s win.”
“Thanks. I hope we have a repeat tomorrow.” Then to Mary Kay, “Have you seen my Pops?” He wasn’t trying to be rude, but he was on a mission. Besides, he had a hunch he knew what was coming.
Bill Murray was the one to answer, “I think I heard him saying he was heading over to the La Lechonera to get something to eat. He probably has his cell on him, have you tried that?”
Of course not, that’s too obvious. “Thanks, I’ll do that. Food sounds good anyway. I’ll see you guys later. Cesilie, it was nice meeting you.” He turned to leave grabbing his cell phone.
“Nick.” Mary Kay called after him, and then proceeded to walk over to him.
Here it comes.
“She’s here on vacation.” He nodded his head. “She might like to have someone to, you know, hang out with. Is that the popular phrase today?” Mary Kay was strongly hinting.
Nick just smiled and shook his head a little. Sure, what was one more? Besides, it would make Mr. and Mrs. Murray happy, which would in turn make Lee happy. And, tomorrow was race day. Needed a happy throttle man on race day. “No problem, Mrs. Murray, I’d love to ‘hang out’ with her. Can you give me just a sec to call my pops?”
Chapter 2~>
Karina 2003