Harlan

 

My body came to life the moment I brought the enormous beast of a car to life. The deep roar of the engine made my entire body quiver. I could feel the power building as we circled the track, just waiting to be unleashed.

“One to go, Harlan. You ready?” Lou asked, his voice filling my helmet.

“I’m ready,” I said feeling every emotion possible bubbling through me.

Swerving the car back and forth as we followed the pace car to start the race, I was happy with my starting position. Twelfth place, just out of the top ten and in perfect position to move forward. For my first race, I hoped to have a decent showing. I’d love a top ten finish, but would be happy with a top fifteen. If I were honest with myself, I’d admit I’d be happy just to finish the race on the lead lap.

“As soon as you hit the line, punch it,” Lou instructed as the pace car pulled off the track and the rows of cars moved forward, picking up speed as we went. 

***

“Watch low,” the spotter, Keith, told me. “The 97 is driftin’ up on ya.”

“Ten-four.” I downshifted into the bend. The stands, pits, and infield were nothing but a string of blurred colors. The only things I could focus on were the cars surrounding me and the voices that sometimes infiltrated my helmet. The rumbling of the engine provided a white noise that helped me to keep my focus while giving me a sense of power and purpose.

Lap after lap I picked up speed, keeping pace with Julius who was the leader. “Beautiful drivin’, Harlan. You’re only two-tenths of a mile slower than the leaders. Very impressive,” Lou praised. “We’re gonna bring you in for what will probably be the last stop of the day. Next time around.”

“Ten-four. I’m a little loose in the corners.”

“We’ll make the adjustment.”

Downshifting and pulling onto pit road behind several other cars, I hoped I didn’t lose any spots, and I prayed a caution wouldn’t come out. I’d managed to stay on the lead lap through the entire race, coming to pit road from the seventh position. I was thrilled with the entire day. Pit stops were smooth, and I was shocked to find that the rush I got when I started the car hadn’t left me as I drove. I was sure that I’d probably want to crash the moment I got back to the motorhome, but for now, I was running on pure adrenaline.

Fast, these guys were fast. And Ken took it one step further than just Lou instructing me through the stop. Ken took it upon himself to wave his arm, so I knew when to go. It was a split second, but it meant I was leaving the pit moments before Lou even had the chance to tell me.

“Twelve and fifteen-hundredths of a second, very respectable stop,” Lou praised the pit crew as I watched my tachometer driving down pit road. “And back on the track in the sixth position.”

“Bloody hell,” I announced into the air for the first time all day. “Nice stop!”

“Let’s get this race done,” Lou said.

“Wreck ahead,” Keith announced. “Stay high, stay high.”

I followed Keith’s instructions as I went through the turn filled with smoke and scattered with cars.

“We got the yellow. Stay high ‘til you get through the smoke.”

“Ten-four, Keith.”

“Harlan, we’re gonna see what the cars in front of you do, but I think we’re gonna stay out and see what happens. There are only ten laps to go and only ten on those tires. I think we’re gonna be fine. How’s the car feelin’?”

“Feels fine. Still a little loose in the corners, but it’s better,” I said.

“Looks like they’re all stayin’ out, just stay out and keep your position. Be ready to punch it into high gear the moment the green flag flies. We’ll only have five to go.”

I settled back into my seat, following the pace car around the track. We moved slowly as clean-up crews cleared the wreckage from the track. My knee bounced, and fingers tapped the steering wheel as I got ready for my last restart of the day. And the moment the checkered flag waved, I punched the gas for the last five laps of the day, and managed to have a top ten finish for my first NASCAR start.

“Woohoo! Ninth place, way to go, Harlan! Nice run!” Lou shouted. “Let’s get that car in here and go celebrate with the fifty-five team.”

***

“Well, how was your first NASCAR race?” Toni asked as the teams loaded the cars into the haulers and the truck drivers prepared to leave. We were standing in the garages at Bristol Motor Speedway, preparing our cars and equipment to go back to our home in Mooresville.

“It was incredible,” I said, breathlessly. “It was exciting and nerve-wracking, and completely overwhelming, but I’ve never been more excited in my life.”

“Harlan!” Axel announced, walking through the garage. My grandfather, who was carrying Dillon, was right behind Axel. “Fantastic job, Harlan. What’d you think?”

I was so excited, I could barely contain myself. “It was amazing. I can’t believe I lasted through the whole race. Now I’m just waiting for my adrenaline rush to wipe me out completely.”

“Hi, Momma. Grandpa said I watched you on tele, I didn’t see you.”

“Momma was there,” I explained. “Did you see that red and silver car? That was momma’s car.”

Dillon looked at the car, but I could tell he still didn’t completely understand. He’d get used to it though. I took him from my grandfather and hugged tight.

“Harlan,” Axel said, ruffling my son’s hair. “I’d like to offer you a contract to drive the sixty-five for the rest of the season. What do ya say?”

Sticking out my hand, I smiled hugely. “Yes, absolutely. Thank you for this opportunity.” 

“Come by my office tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll get everything finalized. Congratulations on a great first finish.” I couldn’t believe this had happened so quickly.

“I’ll be there,” I said, ready to jump up and down and squeal. If I didn’t have Dillon in my arms, I might have.

A round of congratulations followed from both my team and Julius’s. Bloody hell, my team. This was now my team. I was so excited, I finally had a home.

***

“Let’s head over to my uncle’s place so you can see the house,” Toni said Monday morning. We had arrived back in Mooresville first thing this morning and were now unloading everything from the haulers. “Your grandfather saw it, but you need to make sure it’s a good fit for y’all. Should we pick him up before we go?”

“Oh, he went back home. There’s been a lot of problems at his garage. I may have to hire a nanny until he’s ready to retire. Dil’s in the daycare.”

“Well, let’s go get Dil and take a drive. Think it’s time for y’all to get outta that hotel and into a place of your own.”

Twenty minutes later I found myself outside a small pub. The place looked rather unassuming from the outside, but once we were inside, it was a whole different world. The dark wooden bar was so shiny, it reflected the dim lights that hung above. The walls were a stained woodgrain that gave the room a homey feel. The neon lights around the room, helped to give it a dreamy atmosphere. It seemed like the perfect place to hang out and relax.

Toni and I walked up to a very tall, hulking man with a bald head and a very broad body. His muscles seemed almost as defined as Cade’s, but he seemed much older.

“Uncle Bobby, this is Harlan, she’s interested in rentin’ the house.”

Bobby reached his large hand toward me and smiled in greeting.

“It is very nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for allowing us to rent your house.”

“First thing, don’t call me, sir, darlin’. Call me Bobby. Second, I’m glad to do it. Now let’s talk price. Is four hundred dollars a month okay with you?” he asked.

Shocked, I couldn’t believe the price was so little. I’d looked at apartments and small houses in the area, nothing was that cheap. “Are you sure?” I asked. “That certainly seems very inexpensive.”

“Darlin’, I ain’t out to make money on ya. That four hundred will cover utilities for the month, that’s all.”

“Wait, that’s including utilities also? Are you sure that’s enough?”

“It’s plenty. You’ll get internet and satellite television access from the main house, I’ll give you the passwords for everything.” He looked at Dillon and smiled. “Who’s this little guy?”

Gone was the intimidating man I saw when we entered. He was like a big kid. He bent down and grinned at my son. The playful glint in his eyes was childlike and mischievous.

“This is Dillon, my son. He just turned four.”

Bobby stuck his hand toward Dillon. I expected Dillon to hide his face in my shoulder or squirm away, but he didn’t. He reached for Bobby, a stranger, and wiggled to get free. Bobby took him into his hulking arms.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you too, Dillon.” He talked gently and kindly, asking Dillon questions about the things he liked. Bobby glanced at Toni and me. “I’ve got Dillon here. Y’all can go on back and look around. If y’all ever need anything, just come on in here and get me or go to the house. I’m always around, and if I go visit Toni’s dad in Shady Falls, I’ll let you know. But most likely you won’t be around anyway.”

I was utterly overwhelmed by his generosity and kindness. All the people I’d encountered since coming to North Carolina were the best people I’d ever met. They all seemed genuine, so unlike the people I used to know.

“Thank you so much. This is wonderful,” I said with as much sincerity as I could.

“Let’s go look. It was my first place on my own, I hope you like it as much as I did,” Toni told me.

I followed her through the bar and out the back door, glancing back once to see Dillon’s favorite cartoon on the television and Dillon telling Bobby all about his favorite characters. This was shaping up to be the best decision I’d ever made. I’d managed to walk into a loving and caring family who were ready to bring me in and accept me without question. They were kind because that’s who they were.

Dillon was in a place where he’d have his grandpa who loved and adored him, but he’d also have these people who seemed to genuinely want to be in our lives and be our family. I couldn’t be happier.

We walked the fifty yards from the back of the bar to a small house sitting just beyond the parking lot. A large farmhouse sat nearby, just the way Bobby described. Toni pulled a key from her pocket and opened the door.

“You can move things or change whatever you want. It’s your place until you no longer need or want it. It was painted right after my friend and I moved out,” Toni said, “but you can always repaint if you want.”

“No, the colors are perfect, everything is perfect.”

Walking through the small house, I found myself becoming very excited. The living room and dining area were open and only separated by differences in flooring and furniture. The kitchen was set off by itself, separated by a counter and appliances. Down a small hall, I found two bedrooms, one rather large and the other about half the size. There was also a bathroom and a closet.

“We can go shoppin’ now and get new mattresses and bedding, everything else is only a few years old and mildly used. Of course, if you have your own furniture, we can put all this stuff into storage. Just let us know, we can help however you need.” Toni went on to tell me about the bar, parking, and how her uncle would probably try to feed me frequently. “What do you think?”

“I love it. It’s perfect. Everything about this is perfect. Thank you.”

“Why don’t you leave your bags here, and we’ll go get Dillon and go to the store. It’s early enough, we can get the mattresses and a bed for Dillon and have it all delivered here today. Then we’ll get the guys to come and help move it all in and get the place ready. Y’all can be moved in by tonight.”

***

Toni, Dillon, and I shopped around Mooresville for hours to find the perfect bedroom furniture to make the house our new home. Dillon found bedding with his favorite hero puppies. He was excited about the idea of having his own room, and not having to share space with me anymore.

Toni helped me plan for each bedroom and then set the delivery for this evening. It seemed everything was happening so quickly, but it felt good to know that we would sleep in our new home, tonight.

It was almost surreal. I felt like I was living a dream and that I would soon wake to find myself back in Ireland, trying to fend off my father’s family while trying to live life the way Dillon and I wanted.

 Reality set in when we stood inside Hanson Fitness Center, waiting for Cade and his brother to come out. I felt entirely out of my element. I’d never seen a place quite like this before. Men and women of all shapes and sizes moved around the floor, lifting weights, walking and running on treadmills, and working together toward one common goal, better health. Several men and women had on Hanson Fitness Center tee shirts and shorts, they were leading small groups or working individually with people. I’d had access to gym equipment, but I mostly exercised alone to maintain my shape for racing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two men walk out from a side door at the back of the room. And oh, my goodness they were identical in almost every way. One was just a bit more muscular and had his hair just a bit shorter than the other. The one with the longer hair wore nylon shorts and a sleeveless shirt showing tattoos down both arms. The other wore jeans and a gray t-shirt. He also had tattoos, but only on one arm. I wondered if Cade had tattoos hiding anywhere else.

“Oh my, he really does have an identical twin,” I said. And even though I’d only known Cade for a few days, I knew without a doubt which he was.

“Jake, this is Harlan,” Toni said when the twin brother came up to us. “She’s the new driver for the number sixty-five. And this is her son, Dillon.”

Jake put his hand out and shook mine firmly. “Nice to meet you, Harlan. I’ve heard a lot about you. I hear you’re movin’ into Bobby’s guest house.” He leaned down and put his hand out for Dillon to shake. “It’s nice to meet you also, Dillon.”

Dillon giggled as he stuck out his hand and shook Jake’s. It was such a sweet gesture.

“Yes. It’s a wonderful place. I’m looking forward to it.”

“It’s a great little place,” a pretty, dark skinned woman with long curly hair said walking up to us. “Toni and I had some amazing times there.”

“Harlan, this is Mia. She was my roommate and she’s Jake’s wife.”

“Yeah, we’re newlyweds,” Mia said.

“Congratulations,” I said.

How was every woman I’d been introduced to since arriving at Fuller Enterprises so pretty? They were all sweet and friendly, but their beauty was kind of intimidating. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to find friends there. I’d learned that most of the girls I socialized with in Ireland were catty and incredibly fake. What if these women ended up being the same?

“We need to go back to the house, we’re meetin’ the delivery guys. I was hopin’ y’all would come and help us get everything set up and moved so Harlan and Dillon can move in tonight.”

“Are you married?” Mia asked, her hazel eyes seemed to beam with happiness. It was almost contagious.

“No, it’s just Dillon and me.”

“What do y’all need help puttin’ together?” Cade asked. It was the first time he spoke since he came out with his brother. “Should I run home and get tools and such?”

“It’s just bed frames. I think I have everything we need,” Toni said. “And if not, Uncle Bobby does.”

Mia’s eyes practically sparkled with her huge grin. “Great, let’s go. We can get it all ready before bedtime.”

Surprised by her eagerness, I couldn’t believe how kind these people were. Catty and fake didn’t really fit either Mia or Toni. I found that instead of being on edge like usual, I was relaxed. So, this is what genuine people were like. I almost snickered to myself, realizing that at twenty-one-years-old, I had never encountered anyone quite like them. People rarely surprised me because I always expected the worst. I was thrilled to be wrong.

“I’ll go get Jules,” Cade said. “I’m sure he’d like to come too.” He and Jake both walked in opposite directions, leaving Toni and Mia with me.

“This is perfect,” Toni said. “We’ll have the place ready for y’all in no time.”

“Do you think we’d have time to do a little shopping for clothes at some point?” I asked, a bit awkwardly. I wasn’t used to asking people for help. “I only have that one bag, and I don’t know where to go.”

“Hell, yeah,” Mia said with an excited squeal. “I love shoppin’. I could use a few new skirts for school. We can make a day out of it, go to lunch, maybe have a couple drinks, and shop.”

“Mia’s a teacher,” Toni explained. “And shopping is her favorite pastime.”

“No, it isn’t,” Mia argued, folding her arms over her chest. “My favorite pastime is Jake. Shopping is second or third on the list.”

Toni grumbled while I felt my face flush just a bit. Looking at her husband and especially his twin brother, I could see why Jake was her favorite pastime. If I had a man like him, I’d feel the same. I already liked and felt more comfortable around these people than I’d ever been around anyone before.

No one, other than my grandfather, had been so kind toward me since I lost my parents. Someone always wanted something. My dad’s cars, the house, my dad’s trophies, my mother’s jewels. Cousins and random relatives came out of the woodwork when my parents were killed. They knew that between the things they owned and the insurance money, I would be well off for quite some time. They set out to try to take it all from me. My only regret is that I allowed them to take so much, but at least I still had everything that was truly important to me.

Toni looked at me with some concern.

“Honey, you okay? We ain’t makin’ you uncomfortable or overwhelmin’ you, are we? We don’t have to help if you’d rather do it yourself.”

Shaking my head, I grinned slightly. “No, I’ve just never met people quite like you, that’s all. I’d love help. It sounds like fun, actually.”

“Good!” Mia exclaimed. “We’re orderin’ food and I’ll bring the wine and beer. We’ll have fun rearrangin’ the place and gettin’ everything ready.”

With a laugh, Toni said, “We have a little time, we should stop off and pick up some things to decorate and make it yours.”

We stood together, talking a little more about the move. Mia asked about Ireland, about how I became a race car driver, and how I ended up at Fuller Enterprises. And through the conversation, I noted when one man returned, and where he stood. He seemed to pay rapt attention to every word by looking at everyone as they spoke, but he remained silent.

Then I noticed him looking at me. His eyebrow arched, his sapphire eyes seemed to devour my every word. He had a curious look on his face; like he was studying me. Why he looked at me with such keen, intense interest, I didn’t know; but I thought maybe I might like to find out.