Dreams Take Flight

by Jim Dalton

  “I know that a two-mile hike is a little much, but I think this is the best place to park,” Lucas said when they met up again. “I’ve been doing this for years. I think you will even find the walk to the track interesting.” I hadn’t ever been concerned about my car in the past, but with Heather bringing it up, it makes me wonder.

  “Well, I sure am looking forward to it. I just can’t believe this atmosphere! So many people for one event!”

  “Mind-boggling, isn’t it?”

  Lucas and Heather began their journey. Lucas wore the backpack and Heather walked empty-handed. Everything she would need was either in the backpack or in her pockets. Lucas wore jeans to protect his legs from the afternoon sun, and to provide warmth from the early morning chill he’d sometimes encountered at this event. His shirt was a light blue, long-sleeved shirt, also for warmth and for protection from the sun. Should it be necessary, the sleeves could always be rolled up. Since the sun had never bothered her before and she wanted to dress for afternoon heat, Heather wore Bermuda shorts and a light tan, strapless top. Both wore running shoes.

  The walk to the track, Lucas said, would take about forty minutes. There were two routes to choose from. One was on concrete for the entire trip, and the other cut through a huge field also used for camping. Walking through the grass was the shorter of the two, but not always the cleanest, and definitely not the smoothest. They opted for the longer, smoother route on the way to the track, but planned to use the shortcut after the race. Along the way they passed a church that also sold parking spaces.

  By then, the track was in sight. Its massive structure on the north end of the track made it seem closer than it actually was. The street that ran next to the sidewalk they used had been turned into a one-way street. There were cars and buses lined up two abreast, creeping along. Those cars made up a line of traffic about a mile long, headed for an enormous grass field used to park cars and operated by the track. Strolling along at a comfortable pace, Heather and Lucas enjoyed the sights, especially the people, along the way.

  All the nearby homes had turned their lawns into parking lots. The closer to the track they were, the more expensive those manicured parking spots became. Out by the school, a parking spot cost ten dollars, while a home within blocks of the track might sell a spot for as much as forty dollars. Many of those same one-day entrepreneurs also sold ice water and soda, and the really aggressive homeowners even included hot dogs and other food. Official vendors began to pop up about a quarter of a mile from the track, selling everything from T-shirts to radios and toy cars. If you could name it, they probably sold it.

  On the north end of the track was a large, grassy area. Only about one-quarter of that area got early morning shade, so race fans tended to gather close to the track to get a little rest and avoid the sun before finding their seats. Finding seats for the regular fans was not an issue, but for the first-timer it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The track was a two-and-a-half-mile oval with bleachers lining most of the track, except for the back stretch and portions of the curves. Finding your assigned seat could be tricky.

  Heather and Lucas entered the track at the north end and made their way to the grassy area and shade. While Heather staked their claim on a small piece of turf, Lucas went to the closest concession stand for two cups of coffee. After returning to Heather, they both stretched out and engaged in people watching.

  “OK, buster: watch it,” Heather said while looking at Lucas as a young, tall blond strolled by.

  “You like her choice of clothing today, Heather? A halter top two sizes too small and shorts she no doubt had to lie on a bed to zip up.”

  “Shorts? Those aren’t shorts! I can see her checks and everything else,” Heather responded. “What’s the deal? You have that look in your eye, Mr. Lucas. Like to get into those shorts?”

  “Not interested,” Lucas said. “I’m already with the most beautiful woman here.”

  “Sure,” Heather replied. “I don’t think you’re horny, so it must be the sun.”

  “Check this guy out, Heather.”

  A middle-aged fellow walked by. He was built like a Coke bottle, wearing biker garb, and had a mustache at least nine inches on each side.

  “You will see anything and everything today,” Said Lucas.

  With disbelief in her voice, Heather asked Lucas if he thought another approaching lady realized that people could see right through her skirt.

  “Heather, that’s why she’s wearing it. She wants the attention. Sad part is, she’s a looker and doesn’t need to flaunt her stuff. Just the same, I’ll let you know what I can see.” Well, I can see everything, but after last night, sex is the last thing on my mind.

  Heather swatted Lucas across the shoulder in a flirtatious way, clearly not intending to inflict pain.

  “Hey, I’m not looking at anything she isn’t showing me. Anyway, like I already said, you are the most beautiful, sexy woman here. If there weren’t so many people around, I’d show you what an effect you have on me.” Lucas reflected on his own statement, thinking to himself, I know I said it light hearted, but I really do believe that Heather is the most beautiful lady I have ever met.

  Heather scooted closer to Lucas and hugged his left arm, resting her head lightly on his shoulder.

  “Lucas, I hope you know you’re special to me. Tell me more about yourself. Your parents—you never mention them.”

  “They passed away five years ago.”

  “Sorry to hear that; I didn’t know.”

  “I understand. It’s about ten; want to start walking toward our seats?”

  “I’ll follow you, Mister Lucas, to our seats and beyond.”

  “OK,” said Lucas with a chuckle.

  Lucas slung his backpack into position and, after a quick tug on the straps, was ready to continue the pilgrimage to their seats. Each carrying an unfinished cup of coffee, they headed south along the perimeter of the track.

  Not wanting the conversation to shift from Lucas, Heather continued to ask probing questions.

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “I had a brother; he passed away about three years ago.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I am truly sorry for asking.”

  “That’s OK. You didn’t know. Besides, it’s not a secret. He wasn’t well. He drank and smoked too much for years. It finally got the best of him.”

  “Was he older than you?”

  “Yes, by about fifteen years, but still too young to die.”

  “Wow.”

  Lucas and Heather continued walking toward their seats, enjoying the crowd along the way. As a game, Lucas suggested they see who could spot the most movie stars, recording artists, or other public figures. The crowd was very heavy, and it didn’t take long to figure out that the probability of seeing a famous person was remote. They concluded that any notable people were probably already in their rooms overlooking the track, or wherever people like that went during the race.

  “Heather, I told you I would buy you a T-shirt or whatever. Let’s stop at this concession stand and see what they have that turns your crank.”

  “Oh, good! I want to look like I fit in.”

  “My dear, you would fit in wherever you go, whatever you wear. Even so, if you can’t find something in here you like, you won’t find it anywhere.”

  Both cruised through the official gift shop located beneath the bleachers. The shop was packed, making it difficult to move around.

  “Looks like everyone has the same idea: to get something before the race starts,” said Lucas.

  “Well, I just found the perfect shirt. What do think?” Heather said while holding up the shirt.

  “I think it looks nice. It’s you.” It was a pink T-shirt that read “Indianapolis 500,” the numerals outlined in rhinestones. The bling seemed a little much, but Lucas didn’t want to criticize her fashion choices.

  As they exited the shop, Heather said, “I’ll be right back. I’m
going to the restroom to change.”

  When she met up Lucas again, she said, “Well, what do you think?”

  “Looks nice! Your shirt sparkles just like your eyes.”

  “Oh, you’re just saying that. Mind if I put my other shirt in the backpack?”

  “Not at all.” Lucas swung around, making the zipper accessible to Heather.

  Pointing to a set of stairs leading to the top of the bleachers, Lucas said, “We need to go up those stairs, all the way to the top. I think you’ll like our seats. There’re on the top row, so you can stand if you wish, or sit. We’ll also be under cover, so the sun won’t roast us—and there’s usually a breeze, so it’s a little cooler than other seats.”

  After reaching the top row of seats, Lucas and Heather began to settle in for the day. The seats were on the aisle, so reaching their seats and stowing the backpack were extremely easy. Both began the process of readying themselves for the race. Lucas retrieved the radios from the backpack and ensured they had fresh batteries. He kept one and gave the other to Heather. He pulled out the binoculars next. After cleaning the lenses, Lucas hung them around his neck. Bottles of water and sunscreen were carefully set out, to be available to either person in need of them. He kept the granola bars in the backpack until they’d need them.

  Heather located the sun screen and began to rub some on her legs, arms, and face. “Look right down here, Heather.” Lucas pointed to the pit entrance. “Once the race starts, you’ll see a lot of action from here. Several times during the race, every car pulls into the pit area, and at times it becomes very busy—almost dangerous.

  “All the way to our right is the fourth-turn exit, and to the far left is the entrance to the first turn. This place is so big, you can’t see the entire track from any one seat.”

  “What’s all that activity down on the track?” Heather asked.

  “Those are the thirty-three cars on the starting grid. They were staged there a little while ago. Once we get within a few minutes of starting the race, the drivers will get in their cars and start their engines. Once that happens, we’ll need to put our earplugs in. It’s too loud without them. We’ll also want to put our radios on to monitor the race; they will also help reduce the noise.”

  In the meantime, Heather remained in awe of the festivities, the thousands of people, the enormity of the track, and the event in general. She watched and listened to the prayer being spoken over the loudspeaker, the playing of taps, the singing of the national anthem, and ‘Back Home Again in Indiana,” a crowd favorite by Jim Nabors. Then those famous words came over the speakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!” Following that announcement, engines roared as the event actually got underway.

  “OK, Heather, time to put the plugs in. I want you to be very sensitive to the speeds. The first lap will take about two and a half minutes. Know how long that feels: two and a half minutes, just waiting for anything. The next parade lap is made in about two minutes. Once the race starts, the trip around the track will take somewhere around forty seconds, and the cars fly by so fast you can hardly tell them apart. They’re loud: when a group goes by, you can’t hear anything, but the roar of engines.”

  Listening intently, Heather’s eyes get bigger in disbelief about what she is about to witness. Stretching to see the fourth turn, she can see the pace car exiting the turn in front and the thirty-three cars strung out behind. Heather couldn’t decide whether she was scared or just excited, but she felt something that put her body on edge.

  Lucas got right next to Heather’s right ear and said, “Hold on. The next time they come around, the race will start, and when they get on the gas, you’ll see it, hear it, and feel it. It always scares me—makes me nervous on the inside to see that many cars traveling over two hundred miles per hour and so close to one another.”

  Heather couldn’t see the cars, but she heard the announcer in her radio say that the green flag had dropped, and that the race was underway. She was still processing those words when she saw the large group of cars come out of turn four as though they’d been shot out of a cannon. They flew by her vantage point in a blur. Her heart raced as car after car flew down the straightaway and disappeared into turn one. No sooner were they out of sight than the lead pack once again came out of turn four, all of them moving so fast she could hardly tell who was in front. She wondered whether she could take the stress—or excitement, or whatever emotion she felt—for the duration of the race.

  The pack of cars passing in front of Heather was so loud it was impossible to hear anything being broadcast through her earmuff radio. The noise was so intense that it even interfered with her ability to think and process what was happening.

  Accompanying the thunderous noise was a vibration that passed through her body as the shock waves reached the stands. The vibrations seemed to be in constant pursuit of the roaring engines causing them. Each car passing by at more than 225 miles per hour could be heard and felt, but hardly seen. Knowing the cars were being driven by people risking their lives created an unexpected, mystical sexual arousal in Heather. Though she’d never considered herself to be a racing enthusiast, she’d begun to understand the attraction as her body awakened to new sensations.

  Once the race settled down and the cars spread out a little, Heather and Lucas also settled down. Lap after lap, they watched as the leaders became apparent and strategy played out. After 200 laps of pure excitement, Heather could say she had seen her first Indy 500.

  Immediately following the race, Heather and Lucas joined the hundreds of thousands of fans beginning their exodus. Making their way back to the car, they both walked briskly. Neither understood why they walked so fast, since they still had a five-hour drive ahead. Nevertheless, they forged on at a rapid pace.

  When they reached the car, they tossed the backpack into the trunk and retrieved fresh bottles of water. They dropped the top to enjoy the beautiful day, and let the car’s air conditioner provide a cool breeze.

  Getting out of the parking lot wasn’t difficult, since the traffic moved slowly and there was always a kind motorist willing to let cars merge from the lots into the flow of traffic. As they moved away from the track, the pace picked up. All lanes, as Lucas had said, flowed one way to handle the enormous crowd. Within fifteen minutes, Heather and Lucas reached the interstate and accelerated to highway speeds.

  “Heather, you hungry?”

  “A little.”

  “Let’s go as far as Terre Haute and see if we can find a place to eat there.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I still want to know more about you. You’re one big mystery.”

  “Big, am I? Is that what you think, Heather?”

  “Well, not like that. Actually, when I think about it, you are sometimes.”

  “OK, potty mouth.”

  “Seriously, I don’t know anything about you.”

  “You know everything about me,” replied Lucas.

  “I don’t know what your childhood was like.”

  “Why do you care about that?” Heather is a neat young lady, but what’s with all her questions about my past. They’re beginning to piss me off.

  “I don’t necessarily, but you said I know everything and I don’t.”

  “Let’s change the subject and talk about something fun, like where we’re going next. Ever been to San Antonio?”

  “No, but I hear it’s beautiful—a fun place to go. Are we going to San Antonio?” Wow! At first I couldn’t get Lucas to give me the time of day, and now we’re making weekend trips and fucking like rabbits. Wonder what’s next!

  “Perhaps. Let’s see what’s going on over the next few weeks.” San Antonio is one of my most favorite cities in the country. I would love to introduce the city, the river walk and all the fun places to Heather. She would love to sit on the Riverwalk and just watch the people. Maybe we can do it.

  En route to St. Louis, Lucas and Heather stopped for a quick bite to eat in Terre Haute. Once both stomachs and the car’s gas
tank were filled, they continued to head west. By then, the sun was low in the horizon, with a beautiful sunset in red and gold. The warm wind whipped through their hair as they sat silently, enjoying the passing landscape and the comfort that came from being so close to one another. Both were mesmerized as the sun inched its way below the horizon, until it seemed to give in to the night sky.

  As Heather watched the sun disappear, she thought about how much she’d enjoyed the trip, and about how much she hated to see the day melt away. With each passing mile, the day and their adventure came that much closer to ending.

  “Lucas, I don’t want this day to end!”

  “Heather, there can’t be another day if this one doesn’t end,” responded Lucas in an upbeat tone.

  “I know, but this has been a special weekend. Had I not gone with you to Indy, I probably would’ve been invited over to one of my girlfriends’ houses and spent the day there. Sad part is, I’d never have known what I was missing.”

  “Stop thinking about what might have been and think about what you did, or what you are going to do tomorrow.”

  “You sound like a psychologist.”

  “Well, it is my major, but that’s not where I’m coming from. I just think people should always think about where there’re going, not so much about where they’ve been.”

  “See, that’s the kind of stuff about you that I don’t know. Where do you come up with these thoughts?”

  “It would be impossible for us to sit holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes while I told you everything on my mind, or how I think. That stuff just takes time. Be patient; in time you will know me better than I know myself.”