Revved Up Hearts

by Kilgore, Kristy D

  “Come here, baby girl. It’s okay.” Lena stopped crying as soon as she was secure in her mother’s arms. “I bet you’re hungry after your nap. Are you hungry?” The baby looked at her mother and drooled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “I’ll go, and let you feed her,” Dawn said as she stood. “It was nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too,” Valerie responded. “Drop by anytime. We’ll have lunch sometime when you’re not busy. Maybe do some shopping. I meant what I said about us being friends.”

  It was Saturday afternoon. Dawn didn’t have anything to do, so she decided to go exploring. She grabbed her camera and walked back to the track. NASCAR fans drove their RVs to the track and stayed there all week, so that they wouldn’t miss any of the action. The first RV she came to was very obviously Fowler fans. Red, black, and green along with 3s and 88s were everywhere, and everybody was wearing something that said “Fowler.” They were barbequing hamburgers and hot dogs. It smelled so good. There were a couple of kids running around. The next camper contained Sean Vaughn fans. The scene was pretty much the same as the first except that the colors and numbers were different. It was the same at every RV. Dawn walked around, watching people and taking pictures. Even though everyone had a different favorite driver, everyone was friendly with everyone else. She heard some friendly trash talk, but nothing serious. She had heard that NASCAR was a big family, and this atmosphere confirmed that. Dawn finished her walk and headed back to her hotel.

  Dawn saw her Bible on the coffee table. She turned to the book of Matthew, chapter 5 and read the Beatitudes. Then she took a moment to pray. “Lord, help me be all those things so that I can be blessed by you. Lord, help me with this situation with Jeremiah. The news today that people are talking about us was surprising. I don’t know how I feel about him. I like him, but he is not a believer. I don’t see myself being unequally yoked. Help me, Lord. Show me the way. I trust you. I know that you will never lead me astray. I know that you always have my best interest at heart. I love you, Father. In Jesus’s name, Amen.”

  Hungry, Dawn decided to go get something to eat. She pulled on her shoes and grabbed her purse. She opened the door, and there was Jeremiah. His hand was in the air, ready to knock. He had a startled look. “You scared me,” he said.

  “Sorry,” she said. “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “Me and some of the guys are going out for pizza. I thought I’d ask you to come along.”

  “I was on my way to find something to eat. Pizza sounds good.”

  “Great,” he said as he pulled the door closed behind her and offered her his elbow. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes,” she said as she slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow, “we shall.”

  Waiting outside was a pickup. Inside were Jeremiah’s crew chief and his wife. Another member of Jeremiah’s crew was in the front passenger seat. Jeremiah helped Dawn climb into the backseat and then climbed in after her. They were met at a local pizza place by the rest Jeremiah’s crew and their wives or girlfriends. It was the first time Dawn had met most of them. Jeremiah told Dawn that this was one of their traditions. They all got together the night before the race to relax and talk about anything but racing. The place was packed, and everybody noticed Jeremiah when he walked in. He took a few minutes to sign autographs and pose for pictures while making his way to the table. Dawn was already there, surrounded by her new friends. He slid into the big, round booth beside Dawn. Then someone else walked in. Dawn’s eyes got as wide as saucers. She couldn’t believe who she was seeing—Sean Vaughn!

  He was immediately surrounded by his fans, just as Jeremiah had been. But Jeremiah was talking to Wes and hadn’t noticed. Dawn grabbed his arm and shook it to get his attention. “Yeah,” he said as he turned to face her.

  “Sean Vaughn just walked in!” was her excited exclamation. “You have to introduce me!”

  “So, you’re a Vaughn fan,” he said with a laugh.

  “Yes, I can’t believe I didn’t bring my camera.”

  Jeremiah laughed again as he waved at Sean. Sean saw him and nodded. He finished signing an autograph and walked over. Dawn was so excited that she could barely sit still. “Hey, guys, what’s up?” Sean said when he got to the table.

  “Not much,” Jeremiah said. “Have you met Dawn Montgomery, Bryan Richardson’s new assistant?”

  “No. Nice to meet you,” Sean said as he extended his hand. “I heard that Richardson had a pretty new assistant. I was hoping to meet you.”

  Dawn blushed at his compliment. “Nice to meet you,” she said as she shook his hand. “I’m a huge fan.”

  “Thank you.”

  Dawn realized that she was still holding Sean’s hand. Embarrassed, she let go.

  “Well, nice to meet you,” he said again. Then he turned his attention to Jeremiah. “We’re playing poker at my motor coach later. Drop by if you want. I’ll be glad to take your money.” He looked around. “Everyone is welcome. I’ll take anybody’s money.” Then he looked back at Dawn. “That goes for you, too. I could always use lady luck by my side,” he said with a wink.

  “We’ll see,” Jeremiah cut in before Dawn could answer.

  “All right then. Everybody have a good evening, and enjoy your pizza,” Sean said and walked away.

  Dawn watched him go and sighed. “He is so nice and so cute.”

  Jeremiah grunted.

  She looked at him. He was obviously not happy. “Are you jealous?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  Jeremiah looked up in a mock thoughtful pose. “Let’s see, my girl is drooling over another guy right in front of me. Why would I be jealous?” he shrugged.

  “Your girl? Since when have I been ‘your girl’?”

  Jeremiah just stared at her. “Never mind. Forget it,” he said as he got up from the table and headed toward the door.

  “Wait,” Dawn called after him. When he kept going, Dawn got up and followed him. When she got outside, he was on his cell phone calling a cab. “Stop!” she urged. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

  “Talk to you?” Jeremiah repeated as he snapped his phone shut. “What is there to talk about?”

  “Let’s start with why you are so mad.”

  “I’m mad, and I’m jealous. You obviously haven’t noticed that I like you a lot. So sue me if I get upset when you make it perfectly clear that you don’t feel the same.”

  “I did no such thing. I’m sorry, but I have admired Sean from a distance for years. Even when I didn’t really follow the sport, I knew who he was. I guess I do have a small crush on him, but I wasn’t flirting with him.”

  “You didn’t have that reaction when you met me.”

  “The circumstances were different.” Jeremiah looked at her like he didn’t believe her. She continued, “If you must know, later I e-mailed my best friend to tell her all about it. I told her how cute you are.”

  “What did you expect me to do?” he still questioned. “You were flirting with him.”

  “For the last time, I wasn’t flirting. I was too shocked to flirt.”

  “But you would have if you hadn’t been so shocked.”

  Dawn had to think about that one for a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe. But I didn’t. It doesn’t do any good to think about what might or might not have happened.”

  “How would you like it if I did the same to you? Would you like watching me give my attention to another woman?”

  Dawn didn’t respond. She just looked at him.

  “I could, you know,” Jeremiah continued. “I could go out right now and get any woman I wanted. I could have my choice of any single woman in this town.”

  He went too far. Now Dawn was mad. “Then go. Don’t let me stop you!”

  Jeremiah didn’
t speak at first. He knew he needed to choose his next words carefully. “Now that’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

  “I know exactly what you mean. You’re used to getting whatever you want. You’ve been pretty clear about what you wanted from me from day one. Now I’m not so sure you ever wanted to be my friend. I told you my story so that you would understand, but you didn’t. Or you just didn’t care. You are just like all the other guys. I thought you were different, but you’re not.” The cab pulled up as Dawn finished speaking. She walked over to it, and started to get in. She stopped and turned back to Jeremiah. “All you want is a good time, another notch in your belt. Go find some floozy. I bet if you go back to that club, the blonde will be there. She’ll be all over you. Go. Have a good time. Don’t let me stop you!” With that, she got in the cab and slammed the door. She did not look back as the cab drove away.

  Dawn held in her tears and anger all the way back to the hotel. When she got back to her room, she couldn’t hold it back any longer. She threw herself on the bed and cried. She cried until she couldn’t cry anymore. She started to feel better. She wished she could call home, but it was too late. Everyone would be asleep by now. She rolled over and saw her Bible lying on the nightstand where she had left it earlier. She flipped through it for a moment, but she couldn’t decide what to read. She put it back down and bowed her head to pray. “Dear Lord, I’ve messed up, and I’m sorry. I’ve led Jeremiah on, but I didn’t mean to. I’m not ready for a relationship, but I let him think I was. Now I’ve hurt him. Please forgive me. You have given me an amazing opportunity, and I want to make the most of it. Be with me, Father. Guide my thoughts and actions. Remind me to ask for your advice and listen to what you tell me. Let me lean not on my own understanding. Thank you for everything. Most of all, thank you for sending your son Jesus to Earth to die for me. Thank you for being with me all the time and protecting me. Be with my family and friends in Arkansas. And be with my new friends here. I love you, Jesus. Amen.”

  The next morning was the Daytona 500, and it was like nothing Dawn had ever seen before. More than 200,000 fans were in the stands and infield. There were thousands of media people and hundreds of NASCAR officials and support staff for the drivers and their crews. Dawn was standing in the corner of the garage stall, trying to stay out of the way. Everyone was running back and forth doing last-minute chores and making final preparations on the car. “Where’s Bryan?” she finally managed to ask.

  “Chapel and drivers’ meeting. He should be back soon,” Ted answered as he rushed by.

  “I wish I would’ve known about it,” Dawn said. “I would’ve gone.”

  Bryan got back about fifteen minutes later. He was dressed in his fire suit, brightly decorated with patches from his various sponsors. The logo of his major sponsor was emblazoned across his chest in large black letters. Valerie and the baby were with him. Bryan held his wife’s hand as they walked along. He was pointing out different things to his daughter, and she appeared to be paying close attention. Valerie spotted Dawn and motioned for her to join them. “So what do you think of everything so far?” Valerie asked.

  “Pretty cool. It’s a lot to take in, but I’m trying,” Dawn answered, but she didn’t sound very enthusiastic.

  “Is this your first Daytona 500?” Valerie asked.

  “It’s her very first NASCAR race ever,” Bryan answered for Dawn.

  “Wow.”

  “I know. I have friends back home who would do anything to be here now. I have to call my cousin Emily and my friend Sarah as soon as the race is over and give them a full report.” They all laughed together, but Dawn’s laughter soon faded as she looked around and noticed Jeremiah walk into his garage stall on the other side of the garage area. Just seeing him made Dawn mad all over again. She watched him for a moment and then turned her attention back to Bryan and Valerie. “So what’s going on now? Is there anything that I need to be doing?”

  “No. Race morning will pretty much be your time off. You’ll have to be here just in case and for moral support, but normally there won’t be anything for you to do, unless you know how to work on race cars.”

  “Okay.”

  “As a matter of fact, you can go talk to Jeremiah if you want to.”

  “No, thank you,” Dawn replied. “I think I’ll go see if the crew needs anything,” she said right before walking into the garage stall.

  Bryan and Valerie just looked at each other. “What happened between them?” Valerie asked her husband.

  “I don’t know,” he answered. “They were fine the last time I spoke to her yesterday.”

  “Well, something happened. Go find out what,” Valerie said.

  They walked into the stall together. Bryan motioned for Dawn to join them. “Did something happen between you and Jeremiah?” he asked.

  “Yes. We aren’t speaking right now.”

  “What happened?” Valerie asked.

  “He introduced me to Sean Vaughn last night and then got jealous. We got into a fight when he told me that he could have any woman he wanted.”

  “He didn’t!” Valerie exclaimed.

  “I told him to go ahead and have a good time. We haven’t spoken since.”

  “Men are such pigs,” Valerie said. Bryan opened his mouth to say something but then thought better of it and kept quiet. He took the baby over to look at the car. “I can’t believe that guy,” Valerie continued. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

  Dawn spent the next few minutes reliving the fight from last night. “I have a good mind to go over there and tell him what I think of him,” Valerie said when Dawn finished her story.

  “It’s not worth it,” Dawn said.

  “I just can’t believe he treated you that way. I always thought better of him than that, until now.”

  “It’s better this way. I’ll make new friends.”

  “But he knew your story, and he still did that,” Valerie said, casting a glance in the direction of Jeremiah’s garage stall.

  “You know about that?” Dawn asked.

  “Not all of it, but Bryan did say that you took this job after you broke off your engagement.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Maybe during that lunch we talked about yesterday.”

  Bryan walked back over to them just then. “I have to go to driver introductions now. Do you ladies want to go with me?”

  “Sure,” they both said at the same time.

  Dawn spent the next hour or so following Bryan, Valerie, and the baby as Bryan went through driver introductions and other prerace ceremonies. She met all the drivers: Robert Turney, Jayvin Daniels, James Fowler Jr., Randy Brown, Josh Mefford, Wallace Campbell, and more. She had her camera this time, and she got her picture taken with each and every one. She would be the most popular person in Jasper when everyone back home saw these pictures. There were a lot of older legendary drivers there, too: Richard Petty, Cale Yarbough, and Darrell Waltrip, just to name a few. They all posed for pictures, as well. Bryan explained that the Daytona 500 was such a tradition that every living driver tried to attend. She saw Sean Vaughn again and got her picture with him this time. She wondered what Jeremiah would think of that. She decided that she really didn’t care what he thought. Dawn was walking down pit road with Bryan, Valerie, and the baby when Jeremiah approached her.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked her.

  Dawn’s first reaction was to say no, but she decided she wanted to hear what he had to say. She looked at Bryan and Valerie. “Do you mind if I go talk to him for a minute?”

  “Go ahead,” Bryan said. “Just be back to the car in time for our prayer before the race starts.”

  “Okay,” Dawn said and then walked a few steps away. There were so many people milling around that it was hard to talk.

  “First of all, I want to apo
logize for last night,” Jeremiah started. “I was a jerk. I went back to my motor coach and thought about what I had done and said. I kept thinking about Elizabeth. I thought about what I would’ve done if she were still alive and someone had treated her the way I treated you. I would’ve pounded on that guy’s face for hours. I know that I deserved to be beat to a pulp. I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”

  Dawn thought about it. “Yes,” she finally said.

  “Thank you.” Jeremiah smiled. “I want to talk more but opening ceremonies are about to start. Can we talk after the race?”

  “It depends on if Bryan wants to leave for Charlotte right away.”

  “Okay. Now go to Bryan’s car before you get into trouble.”

  “Good luck today,” she told him as she started to walk away. “Be careful.”

  “I will,” he told her before he turned and jogged to his car.

  Dawn got to Bryan’s car just in time. The crew had gathered by the car for prayer. Dawn joined the circle and took the hand of the crew member beside her. They all bowed their heads as Bryan began to pray. “Heavenly Father, thank you for this day and the start of another NASCAR season. Be with all the crews, drivers, officials, and everyone involved. Keep us all safe. May you be in the cars with the drivers. Keep the guys on pit road out of danger. I pray that we are all safe to race today and all season long. But more importantly, may we run the race for you. Your will be done. We love you, Lord. Let our lives be a testimony to you. Thank you for your Son and the gift of salvation that he offers. I pray that everyone accepts that gift before they see the checkered flag at the end of their life. And if it be your will Lord, let us win the Daytona 500. In your blessed name we pray, Amen.”

  They all said, “Amen.”

  Then it was time for opening ceremonies. Dawn tried to take it all in. A young, up-and-coming rocker sang the national anthem. Being a country girl, Dawn didn’t listen to that type of music and didn’t know who the girl was, but she did a very good job on the song. A local minister gave the invocation. After that Bryan and all the drivers got into their cars and began the long process of buckling in. It took a few minutes, but Dawn knew that all the safety precautions made the drivers as safe as possible. With them, a driver would walk away from a crash that otherwise would’ve caused serious injury or death. When all the drivers were ready, it was time for the command to start engines. The grand marshal said the most famous words in racing, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” If Dawn had thought everything was loud before, it was nothing compared to when all those powerful cars started at once. It was so loud that Dawn could feel the vibrations rumble through her. “Never experienced anything like that before, have you?” Valerie leaned in to ask.