February 25 – Rockingham, NC   Dura-lube 400

Junior sat in the garage after the driver’s meeting with his head in his hands. People were coming up to him and telling him how sorry they were. He just wanted them to leave him alone.

“Junior, you’re needed for driver introductions.” Tony Sr. walked up to him. Junior slowly raised his head and looked at his uncle. “It’s race time.”

“I’m comin.” Junior got up and grabbed his helmet that was sitting next to him. He also grabbed a black #3 hat from the shelf and put it on in memory of his father. Junior took a look around before heading out into the sunlight and to the cheers of his fans.

Noelle crossed her arms over her chest and looked around for Junior, but she couldn’t find him. Tony Sr. had gone to find him over an hour ago and hadn’t returned. She heard footsteps behind her and turned around only to find her sister and Tony walking toward her.

“Find him?” She asked and they both shook their heads. Noelle was getting worried. He had to be on stage for the introductions and no one could find Junior.

“Driving the #8 Budweiser, Chevy, Dale Earnhardt Jr.!” The announcement rang through the speakers and the crowed, cheered. Junior walked out and waved and looked somewhat happy.

“We found him.” Tony laughed as he got in line to be announced. Noelle shook her head. She told Hollie she’d be right back and went to wait for Junior after his lap around the track.

“I was worried about you.” She said as he climbed off the truck.

“Why?” Junior took off the black cap and handed it to her as they walked down pit row. “You knew I wouldn’t miss this.”

“I was just worried, ok?” She asked as she pulled her hair through the cap and put it on her head. “It’s not like you to just up and leave and no one can find you.”

“I needed some alone time.” He stopped at his car and looked it over and then looked down pit row. “It’s not the same.” Noelle looked herself and realized how different it looked without Dale Sr.’s car lined up with the rest of them. “I’m racing for him today. And for myself.” Noelle stepped in front of him and made him look her in the eye.

“He’d be proud of you.” Noelle said quietly. “And you’re right. He’d want you to race today.” Junior bent down and kissed her. “Be careful out there. You have someone else to think about too.”

“I know.” He managed a smile. “Go get up there with Tony Sr. I’ll catch ya after the race.”

Noelle cried during the National Anthem and then when the flags were lowered to half mast and every crew member held up Dale Earnhardt banners.

“Do you see what Gordon just did?” Tony Sr. asked Noelle. She shook her head and followed his gaze. Jeff Gordon, who had won the pole position, backed up a row, leaving the pole open. “He radioed in and said he did it for Dale.” Noelle didn’t know what to say.

The race started and ended quickly for Junior. He hadn’t even made it all the way around the track before getting in a wreck that sent him sailing into the wall. Noelle screamed and felt like she was reliving last weekend again. Tony Sr. hugged her, her face buried into his chest while the ambulance and crew got Junior out of the car.

“He’s ok.” Tony Sr. said looking down at Noelle. “He’s walking to the ambulance.” Noelle opened her eyes and looked just in time to see Junior climb in. “Go meet him at the infield center.” Noelle climbed down from the stand and ran to meet Junior.

“I’m fine!” he yelled at the doctor as he was being examined. “It’s not like I haven’t hit a wall before!”

“Calm down.” Noelle laughed with relief when she saw that he was acting halfway normal. “Let them do their job.” She stood off to the side as the doctor checked him over and then cleared him to go. “Nice job on that car. I thought you said you had a good one.” Junior looked at her and then looked away. “Are you ok? You’re limping.”

“The lap belt was too tight, but I’m fine.” He walked ahead of her and Noelle sighed. If this was going to be the start to another week of fighting, she didn’t know if she was going to make it.

“Dammit, Junior! Will you fucking talk to me like I’m your wife and not just some bystander!” She yelled at him. Junior stopped and turned around to look at her. “That’s right…I’m sick of this! All week you’ve acted like I’m not there or if you do realize I’m here, you act like I’m bothering you. I’m worried about you, I’m worried about us, I’m worried about a lot of things and you’re not helping!”

Junior walked closer to her until he was almost nose to nose with her. “You seem to forget I lost my father a week ago!” A crowd had begun to form around them, but neither of them were backing down. “In one week I have two fucking things thrown my way and I can’t handle either! The very same day I’m told that I’m going to be a father, my father dies! How the fuck am I supposed to handle that? I’m scared out of my mind because here I am bringing another life into this god-forsaken world and I can’t even figure out how to straighten my life out after my father’s death! Then I have you up my ass all the time!”

“What the hell does that mean?” she asked, glaring at him.

“Do you have to be at every race? Do you have to be in my business 24/7?” he yelled. Noelle balled her hands up into fists. “Can I do anything without you there?”

“I’m at every fucking race because you get all pissy if I say I’m staying home! And as for being up your ass, I’m fucking married to you! We work for the same company and live in the same fucking house! I’m sorry if you don’t feel the same way about the marriage as I do, but at one time you wanted me around and were chasing after me. I haven’t fucking changed, Junior. You have.” Noelle took her wedding ring off and threw it at him. “You don’t want me up your ass as you say, then fine. See if I’m home when you get there.” She turned and walked away, pushing through the people that had crowded around them.

Junior bent down and picked up her ring from the ground and then stood up and watched her walk away.

“Noelle!” He yelled after her. “Noelle Earnhardt!” She stopped and turned around. Junior walked toward her. They looked at each other for a moment. “Listen, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to go anywhere.” He took her hand and slid her ring back on.

“I’m sorry too.” She said quietly. “I didn’t mean to yell.” He hugged her tightly then kissed her before letting her go.

“C’mon, let’s get home.” Junior put his arm around her as they walked back to the garage to see how bad the damage was to his car.

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30