July, 1983

   Well, the Summernationals were just a short week away and it was all hands on deck getting Meredith ready for the big race...

   Rex leaned over the hood of the car, while Judy fiddled around inside.

   I, however, sat at the work bench, writing in my notebook.

   "You plan on helping out at all, darlin'?" Rex asked me.

   I glanced up at him. "One second, I'm almost finished with this next chapter."

   Yep, I had followed in my father's footsteps. I never really thought much of writing, but being in love with a famous NHRA driver led to lots of crazy adventures. Adventures that I wanted to immortalize for generations to come.

   I already published my first book, a little story about two very different girls who met at the right time and ended up falling in love. Sound familiar?

   It was a success and inspired me to start working on a sequel. The only issue was, I couldn't put together the perfect ending.

   Judy stepped out of the car, walking up behind me, reading the page over my shoulder. "The story's really coming along."

   I set my pencil down. "Yeah, for the most part... I just can't quite put an ending together."

   She rubbed my shoulders. "Maybe that's because you haven't found it yet."

   I turned around on the stool, looking up into her eyes with a smile. "Then, maybe I should just keep looking."

   She smiled back, planting a warm kiss on my lips. "I know right where you can start..."

   I felt my face flush as she bit down on her lip teasingly.

   Then, Rex cleared his throat. "Alright, gals, I think that's enough for today. Why don't I give y'all some space and we can start up again in the morning?"

   Judy and I just stared deep into each others eyes, the passion burning bright in our hearts.

   Rex just nodded before walking over to the door. "I'm gonna take that as a yes. Stay outta trouble, you two, I'll see you tomorrow."

   We just waved as he closed the barn door behind him.

   Then, Judy pulled me up, attacking me with kisses.

   I let out a giggle as she swept a bunch of stuff off the workbench before sitting me on top of it.

   "Those were expensive parts, Rex is gonna have a heart attack." I said.

   She smirked. "So, let 'em."

   Then, she captured my lips once again, lowering me down onto the workbench as she crawled on top of me...

   A week or so later, we found ourselves in the heart of Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in New Jersey for the NHRA Summernationals.

   As Judy sent Meredith through the qualifiers, Rex and I got set up in the tent.

   Well, Rex did all the work while I scribbled a few ideas down in my notebook.

   Then, Judy returned with Meredith, pulling underneath the small tent.

   "How'd she do?" Rex asked as Judy stepped out.

   "We're in."

   "Great, I'll look her over before the races start." Rex replied.

   Judy just nodded before walking up to me, snatching my pencil from my hand.

   "Hey, I need that." I said.

   She giggled, breaking it in half. "Not today you don't. C'mon it's the biggest race of the summer, you should be excited."

   I let out a breath. "You're right, I am excited. Now, let's make sure Meredith is ready to kick some ass."

   Judy smiled. "That's the spirit."

   As we got to work on the car, I pushed my book to the back of my mind. There was a time and a place for it and that wasn't today. This was a big deal for Judy and I wanted to be there for her...

   As day turned to night, Rex and I found a couple seats in the bleachers to watch the finals.

   The venue might change every time, but that same feeling was still there. The adrenaline, the excitement. No matter where we go, that feeling hasn't left since the first time I watched Judy fly down the track all those years ago.

   Something about it still draws me in every time and I had a feeling it always would.

   We watched as Judy lined her car up next to her opponents, everyone quickly getting to their feet.

   Rex and I did the same as the ambers lit up.

   Then, the green.

   Both cars shot out, Meredith taking an immediate lead.

   Rex sat back down. "She's got 'em."

   I sat down as well. "How can you be sure?"

   "Because, darlin', she wouldn't risk looking bad in front of you."

   We shared a laugh as Judy's car passed the finish line first, signaling her victory once again...

   After collecting her trophy and loading up Rex's truck with the tools, we all got ready to head back home.

   Judy walked over to Meredith before looking back at Rex. "Why don't you head on out, we can find our way back."

   He just nodded before waving us off.

   We watched his truck disappear out of sight before hopping in Judy's car.

   "You know, Meredith isn't great on gas." I said.

   Judy started her up. "Good, maybe we'll get stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Away from everyone and everything."

   I giggled, my face flushing. "That... Actually doesn't sound to bad."

   She laughed as she put the car in gear, flooring it out of the parking lot...

   We drove in silence for a while, watching the moonlit surroundings pass us by.

   Then, I reached my hand over, giving Judy's a squeeze. "Hey, congratulations on the win today."

   She smiled. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without you cheering me on."

   I smiled back. "I told you, we make one hell of a team."

   As silence started to settle back in, inspiration struck.

   I quickly pulled out my notebook and started writing away.

   Judy took a quick glance at me. "I thought we agreed on no writing today."

   I nodded, still furiously scribbling away. "I know, but I had to write this down before I forgot it."

   After a minute or two, I set my pencil down, quickly reading over my work.

   "So? How does it look?" Judy asked.

   "Why don't you tell me for yourself?"

   I cleared my throat and started reading aloud:

   "So, there they rode, on the two lane black top towards home. Only the moon lighting the sky, the feeling of victory in the air. While their destination might've been set, as long as their hearts were leading the way, there was no telling where the road would take them. But, as long as they had each other, they would be home..."

   Judy flashed me a smile. "That was beautiful."

   I took her hand in mine again. "Thanks, you really have a way of bringing the best out of me."

   She glanced at me. "I didn't do anything, that was all you."

   I leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Either way, you inspire me to do better. It's one of the many things I love about you."

   She pulled me closer, wrapping one arm around my shoulder. "Well, you can add your sweet talkin' to the list of things I love about you."

   We shared a laugh, the moon resting amongst the stars, lighting up the road ahead of us...

   Our paths may have started separately, but now they ran right along side each other, like a two lane highway in the night.

   Where those paths would lead us was still up to chance, but I had a feeling we were headed in the right direction...

The End