Chapter 8: Stolen

                                    

                                          
I have a grandfather? Maia's eyes were wide open. "What?" she stared at father, "You never told me my grandfather was still alive!" She then looked at Chris. "Why didn't you tell me?"
The older man shrugged, "Your father wanted nothing to do with me and refused to let me see you."
"Why?" Maia looked at Henry. "Why dad?"
Her father sighed. "He was the one who introduced your mother to reaching and encouraged her. I was afraid he would try to get you to race," he shook his head. "I thought that would keep you from wanting to also become a racer, but I see I was wrong."
Chris, as if seeing the emotions wiring through both Maia and Henry, spoke up, "why don't we all go have some of my famous lemonade?"
"Sounds good," Maia nodded. Chris'-er, that is her grandfather's-lemonade was the best she had ever had.
"No, thanks," Henry shook his head. "I am working on my tru-"
"Dad," Maia raised an eyebrow at him, "it can wait-family is more important."
Henry paused and looked her over. "You're more like your mother every day," he murmured, planting a kiss on her head. "Alright. Let's go have some old Dad's famous lemonade."
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"You know, you look just like your mother," Chris said with a smile as he handed a glass of cold lemonade to Maia. "Same hair and face though you have your father's blue eyes."
It  felt good to know that she was carrying on part of her mother in her-almost as if keeping her legacy alive. Maia looked up at him gratefully. "Thanks," she said softly. "That means a lot."
Chris nodded, then handing a glass to Henry he sat down on the comfy chair across from the couch where the two sat. "So," he looked at Henry. "You gonna let her race or not? The town's annual race is coming up in two weeks."
Henry shook his head adamantly, "No way-" he saw Maia's face fall. 
"Dad...please?" she pleaded. "I'll be careful, I promise!"
"This is only a small race-one lap through the town and past the fields," Chris put in. "It's a small amateur race for beginners. It is more about agility and maneuverability than speed."
Henry leaned back in his seat and ran his hand through his thick black hair. "Well, it looks like I'm outvoted." He gave a long look at Maia and finally nodded. "This one ra..."
"Thank you, dad!" Maia threw her arms around him.
Kissing her on the head, Henry gently pulled her back. "I wasn't finished," he held up a warning finger. "You can race this once, but then you are going to college in the fall."
"Colla—" Maia's heart stopped. She did not want to go to college, she wanted to go race-to train to be a professional racer. 
"Dad can't I-" Maia begin but her father shook his head.
"That's the deal-you need an education," he said determinedly. "You'll thank me later when it helps you get a job."
I want my job to be racing! Maia grit her teeth. She realized there was no budging her father. Glancing at her grandfather she saw him nod ever so slightly. Chris' words came back to her. 
"Sometimes it's hard for parents to let their kids grow up-it helps when you act like an adult and show them you are responsible and can take care of yourself."
It was time to act like an adult. An idea came to her head.
"It's a deal," Maia nodded, turning to her father. "But-I get to choose the college." 
Henry frowned, opened his mouth to speak as if in protest and then finally just shook his head. "Deal but I get to have veto power."
Maia nodded, and held out her hand for her father to shake. Instead he pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too, Dad," she hugged him tightly. Suddenly there was a loud roaring sound.
Her eyes flying open, Maia pulled back and gazed towards the door of the shack.
The revving grew louder and there was the sound of a door slamming shut.
Chris frowned, "That sounds like..."
"My car!" Mia sprang to her feet and ran to the door, followed by Chris and her father.
Throwing the door open, she was just in time to see her red corvette zoom through the exit of the junkyard and out of sight.