Free Hart's Victory by Michele Dunaway

Hart said. “I was go-carting by your age.”

    “My leukemia means I bruise easy,” Charlie said. “And chemo knocks me out. I’ve had a bunch of bone marrow transplants, but I can’t get the disease into remission. So I watch and root for you instead.”

    “Just me? Or some other guys whose autographs I could probably get for you if you’d like them?”

    “Oh, would you? My grandma loves�” Charlie said, mentioning another driver. “But she’s come over to the Hampton Racing camp this season. We watch every race and yell for you. Unless you wreck or fall way too far behind. Then we yell for him.”

    “Does your mom cheer for me?” Hart asked, looking at Kellie.

    Charlie wrinkled his nose, answering for her. “Mom’s not really into NASCAR. She’s been in a few car accidents�none her fault�and so she says she doesn’t want to watch. Even though she was fine, they shook her up pretty bad. She’s been rear-ended three times. What’s the probability of that?”

    “I don’t know,” Hart said. “On the track it’s called bump-drafting. What tracks do you like best?”

    “Grandma and I like the ones on the superspeedways best, the restrictor plate ones like at Talladega. Short tracks are okay and just as exciting, but I like the longer tracks best since the cars can spread out more and really get up to some good speeds.”

    “Have you ever seen a race in person?” Hart asked.

    “No,” Charlie said, shaking his head.

    “Not even at the track in Myrtle Beach?”

    “Nope,” Charlie replied. “Grandma always says she doesn’t want to sit outside in the hot grandstand, and Mom’s not that much of a fan to ever consider going. I’ve always wanted to check it out, though.”

    “Well, that’s got to change,” Hart said. He glanced at Kellie as if to say, “Right?”

    “I doubt that’s possible,” Kellie responded. “We take life day by day.” Her voice held a note of warning, and she wasn’t surprised when Hart chose to ignore it.

    “Everything’s possible,” he told her, that famous dimpled chin of his jutting forward. “What are you doing next weekend?”

    “Watching the All-Star Challenge?” Charlie asked. “Grandma and I have it marked on our calendars. My diet is pretty restricted to keep me healthy, but on race nights we get to eat pizza. It’s my weekly indulgence.”

    “I love pizza, too,” Hart said. “And I’m glad you’re planning on watching the All-Star Challenge because you’re going to be watching it from my pit box. I have some extra seats that you can take.”

    “What?” Charlie’s expression turned into one of a kid who’d just learned Santa Claus was real. “Are you serious? Mom?”

    “I’m very serious,” Hart said, ignoring Kellie’s open mouth. “I get to be in the race since I won Daytona, and I want you to join me as my guest. That means you, too, Kellie.”

    “I…” Kellie started. Charlie’s face practically glowed with unrestrained joy. She glared at Hart. “We can’t possibly…”

    “Of course, you can,” Hart interrupted. “There’s an infield hospital if you’re worried about Charlie’s condition and the need for emergency medical care. My aunt and uncle will be there, and I’ll have them be your guides while I’m driving. Charlie, I bet my crew chief, Wally, will even put you to work. You could monitor the weather for us.”

    “Really?” Charlie asked. Kellie hadn’t seen her son’s eyes brim with this much excitement in years.

    “Yep. Just be prepared, for it’s loud, even with headphones. The noise is nothing like you hear on TV. It can rattle your bones.”

    “You’re really serious?” Charlie confirmed once more, his excitement turning to unabashed awe.

    “Absolutely,” Hart said, grinning. “I already said I was, and I’m a man of my word. Give me all your contact information and it’s a date. Bring your grandma, too.”

    “We’ll be there,” Charlie said. “Right,