Legacy’s Hope

I walked into KHI and I swear everyone looked at me as if I was nothing more than an insect to be scraped off their shoes. I never want to do that again, but I have to walk in there come Jan. 2nd and the next and the next day after that. The only thing that saved me today was Rick and Richard. I don’t even know how they heard. I didn’t want anyone to know, I just…wanted to give KHI an opportunity to get used to me.

I just hope I do it justice. Kelley, hope you don’t mind me leaning on you. You run JRM and I don’t wanna do something stupid like I’m sure I’d do otherwise.

I won’t forget about what I already have. I won’t.

I “started” at KHI yesterday today.

… …

Who am I kidding? I’ve basically lived at KHI while everyone’s been gone, familiarizing myself with the business deals DeLana had going, the layout of the shop, etc. I settled on the conference room I’ll be using. It’s tucked to the side, practically unused. I won’t work in their offices.

The language of business is the same as JRM and thank you Kelley for helping me translate. DeLana doesn’t have sponsor appearances like Richard, but Kevin does. I don’t know what to do about that. Got enough on my plate as Mike keeps reminding me. Really no way I can do any of ‘em?

He doesn’t deserve to have to deal with all that shit. And yeah, yeah, my low profile regarding the whole KHI situation will be blown. Can’t we just say I’m offering to help out? Sponsors get a bargain anyway if I show up. We put the right spin, the media’ll lap it up without question. No offense Mike. And yeah, I’ll probably lose days off, but just do it.

Conflicts with JRM, about those…tell them I’m devoted to them but they gotta understand family comes before business right now.

This is gonna be harder than I thought. Got home after the commercial shoot and drove out here. Too tired to drive the hour home and hell it’s a good thing Clint’s in Daytona. He’d probably demand I head over to his place or come by and pick me up himself. Crashed there too many times already. He’s a persistent shit. Good thing he doesn’t know I’ve crashed at KHI enough times to be prepared.

Goddamnit, who knew it was this far?

It was my first time alone with the babies today. Kev wasn’t hovering and the nurses only check in every now and then.

Something sorta broke…. I told them all ’bout KHI and the racing. When I ran out of things to say there, I talked about their daddy and how worried I am about them and him. I whispered most of that last bit to them. I didn’t want any of it to get back to Kev through the nurses.

~*~

It’s harder being at KHI than I thought. The sheer amount of stuff I have to go through and decipher and figure out where it was all headed. I don’t know. I been sleeping less in an effort to try and get all caught up, but the paperwork never seems to end.

Truck testing this weekend and damnit, I wish I could go with them. I’ll stop by after Sound and Speed. I’m just glad everyone’s focused on keeping the teams moving. Don’t care what they think as long as they work.

I’ve heard what they say about me and it’s vicious. Things along the lines of hostile takeover, that I’m running the company into the ground, making KHI less competitive, etc. They’re hurt and grieving and I’m the easy target. Don’t care right now. They can say whatever, all I care about are the on track results.

And yeah, Kelley, I know, I’m just ignoring it for the right now and it’ll hit me later. I know, okay? Do you think you could get me listings for some places down around the shop? I don’t wanna impose on Clint much more and I can afford an apartment.

Dude…WHERE’S THE AMP???

Mike, we’re officially bringing a case of Amp wherever I go.

~*~

Trucks seem to be doing good. Near the top of the speed charts and figuring out everything they need to for the season.

What’s the appeal of a truck team?

Kelley, why don’t we have a truck team?

My Cup testing went great and I really can’t wait for this damn season to start. Gotta go back down for the Busch testing tomorrow. Brad and Cale are gonna need someone to lean on for that.

I do love my sponsors. Amp will definitely be coming in handy this season.

~*~

Johnny’s completely off the vent! \0/

I need to find a bear to mark the occasion.

SPAM!

Yeah, testing’s boring and I brought the laptop this time.

Been bouncing between the JRM and KHI cars. I think Mike’s worried for my health. Ain’t that right, Mike?

Asked Cale how testing goes ’round here and it was an interesting method with him spotting for me today then tomorrow we’ll be trading in and out of the car with me spotting for him. Might consider doing that for Brad too.

~*~

Webcams for those babies are good for other things too, namely Daddy Harvick watching. Too late to call Clint now, but I’ll do it first thing tomorrow. Gonna ask him to make that stubborn Harvick go get some rest before he keels over from exhaustion.

Got the cams up right now and am watching him pace as he reads them a story. It’s 2 in the morning, Harvick. Give it a rest.

So Kelley you got some apartment listings for me to look at when I get back? Someone’s gonna get suspicious with the amount of time I’m spending crashed at KHI. I need a place closer to it. So chop, chop, Sis!

~*~

Forgot to mention it yesterday, but KHI and JRM cars are close in quality. I wanna see both in VL sometime this year. Be nice….

ETA:

AWW HELL. Forgot to call Clint till a bit ago. DAMNIT. Tonight at least Kev will sleep.

I am completely and utterly speechless. Well I ain’t gonna be crashing at KHI anymore…cause Clint gave me the room above his garage!

I ain’t gotta pay money for an apartment!!!

But damn do I feel awkward for mooching. :\  Gonna need to find a way to pay him back. I’ll figure out something.

~*~

LANA WAS OFF THE VENT YESTERDAY!

It’s so damn good to see both of them improving. I need to go find another bear. The nurses find me and the bears amusing. Ooh, I know what I’m gonna do for them. Should start planning now so I can order them ahead of schedule.