Cars 2 by Irene Trimble Page B

want to show it to him first thing.”
    â€œOkay,” Sally said, driving off. “At least move around a little. Your gaskets are gonna dry up. You’re gonna leak oil.”
    â€œI never leak oil!” Mater called after her.
    But Mater had a bigger problem: he simply could not stay awake any longer.
    Later that day, as Mater snored and snored, Lightning McQueen finally arrived home. All of Lightning’s friends were gathered around, eager to see him. Sally nuzzled next to him. And, of course, there was Ramone, the owner of the body shop, and Flo, his wife, who ran the newly refurbished Wheel Well restaurant. Sarge and Fillmore were there, too. Sarge owned the surplus supplies store right next to Fillmore’s, where the green-and-white van made and sold his own organic fuel. Lizzie, the old black car who owned the curio shop, was settled right next to Red, the fire truck.
    Poor Mater had waited the longest for Lightning to return, and now he was missing the homecoming!
    â€œHe looks so peaceful,” Lightning said. “I don’t want to wake him up.”
    â€œOkay, move aside!” It was Mack, the big rig who drove Lightning to and from his races. “I’ve always wanted to do this.”
    The big rig blasted his horn, startling Mater so wide awake that the poor tow truck raced around town backward at top speed—he couldn’t stop!
    Finally, Mater drove right over a cliff! “I’m okay!” he shouted as all his friends raced to his rescue. He had already tossed his hook over a ledge and was climbing back into view.
    â€œMater?” Lightning shouted, worried about his pal.
    â€œI’m all right,” Mater said.
    But Lightning was concerned. “Wow, you just got yourself a nasty dent there, buddy.”
    â€œThat might be my best dent yet!” Mater said proudly. He grinned at Lightning. Mater’s dents were a sign of friendship and of his many adventures with Lightning. He had gotten dents while tractor-tipping with Lightning, while pulling the race car out of ditches, and even while showing off his backward driving. He’d kept every dent he’d ever gotten as a way to remember good times with his best friend.
    â€œMater, it’s so good to see you!” Lightning exclaimed as soon as he knew Mater was okay.
    â€œYou, too, buddy!” Mater shouted. “Oh! I got something to show you! You’re gonna love it.”
    â€œActually,” Lightning said quietly, “I’ve got something to show you first.”

L ightning and Mater drove to Doc Hudson’s former garage. The town had converted it into a racing museum in Doc’s honor. Lightning placed his trophy—the first-ever Hudson Hornet Memorial Piston Cup—in the case alongside Doc’s and his own Piston Cups.
    â€œI know Doc said these things were just old cups…but to have someone else win it just didn’t feel right, you know?” Lightning said quietly.
    Mater nodded. “Doc would’ve been mighty proud of you,” he said. “That’s for sure.”
    The private moment ended as the two friends took off to join the rest of the Radiator Springs citizens.
    â€œBoy, I’ll tell you what, pal,” Lightning said to Mater as they drove along together. “It’s been a long day. All I want to do is—”
    â€œStay up all night and party?” Mater asked excitedly as they moved toward his salvage yard.
    â€œNo.…” Lightning hesitated.
    Mater grinned. “Go tractor-tipping, then stay up all night long?”
    â€œNo, Mater. I want to go out for a quiet dinner,” Lightning said.
    â€œThat sounds like fun, too!” Mater agreed. “Exactly what I was thinking!”
    Lightning paused. “I meant with Sally, Mater,” he managed to say.
    â€œThat’s a great idea!” Mater’s grin got even wider. “You, me, and Miss Sally going out for supper! Where we gonna eat?