My wish
Turbo had decided to take his 4 year old daughter Tank out to the junior track, the little tike was starting to find her wheels and was practically bouncing off the walls. It was starting to drive Dinah a little nuts, so Turbo thought taking her outside might help her burn off some of that youthful energy she’s got.
the junior track is really just a small loop of pavement that wraps around a small playground. It helps young engines get use to the wheels beneath their feet and using their engines to make them go faster. The little track is surrounded by a much bigger track meant for older kids and teens. Turbo spent a good portion of his childhood down here, it’s where most of his life long friendships and Rivalry’s started. Now he got to watch his little girls journey start. He was already brimming with excitement at all the things she’ll get to experience for the first time.
Turbo was holding Tank’s hands, the toddler was still a little wobbly on the pavement. His back was starting to ache from being bent over for so long. “Alright look at that squirt! You’re already a lot less wobbly!” He cheered her on. She was smiling and laughing as they moved. “Okay, I’m gonna let one hand go okay?” He asked, Tank got a worried look on her face.
“No daddy, I’m not ready!” She said looking up at him.
”Hey it’s okay squirt, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t think you could handle it. I’ll still be holding your other hand.” Turbo said calmly. She nodded nervously.
”okay, just don’t let go” she said quietly.
”I promise I won’t kiddo.” He said gently. Releasing one of the child’s tiny hands. Tank shook a little but stayed upright, getting a bit more confident.
”I-I’m doing it, look daddy I’m doing it!!” She shouted excitedly, her feet moving much faster on her wheels. Turbo beamed with pride as they neared the turn. “One day I’m gonna be a racer, just like you!!”
”Okay kid, you remember how to turn?” Turbo asked, slowing down a little to give her a moment to think.
”Ummm… oh.. you point your toes, lean in, and look where I want to go?” Tank answered looking down at her feet, Turbo smiled and gave her a nod. He watched as she followed the steps and turned. She managed it almost perfectly, she had a little stumble but she recovered quickly. Turbo’s hand was slack, Tank was pretty much skating on her own. After a couple more laps of Tank and Turbo moving without issue Turbo had a suggestion.
”Hey kiddo, I think you’re ready to do this by yourself!” Turbo said proudly. Tank nervously protested.
”No, no way! What if I fall?” Tank asked.
”Then I’ll be there to pick you up. Remember what I told you kiddo.” Turbo said fair but firmly. This whole time he’d been carefully trying to find the balance between being a helicopter parent, and being an absent parent. He’d learned how to skate by his dad throwing down a hill and shouting “Figure it out!!” After him. He wanted more than that for his kid, but he was also scared he was gonna smother her. Tank went quiet for a little bit, then huffed.
”okay… I’m ready!” With that Turbo slowly let go of Tank’s hand. She wobbled a little but kept pushing forward. Eventually she evened herself out and started confidently staking the lap.
”There you go sweetheart, there you go!” Turbo cheered watching round the loop.
”I’m doing it dad!!! I’m doing i-“ her cheer was cut off by a loud “oof” as she tripped and fell, her knee scraping the pavement. She threw her head back and started crying, Turbo raced over to her and picked her up. He saw the nasty scrap on her knee and cursed to himself. He’d been so excited to get her to the track he’d forgotten to get her any knee pads, at least he’d remembered her helmet and a small first aide kit. For awhile he just held her and let her cry, once she quieted down a little he looked down at her.
”Kiddo shh it’s okay, can I see it?” Turbo asked gently. Tank nodded, slowly showing her knee. “Wow that’s a nasty scrap!” He said pulling some disinfectant and a bandage out of the first aid kit. “This might sting for a bit kid but it’s gotta be done.” Turbo said. Gently he pressed a cloth soaked in disinfectant on her scrap. He’d felt an ache in his chest when he heard her whimper.
”I’m never gonna fall, not ever again!” Tank said with a pout, Turbo laughed.
”Uuhh sorry, that’s not how the world works kiddo.” He finished soaking her cut and started wrapping it.
“Well the world is dumb!!” Tank shouted throwing her hands up. Turbo had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at the kid’s outburst.
”Well you’re right about that.” He said as he finished wrapping the scrap. “But that’s how it is, if you really wanna be a racer one day you’re gonna fall, get scraped up, probably even break a couple bones.”
”I don’t wanna, that sounds shitty!” Tank whined, It truly took everything in Turbo’s power to not loose it, there’s just something so hilarious about hearing a child swear.
”Hey kid where did you pick up that kinda language?”
”From you.” She said staring up at him. Turbo suddenly felt a little sheepish.
”right, uhhh… just… for Both of our sakes don’t say words like that in front of your mother.” Turbo begged Tank nodded. “But seriously kid. Falling is a part of life, no matter how badly I want to I can’t protect you from that.”
“Then what can you do?” Tank asked confused.
”What I’m doing right now.” He responded “I can take care of you, help you feel better.” Tank looked down at her knee, then back up at her dad. She seemed to be thinking really hard about something.
”You promise?” She asked.
”Yes baby girl, I promise.” He said pulling her close and planting a little kiss on her forehead. Then he held her for a little bit. Once he let her go he saw a big smile on her face.
”I’m ready to go again!!” She said confidently.
”Hehe well I think it’s getting a bit late but… wanna race back home?” Turbo asked, this made Tanks face light up.
”Yeah… I’m gonna beat you!!” She said jumping up.
”Haha you can try, squirt!” Turbo joked back, they both lined up and got in a starting position. “Ready! Set! GO!!!!” He shouted and the pair took off.