Coming out
The past month had been a confusing time for Tank. Ever since the new dining car Diane showed up in their yard it felt like she took up permanent residence in Tank’s mind. Tank was absolutely mesmerized by her bright pink hair, her pale blue eyes, her dazzling smile.
What really took Tank by surprise was when she came right up to her and asked to be her racing partner. Her father’s reputation meant most of the other engines her age were pretty intimidated by her. That or they saw her as an obstacle in their path. Greaseball’s figure casted a wide shadow, and Tank was struggling to find her own light.
So when the neon pink new girl rolled right up to her, without any of the reverence or malice the others had in their eyes. She asked to couple up without even a pinch of hesitation, it gave Tank a warm fuzzy feeling in her gut. They’d been training together for about three weeks now, and Tank just couldn’t get her out of her mind.
Tank was coming home from a day of pulling the younger coaches. She was thankful she was at the head of the line so no one could see how red her cheeks had gotten. ‘Just flushing from hard work.’ She told herself. “It was a really nice day on the track, right Tanky?” Diane called out, shaking Tank from her thoughts.
”Would you stop calling me that!?” Tank said with fake annoyance, she’d never admit just how happy that nickname made her.
“Awww come on, I know you like it.” Diane chirped back with a giggle. Tank shrunk away embarrassed when she heard the other coaches giggling too.
”N-no I don’t!” She crossed her arms, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks again. Her fuel tank was twisting up in knots.
”Your cheeks are so red you look like you’re about to explode!” Tassita chimed in, his eyes glaring a hole right into mini Greaseballs soul.
”I-I I’m just flushed, Shut it Tassita!” Tank shouted “My engine runs hot so I blush easier, that’s all!” Belle and Tassita gave each other a weird look Tank couldn’t decipher. Diane laughed, the sound echoed through Tank’s bones as a sweet melody.
“Yeah sure, sure.” Tassita rolled his eyes “keep telling yourself that.”
”No it’s true, Diesel engines run much hotter than most others, and it dose affect things like blushing.” Diane smiled, looking over at Tank, who looked kinda surprised. “What? I like engine trivia!”
”Wow you learn something new everyday!” Belle muttered, Tassita slapped his palm to his face.
”Dear starlight you two are hopeless!” He muttered as he started rolling away. Belle stretched out and yawned, worn out from a long day.
“Uuhh you guys… want me to walk you home?” Tank asked shyly.
”Oh… umm… no thanks. We’re alright.” Diane responded quickly “we’re strong independent coaches.” Both Diane and Tank heard a groan from Tassita, who apparently overheard everything.
”Oh uuhh okay, um… it was nice working with you!” Tank called out as they rolled away.
As she slowly made her way home Tank found her thoughts drifting back towards that dining car. No matter how she tried to think of other things. Tank just didn’t understand it. She liked the coach well enough, but didn’t know why she was occupying her every free moment, why her gut seemed to flutter when she was nearby, why her usual razor sharp tongue seemed to dull when aimed at her. The only thing even similar to this was… the way her dad described falling in love with her mom! But it couldn’t be that right? Guys fall in love with girls, that’s how it works… right? Unless… nah it couldn’t be. She just haven’t met the right guy yet. That’s what her mom told her whenever she pester her about crushes and junk. Even at eighteen whenever the topic of boys came Tank’s only response was “nah boys are icky!”. I mean look at her options here in her home yard, Porter, Lumber, Hydra, RUSTY!? Yeah real slim pickings…
But what if it really was a crush? How would she know? Tank had never had one before, how can you know what you’re feeling if you’ve never felt it before? After awhile Tank decided go and talk to the one person she always felt safe to talk to.
Greaseball senior was off doing what he does best, running laps. It took a little bit for Tank to catch up, but she managed. From what she could tell her dad was listening to music on his helmet. She reached up, screamed out his name and tapped his shoulder.
”Huh? Oh! Whadda want kiddo? I’m in the middle of something!” He shouted, without taking off his headphones. Tank rolled her eyes and said the next part slowly sounding out each word so her dad could read her lips.
”I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!” She shouted.
”One sec love, I just gotta-“ he was interrupted by Tank grabbing his arm and yanking him back. Knocking him off balance and forcing him to slow down to catch himself. He was about to scold her but Tank spoke first.
”Sorry dad I wouldn’t have done that if it wasn’t important.” She said crossing her arms.
”Shoot Tank, you nearly made me wipe out!” Turbo said sternly “What on earth could be so important!”
”It’s just… well… um… can we go somewhere a little… quieter.” Tank stammered. Turbo suddenly realized how serious it was.
”Oh uhh yeah sure, the usual spot?” Turbo asked Tank nodded thankfully. As Tank got older and needed her dad’s advice more often they developed a certain tradition.
They’d sat up at the point. A small clearing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the train yard. Not a lot of people knew about it so, it was a perfect spot for some quality father daughter time. The calm of the surrounding nature created the perfect atmosphere. It all helped put both engines at ease. Tank just sat there for awhile, before she finally took a breath and gathered her courage. “Dad, how did you know you liked mom?”
”Heh well, I couldn’t stop thinking about how amazing she was.” His answer was blunt but sweet “I spent all my time figuring out how to talk to her, wanting to know more about her. Not gonna lie it took me forever to work up the courage to ask her out… why do you ask?” He looked down at her, a little confused.
”Well… I think I like one of the coaches, it’s just… I‘be never felt like this before so I didn’t know.” Tank answered shyly, still a little scared about how her dad would react.
”Oh… you have a crush on Tassita?” Turbo guessed “Don’t get me wrong he’s a fine lad it’s just I always thought he swung the other way if you catch my drift.” He joked.
”No I think I like Diane dad!” Tank blurted out “I think I’m a lesbian!” There was a small patch of Quite before Turbo spoke.
“Oh you like women too! Makes sense, they’re pretty great.” He said happily. Tank was a little taken aback by his response.
”What?… that’s all you got to say?”
“Well whaddy want me to say kid?” Turbo said a shrug “From the day you were born I knew I was gonna love and support you no matter how you turned out. Nothings gonna change that Tank.” He gently pulling his daughter in for a hug. “I am honoured that you came to me with this though,” Tank suddenly felt a large weight lift off her chest and her dad squeezed her tightly. Suddenly her feelings weren’t so confusing or scary. The relief that washed over her brought a small tear to her eye.
“Thanks dad.” Was all she could say as she buried her face in his chest.
”Aww no problem kiddo.” He said “I’m your dad, it’s kinda like… my job.” After a while they pulled apart, a calm smile across both their faces. “Sssooo… Diane the dining car eh?” Turbo said gently elbowing her with a cheeky grin .