( Chapter 7 )

A Long Recovery

At the hospital, the news wasn’t any better. Michael’s right leg was definitely broken, and he had torn some ligaments in his ankle, too.

The doctor broke the news to Michael, Mark, and their dad. Michael would have to have surgery on his ankle. Once the leg was healed, Michael would need a long period of physical therapy.

“I’m sorry, Michael,” the doctor said.

“Injuries like this usually take a year or more to heal. You have to take it easy until it’s ready.”

Michael knew what that meant. He wouldn’t be able to race in next summer’s season.

Michael was heartbroken. “I can’t believe I have to sit through another whole year of watching Buzz Shaw win all the races,” he said.

His dad looked sad, and Mark reached out and gently patted Michael’s arm. “At least you’re okay,” Mark said.

But Michael didn’t see it that way. It didn’t seem to him like he was okay at all. To Michael, it seemed like the end of the world.

After the surgery, Michael wore a cast that went all the way up to his knee.

Twelve weeks later, the cast was removed, and he was able to start his physical therapy exercises.

At first, Michael could barely put any weight on his leg. Over time, his strength grew. But he was still in a lot of pain, especially when he tried to test it by doing a little more than the doctors advised.

All Michael thought about that winter was racing.

He wanted so badly to heal fast enough that he could have even one race against Buzz. But every time he tried to suggest to his father that he be allowed to race, the answer was simple and direct.

“Not this year, Michael,” his father would say.

Mark was just as unhappy.

No racing meant no working on the car’s engine and tires. He and his dad repaired the damage from the accident. The number 12 car was looking brand new.

Once in a while, Michael would go out to the garage and get in the car. But that just made him feel worse.

One day, Michael’s father came home from work and found Michael and Mark out by the car.

“Boys, I’ve been thinking,” Dad said. “We’ve always been a team, right?”

“Right,” the boys said.

“Well, Michael’s hurt this year, but we can still be a team,” Dad said.

The boys looked confused. “What do you mean?” Michael asked.

“Why don’t you two just switch jobs?” Dad replied. “Mark, you can drive the car. And Michael, you can help me in the pits. We can still be Team Haynes!”

The boys looked at each other. They weren’t sure what to say.

“But, Dad,” Mark answered finally, “I’m not as good a driver as Michael is.”

“And I’m not as good a mechanic as Mark is,” Michael added.

“Look, boys,” their dad said. “We can sit and watch Buzz win races all summer, or we can go out there and try to win some ourselves.”

Smiles crossed the boys’ faces. “Let’s do it,” Michael said.

“Yeah,” Mark agreed. “Let’s beat Buzz.”