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Sophia
October – End of season – Queensland Raceway, QLD
This is the calm before the storm, before controlled chaos is unleashed. Walking down pit lane, I wave and exchange encouraging words with the teams as they enjoy this time of the weekend. Before the fans arrive and they fill the stands. Before the stress and pressure of racing starts.
My phone buzzes and I fish it out from my back pocket to see two messages, one from my mum and the other from my boyfriend of two years, Perry.
Message 1:
Can’t get to you this weekend. Chat soon.
Message 2:
Good luck this weekend! I love you, honey. xo
Followed by far too many emojis.
I reply to Mum.
Thank you, but it’s not me who’s racing.
I love you too.
She replies straight away.
It’s a team effort, duh. LOL.
Again, multiple and way, way too many crying, laughing emojis.
My eyes roll light-heartedly with a chuckle as I respond.
Of course.
Perry isn’t able to meet up this weekend. Do you want me to come home? No hot dates I’ll be imposing on?
You are welcome home any time. I’m always here.
Dates?! Please. Men my age infuriate me. Vomit emoji.
Gosh, what is it about the overuse of emojis by parents?
Okay, I’ll cut short my hotel booking when I get there tonight and head to yours after Sunday’s race.
Looking forward to it! Love you. xo
Love you too, Mum. xo
I look back at the first text from Perry and reply:
No problem. I’ll head to Mum’s after this weekend’s race. Chat to you soon. xo
It isn’t unusual for Perry to not be able to make it to visit me due to our conflicting schedules and locations. He’s an Engineer for a car racing team while I’m a Technical Coordinator for a motorcycle racing team. Normally, races overlap on the same weekends and across the country from each other.
I pass by Shelby, a sports photographer and a close friend of Perry’s. We all had plans to meet up this weekend all together.
“Hey, Shelby!” I sing out, still on the move, squinting slightly under the hot Queensland sun beating down. “Perry can’t make it this weekend. Let’s rain check until he’s free,” I say with a wave.
