It's Saturday early in the morning when I arrive in Le Mans. It's quiet in the paddock and I'm all alone in the clinica mobile.
Fabio and I texted a few times, after the phone call Fabio we had on Wednesday, but that's it.
I saw the amazing event Fabio and Tom had on Thursday. They went to Paris Saint Germain and got to Le Mans in a helicopter, arriving in style. Yesterday was FP1 and FP2. Fabio got 4th and 6th. Pecco just in front of him. He told me he was pleased. He has a good pace, but he wants to do better for the fans.
Tom texted me once to apologize. I texted back that he didn't need to apologize, it was my fault.
And Pecco texted me, he has his checkup and treatment with me. I'm happy to see him, I consider him a friend. And what's better than an Italian friend, working for an Italian team and giving me free pasta. No, I'm kidding. He's kind and caring and respectful.
It's a little over six when the door opens. Who can be here this early? They told me they would all be here around 8.
"Hello?", I ask, walking out of the room. In the hallway there stands an handsome man, also known as Fabio. He doesn't look super awake. His hair hidden beneath a cap. Wearing a wide shirt and shorts. His feet in crocs.
His clothes are a bit weird, but it suits him and he looks so good in them.
"Fabio?", I question a little surprised.
"Bonjour", he leans a little against the wall.
"What're you doing here?", I get nervous and don't really know how to act.
"Tom's snoring way to loud", he grins, "and I wanted to see you, come here" he opens his arms for a hug.
It's a big, comforting hug. It sends tingles everywhere. His hands around my waist, mine around his neck. My head on his shoulder. I could stay like this for the entire day.
"This is a good way to start the day", I say in his neck. He smells delicious. A little dark, wood like smell.
"There's no better way", he mumbles.
"So you'll be here all day?", Fabio asks, slowly letting go of me.
"Yeah. Only during Q2 it's slow around here. Everyone wants to watch of course", we walk into my room and I sit on the treatment table. Fabio takes my desk chair. "How're you feeling? Your home circuit?"
"I'm good. I really want to do good for the fans. But our pace is good and we are fast", Fabio almost sounds like he's interviewed.
"I'm not your media debrief", I say smiling. "What do you really feel? I would feel pressured"
"I'm not. I feel a pressure, but not major. The fans really deserve some France success. But I don't know if the Yamaha is good enough. We miss a little topspeed. But I think we can manage on this circuit. And really my pace is good", he explains. Now it's more his own emotions.
"And there's someone here I want to impress today and tomorrow"
I immediately blush at his words. "Um.. are your parents gonna come as well?", I ask quickly.
"No.. well, maybe my dad"
"Okay. Hey, are you actually coming in today? For a checkup?", I don't even know my schedule for today. I need to log into the computer, but didn't yet.
"Yeah, I am. But I don't really know when"
"Can you turn on my computer? I'll check"
He does as I ask and I log in.
"You are going to Matteo at 8.30. And before FP4 at 1 with Matteo. And after qualifying with me at 5. You're my last of the day"
He doesn't look too happy about the schedule.
"Wait, you are seeing Pecco twice today? And Luca and Enea? Why am I going to Matteo?", He asks looking over my shoulder.
"You are not allowed to see this. But the better question is, why are you coming in three times today?", Nobody is coming in three times. Not even injured riders.
"Because I want to spend time with you?", Fabio tells me a little embarrassed.
"Okay, I'll check you out before 8 and you come in after qualifying. Those three appointments are way too much. Sounds good?"
"Yeah, okay, great. So Belgium is your home now?", He asks when I shut off the computer. I turn around to look at him and he's suddenly very close. He carefully places his hands on my waist and guides me to sit sideways on his lap. One hand around my back burning holes on my side and the other on my knee.
"I'm way too heavy for this..", I look down embarrassed. I wonder many times why I'm not skinny like other girls. My body doesn't stand out.
"You are not. Your weight much less than I do. And you are even skinnier than two weeks ago. Have you been eating?"
"Yeah, I have", I don't really know. I have been eating, but not regularly. I have skipped meals, forgot or wasn't hungry.
"When was the last time you ate something?", He asks, his eyebrows furrowed, like he doesn't really believe me.
"I think lunch yesterday. But I'm not sure", I look away, feeling uncomfortable. I know it's bad, but I'm not doing it on purpose.
"Julie.. you know that's bad for your health right?", He asks, his hand turns my head so he can look me in the eye. He looks worried at me.
"Yeah, I know. And I'm not doing it on purpose. I just forget or I'm not hungry"
"Okay, you know what. It's not even 7. So you are gonna come with me and I'll make you breakfast", he tells me, helping me up and getting up himself. He takes my bag and walks to the front. "Come. I'm a great chef", he smiles.
"Somehow I don't really believe you are"
"You'll see", he holds the door open for me and when we're outside, I lock it. He takes an electric scooter, the kind you have to stand on, with little wheels.
"I'm not gonna get on that thing together", I look at the thing hesitant.
"Of course you are. You'll go in front and just hold on", he holds the scooter with one hand and has one foot on it to balance it. I reluctantly agree and step on it, in front of him. Fabio puts his hands over mine and rides off. I feel completely safe although I'm totally out of control.
We ride to Fabio's motorhome and get inside. Tom's still snoring loudly.
"Tom. I'm making breakfast", Fabio yells loudly. The snoring stops abruptly.
After a few minutes, Tom walks out. "Breakfast? It's way too early", he looks at Fabio. He doesn't see me standing next to the front door.
"Julie has to work in an hour. So I'm making her breakfast", Fabio tells him, pointing at me.
Tom turns around surprised, I smile shyly. Maybe he doesn't really want to see me. "Julie! I'm glad to see you!", He walks to me and hugs me.
I see Fabio smiling at us and tears start to form in my eyes. I quickly blink them away.
"Are you really? I'm so sorry for ignoring you"
"Yeah, of course. You are my sister, silly", he says and then whispers, "Fabio got really mad at me for my attitude to you"
"I've missed you! I need to tell you a lot. How're you, how's Mathilde?", I ask, letting him go.
"We're good. I've missed you too. Please don't disappear on me again. It's okay if you need time alone, but please don't leave without saying goodbye"
"I won't, I promise"
"Okay, so breakfast. We have 30 minutes before you need to be back and check me out", Fabio speaks up, handing us some sandwiches he just made.
I slowly let my eyes trail over his body. Down and back up. He looks at me questionable with a little blush on his cheeks.
"Okay, I've checked you out. You're good", I say smiling.