Overdrive Read Online Free

opening our mail.”
    “I’d never do that.”
    “I know you wouldn’t. But you understand that was wrong.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Don’t hang your head like a whipped puppy. I’m not coming down on you. I can understand why you’d do it, and I can’t say that I blame you.”
    “I guess there was probably a better way to do it,” Tim said.
    Dale nodded. “Like it or not, Tyson has control of that box. You want to see it, he has to give permission.”
    “I can’t talk to him again,” Tim said. “I’d rather swim across that big lake out there with milk jugs tied to my ankles.”
    Dale looked like he was trying not to smile. “I understand. Again, I don’t blame you. But I have to ask something. You want to know what’s in that box?”
    Tim nodded.
    Dale put up both hands. “There you go.” He came over to Tim and stood beside him, shoulder to shoulder. “Sometimes we let people get big. They get this choke hold on us, and we let them get bigger and bigger because we don’t stand up to them.”
    “You talking about Tyson or that Devalon guy?”Tim said. “He sure seems to have a choke hold on your driving.”
    Dale rubbed his face and glanced sideways at Tim. “Let’s keep this about you for now.”
    “Fair enough.”
    “I’ve talked with my lawyer, and he says you could go to court and try to get access. He doesn’t think that’s a good idea. It would cost a lot of money, and you’d probably lose. For whatever reason, your dad appointed Tyson as the executor of his estate. My lawyer says the best thing is to talk to Tyson. Convince him you want to see what’s in there.”
    “Sounds easy for a lawyer to say. He didn’t have to live with the guy and his wife.”
    “I didn’t say it would be easy. But I think this is the best approach. Sometimes you have to face the things that scare you the most.”
    Tim stared at the floor. There was sawdust down there from some woodworking project Kellen had begun. He put the toe of his shoe in it and pushed it around, making a face in the dust.
    Dale leaned back against the wall. “This is the last piece of the puzzle with your father. Closes the loop. What do you think?”
    “I guess if it’s the only way, I can talk to him. Maybe I’ll stay here tonight and call him while you guys go to church.”
    Dale hesitated. “Okay. Sounds like a plan.”
    “What’s the other thing you want to talk about?” Tim said.
    Dale turned and stretched. He had strong forearms, and Tim could tell he worked out a lot. Maybe not at a gym like some of the drivers but around the farm. Lifting stuff. Running in the backyard with Kellen.
    “I want you to think about something. I believe God gives every one of us some kind of gift to use for his glory. A desire he plants deep down inside. Something you long for, that’s on your mind when you wake up in the morning and when you go to sleep at night. Sometimes it feels like you can taste it. You know what I’m talking about?”
    Tim shrugged. “I’ve always dreamed of being a driver.”
    “That’s what I went after when I was your age. You drive much?”
    “Little go-karts but I wasn’t very good. Do you think a kid who can’t drive a go-kart could race a big car?”
    Dale laughed. “Sure. But there’s something I see in you, that I’ve noticed over the past few weeks, that makes me think God’s pushing you in another direction.”
    “What’s that?”
    Dale moved to the garage door and pointed at the lawn mower. “Do you know how many people could diagnose an engine problem like you did—walk through all the steps and tear it apart, then put it back together? And I don’t mean kids your age. I mean grown men. They’d get frustrated and take it to a mechanic in no time flat.”
    “Wasn’t nothing special,” Tim said.
    “That’s where you’re wrong. It is special. And if you apply yourself and learn, you could have what it takes to be on a team.”
    “A racing team?”
    “That’s right. And if