snippet sunday, tagged by @whimsysful š
my screenshot game is terrible so we just copy/paste in this house (hopefully this works š©)
The new dev camp interviews hadn't been posted yet, which Mack knew because he'd already checked the SJHN site three times today, so he had resorted to rewatching Will's old ABC interview. He could practically recite it by now, but he stared at it the way he studied hockey film, replaying every movement, every expression, every pause. Like if he looked hard enough everything would suddenly make sense.
He heard someone clear their throat and looked up. His mom stood in the doorway holding a plate of sliced apples and oranges.
"Hey. Made you a snack. What are you up to?"
"Uh..." Mack glanced at the screen, frozen on a close-up of Will's face. "Studying how to talk to reporters?"
Her smile turned faintly amused. "Ah, yes. I can definitely see how looking at Will's face in three-times zoom would help with that."
Mack groaned. "Oh my god. Mama, stop."
She laughed as she set the plate down. "Stop one of the best parts of being a mother? Embarrassing my son about someone he likes?"
Robyn settled beside him on the couch, her shoulder warm against his.
Mack picked at an orange slice. "I just don't get him," he muttered.
Another few seconds passed.
Then the words came spilling out, edged with frustration. "If he wanted it enough, he'd just do it. Why is he so scared?"
Robyn was quiet for a moment.
"You know," she said eventually, "when you and Aiden left for Minnesota, I was terrified all the time."
"No, really." She shook her head. "You were both suddenly halfway across the country. I couldn't check on you. Couldn't make sure you were okay. Couldn't fix anything if something went wrong."
Mack stared. He'd never heard her say any of this before.
"Then every time you came home, you'd be different."
That made him frown. "Different how?"
"Taller. Busier. Quieter." A pause. "And you know what the worst part was? I didn't even get to miss you properly." She let out a soft laugh. "You and Aiden would leave, and I'd be heartbroken for about ten minutes. Then Charlie needed a ride somewhere, and RJ forgot something, and your father was travelingā¦"
"Life just kept moving. I kept thinking I'd call you tomorrow. Then there was a game, a practice, a school meeting. Tomorrow became next week and then suddenly you'd been gone for three months."
"I missed you. I wish you'd have called," Mack said quietly.
His mom smiled sadly. "I know."
He picked at the edge of an orange slice. "I probably should've called more, too."
"Probably." She nudged his knee lightly. "Ever since you left for Shattuck, I've felt like I was trying to catch up to you."
"You'd already moved on to the next thing before I understood the last one." Her hand found his hair, combing gently through it. "You move through life very fast. You always have."
Her expression softened. "I don't know if Will feels the same way as me, but maybe he's still trying to understand what this all means to him."
Mack looked at her skeptically. "He's had months. I don't understand why that's not enough."
Robyn smiled faintly and squeezed his shoulder. "People move when they're ready." She brushed his hair back from his forehead. "I loved you just as much when you were in Chicago as when you were twelve and sleeping down the hall. But there were still weeks I forgot to call. That doesn't mean I stopped thinking about you."
The answer landed heavily in his chest, unsatisfying.
She said lightly. "Now, how about we watch it from the beginning so I can see what's got you so captivated?"
Mack huffed and stuffed an orange slice into his mouth, affronted. Then he pressed play and settled back as they watched together.
tagging @rainybelieverland and @inlightofitall (no presh ofc!)
