These Words Are My Own
Chapter 10
The following Monday, Will and Mac didn't talk. The staff couldn't decide if that was better than them fighting or worse. Whatever the case, they got through day without much incident until 3:00 pm when two dozen red roses were sent to Mackenzie McHale's office. When women get flowers, they are usually happy. However on this particular day, Mackenzie reacted by rubbing a hand over her face in frustration, knowing that the flowers would only add unnecessary fuel to an already roaring fire.
Will skillfully peered out of his window, trying to avoid any attention as he snooped on Mac looking at the flowers. He hated those flowers. He wanted to take the vase and throw out the window.
That night, he didn't listen to a word Mackenzie said. He deliberately disobeyed everything she said. At a certain point, she ripped off her headset and sat down until the show was over. The control room staff had never seen her give up on a broadcast before.
When the show was over, the staff was angry. They never usually took sides, but this time Will had crossed a line.
Don was the first to rip into him, pouncing into the studio seconds after the broadcast was over, "You're a dick."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You have problems. I get that. Maybe Mackenzie caused some of those problems, but for God sakes, she deserves better than that during a broadcast. You're a fucking newsman, Will. Act like it. Get you're fucking head on, man. I'll tell you one thing, if you ever disrespect her like that again in this newsroom, I will end you. I don't care who you are."
"Are you done?"
"Almost...I think she deserves better than you. There, I said what about 90 percent of the newsroom is thinking. Mac deserves better than YOU."
Will sighed.
"You're probably right."
Don paused a moment, feeling maybe he had been too harsh on Will.
"Listen, Will, I know there's some crazy shit going on that we're probably not aware of, but please, get it together. And please don't take Mac down with you."
Don turned to leave as Will put his head down.
"Hey Don."
Don turned around to face him, "Yeah?"
"I needed someone to knock me down a few pegs. Glad it was you...thanks."
"Don't mention it." Don was about to leave again, but he needed to get something else off his chest, "She loves you, ya know...like that crazy, unconditional love that doesn't seem to go away. I wouldn't take that for granted if I were you. That kind of thing is hard to come by."
With that, he left leaving a lonely Will with his thoughts.
When he walked to Mackenzie's door, it was closed, but since the light was on, he knew she was there. He took his chances and knocked softly.
"Come in."
Her hair was in a pony tail and she had tears in her eyes.
He took a moment, "I was mad about the flowers."
"I didn't ask for them."
"I know. I'm mad about all of this and I'm taking it out on you." He said honestly.
"You don't want me, but you don't want anyone else to have me?"
"It's not about not wanting you. It's about the right thing with this fucked up situation I'm in."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do here. I'm starting to look a little pathetic, don't you think? Turning down jobs and now dates for someone I can't have. This does seem a little unfair to you, doesn't it?"
"You're right. I've been selfish and unkind, especially to someone I'm suppose to love."
"Well thank you for finally admitting you're...wait...go back..."
He swallowed nervously, "I've been in love with you since the moment I met you. You were wearing a blue button up blouse with a black pinstripe paints. You had your hair up in a messy bun and had expo marker on your hands. And I thought to myself, who is this woman with this cute English accent who doesn't seem to know how to sit down."
"You remember what I was wearing the first time we met?"
"I remember everything about you. You've been apart of me for so long. I don't remember my life without you."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because...I was afraid I wasn't gong to be emotionally stable enough for this baby. But...I realized you can't have stability without happiness and I can't be happy without you."
She looked up at him, tears still in her eyes. But this time, the look of grief was replaced by the look of love.
"Billy..."
There was a knock at the door and Maggie peered in behind it.
"Will, I'm sorry. Presbyterian is on the phone. It's an emergency. Nina was some sort of a car accident."
"What! Jesus. Okay, I'm heading over."
Maggie closed the door.
He looked at Mac bewildered.
Knowing he needed a shove, she put a hand on arm, "You need to go."
"Yeah."
He faced her one more time, searching for the words, but he didn't know what to say. So he left.
And her eyes remained fixed on the closed door behind him.