Running in Place

Saturday, December 24, 2011

MacKenzie was running through Central Park. The day (mid-afternoon really) was unseasonably warm. It felt good to get air in her lungs and to stretch her legs before her flight tonight. Her headphones were in her ears and Christmas music was blaring. She found herself humming along to the songs while mentally reviewing her packing list. She must have been thoroughly engrossed and not paying enough attention to the path ahead, because she cut a corner too close and barreled into someone.

In an instant, large hands encircled her upper arms to steady her. She looked up to mumble an apology before moving on, and quickly realized that it was Will. The startled look in his eyes mirrored her own. The deep physical attraction to him that she carried around with her always, and which grew to almost mythical proportions whenever they touched, also kicked in immediately.

She pulled the headphones out of her ears and, desperately hoping she could she project a casual tone, rather than a breathless one, she said, "Hi, Will." She failed. Her voice was definitely breathy and not because she was running. "Out of breath" and "breathy" were two different things entirely and her voice had definitely been breathy.

Her only consolation was that for a moment, before he released her, she felt that he, too, was physically affected by their contact; and it was something tangible she could hold onto when hope was fleeting, as it had been so often the past few months with Will doing whatever he was doing with Nina Howard.

As he stepped back, he said, "In a hurry today? Running to get all of that last minute Christmas shopping done?"

"Yes, because running through the park saves so much time and I get such better service showing up in stores wearing an old sweatshirt and running pants," she replied, matching his sarcasm. "I'll have you know, Billy, that my Christmas shopping has been done for weeks. Were the professional shoppers you utilize able to complete yours?"

He smiled, and she assessed the situation of their run-in more expansively. He was dressed in grey slacks, a light blue dress shirt with no tie, and a navy blazer. And he was not alone. There was a woman with him and three children. The woman could only be his youngest sister, whom she had not met. Her husband was an Air Force pilot and they had been stationed overseas when she and Will had been together.

Mac smiled and said, "Hello, Rachel, it's nice to meet you."

The woman also smiled and said, "You're MacKenzie, aren't you? You couldn't be anyone else."

"I am."

Rachel warmly embraced her, despite the sweat that was dripping off her forehead. "I'm so happy to meet you—finally," she said. "You are just as I imagined you would be."

"Oh, I hope not," Mac protested. "I'm certainly not dressed for the occasion."

"She thinks her power comes from her five-inch heels," Will added in a tease.

"Idiot," both she and Rachel commented to him at the same time before they laughed. It felt good to laugh. The past few months had been difficult.

Rachel introduced her to the children: fourteen-year-old, Nathan; eleven-year-old, Miranda; and seven-year-old, Hannah. Mac asked them about their plans for a New York Christmas.

"We just ate at Tavern on the Green," Will explained.

"We are going to take a carriage ride around the park and then go to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockette's Christmas show," Hannah piped in. "Nathan doesn't want to go but mom's making him."

"We have an extra ticket," Rachel volunteered. "My husband, Andrew, had his leave delayed and he won't be here until early tomorrow morning. Would you like to join us? There's time for you to shower and change."

MacKenzie was caught by surprise. She glanced at Will and saw momentary panic in his eyes before he put on a mask of indifference.

"That would be lovely," she told the group sincerely. "I've wanted to see that show. Unfortunately, though, I am flying out this evening. And as you can tell by my appearance, I have a great deal of work to do before I will be allowed on the plane."

"Hardly," Rachel protested. "I wish that I looked half as good, particularly when exercising."

Mac smiled and said, "I am so glad we ran into each other. Nathan, if the Jets are playing while you are here, make Uncle Will take you to the game."

"Are you going to be back for New Year's?" Will asked her.

She shrugged but also gave him a flirty smile, "I haven't decided yet." She turned her attention to the others. "Have a wonderful visit. And Merry Christmas to all of you."

She put her headphones back on and continued her run.