1830

Harm shifted, trying to make himself comfortable on the hard bleachers. The game was going well. Mattie's team was up two games to one, and if the other team won the current game, they would go to a tiebreaker. The games had been close, and actually fairly entertaining. Mattie was a good player, and watching her play almost distracted him from thinking of Mac. Almost. He sighed and once again checked his cell phone. No messages. The horn sounded and Mattie's team went to the sidelines. He saw Mattie glance up at him and he smiled, giving her a thumb's up. She smiled back, and then pointed toward the door. Harm turned to see Mac at the concession counter buying a corn dog. She turned just as he looked her way, and she smiled and waved at him. He waved back and scooted over, making room for her next to him.

"Hi," She said, still smiling.

"Hi. I didn't expect to see you here."

"I didn't expect to be here, but I figured it was better than sitting at home with the TV. How's her team doing?"

"Really well, if they win this one it's over, if not, they go to a tie breaker."

Mac nodded, dipped her corn dog in the container of extra tartar sauce and took a bite. The sauce gathered around the corners of her mouth and she quickly wiped them with a napkin. She looked over at Harm to find him smirking at her. "What?"

"You look better Mac."

"You always say that when I wear this outfit."

Harm laughed. "I can't argue with you there. Did everything go okay?"

"Actually I couldn't wait to get out of there."

"That bad huh?"

"No, it's just…I've sorted through so much of this already in my head that it all seems so mundane. I know it might do me some good in the long run, but at this stage of the game all it feels like is opening old wounds."

"Old wounds? I thought you were dealing with recent events."

"Apparently it all ties in." Mac shrugged. "Don't ask me. If I knew how to do this myself, I wouldn't need to go to her. She took mercy on me and let me out a little early, but not without homework."

"Homework?"

"Yeah, I'm supposed to do three things before I go back on Friday."

"What's that?"

"I'm supposed to satisfy one of my small goals, face one of my fears, and laugh at least once."

Harm raised his eyebrows.

"I know," Mac said in response to his expression. "Sounds odd, but she told me that all I really need to do is learn how to live a healthy life. Living life is about satisfying goals, facing fears, and being happy. At least that's what it's supposed to be anyway. My life hasn't always gone the way it's supposed to."

"I don't think anyone's has. But, you'll get there."

"I hope so." She paused and took a long pull from her super sized Coke. "So anyway, I decided to take my assignments and do them all at once."

"How are you going to do that?"

"I came here."

Despite Mac's light tone, Harm frowned. They turned back toward the game and watched as Mattie's team won the final round. When everyone stood up to leave the bleachers, Harm stayed behind, and put a hand on Mac's arm. His expression was a mixture of hurt and concern. "You're facing your fear just by sitting next to me aren't you?"

"Yes," Mac replied softly, wondering how he knew about the fear he evoked in her.

"Why?"

"I don't know Harm. I hope that someday I'll find out," She told him, sadness settling in her eyes.

"I hope so too," He replied, taking a deep breath. "Hey, this isn't making you laugh, you're supposed to laugh tonight."

Mac's eyes brightened, thankful for the subject change. "Oh I laughed already."

"When?"

"When I saw the look on your face when you saw what I was wearing."

Harm grinned. "It's a nice outfit."

Mac rolled her eyes. "You're the only one who has ever thought so."

Harm's grin softened. "Is that why you wore it?"

"Yes," Mac answered. Her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.

"Thanks." He paused, gesturing toward the concession stand. "Besides, I'm not the only one who likes it. Did you see that boy at the concession stand?"

"That's enough Harm!" Mac warned. "He's just a kid."

"A kid who knows a good thing when he sees it." He winked at her. Mac couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Now there's the laugh I was looking for," He said, with a smile that still didn't quite light up his face.

Mac's laugh dwindled to a chuckle. "Behave yourself!" She said, and smacked Harm on the six. His eyes widened in surprise and his head whipped around to look at her. She just laughed harder. "Another goal accomplished." She said, just loud enough for him to hear her, as she walked towards Mattie.

TBC