Wide Open

f i f t e e n

"There's my superstar!" a familiar voice calls in the distance.

I lean my phone up against the empty ceramic mug that was already turned over on the table when the waitress seated me. My whole family is crammed together around the kitchen table back at home with my mom's phone propped up against their own mug. My mom, grandparents and Nora are practically fused into one, making sure no one is left out of the small frame, or that their voice goes unheard.

"It was just a team scrimmage and I didn't even play. Not much of a superstar today Mama." My pissed off tone goes unnoticed as my mom swats a hand at the screen and mumbles about nonsense before immediately asking for an update in my personal life. I already answered this exact question before the scrimmage, but she wants to hear them again. I shake my head, ignoring her by lifting my head and scanning the room. Harry's Diner is busier than I expected. It's my favorite place here, especially because it's hidden from the typical traffic of the main street. It does have some of the best food on campus so it was only a matter of time until my little secret was found out. 

The short brunette that showed me to my booth returns and brushes her hand against mine as she hands me a menu and says,"It's good to see you again, Taylor." 

I shoot a wink in her direction. I don't recognize her so I will just pretend I know that we've met before. She turns on the heels of her black tennis shoes and walks with a little bounce in her step. It's no doubt to make me notice the way the fabric of her black jeans hug her curvy frame. It's enough to make me want to know what time she gets off. It could be just the type of release I need after this week. 

I'm snapped out of the trance when my mom asks, "So how is rehab really going? You had worry written all over your face when they showed you on the sidelines. Or is it your classes? You're taking harder classes this year. Are you keeping up with your schedule?"

"I missed you too," I snort.

"We haven't had much of a chance to talk, you know. With your schedule and all and a mama has to worry! It's our only real job in life." Her shoulders shrug up and I know I'm not going to get away from this conversation with one word answers. 

At least the rest of my family has resorted to having a side conversation over the top of my mom's head, probably complaining about the way she has hogged the entire call.  The argument will make itself known in about two minutes, just like it does every time they call. I've joked about assigning time slots to avoid the bickering. My mom, however, ignores them and continues to smile. I can't help but smile myself. I never realize how much I miss her until she's back in front of me. I thought that coming back to school this year would be easier, having done it twice now and knowing what to expect, but I was wrong. My chest feels heavy, the type of ache that can only come from missing them, and not knowing when I will get to see them in person again.

"I know, I know. Rehab is good, the knee is getting stronger every day. Dr. Kramer thinks I will be ready to start practicing with the team in a few weeks and hopefully playing again by October. Cal Quinn is the real deal, too. Exactly what our team was missing last year. Today was just the start too, we weren't even running our best plays. Just wait until conference action." I take a sip of the water the waitress just sat in front of me as my mom just continues to nod. I can tell she's trying to stay quiet, to actually give me a chance to keep talking if I wanted.