This Is Me

Part 30

Mark relaxed in the seat as the light turned green. Beside him, Stacy told him with a warm smile. "Drive thru sound good? The sooner we get him home to bed, the better." Mark agreed, then asked her softly. "Did you say something to his dad?" Stacy smirked, uttering under her breath. "I only sent him the tickets to see his son. Time moves slowly in Ireland and his dad was raised in a very different generation from us. Deep down, I know he loves Sean. He's just not so good at showing him. He was raised to act tough and carry the burdens of his family. Make strong boys and hardworking girls. Sean... He needs a gentle touch. Something only his mother knew how to give him." Mark glanced into the backseat at Sean's sleeping form, replying softly. "I understand. My dad didn't know how to talk to me for a long time. It was only when he got sick that he realized that nothing had changed. I was still the boy he raised." Stacy patted his leg comfortingly. Mark placed a hand on hers, then took a deep breath. Thinking about his dad was always a painful subject.

Stacy returned her hand to the wheel, changing the subject lightly. "You have to admit. Sean is back. Did you see those jumps? He hasn't done a jump like that since his accident and he just dished them out in that routine. Beautiful." Mark huffed, grumbling out more professionally. "I could tell... He touched the ice and his landings were so shaky. It will be a lot of work to tighten those up before Nationals. That's not what worries me though..." Stacy's hands tightened on the wheel, asking cautiously. "You're worried about Quentin?" Mark chuckled, shaking his head as he answered honestly. "No. We won't see them until Regionals. I'm worried about his Axel Jump. Did you notice that he left that jump out?" Stacy relaxed, letting out a grim sigh. Mark turned his eyes to the road ahead, stating seriously. "They'll expect at least one triple axel in his routine... He can get away with not using it in Nationals and maybe Regionals... but the Grand Prix? No way. They'll expect him to pull out his best jumps for it."

Stacy gave a small shrug, retorting seriously. "He did a backflip. I've only seen a handful of skaters even attempt that. That might be enough for him to pull in points." Mark shook his head with a small smile, replying coolly. "No, he can't. The ISU has banned backflips. If he tries that at any of these events... he's as good as disqualified from competing." Stacy pouted, muttering out displeased. "That seems unreasonable..." Mark gave her a shrug, saying lightly. "Too many people getting hurt trying it, I guess." Stacy swatted the wheel, grumbling out. "At least we got to see him do it... You know, you should skate with him. Between your two routines, you'd both be a sight to see." Mark chuckled to himself at the thought. He could imagine working up the crowd in such a way that they'd break records. However, he let out a sigh and told her casually. "Same sex skating is still not allowed by the ISU. You know that." Stacy pouted, glaring straight ahead as she spat out. "Ya... but that rule needs to go. You'd be great together." Mark tapped the window lightly with his nail, warmly answering. "We already are. For now, that is enough."

Stacy pulled into the drive thru and began to place their orders, while Mark twisted in his seat to watch Sean. Seeing how peaceful he looked in his sleep always made Mark smile. He couldn't imagine that Sean was very comfortable though. He was all huddled up with his long legs barely on the seat. They pulled forward to wait for them to bring out their order, allowing Stacy to coo out playfully. "Watch. He'll wake up the second he smells food. It's why I was never able to sneak anything... he could always smell it. He's worse than a pregnant woman with cravings." Mark chuckled loudly, admitting to her sweetly. "You don't have to tell me. He once kissed me just to get a secondary coffee high before his warm-up." Stacy burst out laughing, pressing her forehead to the wheel as she tried to get control over herself. From the backseat, Sean mumbled out sleepily in response. "I didn't kiss you just to taste coffee..." Mark looked back at him with a grin, answering warmly. "I know, but it was the excuse you gave me."