I’m a little in my feels about Mack flying 14 hours home from Sweden, after another devastating loss at worlds, and getting a cab from the airport. The 19 y/o captain, come home licking his wounds, but no one has time to drive out to get him and welcome him. No family, no friends, just waiting in the cab line while fans record him. Then compare that to Will who has never ever taken a taxi from Logan. The Smith Hockeys are waiting in baggage claim with his dog and their little signs, no matter what. And if they weren’t able to be, it would be his aunts, uncles, cousins, Will Vote, that trainer that followed him around the east coast, a member of the harem…
and I think that might be part of what Will gives to Mack. He’s always been loved so loudly by people who always always show up, so that just what he knows and what he does that for Mack too. I’ll give you all my time and you’ll give me yours too and you can always know I’m going to be there.
yes it’s certainly a compelling narrative! mack who has had to learn how to be loved powerfully, but from a distance. vs. will who has always been loved so up close (but ofc, there is a lot rick celebrini can do for his son that colleen smith could never do for hers). a will who shows up insistently, unavoidably for mack. who insists on making himself a forever home in mack’s hotel heart <3
that said. i must admit i do nawt think it’s a big deal for the 19yo millionaire to take a cab home from the airport lol. sometimes schedules dont work out!! like when you have enough money that you wouldnt even notice a $200 taxi fare i just think the calculus is different yknow? even for me, i’ll ask my parents to pick me up from the airport when i visit but if they’re both busy when my flight gets in, i just call a car. in the age of ubers and lyfts i dont really ask friends to come get me from, or take me to, the airport. driving to the airport sucks!
