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“— so it’s pourin out, no where to set without getting mud everywhere and what do they do? Grab my arms and legs and toss me off the porch into the deepest part. No harm no foul, kids and anythin, but mama didn’t let me back in until all the mud was gone, and I don’t think I gotta tell ya how hard it is to be mud free on a farm in Texas with monsoon weather.”
“I swear to god you’re making up most of the things you say.”
“Why would I lie bout my childhood?”
“Ya can’t have that many stories about it. I have like maybe two I remember.”
“Well it ain’t my fault yer childhood sucked. How bout I tell ya bout the time I thought I found sugar cane but it turned out to be bamboo?”
Mac snorted and shook his head, ignoring the starting argument between Jack, Patrick, and Joe. The four of them were currently in the back of a truck, on their way to another unit.
“We’re bein reassigned? I was just startin to like this place.”
“Only temporarily. The unit has yet to receive their new recruits because of severe storms stateside. Not even our C-9s would be able to take off until the skies have cleared. So until that happens, you four will be on loan.”
It wasn’t the first time they’d gone to help other units, but being on loan was a technicality that meant they didn’t exactly know how long. It didn’t bother Mac. He enjoyed going to other units, even if it was basically the same thing, if mixed up a bit.
“Hollywood, buddy, you’re with this jackass all day, every day. You believe the words coming out of his mouth?” Joe asked, thumbing at Jack.
“I’ve learned not to question them. He’ll go in to extremely fine details that’ll make you regret asking.” Mac smirked.
Jack crossed his arms. “I told ya, why would I lie bout my childhood?”
“Nope, he didn’t say he believes ya. He’s just smart enough to quit while he’s ahead.” Patrick nodded.
“Yeah, sure.” Jack nearly snorted. “This guy don’t know the meanin of the word quit.”
It was pleasant, despite the large bumps every now and again, sitting in the back of a truck just talking about life before everything. Times like those were rare. Sure, Jack described a memory from his childhood nearly every other day, but that was when Mac was arm deep in explosives. Purely a way to keep his mind off things. Having other people there, laughing and poking fun was different in its entirety. Mac didn’t have an immense worry of blowing up, for one.
He also enjoyed talking with Patrick and Joe about things other than the current situation. Both were around Jack’s age; fathers and husbands, Joe was a sales rep for a car company from Massachusetts, and Patrick was a manager at an IT company from Wyoming. They’d both joined at the same time, gone through basic and specialty training, and had been paired together when they’d first been shipped out.
He didn’t quite know what to make of them upon first meeting. It was a few weeks after meeting Jack when the both of them were still on outs with each other. He’d been minding his own business in the canteen when the two of them sat across from him.
“Hope ya don’t mind since the others are full.”
“Uh, it’s fine.” Even though the other tables definitely weren’t full.
“You’re Macgyver right? Transfer from a few weeks ago?”
“Yeah.”
“Normally we get pairs transferring. Can I ask—?”
“My, uh, overwatch requested a transfer. He didn’t like how I did things.”
“See, assholes like that shouldn’t be doin the job in the first place if they can’t handle what you do. I mean shit, Joe here drives me up the fuckin walls with how he does things sometimes.”
“You got paired with Dalton right? He’s been here a few years before we were were even out of basic. He’s a bit rough round the edges but he’s a damn good sniper. He’ll make sure you get back in one piece; talk your ear off if given the chance too.”
“Bite my head off more like it.”
Patrick and Joe seemed to make it their mission to sit with Mac whenever they got the chance. They always talked about their families, what their kids were doing, even planned meetups when they got discharged. They always implied Mac was invited, even though he was still practically a child himself, but insisted he’d get along with family.
Then was the day they joined both Mac and Jack in the canteen, and immediately started ragging on Jack.
“You know the hell you’ve put this kid through? I mean christ dude, look at him.”
“Him? I nearly got exploded by an explosive and yer worried bout him?”
“Dalton do not get into an argument with EODs about almost getting blown up. You’ll lose indefinitely.”
After that they’d all settled into somewhat of a routine whenever both pairs were off rotation.
The truck had squealed to a halt and Mac was lurched from his reminiscing. They’d arrived at their new, temporary unit. It looked the same as any other; vehicles on one side, tents sprawled out, guys running around. Honestly no real difference except for being further northeast.
They’d all grabbed their things and reported to the CO, who told them they’d be out first in the morning, and had a private show them to the bunks. Said private also took the liberty to show them where the canteen, showers, and med were set.
“This place is too jumbled up.” Jack said as he took a bunk. “I’m too used to ours to try to remember where everythin is.”
“This place is ours but mirrored.” Mac said, taking the bunk above Jack.
“This place is what now?”
“Their canteen’s on the right, ours is on the left.”
“Tell that to my feet later when I can’t find it.”
“Aren’t you the one that drives everywhere?” Joe asked.
“No, okay drivin’s different.”
“Poor Mac, at risk of bein lost with Dalton every time they gotta go out.” Patrick snorted. “Maybe we should get ya both chipped just in case, or, ya know, let Hollywood drive for once.”
“In all fairness, whenever I drive, I tend to go off the path because I’m looking for patterns in the sand. Jack hasn’t ever gotten us lost in the desert.”
“‘Sides, Mac ain’t even got his license.” Jack snorted, making both Patrick and Joe raise their brows.
Mac rolled his eyes. “Just because I don’t have a license doesn’t mean I don’t know how to drive. My grandpa taught me when I was fourteen and got my license when I was sixteen.”
“Yeah, and ya turned twenty-one recently, meanin yer license expired. So in reality, you can’t drive if even ya wanted to.”
“I hardly believe American rules apply in this situation.”
“Sorry Mac but I’m with Dalton on this one.” Joe snorted. “As a member of the United States Army, I’m going to enforce the rules.”
“Any EOD shouldn’t be driving in the first place. They should be keeping watch for any IED that they could encounter on route to their target destination.” Mac knew that voice, despite the harsh, serious tone. The four men had all turned to the entryway, and saw a man with his arms crossed. He had stared hard at Mac for a few seconds in the tense silence before the slight frown on his face turned into a smile. “Though I don’t think that recruit is known for following the rules.”
Mac had smiled and stepped towards him, his arm out for a handshake. “Takes one to know one. Guys this is Charlie Robinson. We went through training together.”
Charlie took Mac’s hand. “I knew they were sending people from your unit, didn’t think they’d give us you personally. Your CO’s gotta be panicking or something, I mean, you are the best tech the army got.” He looked to the others. “No offense.”
Patrick snorted. “None taken. Hollywood puts senior techs to shame with how he does things. I mean hell, I didn’t even know the things came in so many pieces until he full on dismantled one. I’m Patrick; the redhead is my watch, Joe, and the fohawk Is Hollywood’s watch, Jack.”
“I’m not the best tech.” Mac said.
Patrick snorted. “The hell you ain’t. I hate sayin this, mainly cuz it’ll go to his head, but the best gotta be paired with the best, and Lonestar here ain’t ever missed his mark.”
“Music to my ears. Say it again so I can put it to memory.” Jack smirked.
Charlie let out a slight laugh. “Well I’m glad we got the best and the best of the best. I came by to introduce myself if you guys need anything.”
“Thanks man.” Mac said. “We’ll be sure to find you if we make a mess of anything.”
***
“You two meet in basic?”
“Me and Charlie? No, we met in EOD training and were kinda rivals; both top in the classroom. He was generally faster, but I fully dismantled. In the end, I’m the one that got paired with the best training officer. I don’t know where the rivalry turned into a friendship though.”
“I can say ya just kinda got this thing where ya annoy people into friendships.”
Mac did have a way with people, Jack had noticed. He had first hand experience of Mac somehow cementing himself into his life in the short time they’d known each other. He’d seen it with other guys in the unit also. Maybe not to the same extent as Jack, but most of them enjoyed his company.
Somehow, learning Mac had a good relationship with someone in another unit was different. Not in a bad way of course, he was glad for it, but it brought out a weird sense of jealousy Jack didn’t think existed in himself. And he didn’t like it.
They’d all met up that morning to get everything they needed for the day and were introduced to all the other guys, who all seemed grateful they had help. It wasn’t anywhere out of the usual that techs and watches split when they gathered gear, but seeing Mac with a large smile on his face when he went off with Charlie was something he hadn’t seen before.
He didn’t like it, the jealousy he had felt. There was no reason for it. Nothing had been done on Charlie’s part to warrant it. And he definitely didn’t have any sort of say in who Mac could be friends with. Mac was his own person and had a life way before Jack even knew he existed.
“You okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s just that it’s been about ten minutes and you haven’t said anything. Normally you’d be head on into a story about how a chicken almost caused a tornado, or your tractor was abducted by aliens.”
Jack snorted. “Sorry hoss but I ain’t got anythin quite as interestin as that.”
“Even if you don’t personally, I don’t doubt you’d be able to make one up and have it just as believable. You do have a pretty amazing way with words Jack.”
“Aw yer makin me blush.”
“Seriously though, are you okay? I don’t think I’ve seen you this quiet since our first few outings together. Did I do something to upset you?”
Of course Mac thought it was his fault. It always came to that. After a difficult mission which ended up landing Jack in med for a few days, Mac had opened up, told Jack why he never talked about his life, and why everything that had gone wrong was his fault. Jack had of course shut down any of those thoughts.
“Ya didn’t do nothin. I dunno, I guess I just got a lot on my mind is all, but hey, how bout I tell ya how we got rid of a family of gophers that were eatin all of mama’s cabbage?”
***
Unfortunately the feeling didn’t go away when they returned to base.
The two of them were the last ones back and had met everyone in the canteen. Patrick and Joe had been sitting with Charlie and another guy who they learned was Charlie’s watch, Parker, who Jack had immediately hit it off with.
“Dude I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had to ask for some sort of clarification. I mean I thought I was smart but now I’m scared to say anything.”
“Brother when I say I know exactly what yer talkin about— hey Mac, what was that thing you were talkin about for like a week?”
“Amanita phalloides?”
“When I first heard him say that, I thought it was a fish.”
“It’s not?”
“It’s a goddang mushroom.”
“It’s not just a mushroom Jack, its— “
“Yeah yeah, the most poisonous mushroom in the world.”
“Geez, and I thought I had it bad when Charlie said long words like colloquialism. At least they have someone that can understand them.”
It wasn’t meant to actually mean anything; an innocent comment, but it was so loud in Jack’s ears. A weird feeling of not being able to actually talk to Mac in his own words. He knew it was stupid, but the feeling had crept right up and made its home next to the jealousy.
He had tried not to let it show, tried to hide it under funny childhood stories or dumb jokes, always having a smile on his face. He was his own self, not letting anything seep through. Jack just acted as though it was just another day, because it was. There was no reason for anyone to think or believe otherwise.
Just carry on as he would any other day; eat, sleep, wake up, head out, head back, repeat.
But Mac had seen through his façade by the end of the second day and brought it to light as they were heading back to base.
“Seriously man, what’s going on with you? You’ve been off ever since we got here. You sure I didn’t do something to piss you off?”
“You didn’t do anythin kid.”
“That sure gives me a lot of confidence seeing as you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”
“Who says somethin’s wrong? Everythin’s fine.”
“It’s not. I know you think that you’ve got everyone fooled with your happy-go-lucky attitude right now, but I can see right through it.” Mac huffed, continuing to look out the window of the Humvee. “If it’s something you can’t tell me, then at least tell me you can’t tell me. If I did something to piss you off, I’m sorry. Okay? If you want to transfer—”
That made Jack slam on the breaks. He put the vehicle in park then let out a long winded breath out his nose, keeping his hands on the steering wheel.
“Bud, I know I’ve told ya before, the only reason I re-enlisted was to be yer watch. That ain’t changin at all. And it’s the same as the first time ya asked, ya didn’t do anythin so ya ain’t got nothin to apologize for.” He let out a defeated sigh. “I ain’t good with things like this. Best to come right out and say it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a load of bull— it’s Charlie, alright?”
Jack watched as Mac’s face went through a list of emotions and settled somewhere between surprise and confusion. “Charlie? Did he say something—”
“No Mac, he ain’t done nothin. Nobody did nothin. The only problem here is me. I’m the reason I’m bein like this. No one else’s fault but my own. Whole thing’s stupid and I’ll get over it eventually.” He wanted to drop the subject, rewind the past two days and try again, but the worried look in Mac’s eyes wouldn’t go away. “It’s not— I don’t not like him; he’s seems like a cool guy, real chill and everythin. Real fuckin smart like you, I mean you two can hold conversations with each other bout things none of the other guys understand, let alone me.”
There was nearly an audible click. “Are you jealous of him?”
“I told ya it was a load of bull and I’ll get over it.”
“What do you have to be jealous of him for?”
“Ya really gonna make me list off the things?” To Jacks surprise, Mac snorted. “Yer laughin when I’m tryin to be serious?”
“Sorry, it’s just, yesterday when he took me to see their inventory tent after dinner, he told me he was jealous of you.”
“See now we’re just bein mean.”
“I’m serious. When we checked the inventory tent, he said he was jealous of your lifestyle and how you grew up. I mean having all those stories to tell is a pretty great thing if you ask me.”
“Why the hell would someone like him be jealous of me?”
“Why the hell would someone like you be jealous of him?”
There was another click, but that time it was something for Jack.
“Look, I may not know the full picture of what’s going on in your head, but if you’re worried about something happening with Charlie, you don’t need to. I know that’s easier said than done but…” Mac shrugged. “You’re both extremely alike actually.”
Jack raised a brow. “I know yer lyin this time.”
“You both didn’t like me when you first met me, were both excited for me to get out of your hair, I had to save both of you even though it wasn’t in the same sense, both call me Mac, both worry about my well being— you know he asked if he had to knock sense into you if you were like my old watches?”
“All I’m hearin is we got you in common.”
“What I’m trying to say is that you’re both really good people, and you don’t have anything to worry about with him, nor he does for you.” He smirked. “I bet he’ll get a kick out of this when I tell him.”
Jack scoffed. “Ya won’t be able to tell him if we ain’t gonna move from this spot til ya promise ya won’t tell him.”
***
“Are you two always this late? Are they always this late? Maybe your clock is off in the Humvee? I coulda sworn there was a time scheduled for eating.” Charlie smirked at the two of them as they sat. “Maybe you got stuck in traffic.”
“Y’all hear somethin? Kinda like a high pitched whine that’s only with one ear.” Jack looked around. “Hang on, it’s stopped.”
“Oh, Lonestar here has jokes. That’s fantastic.”
“There it is again. Ya hear it?”
Mac rolled his eyes at Jack and Charlie’s playful bantering. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how very alike they were, and how he was extremely lucky to have met and befriended both of them.
He could tell something was different. Not just with Jack but Charlie as well, a sort of comfortable familiarity settling as though they’d been friends for years. And it was relieving. Both of them were probably closer with Mac than anyone, and he would hate to see some weird jealousy ruin the friendship.
“It’s almost like lookin in a mirror.”
“I can’t take this anymore. Hollywood, buddy, you’re used to both of them. Make it stop.”
Mac laughed. “I think it’s best if we just let them tire themselves out. They’ll stop eventually.”