First chortle since their conversation had grown somber appeared as the first vibrant square of clear blue sky peeking through a patchwork of rain-pregnant greys. For mother and son the storm had yet to break, but with high hopes Jon laughed despite the downpour, moved to split-second joviality by a mother’s recount. Proof that once yearly winds finished their blustery upset of day to day lives, happiness would settle over the land. Brighter and warmer than ever.
“-Robb’s stubborn streak is why I fell in love with him. Wouldn’t leave well enough alone and insisted on poking and prodding till I came off it. Imagine he was worse as a lad. Finger in the light socket and one hand in the biccie jar, yeah?”
And until recently, that was how Jon viewed his bloke through single pair of rose-coloured glasses. Prone to over-exuberance and mischief, Chatty Cathy of a fellow blazed through life with heavy step and arms swinging to beat the band. Left traveled path forever changed in his wake a landscape of criss-crossing footprints, broken twigs numerous as all the broken hearts upon which globetrotter had scribbled ‘Robb McLellan was here!’ before trouncing off towards next glittering horizon.
Important, then, that Mrs. McLellan was an astute, critical woman and knew he son forte to foible as any knight knew the longsword. Strengths and weakness acknowledged equally without any hesitation or fuss and for that, Jon was exceptionally grateful. Under her guidance he felt confident beginning to formulate rescue scheme even as his smile faltered, thoughts of lover’s emotional battles darkening his own cheer.
“Though... don’t much mind if it's difficult for me. I’ll do whatever makes this easier on him."
And if that included tiptoeing through open floor plan over the next week Jon would go so far as to take ballet lessons. Or slip discreetly from confines of warmest bedding each and every day without so much as a kiss good morning so as not to disturb. He’d start by taking the rest of the afternoon off. Sod Red Gum, he could make up the extra hours from home office while Robb slept off worst of the day’s emotional drunk.
“And if there’s anything you need- You’re just as important to me, Mrs. McLellan, ought to have told you that by now.”