Title: Fishin'
Rated: PG 13
Disclaimer: Any recognizable characters belong to Annie Proulx, not me.
A/N: While going over old files I found this and thought I'd post it. Sorry if it's not up to the usual standard.
It was always touch and go with Ennis. Sometimes, he wanted so bad to be with me, and sometimes, he was content just to sit and chat. I, on the other hand always wanted those arms wrapped around me, holding me tight.
I rolled over and grabbed his arm, just like the first night we had slept together. I pulled it around my waist and tucked it under my side, so he was holding me tight against his abdomen. The ground was hard and cold under me, and I could hear water panging off the canvas. But I had Ennis, and that was all that mattered.
His lips brushed my ear and sent a warm shiver through my body that situated itself in my groin. "I love you, Jack Twist"
My eyebrows rose. He had never once, not once in those 20 years I knew him, told me he loved me. Did he know somethin' I didn't? I rolled over and he captured my lips in his and slipped his hand down the front of my pants. "Ennis," my voice was muffled from his tongue. "Ennis? What's wrong?" I could feel his hot tears settle on my cheeks.
"Jack, I don't know when I'm gonna see ya again." He pulled away and shook his head.
"What?"
"Well, see, I can't come out here again 'till November. Got work to do, ya see."
I nodded, pain coursing through my body. Mainly it struck my stomach, and I felt like vomiting. "November?" I croaked.
"Yeah." He nodded as he tugged on his pants.
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"I didn't wanna worry ya."
"Worry me? Worry me? All I am is sick. I ain't gonna see you for too long, Ennis. I NEED you. I don't think you get it. You give me what Laureen jus' can't!"
Ennis sighed and looked at me. He didn't have shirt on and his pants were only halfway up. I was snuggled under the blanket, still undressed.
"C'mon then Jack, one more for the road."
I couldn't believe he would put it so crassly. I quickly pulled up my pants and shot him an angry look that would kill the worst of enemies. "Jack! No, I didn't mean it that way! Jack!" He caught me as I race out of the tent and wrapped me in his arms. Sobs wracked my body and he held me tighter, kissing me fiercely, almost biting my skin.
That day was the last time I saw Ennis. I'm laying on the side of the road, and I know I'll bleed to death before anyone finds me. I just wish I could see him one last time, tell him what he meant to me, have him hold me one last time. But then I'd have to explain Roger, and livin' with him, and that bein' why those kids beat me like they did.
I don't know. I just wish that I could have died for more reason than this.