JACK'S GIFT
June 1986
Looking out the window there was something familiar about the tall young dark haired cowboy as he turned his heel and walked toward the Riverton cafe entrance Ennis thought as he watched him speak to the waitress at the register. Ennis looks down at his soup, embarrassed at catching himself staring.
"Sir...Are you Mr. Del Mar." Ennis looks up, thinking maybe he's seeing a ghost. Before him this young cowboy is wearing the face of Jack Twist standing tall with that same stance he would never forget.
"Umm.." was all Ennis could get out.
"I sorry sir, I really didn't mean to startle you. I'm Bobby Twist...Jack was my dad." Bobby hold out his hand. Nearly in a trance Ennis takes it as he rises to stand, still not believing his eyes, brought back to that day so many years ago in Signal for just a moment.
"Would it be okay if...I mean may I sit down sir?"
Ennis hardly able to speak." Yes...yes...please...call me...call me Ennis...please"
Looking across at Ennis Bobby began to speak. "Sir...Mr. I mean Ennis. Dad...he spoke of you often...Always tellin' stories 'bout campin' huntin'... He really...I mean...I know who you were to him...He...he cared fer you an awful lot."
Ennis flinches, Bobby looks back assuring. "Its okay Mr. Del..Ennis. The last time he ever took me camping...I used to bug him 'bout goin' on those fishin' trips..when I was 'bout ten he flew me up to Casper, met me there took me to meet by grandparents an my first camping trip up in the Big Horns..."
"Jack...your dad told me 'bout that...He...he met you after we'd been ta Pine Creek"
"I guess I knew even then not ta ask him anymore 'bout the fishing trips, but he always took me camping when I didn't have school. That...that last time he had a little to much to drink one night...told me 'bout meetin' up with you at Brokeback, the summer ya spent herdin' sheep...Said when he met up with ya again he wanted ta be with you, ranch up together, grandpa would give 'm the money...Told me you wouldn't do it...said you wouldn't leave your wife and girls, and didn't want him ta leave my mama 'n me..." Bobby looks down t the counter top. "Said he kept after you...but you never would..."
Ennis look at Bobby, doesn't quite know what to say.
"That's the reason I wanted ta meet you...Ennis...to thank you...If it weren't fer you might hardly of known my dad...can"t thank you enough."
"You needn't thank me none...Bobby. Your Dad was a real good man, we wuz good friends...besides... Just didn't always think things through is all. He...he loved you very much...Don't think there's a way he'd ah ever really left...No ...not 'fore you wuz growed ...nohow"
Bobby smiled back at his new found uncle, none the less thankful for his savior.
"Well Sir...Ennis...I just wanted to stop by 'n meet ya... Fella next door to your address said I'd find you here. Be head'n up ta Lightning Flat...help my grandmama... See my Grandpa passed 'n she be needin' some help on the ranch...Mebe fix it up some so she c'n sell it...Be up most of the summer." Bobby makes a move to stand.
"Now you just sit right back down...No need ta be leavin' just yet." Ennis grabs one of the menus from behind the stack of napkins, sugar, salt and pepper, places it in front of Bobby. "You jist pick out anything ya want...anything at all."
"But..."
"No buts son...Ah mean Bobby...It's on me. Your dad liked a big chocolate milkshake." Ennis said pointing to the picture in the laminated glossy menu."An he loved a half pound burger, with bacon, swiss, mushrooms, the whole works...with a load of fries...Would you like that?" Ennis pointing to another picture.
Bobby nod his head. "Its okay Sir...Ennis..."
"Whut?"
"You c'n call me son if ya have a mind to...lotta folks do...feels kinda good coming from you."
"All...all right then...so Ah'll get the waitress over here? Ah'll git an order fer myself...Always ate whatever your dad was having 'n we'll have some apple pie 'n ice cream fer dessert"
"Yes sir...yes Ennis."
Later as they began to work on their burgers Ennis brought up. "So...you folks gonna be needin' any help up there?"
"Guess maybe could used all we can...hadn't been up there since dad was..."
Ennis tapped Bobby's hand. "Glad ta come up...give ah hand..."
"That' d be great...I dunno how much we c'n pay...mama sent some money with me fer supplies, lumber 'n stuff..."
"You don't be worrin' none 'bout payin' me...your daddy...dad always took real good care 'o me...Ah'll make sure we got plenty of groceries fer our meals.'
"That's real nice of you...but I can't ask...It would be great if..."
"Then it's all settled...c'n 'spect me up there in a few days, week at the latest. C'n stay all summer if need be..."
Bobby beaming at this new uncle of his.
"Now eat up son...gotta keep some meat on them bones..gonna be workin' ya hard this
summer."
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Four days later Ennis negotiated the last half mile of the washboard road leading to Lightning Flat.Thoughts of Jack danced in is head, paid visit to his dreams in sleep. Like when he made the journey before overcome by the isolation, even by Wyoming standards, the vast desolate land. How Jack, so friendly, ever the dreamer, had been raised up here, miles from nowhere. At last the old barn, then the farm house came into view. Taken back with start he spots the young cowboy, dark short sleeve plaid shirt, sweatshirt tied around his waist on a dark horse looking for all the world like Jack. Son of the father.
"Hey Ennis You made it!" Big wide smile, so relieved Ennis came. "So glad you came! Dunno what I'm doin' here trin' ta fix this place up...sure couldn't be makin much progress on my own."
Ennis get out of his truck and the exchange warn handshakes. "No need ta worrin' none 'bout it. Happy ta be here."
"Just in time fer some lunch...come on now, want ya ta meet my grandma."
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"Ennis!...Ennis so your the one Bobby spoke of gonna be givin' us a hand."
"You two know each other?...I mean."
Mrs. Twist started to speak, Ennis looked to her as he cut in. "Came up here once after your daddy was gone...Your grandma here was real nice ta me." Ennis turning to Bobby then back to Mrs. Twist. "Ma'am, I'm real sorry ta hear 'bout Jack's daddy...must be hard without 'm"
"Thanks Ennis...I think he liked you...he was real glad you came up those...came up here after Jack was gone..." Mrs. twist looking back at Ennis. "Now come on bring your stuff in, puttun' lunch on the table."
"Don't want ta be puttin' ya out Ma'am."
"No trouble at all."
The three sat down to a table of freshly made biscuits, potato, salad, sliced ham, large picture of ice tea, bottle of cold milk. "Bobby would you like ta say grace?"
"Yes Ma'am. Dear Lord thank you for the meal my grandma prepared before us, thank you fer bringin' Ennis here safe and fer him bein with us this summer, kinda feel like a parta' dad's back...and keep us in the days ahead...Amen."
"Grandma is there any honey fer the biscuits?"
"Yes sweetheart I'll..."
"Sit down ma'am...I get fer ya." Ennis get up walk to the second cupboard finds the honey, sets it down on the table. Bobby looks at him. "Eat up son...what were ya workin on this mornin'"
Bobby take a few bits, swallows, look back at Ennis. "Had a problem with one of the fences, steer pushed one of the posts over cant get the barbed wire ta say."
"Let's you n' me ride out have a look...bet we can fix it ta stay,"
"Ya see son, you loop the wire 'round the post like a this, that way the wire don't stress 'n stays tight won't break loose...Rancher I worked fer with my brother long time ago taught me that loop...most folk don't know it." Ennis and Bobby are way out on the range at the offending fence post. "Show me so I know you got it. See it no so hard, worth the extra effort."
Bobby stood back and admired his handwork, then walked to the next post, then the next. "Ennis...Ennis these post have the same kinda loop...just like..."
"Whut...that don't mean nothin'..."
"Ennis...you've been here before...you knew where grandma kept the honey...you mended these fences...you worked on this ranch...did you and my dad...?"
Ennis look down. "Bobby...Your dad most of the time would come here after he seen me...stay up here a week 'n fix what he could, help out you grandparents...After he wuz gone...well...thought it wuz least Ah could do...come up here in his place...spent the time up here I used ta spend with him...felt kinda closed ta him here..."
Bobby looked down trying to hold back his tears. "Thanks...thanks Ennis...I'm real glad your here now."
Ennis gives him a hearty pat on the shoulders. "Ah am too...son...Now come on...lets git ...gotta lotta work ta be doin'."
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"Bobby...can you open this jar?" Supper table is set, large ceramic bowl filled with juicy fried chicken, another pilled high with mash potatoes, basket with fresh made buttermilk biscuits, plate with steaming asparagus tips, a newly baked apple pie cooling on top of the stove welcoming their guest for the summer.
"Sure Grandma..."
"And where are you manners?...You had Ennis here out on the ranch with you all afternoon...didn't even give him a chance to settle in. You go bring his bags in. He can use..."
"Ennis can bunk with me in the guest room...just like me 'n Pop." Bobby broke in.
"You'd better get a ok from Ennis Bobby. He can use your fathers old room if he wants."
Bobby turns to Ennis. "Ennis ...Ennis that ok with you?...we can bunk up...you can sleep in the bed Pop used.
"Sure son ...That'd be right fine ma'am...your dad use ta say Ah snore but Ah don't. Now yer dad….he could snore!." Bobby laughed . "Ma'am….can't tell ya when Ah had a better meal….not since last…"
Bobby helped Ennis settle into the room they would share for the summer, clearing out half a dresser for his jeans, underwear and socks. Bobby moved his shirts to one side so Ennis could use hang his own on the other. "Ennis, you c'n put your shavin' stuff in the bathroom….got plenty if ya ever run out…." Each kept their boots at the foot of each bed.
Hours later Bobby awoke in the night for just a moment when he rolled over he heard Ennis in his sleep.
"Don't ya worry none Jack...we'll take care of it...don't even have at
ask...zzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzz... get back up there...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
zzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
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"You boys want another piece of pie?...more ice cream with chocolate syrup and nuts?"
"No Ma'am...Ah'm stuffed. Your sure ah good cook."
"No Grandma...can't eat 'nother bite."
"We'll boys I'll go and turn in, read a bit."
"You want to join us on the porch?"
"No, you boys just sit back and relax...see you boys in the morning."
"Nite Ma'am."
"Nite Grandma."
The two men sit back in their chairs, gazing out at the endless prairie under a blanket of brilliant stars. Both falling into any easy companionship over the last weeks, working together from nearly sunup tell late in the afternoon, enjoying the fine meals from Mrs. Twist. This evening Ennis has something he needs to ask if Bobby.
"Bobby...did ya ever work fer yer grandpa...Ah mean yer grandpa Newsome...you know sellin' tractors er somethin?'"
"Yeah I did...mostly just cleanin' up...stockin' shelves in parts...sweeping...stuff like that. I did get ta sell some machinery ta a couple of regular customers...fellas that knew dad...why you ask Ennis?"
"Well...wanna do right by yer mama and dad...kind a embarrassed...hav'in ya go back ta Texas thinkin' Ah didn't"
"What are ya takin' 'bout Ennis?"
"Guess yer dad told yer mama...told yer mama...If anything ever happened ta him ta take care o' me..." Ennis looks down. "After yer daddy was gone...your mama...left me some money fer me 'n my girls...said I was ta get me a new truck 'n horse trailer. Never bought a new truck before...got the only ones Ah had from ranchers Ah worked fer. Went ta the Ford dealer in Riverton...all the had wuz automatics...told them Ah wanted ah shift...said Ah had ta take what wuz on the lot...gave me ah bunch of double talk...ask where'd Ah get the money ta buy a new truck...treated me kinda bad...so Ah just left...never even botherd 'bout the trailer. Wuz wondering if..."
"Ennis ya don't hav'ta say no more...Were goin' inta town next week anyways...we'll just go ta the Ford dealer in Sheridan...this time o' year best ta wait till the new models come out in the fall...We'll order one up fer ya...one of 'm 1987 models...get everthing on it ya want...have it drop shipped ta the dealer in Riverton...wont get no commission...that'll show them!"
Five days later Ennis and Bobby are at Fremont Ford pouring over the confidential order guide of the 1987 Ford trucks. "I want ta get one with that extra low granny gear...never had one b'for."
"You sure you want the 300 CID six? Ya can have a V8."
"Naw...them sixes pull better of the line that them small V8's. Whut color should Ah be gettin'...wuz thinkin' 'bout mebe red...might be best ta have white on the hood 'n roof."
"Ya can get two tone...look at this 'Victoria Two Tone' white on the hood, red on the sides."
"That might be good..."
"Ennis you should at least get the styled wheels...ya don't want just plain hubcaps?"
That evening after splitting a large pizza at Ole's Pizza & Spaghetti House the pair made their way back to Lightning Flat, Ennis's old pickup piled hi with lumber, house paint, fencing, feed towing a brand new Featherlite two horse trailer with Perry's Trailer Sales placard in the license plate pocket. "Gonna want ya ta have grandma's horses...you'll need ta have the trailer ta take them home." Bobby had said. Neither had yet spoke it, each knew where they would go this summer needing both the horses and trailer.
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Summer days have fallen in to a easy routine for Ennis and Bobby, waking at dawn each day to tackle the needs of the old homestead, hot hearty breakfast prepared by Mrs. Twist , often packing a lunch to take with them out in the far distance of the ranch. Back at the house by early evening, turns in the bathtub, clean shirts an jeans for supper. Ennis had taken notice Bobby's gentle ways with the animals, he seems fascinated when he taught him how the check their hoofs, scan for tics, never afraid always curious. This evening, with a beautiful Wyoming sunset as a backdrop Ennis fired up the old Webber for marinated steaks to go with the country potato pancakes, green beans from the garden Bobby's grandma was making.
"So Bobby there...Whut are yer plans after summer...ya goin' on to school?"
"Yes sir...Ennis...goin' ta Texas state."
"Studin'?"
"Mama wants me ta take business courses...want me ta take over Newsome's one day."
"That whut you want son?"
"I guess...I don't know...Pop worked there 'n all"
"Your dad was good at it...sellin' tractors...but..."
"But what Ennis?"
"Don't think he liked it much...didn't make him happy...don't 'spect... Ah think he always had ranchin' in his blood." Ennis checking the underside of a steak.
"Ennis...I'm real sorry you 'n dad never got ta...you know..."
"Now hush up son...don't matter none now...'Sides it wasn't like Ah never got ta see him all them times...best times Ah ever had was with yer father... Important thing is best ta be doin' whut ya want 'for ya get settled...lotta different things ya can do...you can take what ever courses ya want too...hear?"
"Yes sir...Ennis...thanks..."
"Come on now... these steaks are just 'bout done...go call yer grandma."
July 4, 1986
"You got the fried chicken and the potato salad?"
"Yep Grandma...it's all here."
"Did you get the plates 'n silverware?"
"You mean the paper plates and plastic forks?"
"Oh Bobby...You know what I mean?"
"Yes Ma'am...it all here."
"We's all ready ta go?" Ennis said carrying three folding chairs.
The trio are standing by Bobby's pickup ready to leave to the Ranchester Community Church annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks show. Mrs. twist is especially excited to be attending this year when her two young men.
"Sure we didn't forget anything?"
"We're sure Grandma..."
"Time ta get a move on."
After the long washboard dirt road Bobby finally plus out onto the ribbon to two lane country road. "Sure seem ticked 'bout this picnic Grandma...you ever been before?""Every year since I was a little girl...they have a real nice gathering...people bring all kinds of food, have raffles, games...the tallest boy from the fourth grade class dresses up as President Lincoln and does his speech" The image of this sends both Ennis and Bobby into hysterics, "...and then the fireworks!...You never seen anything so spectacular!...We'll have a grand ol' time boys."
Nearly midnight when they drove up to the ranch leaving shortly after the fireworks. Ennis. Bobby and Mrs. Twist enjoyed sampling the wide range of culinary delights offered, Ennis's favorite was stuffed mushrooms. Bobby's was something called potstickers a Chinese family had brought. Ennis and Bobby had won the adult class of the three legged race, Ennis had won Mr's Twist a stuffed bear in the shooting gallery, Mrs. Twist apple pie won a ribbon for first place, Ennis and Bobby won 2nd and 3rd in a log splitting contest.
In the very early hours of the morning long before dawn Ennis awoke to Bobby's voice interrupting his even breaths of sleep . "I know it is Pop...don't worry I'll ask him...we will..."
Later Bobby would hear Ennis. "I know Jack...it's comin' ta...we'll go...don't ya worry...zzzzzzzzzzzzz...be soon...zzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzzz." Neither would remember the others voice when they awoke in the morning but would remember their dreams.
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Sheridan, Wy. Ennis and Bbobby are tying down the load of feed, building supplies and weekly staples on his old pickup ready to head back to Lightning Flat. Ennis was insistent this trip to drive his old pickup.
"Bobby...Why don't ya drive us home?" tossing him the keys.
"Umm...wel...umm..."
"Go on ...git in..."
"Umm..."
"Whut's 'sa matter?...cat got yer tongue?...first time Ah ever heard of a Twist bein' tongue tied...Go on."
"Can't..."
"Whut... whut is it son?"
"Don't know how ta drive a stick...never leaned...sorry Ennis..." Bobby looking down.
"Don't them fancy tractors at Newsomes have clutches?"
"Naw...leasts I think they work automatic...when ya move the levers."
"'Bout time ya learn't then...Whut if ya when ta Europe er somethin'...don't think ya can rent a car there with and automatic Huh?...Whut if Ah fainted on the way back? Huh?...whut er ya gonna do then?...It's okay son...go on git in."
"Now most cars 'n trucks these days have the lever on the floor but Ah got it here the the column. Back and down is low, then up and forward is second and then straight down is high. Here now you try it and practice pushin' in the clutch each time ya move the lever. An when ya need ta back up reverse is back and up. When ya start off on low you let off the clutch real easy like...practice jut real steady...see the clutch is hooked ta the motor, that part is a big round disk always turnin' other part to the transmission...when you push theys separate...let out theys together." Ennis pushes his hands together to illustrate the workings. Bobby made several dry runs going thru the gears.
"Now go ahead put her in neutral, push in the clutch...start her up." Bobby turns the ignition the old Ford 240CID six comes to life. "Go on ...ya c'n pull on in ta the street." Bobby lets out the clutch and with a couple of lurches the truck stalls. Ennis puts his hand gently on Bobby's shoulder. "Is okay son...happen's ta ever body first time...try 'n relax...no one behind ya." On the third try Bobby manages to get the truck rolling and with a few lurches through the gears.
"Good thing yer gettin' yourself a new pickup this fall...might ruin this one by the time we get back."
"Don't ya worry none...if this ol' truck c'n survive your daddy drivin' it, it live thru anythin'"
"Pop?...he drove this truck?"
"A time or two...think it was the only time he drove a shift since that old black pickup he use ta have...stalled it all the time..." Ennis smiled back at him, both braking into laughter. By they time the arrived at Lightning Flat, Ennis having him do countless stop and starts, Bobby was fit to drive anything.