Jack Twist stepped out of the car when he arrived at the ranch. It was a good 20 acre or more place. The family that lived here, the Aguirres, weren't a big family and they weren't rich, but they managed to earn a living. Jack had met them in town which was an hour's drive away. Jack had been working the night shift at a restaurant and had gotten to talking to Joe Aguirre, who offered him a better job with better pay. Jack had already been thinking about quitting before Joe offered him the job.

Joe had talked to him about a small house that was on his property. A rundown shack, pretty much, that had been on his property since he inherited the land from a rich uncle that died. He had been trying to fix the place up, but hadn't had time to. Or the money to hire someone to fix it up for him. Jack volunteered to fix up the place on his own and didn't ask for too much pay. Joe had assured him that more money would be coming in, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about money-wise.

So, Jack had spent a few days to pack his things and quit his job. He had had to argue before the restaurant let him go. The owner, Mr. Newsome, had wanted him to stick around since he had always been trying to hook Jack up with his daughter, Lureen. Her dad never listened to either of them telling him that they weren't interested in each other in any way. Lureen had always just viewed Jack as a nuisance. Didn't bother Jack any. He had been called similar names quite often in his twenty years.

Jack grabbed his bag out of the back of the truck. His parents had been the most upset about him coming out here. They had wanted him to quit the restaurant and go to college. He didn't have any plans for college, so he just decided to never go. Of course, he hadn't gotten the courage to say that out loud, though. Maybe one day.

Joe grabbed a few more bags of Jack's out of the car. "Are you sure you don't wanna check out the place first?" he asked. Obviously the small house was in worse shape than he had described the other night. "I wouldn't want you to move all your stuff over there just to find out-"

"It's fine," Jack assured him. He wasn't really an outdoorsy kind of guy, but he figured he could get used to it. It was better than "wasting his life away in town" like his mom had said. "I promised I'd fix it up."

"Okay, then," Joe said then led the way toward the small house.

It was a bit of a hike from the main house, but there was privacy. Along with the trees and other plant life, the barn was situated to block both houses from each other. But, whether or not the barn had been there, Jack knew that living out here would give him a private life. The Aguirres kept to themselves. Joe's wife even went to town for work every morning. And the kids went off to school. Which just left Joe to tend to things around the ranch. Which was why hiring someone to help out had been so important.

Joe unlocked the door and showed Jack inside. "We just got electricity runnin' this morning," he said. "But no water yet. If you want a shower or bath, you can either draw water from the well or come into the house." He walked Jack through the house. "The stove's about thirty years old. The fridge is new. There's two bedrooms. An outhouse round the side. The tub in the kitchen is for baths. It's close to livin' in the past."

Jack put his bag down on the couch in the living room that was also part of the kitchen. "It's not as bad here as you make it out to be," he said, looking around before he settled his attention on Joe. "Shouldn't take too long to fix the place up."

"Hopefully I can get the water runnin' sometime this week," Joe said. "I don't really wanna make you live-"

"It's different," Jack said. He gave a slight smile. "Which is good. I'm always up for a good adventure."

"Well, you've certainly got yourself in one," Joe said, hands on his hips. He took a deep breath. "Well, I'll let ya get settled in today. You can come over to the house for supper if ya want. You're welcome anytime."

"Thanks," Jack said, knowing it'd be rude to decline the invitation. "I'll be over."

Joe nodded his head. "Then I'll let her know," he said. "I'll go get the rest of your things." He handed Jack the key to the house then turned and left, the door creaking shut behind him.

Jack looked down at the bronze key in his hand, running his thumb over it. This was his first time living on his own. He had lived with his parents in town and had never felt freedom even though he had a job and was paying them rent. They still saw it as their duty to boss him around until he decided to go somewhere. They wanted it to be his decision, but they were always pushing for college and didn't hide the fact that they were disappointed that he chose something else. Sometimes he just didn't understand them. If they wanted him to grow up so badly, why didn't they just let him do it and learn from his mistakes?

Then he remembered his uncle and all the stories his dad had told him about that man. Jack's uncle had been living the same way as Jack except more sheltered. When he turned eighteen, he was allowed to do what he wanted even though he had lived with his parents for the next ten or fifteen years. During that time he had gotten into drugs, drinking, women, and whatever else he fancied. His uncle wouldn't have been any different if he had moved out, but Jack's dad had told him that his uncle had gotten into those things because he knew his parents wouldn't stop him. Which led to the moral of the story: We're just trying to protect you.

He lowered the key and took another look around the house. He stepped into one of the bedrooms, seeing a new pillow, sheets, and a comforter on the bed. He walked over and sat down, testing the bed. It creaked, but otherwise it was fine. It probably wasn't too old. And, hopefully, the mattress was also new.

Jack pulled his cell out of his pocket when it started ringing. He grimaced when he saw that it was his dad calling. Reluctantly, he flipped the phone open and put it against his ear, a faint "Hello?" coming from his mouth.

"Just wanted to see if you got in okay," his dad said. He usually wouldn't call Jack. The father and son relationship between them had always been strained. Especially with the fact that John Twist used to be an abusive drunk when Jack had been younger. He had gotten straightened out when Mom had gotten him into church.

"Yeah, I got in okay," Jack said, already having the feeling that a long uncomfortable horizon was in the very near future. "You could've just text-"

"Your mother wanted me to talk to you."

"I know she doesn't like-"

"She's forcing herself to get used to the idea," John said. "Just give her some time. We all need it, actually."

"Why?" Jack asked. "It shouldn't be a big deal."

"It's just...different for you."

"How so?"

"Jack, you grew up in town," John said. "Are you sure you're even capable of surviving on a ranch? You never liked to just take out the trash."

"The restaurant was giving me hell."

"That's your excuse?"

Jack got to his feet, ignoring the creak and strain from the couch. "I got a job and I moved out," he said. "You should be proud of me. Can't I just, for once, get congratulated for doing something?"

"But it's not what we need you to do."

"Then come over here and drag my ass to college then," Jack said. " 'Cause, otherwise, you ain't gettin' me to go anywhere."

"Jack-"

"Tell Mom hi for me," Jack said then hung up. As soon as he did so, he felt regret and guilt for what he had said. His dad didn't deserve his anger. He shouldn't be mad at his parents. After all, they just wanted what was best for him.

But, for now, working here was the best thing for him and they wouldn't get him to change that.

Jack went to the house later that evening for dinner like he was invited to. Joe let him inside then they both headed for the dining room. Jack's stomach growled as he smelled roast beef and mashed potatoes. They all sat down at the table. Joe said grace, which made Jack feel uncomfortable and awkward, before they served their food and started eating.

"I received some good news when I went to check the mail today," Joe said. It must be a bummer to head all the way into town just to check the mail. "Remember Kyle Del Mar?"

His wife looked at him. "Your buddy from college?"

Joe nodded. "He's sendin' his boy over here this weekend to help out here," he said. "Sounded like he's doin' it to get that boy straightened out."

"I'm sure it's not that extreme."

"Oh, I'm sure it is," Joe said, taking a bite of roast beef. He swallowed his food before continuing: "Kyle's got suspicions that the boy's a queer. It would straighten him out by working here." Either he was comfortable about stating such an opinion around Jack or he was just that type of man. The type that wouldn't care who was listening in. Gossip started that way.

"But you be nice to him, Joe," she told him sternly. "We're not going to force him into anything he doesn't want to do."

"One Sunday might be all it takes," Joe said. "The Lord works in mysterious ways."

"Is there enough room in that house for another ranch hand?"

Joe nodded his head. "It's a two bedroom place, hun," he said then looked over at Jack. "Things going okay over there?"

"Yes, sir," Jack replied. "Kind of boring since I had nothing to do."

"Well, you'll have plenty in the morning," Joe said, going back to eating his food. "You're okay with getting up before the sun, right?"

"Before the sun?" Jack asked. No normal person's up that early. "As long as I'm allowed naps."

Joe laughed. "You'll just have to make sure you get enough rest."

Jack was already not looking forward to this.

But, he would stick it out.

TBC