The Waiting Game

Chapter One

Last time Jack saw Ennis was in August and they were to meet again in November but it was now the middle of January and still Jack had not heard from him. At first he didn't think too much of it. He figured that Ennis was still sore about the fight they had the last time and was punishing him by making him wait longer to see him. When December came Jack figured that Ennis couldn't leave because of Christmas, but as time passed Jack began to worry. It wasn't like Ennis to hold a grudge for this long. No, something was wrong, Jack could feel it. He hated what he was about to do but he had no choice.

"Yes, operator can I get the number for Alma Del Mar?" Jack asked.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't have a listin' fer that name." The operator said.

Jack had to think for a second. He had forgotten that Alma had remarried. What was her husband's name?

"How about Monroe Williams?" Jack was sure he remembered Ennis sayin' that name before.

"The number is: 555-6261."

"Thank you." Jack quickly hung up the phone and dialed the number before he lost his nerve.

"Hello." A female said as she picked up the phone.

"Hi is this Alma?" Jack asked.

"Yes, who are you?"

Jack took a deep breath and steeled himself for what was to come.

"My name is Jack Twist. I'm Ennis' finshin' buddy. I was wonderin' if you'd heard from him lately." Jack said.

"Who the hell da ya think ya are callin' me like this?" Alma was furious.

"I'm sorry, but I'm worried 'bout Ennis. I haven't heard from him in awhile and was wonderin' if somethin' was wrong." Jack tried not to get upset with her after all she had every right to feel the way she did. He didn't want to call her but he didn't know what else to do.

"I'm no longer his wife, I don't keep tabs on him. Isn't that yer job?" Alma asked with bitterness.

"Look, I know ya hate me and ya have every to, but if ya think I'm gonna say I'm sorry for what happened yer wrong. I don't regret any of it. Now you can help me find him or you can hang up the phone and pretend this conversation never happened, but before ya do, remember he's yer girl's daddy."

As much as Alma hated to admit it he was right. If something had happened to Ennis what would she tell the girls? They were just startin' to get close and the girls needed him.

"I haven't heard from him since Christmas. The girls asked him over so he wouldn't be alone but he said no."

"Do you know of anyone who might know where he is?"

"No, he don't have any friends that I know of except fer ya. Maybe Junior's heard from him."

"Do you have a number fer her?"

"She's at my sisters. The number is 555-0403."

"Thanks." Jack said as he hung up the phone. The knot in his stomach began to tighten. He didn't think Junior knew anymore than he did but he called anyway.

"Hello."

"Hi is Junior there?" Jack asked.

"Who's this?"

"My name is Jack Twist, I'm a friend of her dads."

"I'm Junior, daddy mention yer name once. What can I do fer ya?"

"I was wonderin' if you could tell me the last time ya heard from him. We were suppose ta go fishin' and I haven't heard from him. I was wonderin' if somethin' came up and he didn't get a chance to call me." Jack didn't want to scare her so he tried to remain clam.

"I talked ta him two weeks ago, he said he needed ta get away fer a bit." Junior often wondered if her daddy and Jack were more than friends.

"Did he say where he was goin'?"

"Not that I remember. You could ask his boss Mr. Larabee he might know."

"Do ya have his number?"

"Sure it's 555-9227. Can I ask ya somethin' Mr. Twist?" Junior knew she was takin' a big risk but she had ta know.

"Sure but please call me Jack." Jack could sense that Junior was a lot like her dad and under normal circumstances he would have liked to have talked to her more.

"Ok Jack, you and my dad, yer more than just friends aren't ya?"

Jack felt like he had just been sucker punched. He had no idea where that came from or how to answer it.

When he didn't answer Junior said "It's ok, I figured it out a few years back. I don't care, I'm happy as long as my daddy's happy and ya seem like a nice guy." Junior knew she had thrown him for a loop and she needed to try and smooth things over.

"I think this is somethin' ya really should talk to Ennis 'bout." Jack didn't know what else to say. He didn't want to lie ta her nor did he want ta say somethin' that would upset Ennis. He knew how Ennis felt about people findin' out 'bout them. If Ennis knew his daughter knew he'd have a heart attack Jack was sure of it.

"He'd never tell me. Don't worry someday I'll get him ta tell me. Just be good ta one another ok."

"Ok, bye."

"Bye."

Jack had been right about one thing. Ennis was punishing him for their fight but why did he need to get away? And more important where did he go?