BIG DAY

Monday, May 9th Ennis and Jack having just finished a early lunch, potato salad, beans and roast beef sandwiches left over from the night before from a small celebration given by the Colins family who live on their ranch. Streamers, balloons, shiny paper signs proclaiming 'HAPPY 25TH ANIVERSARY' echoed by the five children's excited voices greeted Ennis and Jack as made their way into the Colins home. When Rita invited them she offered to fix anything they wanted for their supper. "Sure anything yer fixin' fer us be fine ma'am." Jack had replied. Ennis shyly asked "If it's not to much trouble….c'n ya fix some beans….got a couple of cans I can bring ya…." After a dessert of fresh apple pie and home made vanilla ice cream Uncle Jack and Uncle Ennis were lobbied to show off in their new suits. Retreating to the master bedroom the pair joked and cajoled shedding boots and jeans for worsted wool, silk, fine cotton and crafted leather soles. "Sure don't look like a cowboy now Jack…Not sure I'd be wantin' ya takin' care of my horses lookin' like that…" "Don't fergit yer suspenders Ennis… Don't be needin' yer pants falling down…Not in public anyways." That remark brought on a sharp snap at Jacks butt with said suspenders. Before emerging they caught their reflection together in the full length mirror on the door. Jack reach his arm around Ennis, pulled him tight, then opened the door and pushed him through. "Uncle Jack!…Uncle Ennis yer purty the children said almost in unison ….You look like movie stars!!!" "No jumping on your Uncles." Ennis and Jack went around shaking each of the three boys hand and kissing both little girls on the cheek. Before leaving Rita handed them each a carnation boutonnière she had made.

Now placing the two suits on a hook behind the drivers side of Ennis's Ford pickup as Jack loads a suitcase into the bed. " Time ta git a move on….suppose 't check in and git hair cuts at 1:30. Got everthing Ennis?

"Don't it looks like I's ready?….Just waitin' on you!

"You wanna drive?"

"Thought I would seein's how were going in my pickup." Ennis gets quiet a moment. "Even…even though ya bought it fer me."

Jack squeezes his shoulder slapping him hard in the back. "Weren't nothin'…time ta get going." Pushing him into the truck.

Pulling out onto the pavement Ennis shifts in high bringing the truck up to speed. Jack, sitting back on the bench seat, left foot resting on the transmission tunnel. "So Ennis ….you a little nervous there?"

"Who….me…..course not." Jack nudged his leg, grinning. Ennis looked Jack returning his smile, relaxed eased back in his seat.

"So there Ennis…I was thinking…."

"Seems ya do lotta that…."

"After we get out hair cuts….still be early…..won't be eating….till bout' 7:00.…thought…."

"Thought what Jack…..just what were ya thinking…Huh?"

"We could go back at the room….you know …in…"

"I know an what….?" Ennis turns to Jack with a teasing smile. "Just what ya go in mind Twist?"

Jack turns looks out at the plains of eastern Colorado passing by. "I don't know…something' at be workin' up ah appetite is all…you know…"

"Could go fer a walk…that'd build up good appetite….probably lot's we haven't seen in Denver'

Jack taps him in the calf with the point of his boot. "Was thinking on sometin' we could do in the room."

"Got ah deck o' cards in the glove box...play gin."

Jack opens the glove box, pulls out the cards, opens the box takes one out, tosses it out the window. "Guess we can't …missin' the eight of diamonds."

"Now what did cha go 'n do that for?….huh?….damn litterbug."

"Since when do we need ah deck of cards."

"Seems like they came in handy that time we were goin' up ta the mountains last year and got stuck on the wrong side of that stalled freight train….wuz stuck there fer almost two hours. Did pretty good in five card stud….Hey ….that reminds me…you still owe me twenty dollars I won ya."

"I kinda got other plans fer you….think I got a way to pay ya back"

"Ya mean like checkers? …..we could do that…Play fer money." Ennis now enjoying the verbal sparing.

"Yeah Ennis checkers!…..spend an anniversary in a nice hotel playin' checkers!"

"Okay…if that's what ya wanna do……to bad though…didn't bring em."

"Didn't even think we had any…." They both turn to each other and then burst out laughing.

Twenty minutes later Ennis merges onto the interstate I-70 leading to Denver, pulling into the fast lane passing a trio of 18 wheelers. "So Jack…."

"So what Ennis?"

"Are ya…. gonna be takin me ta the movies on this trip?'

"Ya wanna go ta the movies there Ennis?"

"Yep."

"Sure Ennis…We can go tomorrow….Got the room till two or so…." Jack grins at Ennis. "But we can go after. That'd be okay with ya…"

"Yep….and c'n we have some of them Greek gyros at that there food court?"

"Sure Ennis ….anything ya want."

Ennis smiles back at Jack. Jack winks at him.

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Front Desk, Doubletree Hotel in Denver. Ennis is looking nervously around the room never having seen anything so plush. Jack next to him, at ease talking to the desk clerk.

"Hey Jack…where's he goin' with our bags?'

Jack turn looks at Ennis. "It's okay Ennis, he's our bellhop."

"Bellhop?"

"Just takin' our bags ta our room….it's ok."

"But we c'n do that…huh?….he gonna charge us?"

"Don't worry none…I'll take care of it." Jack leaned against Ennis.

"Just how much is this costing us …gotta be a lot…..never seen anything so fancy….Huh?"

"Less that you might think…'Sides still got my 'Doubletree' discount card….saving us 15 percent."

Ennis looking up at the ornate ceiling "Well….alright then…."

Up in their room Jack hands the bellman a fiver, Ennis looks on anxious about the tip but not speaking. Jack looks to Ennis. "So wadda do yer think cowboy?"

Ennis looks around the room admiring the fine dark hardwood furnishings and paneling, tall four poster beds. "So how come ya got a room with two beds ….Huh"

"Well Ennis……thought ya ….might be embarrassed…..us rentin' a room with just one bed….with the clerk n' bellhop an all….just thought…" Jack look into Ennis. "wanted ya ta feel comfortable…..didn't cost any more if that's….."

"Oh….okay…..um……thanks fer…..that.

"So which bed da ya want at use?"

Ennis hops onto the one nearest the bathroom, leans back spread eagle taking as much space as he can on the queen size bed, laces his finger behind his head on the two pillows looking up at Jack. "I guess this one 'll do and you can take that one over there."

"Over there!…You want me ta use that one over there!"

"Yep…may as well make use of both of them." Ennis smiling up at Jack.

"Thought we were celebrating."

"I'll come git ya if I need ya…."

Jack standing with hands on hips looks down on Ennis staring him down. Then jumps up on the bed, boots and all straddles Ennis playfully but firmly pushing him down on his shoulders. Ennis pretends to struggle, twisting and turning.

"Grrrrrr………Grrrrrrrrrrrr……..Say uncle…….Grrrr….

"Grrrrrrrrr……..Grrrr….." Ennis trying to push Jack away.

"Say it!….Grrrrrrr……"

"Unc……cle……." Ennis hardly able to keep from laughing. Still locked onto Ennis Jack relaxes is grip staring nose to nose.

"So Twist….Ya think you c'n come and take advantage o' me just any old time ya want?…..Huh?"

"Well guess I do…." Catching his breath. "After courting ya fer a whole month up at Brokeback….And then." Jack struggling to hold Ennis down. "Only getting ta be with ya two er three times a year fer nearly 20 years….. driving a whole day every time….Yep….yep I reckon …I do." Jack leans close to Ennis, touching forehead to forehead, speaks softly. 'Sides, don't recall ya ever seemed ta mind."

"Well then." Ennis looking up at Jack. "Guess you're entitled….….."

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Twenty minutes later the pair head for the door, Ennis resumes his banter "Ah whole month….Huh?…What took ya so damn long?…..Scared…er what Jack." Ennis looks back, Jack pushing him, through the door.

"Scared?….Me?…..If I made ya come inta that tent one night sooner you'da gone running down lickidy split….left me up there ta tend the sheep myself……'Sides wanted ta court ya proper…." Jack said as they walked the deserted hallway to the elevators.

"Court me proper?…..All I remember is ya sneakin' a lookin' when I wuz washin' up, bet ya didn't think I saw?…… Huh?…..getting' me drunk so I couldn't ride up ta the sheep….an….telling' me ta come in the tent……and…"

"And?…." Jack turn to Ennis. "What about before?"

"And….and……

"And?

"And telling me all them bull riddin' stories…at night by the campfire …lookin' up at the stars…..and … skinning that Elk ya went with me ta shoot……and askin me 'bout my brother 'n sister…..and washin' my face up that time I fell of the horse….sayin' we should be both stayin' in camp at night……..having my supper always ready when I came back, even if it was burned……."

"And?…."

Ennis looks down.

"And…." Jack places is hand on Ennis's shoulder. "And….singing ta ya when ya fell asleep by the fire….holdin' ya …just a little…."

"Jack….that wuz you?"

Jack nods, the door opens to an empty elevator car and they step in.

"Thought all this time I dreamed that…."

"More than once bud…"

"Damn you Twist…." Ennis's eye start to fill. Jack grabs in in a tight embrace, broken only when the bell chimes and the doors open to the lobby.

"Hey Ennis ya wanna walk by the pool on the way out?"

"There's a pool?"

"And Jacuzzi."

"C'n we swim?" Ennis says with excitement.

"Sure Ennis…Brought some old trunks I had just in case."

"Don't know….never swam with trunks on before….especially with you…..mebe we can come down here middle o' the night an swim when no ones around….huh?"

Jack smiles back at Ennis, winks. "Sure enough Ennis…." Security cameras be damned he thought.

Once outside the sidewalk was crowded with mostly businessmen rushing to their next appointment, a few tourists, and students roaming the city. "Just a block and a half from the hotel…that what the clerk said."

"Jack….It is a man or lady cutting' out hair?"

Jack pulls a card from his shirt pocket. "Names Scott…So I'd say a man."

"Mmmm…"

"Somethin' wrong Ennis?"

"Ya think he might be…..You know…."

"Don't know….can't really say fer sure…I'd say might be likely."

"Jack…I don't know if I feel so good 'bout getting' my hair cut….don't know if I want…some…you know ….q…stranger sticking their fingers on my head…"

"Ya been letting' me cut yer hair….ever since them days at Brokeback….and I'm…."

"But yer not….like…"

Jack puts his hand on Ennis's nearest shoulder, squeezes reassuringly. "Be okay there Ennis….Promise you won't hurt ah bit…..Just relax….If ya want I'll go first" Ennis settles back in step with Jack. "Look's like were here Ennis." Jack opens the door , guides Ennis gently inside. Jack leads to the reception desk. "Ma'am m friend and I have an appointment fer 1:30, names Twist."

"Yes sir…that would be with Scott. Have a seat and I will get him for you." Ennis sits down, hands folded in his lap looks nervously around at the prints of abstract char actors on the walls near the ceiling, large leafy plant throughout the interior, sinks, credenza, display of multi types of products. Jack, relaxed taps Ennis in the leg with his knee, gives him a wink.

"Gentlemen!…One of you must be Mr. Twist." They are greeted by a mid 30's handsome man with darker blond hair with goatee, a slender athletic build, big wide smile, slightly shorter than Ennis and Jack, dressed in Levis, untucked creamy yellow polo shirt and K-Swiss sneakers.

They both stand, Ennis looking down. "Please call me Jack… and this here is my good friend Ennis, ya have ta watch him he kinda shy" They exchange hand shakes.

"Ennis….very nice name….fits you very well." Scott gave a warm smile. Ennis grinned.

Knowing the answer Scott asked. "So Jack, who has been cutting your hair?"

"That would be Ennis here." Turning to Ennis.

"You been to a barber college Ennis?….looks pretty professional….just grown out."

Ennis a little embarrassed. "No…no I haven't…..Kinda thought it was lucky that mug a' his isn't so hard on the eyes….don't matter so much 'bout the hair." They all laugh.

"Well why do we get started, see if we can give you some cuts worthy of those movie star faces you two have." Ennis looks down and smiles. "Now who wants to go first?."

Jack and Ennis look at each other. "I'll go first."

Scott leads Jack to the sink, places a smock around his neck and has him lean back to the sink. He then places a hot moist towel over most of his face,

"What are ya gonns do ta him?" Ennis said with a worried look.

"He just gonna wash my hair Ennis….an' give me a shave…all part of the service….it's okay Ennis."

"Yer getting' shaved too!

"We're getting' shaved"

"What!….Jaaackkk."

"Ennis, I promise you I wont hurt him a bit…I've been shaving faces almost twenty years…wouldn't be having this shop if I ever cut anyone. If you want you can stand right here." Ennis moves by the sink, placing his fingers protectively on Jacks shoulder, standing quietly, not sure if he wants this done to him.

"Hey Ennis…did you ever shave Jack here?" Scott said trying to engage Ennis.

"Once….He wuz sick with the flu er something ….Thought mebe he'd feel better iffin his face didn't feel like sandpaper…kept coughin' in my face….but got 'm shaved."

Jack nodded.

Ennis brightened up, warming to Scott ." Say Scott…." Ennis then placing his hand on Jack's chest . "Think mebe you can shave off that moustache of his?" Now pushing down on Jack.

Immediately, face still covered , Jack turns, eyebrows rise up toward Ennis, eyes pleading.

"Haven't seen that upper lip in prob'ly ten years." Now holding Jack down with both hands.

Scott smiling witnessing the test of wills. "You want me to shave it off Ennis?"

Jacks eyes dart back and forth between Ennis and Scott, Jack begins to struggle, Ennis holding firm then slowly releasing pressure.

"Well I reckon…..but…..but only if he wants to."

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Jack now seated in the chair as Scott begins the work the comb and scissors. "Hey Ennis…Come over here…can I show you something"

"Um …sure."

"You want to learn how to give a good cut?"

Ennis come closer. "You comb the hair back like this….then with you first two fingers hold some hair like this…like a row. Then at about two and half inches cut at an angle… like this. Call it a feather cut because it make your hair lay down like a feather" Ennis watches while Scott make several cuts. "You want to try it Ennis?"

"Umm ….alright…" Scott hands Ennis the scissors. Jack's eyebrows rise up in the direction If Ennis.

"Just take your finges….that's it…pull it taunt….and"

"Just cut like this?"

"That's it Ennis….There go back an inch and do it again….See you got it." Ennis stands back admiring his handy work.

"Careful around the ears." Jack spoke up.

"Ain't I always….Look at that." Ennis indicating Jack's ears. "Not a nick in 'm."

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Scott flipped the switch on the drier, rotated Jack to face the mirror, all three stunned by the change in appearance. "Jack….Your sure are pretty …..Guess I never though you could look any better." Ennis said gently touching his neck.

"Your turn cowboy!"

"Wha…Umm….er…….Okay …I guess."

"No Jack not like that …like this!" Ennis making scissor motions over his head as he takes his turn in the chair.

"You mean like this?" Jack taking the scissors, snipping at Ennis's fingers shoeing his hands away.

"Jack you just…." Ennis tries again.

"Just cut along here…?" Jack giggling, again snipping the scissors. Ennis waving his arms.

"Come on Jack….." Jack keeping Ennis at bay.

"Scott ya see whut I have ta put up with.?….Huh? All the live long day got Mr. Comedian here.. .can't never get nothing' done."

Half an hour later Ennis and Jack bid Scott farewell, having made a new friend, leaving him with an open invitation to visit their ranch anytime. Ennis proud of his new look can't keep from looking at his reflection in the store windows.

"Ennis..."

"Whut." Ennis staring at his reflection, not really listining.

"ENNIS!...stop lookin' in the window….that's a ladies gym yer peekin' in."

"Whut!….Huh?….is not!……..Damn you Twist."

END OF PART THREE