I dreamed a dream

Chapter 6

"It's alright, lil' darlin'… it's alright."

Ennis was holding Jack softly, caressing his hair as if he was a startled horse. Jack was embracing Ennis like a life line, like nothing in the world mattered but the man in front of him.

They didn't know how much time passed before the soft embrace became urgent, laced with desire. Ennis was kissing Jack with intensity to rival that of their meeting after four years, and Jack was giving back as good as he got.

Hands roaming everywhere, breaths heavy, moaning with anticipation.

"I need you cowboy… need you bad" Jack gasped out.

And as if it was the cue he was waiting for, Ennis pushed Jack to the bed, while they both took off their clothes, hands clumsy with yearning.

Their coupling was as electric as ever, as charged. Ennis was a mixture of gentleness and possessiveness, as if he was trying to claim Jack for his own once again. Jack was giving in, accepting the possession, but none too submissively.

They finished, panting, spent, a tangle of limbs on top of the rumpled bed.

"Rodeo?" said Ennis quietly after a while, holding Jack in his arms, much like Jack had done years ago in the Siesta Motel.

"Hmm?"

"I wanna say somethin'… I can't say I'm ever gonna be too happy 'bout you and Mexico, you and Randall… but I understand. I understand why you done it, and I ain't sore about it no more."

Jack turned his head to look up at Ennis, but didn't speak, he sensed he wasn't quite done yet.

"But I want you to know something, Jack fuckin' Twist. If we are gonna have this sweet life, then I want you to know well and good you are my man, mine alone. No fuckin' around, 'cause I ain't one for sharing. You got that, rodeo?" Ennis continued, seriousness laced with some playfulness.

"Cowboy… if you are with me, there is no man and definitely no woman on this here planet who could make me look their way." answered Jack, looking into Ennis' eyes, letting all his love for him show on his own blue orbs.

They shared a kiss, a slow, loving kiss as if to seal their promise.

"Well, cowboy, I suggest we get us some sleep. We got a big day tomorro'" said Jack, untangling the covers.

"Tomorro?" asked Ennis, puzzled, "I thought you said we had this place for the weekend"

"Well, I did… but if you and me are gonna be livin' at last, I got me a divorce to settle an' a few things to sort out afore we can get started" answered Jack, a big smile on his face, "and I wanna get started as soon as possible."

Ennis chuckled.

"You are damn right, rodeo. The sooner the better. I can't wait either." Ennis admitted.

They settled down to sleep then, and before slumber overtook them they were invaded by a strange feeling, something they hadn't felt since Brokeback… a sense of possibility, a sense of hope.

Jack was fidgeting like a little boy, tucking in his shirt, patting down his hair. Ennis couldn't help but chuckle at seeing him so flustered.

They were sitting in Jack's truck, parked outside his house. Jack had called Lureen from a gas station that morning, arranging to meet her to have 'a talk'.

"Why are your panties in a twist, rodeo? It ain't like you've never talked to Lureen afore" said Ennis, not hiding the amusement in his voice.

"Well, no Ennis, but it is the first time I talk to her about the fact that I'm leaving her for another man" shot back Jack with a glare.

"Relax, rodeo. It'll be fine… the sooner it's over, the better. So git a move on, I'll be waitin' here for you."

Ennis looked outside the windows, quickly checking there was nobody else in sight. He took Jack's face in his hands and kissed him until they were both gasping for breath. His russet eyes met Jack's cerulean orbs with a gaze that reflected all the love, passion and caring between them.

"It will be fine, lil' darlin'" whispered Ennis.

With a deep breath and a last grasp of Ennis' hand, Jack opened the truck's door and walked up to the house. He turned to look at Ennis one last time before going inside.

"Lureen?" called out Jack. His mind was racing. 'Calm down, breathe deep… it'll will be alrigh'… if she don't pull out the shotgun and kill your stupid ass, Jack fuckin' Twist… no, think positive thoughts.'

He made his way to the living room where Lureen was waiting, sipping on some lemonade.

"Hmm… from the look on your face, I guess I should get me something a little stronger to drink." said Lureen dryly, by way of greeting.

Jack grimaced. He sat down next to her, and gathered his courage.

"Lureen… we've been talkin' 'bout a divorce for a while now. Our marriage… it really hasn't been one for a long time." he paused. Had to say it all, the whole truth. Lureen deserved that much.

"I'm gonna tell you the truth, Lureen. You may hate me by the time I'm done, and I don't think I deserve less." he looked up into Lureen's expectant eyes. She motioned for him to continue with a nod of her head.

" You see… I… since afore I met you, I was in love with someone else. And I have been, all these years." Jack continued.

"Well, I figured out you were cheating on me some time ago, Jack. But that is a common enough thing… what are you not saying?" asked Lureen, shooting him a scrutinizing look.

"The person I love… he's a man. He's my fishin' buddy, Ennis. I… I'm gay, Lureen." Jack said quietly. He braced himself for the screams of damnation.

Utter silence. Jack looked up, puzzled.

"Lureen?"

Lureen seemed to be absorbing the information, staring at her glass of lemonade as if it was the only thing in this world. At last, she looked up, her expression collected and her gaze calm.

"Well Jack… I… I can't say that you being queer is the best news I've ever gotten. But… I don't know if this makes sense… I sorta… knew it. Sensed it, somehow." she took a deep breath. "In the end Jack, we haven't been a real marriage in a while. We were going to get a divorce anyhow… and you being gay is just another reason." she finished.

Jack couldn't believe it. Lureen was… alright with it? She wasn't ready to kill him?

Well, she was a business woman to the bone marrow. And a damn good businesswoman, too.

"Lureen, I… I know it may sound stupid. But, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for hurting you 'cause of my own fears. You didn't deserve that…"

"No, I didn't. But, we had fun, Jack. And whatever happened, whatever hurts you caused me… you are a good man. You always were kind to me, and you done right by Bobby." she said earnestly.

"Truth is, I'm ready for a new life. My daddy dead, I own the business… I ain't some helpless woman, Jack, and I'll be alright. That said, I really do need something stronger to drink now." she finished, and stood up to get two shot glasses from a glass cabinet nearby, pouring whisky carefully into each glass.

Jack was completely astounded. He was expecting anything but this cool, rational acceptance. Taking the shot of whisky Lureen offered him, he shook his head in amazement.

"Lureen, I think you are the strongest woman I've ever met."

Ennis was fidgeting worse than Jack. 'Where the hell are you, rodeo?'

He couldn't take it anymore. Was Lureen killing Jack? The house was too silent. Mayhap she was poisoning him? 'Oh, stop it, Ennis. Juss' walk up to the house… knock… mebbe save Jack from a painful death…'

With these grim thoughts running through his mind, Ennis got out of the truck and knocked on the front door.

A few minutes later, the door opened to reveal none other than Lureen Newsome. Shit.

"Uh… good evenin' m'am. I'm…" stuttered Ennis

\"My husband's 'fishing buddy'?" she asked, sarcasm lacing her voice, "I should say ex-husband. Come on in, Mr. del Mar"

Lureen led a very bewildered Ennis to the living room. Jack was sitting there, looking through several papers that were laid out in front of him in the coffee table.

He looked up as Ennis came in.

"Ennis! Uh… I see that you've met Lureen…"

"Don't you have an amazing gift for pointing out the obvious Jack." Lureen said "If you don't mind, Mr. del Mar, Jack and I still have some things to settle about the divorce. Oh, but I'm being a terrible hostess, can I get you something to drink?" continued Lureen, turning to Ennis.

"No, ma'm, I'm juss' fine. I'll wait while you an' Jack finish settlin' yer papers."

Ennis was resisting the urge to pinch himself. He had to be in some sort of bizarre dream… how was it possible that Jack's wife had offered him something to drink as if nothing was the matter? And Jack and she were just talking like old friends, nobody was mentioning anything about them being cursed with eternal damnation… 'These Texans sure are particular people' was the only thing he could conclude. He shook himself from his musings and focused his attention on the conversation Jack and Lureen were having.

"So, what are we going to do about Bobby?" asked Lureen.

"Well, Ennis and I will probably head to my daddy's ranch right now, help him fix it up at last… but I ain't sure I want to stay in Lightning Flats for good…" Jack trailed off.

"Well, Jack you have been saving some money over the years… and you will get a good sum with the divorce settlement. Maybe that will be enough for a down payment for a ranch of your own." Lureen pointed out.

"That is true. I think Bobby is old enough to decide what he wants… but… if Ennis and I do get settled somewhere nice, whether it's Lightning Flats or another ranch… I would love for him to come with us." Jack looked at Ennis then, and Ennis nodded his approval almost imperceptibly. " I know it's impossible, but…"

"I agree, Jack" Lureen interrupted his ramblings.

"What?" asked Jack and Ennis at the same time.

"Well, of course he can't go with you while you two are still figuring out where to live, but Bobby is closest to you, and I'm sure that once you've settled in he will want to live with you. Of course, he'd have to stay with me for long visits, vacations and such… but I think it's what he'll want."

Jack was, for perhaps one of the first times in his life, speechless.

Without further thought, he gave Lureen a hug.

"Thank you." he whispered.

Ennis smiled. Jack's eyes when he heard Lureen would let Bobby be with them had made his heart skip a beat. 'Life sure is lookin' sweet, rodeo' he thought gladly.

They heard the front door open and close. Bobby walked into the living room.

"Mom? Daddy? What's going on?"

Author's note: well, Lureen knows at last. As for L.D. being dead, I re-read the short story to write this chapter, and in it the stud duck does indeed die before Jack's and Ennis' last meeting. I decided to go with that, sorry if there are any L.D fans out there. (there aren't, right? 'cause any man who is mean to my rodeo is black-listed ;)