The next few days were a bit hectic, but not busy. Joe, Ron, and Carrie got back the morning after Joe's wife passed. Ron and Carrie vanished into their rooms. Joe helped Jack and Ennis around the ranch until he had to stop and get things together for the funeral which would be held in a week. Joe had to go into town for a loan to pay for everything.

Work on the ranch eventually stopped. Jack worked on his truck while Ennis went inside to see what he could help with. As far as Jack knew, Ennis was being there for Carrie. The two never left each other's side. And Ron seemed a bit jealous of that whenever Jack spotted him. Jack was tempted to be the one to get Ron back into the groove of things but was worried that Ron would take that the wrong way.

The day before the funeral, things around the house were worse. It was Carrie's nineteenth birthday. She wouldn't let anyone near her besides Ennis. And they stayed in her room all day. Joe didn't seem to have a problem with that. He was just satisfied that someone was able to comfort her.

Jack sat down in the truck, writing down the parts he needed that would get the truck running. He didn't look up when the other door opened and Ron climbed into the passenger's seat. They were silent until Jack finished writing.

"Are you going to the funeral tomorrow?" Ron asked. He hadn't come out of the house for a week, so this was progress. He looked at Jack with a hopeful look.

"Would it be right?" Jack asked, looking at him. "I didn't know her all that well-"

"I want you there."

"Ron-"

"Ennis is going for Carrie," Ron said. "He knew Mom even less than you did. It's not like I'm asking you out on a date. I just want you to be there. As a friend. To hold things together."

"I won't be much help-"

"Please."

Jack sighed. "All right," he said with a nod. "I'll be there."

"Thank you," Ron said then got out of the truck and headed back to the house.

Jack watched him go then looked down at his notebook. Going into town for the funeral would give him the chance to get the parts he needed sooner. Of course, that depended on how late the service went.

He shook his head then got out of the truck and headed to the small house.


Jack dressed his best for the funeral. He didn't own anything black, so had to borrow a few things from Joe. Dark pants and suit jacket was all he got, but it was good enough. They all rode in Joe's car into town. During the trip, Jack glanced back at Ennis and Carrie, seeing that Ennis' arm was around her and she was leaning against him, doing her best to keep herself from crying. If he didn't know any better, he would have thought there was more than friendship between the two.

The funeral was an eerie experience for Jack. He sat down quietly while the service was held, but his eyes were on the open coffin at the front. Mrs. Aguirre was lying there, looking like she was just asleep. The cancer hadn't affected her body all that much. And that was what freaked him out the most. It didn't seem real that she was dead. She looked like she would wake up at any moment and look around wondering why everyone was watching her.

"Jack?" Ron whispered, leaning toward him. "You okay?" It didn't make sense for Ron to be able to get through this better than Jack could.

Jack shifted in his seat, moving his gaze away from the coffin and just nodded his head without saying a word. If he said anything, he would have made an excuse to get the hell out of here.

Ron placed his hand on Jack's arm. Jack glanced toward Joe, who wasn't paying any attention to them. Jack looked forward, pushing Ron's hand off of his arm. He didn't say or do anything when Ron placed his hand on Jack's leg, moving it in a soothing matter. Wasn't Jack the one that was supposed to make Ron feel better?

"I have to go," Jack mumbled, rising out of his seat. He felt sick at his stomach as he made his way out of the funeral home. No one looked at him or said anything. He pushed the door open and stepped out into the fresh air, taking deep breaths.

It didn't help.

Jack turned and headed back inside, making his way to the bathroom. He threw up in the sink, grateful that he hadn't ate all that much for breakfast. He rinsed his mouth out and cleaned out the sink then splashed cold water on his face. Palms down flat, he stood there against the sink for a long moment, taking slow, deep breaths.

The door opened then closed then Ron walked over to him. "Jack, are you okay?" he asked.

"Do I look okay?"

"What happened?"

Jack glared at Ron's reflection in the mirror. "How can people stand that open casket crap?" he asked. "As if knowing she was dead wasn't bad enough!"

"You've never seen a dead body?"

Jack pushed away from the sink and turned to Ron. "What normal person would?" he asked. "A lot of people go about their lives without ever seeing a dead body!"

"Then I'm sorry I put you through that."

Jack was ready to rant a bit more then paused, feeling bad about his attitude. "No, I'm sorry," he said, leaning against the sink. "You're grieving. I'm just ruining everything."

"You haven't ruined everything."

Jack crossed his arms then looked at Ron. "How's the funeral going?"

"Dad said a few words," Ron replied. "Everyone's getting ready to go to the cemetery. Do you wanna go?"

"I don't think I'd be able to get through it."

"The casket will be closed."

"Doesn't make a difference."

Ron stepped closer. "What all's the matter?" he asked, propping one hand on the sink.

"I've never gone through a loss like this," Jack admitted. "The worst loss I've gone through is a job and whenever that happened I was the tiniest bit grateful I didn't have to work there anymore."

"So your problem is just that you don't know how to handle something like this?"

Jack shook his head.

"We don't have to go."

"We?"

"I already told Dad I wasn't going," Ron said. "Carrie's just goin' because Ennis is there."

Jack ran his fingers through his hair then pushed away from the sink and pulled off the jacket. "I need a drink," he said, starting for the door.

"Jack."

Jack stopped and turned back then remembered that Ron was underage. "Then we'll find a place that sells beer," he said. It was too early to drink, but he didn't care. He opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom.


Jack grabbed his glass when his drink was brought over. Ron sat across from him, a milkshake in front of him. Sometimes Ron seemed more grown up than anything, but right now, with Jack's beer and Ron's milkshake, Jack just felt like he was out with his younger brother. Another reason why they couldn't work out. Jack was immature, but Ron was still a child, pretty much.

Then Jack thought about what Ennis had said a week ago. That there was an interest for Ron in Jack. Something Jack didn't want to admit to since that would get him into trouble, but he couldn't stop thinking about it. How could he be interested in Ron when most of his thoughts were consumed by Ennis?

"I took your advice," Ron said, breaking the silence.

"What advice?" Jack asked, unable to remember ever giving Ron advice.

"About talking to my mom."

Realization hit him. "Oh."

"You were right."

Jack smirked. "I usually am," he said, taking a drink of his beer. It wasn't as strong as he had been hoping for, but it was good enough.

"I also told her I was gay."

"How'd she take it?"

"Surprisingly well," Ron said. "Even with Dad and Carrie standing there."

"And your dad?"

"We had a long talk the other day," Ron said. "He's accepted it."

Now Jack was the only one stuck in the closet. He wasn't planning on that changing any time soon. As soon as that news was out, he'd be kicked out because Joe might think that he was interested in Ron.

"My birthday's coming up in a few weeks,"Ron said. "So-"

"Why do you want this so much?"

Ron reacted as if he had been slapped. "I thought things were mutual-"

"I never said that."

" 'Come and see me when you're legal,' " Ron quoted. "Your words."

"I didn't mean-"

"Is it Ennis?"

"There's nothin' between me and Ennis," Jack said. "We're barely even friends." Though, working around the ranch alone for the last couple of weeks had helped them form some sort of bond. He wasn't sure how tight that bond was since a lot of Ennis' time had been spent with Carrie, but Jack still wanted to pursue that friendship.

"How do you know he's not sleeping with Carrie?"

"Because he's gay."

"Doesn't mean anything."

Jack leaned back in his seat with a sigh. "I don't want to pursue us because there is something here," he said. "I don't want to get attached because you're my boss's son."

"He knows I'm gay."

"But does that make it okay?" Jack asked. He picked up his glass, staring down at the contents for a long moment. He really needed something stronger right now. Whiskey was appealing. "He might have it in his mind that I perverted you." He looked at Ron. "Then I'll get fired and I'd probably have to live off my parents for a while."

"I'd help you."

"You don't get it, Ron."

"I want to."

Jack downed the rest of his beer then got to his feet. He was tempted to just walk right out and leave Ron here. "Come on," he said, gesturing for Ron to follow as he headed out the door.

Ron was right on his heels as they headed down the street a store. Jack bought some whiskey then headed back outside where Ron was waiting. He started down the street again, opening the bottle, and Ron followed after him.

"When I turn eighteen, Dad can't do anything," Ron said, walking beside Jack now.

"You'll still be livin' under his roof."

"I'll move in with you."

"Still his property."

Ron stepped in front of Jack, stopping him. "You said there was something between us," he said. "How do you expect me to just walk away from that?"

"Easy. Like this," Jack said then stepped around Ron and continued on his way, taking a long swig from the bottle. That definitely didn't settle his stomach, but he needed it to deal with Ron right now.

Jack nearly lost his balance when Ron grabbed his arm and pulled him into an alley and out of sight from anyone else. More privacy than they could ever have alone on the ranch. Jack regretted ever stepping out of that diner now.

"Why don't you just give me a chance?" Ron asked. "If it doesn't work out, I'll leave you alone."

Jack was already starting to feel woozy. "I can't give you that chance."

"Why not?"

"Because I want Ennis more."

Ron just stood there silent now. Jack took another swig then stared down at the bottle as if it would whisk him away from here to someplace better. It was "whiskey" after all.

"Is Ennis interested in you?"

Jack lowered the bottle and looked at Ron. "I don't know," he said. "Because of your sister, we haven't become the friends I expected to be at this point."

"And what if he's not interested?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders with no other answer.

"Why wait around for something probable when you know there's something between us right now?" Ron asked, stepping closer and causing Jack to back up into the wall. "You won't have to wait around for me."

"Ron-"

Ron cut him off by pressing his lips against Jack's. The bottle slipped out of Jack's hand, shattering on the pavement as he found himself returning the kiss. Ron's hands were suddenly all over as Jack tugged him closer, deepening the kiss.

This went on for a few minutes until Jack decided it was enough. He pushed Ron away from him, holding him an arm's length away. "I can't do this," Jack said.

"Jack-"

Jack pushed away from him and walked off, leaving Ron in the alley.


TBC