Chapter 10

"Call me if you hear anything about the job. Leave a message if I don't pick up," Ennis said, pulling Jack tightly to his chest and giving him a big squeeze.

"And you call me after you talk to Brian," Jack said.

Ennis didn't mean to, but he let out a slight groan at the thought of confronting Brian.

"You okay?" Jack asked, stepping back. "Sore muscles from getting that bed up the stairs?"

"After that massage you gave me? No, I'm fine. How 'bout you?"

"I'm fine too."

"Don't work too hard on the yard today," Ennis said, opening the door and stepping outside into the warm morning sun.

"Gotta keep busy so time will pass."

"See you tonight, we'll talk later." Ennis said.

He got in his truck and set out for Yosemite Trails. On the drive, he thought about the past two days and how much he'd enjoyed spending them with Jack. He wondered how much time they'd have together once Jack started working. They had a lot going for them. This problem with Brian was small in the scope of things. He'd take care of it, and they'd move on.

...

When Ennis arrived at work, he noticed Brian's Ford already there. He'd been half expecting him to show up late, embarrassed at how he'd acted Monday night, but evidently that wasn't the case. He sure hoped there wouldn't be a scene when they talked. He'd been working there just over two weeks and it sure hadn't been dull...but he thrived on dull and normal. He didn't care for conflict or surprises, and now look what had happened.

He went to pick up his lunch and ran into Clint and Debbie, who greeted him the same as ever. Dwayne didn't look at him funny either, just smiled and informed him that BLT Burritos were the featured dish of the day. If anyone had raised eyebrows about him, it must have died down and blown over. After all, Monday was three days ago. He guessed that Brian had already gotten his lunch and was hard at work mucking out the stalls, and it would be kinda hard to talk while shoveling shit. The thought went through his mind that maybe they could just ignore the whole thing and go on as if nothing had happened. It was possible...but Jack wouldn't let him off the hook that easily. He'd have to bring it up.

He walked toward the stables as if he was going to a firing squad. Teri's cheerful wave from the corral helped lift his spirits. Inside, the methodical sound of the shovel scraping the floor was all he could hear. Glancing around, he saw the familiar cowboy hat bobbing up and down in one of the stalls. He tucked his lunch away, grabbed a shovel, and headed for the nearest dirty stall to where Brian was working. It looked like he had already cleaned a fair number in spite of the early hour. It didn't seem that Brian had noticed him, so he made some loud noises with his shovel to attract attention.

Brian looked over the stall, his eyes barely visible under his cowboy hat. It was clear that he wasn't himself. There was no friendly greeting, and the tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The way his hands gripped the shovel's handle showed how uneasy he was, no question about it. He realized that he'd never really stopped to think what to expect when he saw Brian. Would he be angry...hurt...sorry for how he'd acted?

"Hey, Brian," Ennis finally said.

The corners of Brian's lips curved ever so slightly. "Mornin', Ennis. How were your days off?" His voice sounded restrained, not the normal energetic Brian that he'd come to know. He sensed that at least Brian wasn't angry.

"Fine, just fine," Ennis answered.

"Mr. Knapp says our Wagons and Dogies outing for Friday night is a group of geriatric folks." Brian's voice took on a more enthusiastic tone with that statement.

He was a bit taken aback and could only assume that Brian was hoping to ignore what went on Monday night. He knew that wasn't an option, as much as he'd like it to be.

"You mean Senior Citizens?" Ennis asked.

"Oh, yeah, Seniors, I guess that's what they're called."

"Yeah...Uh, speaking of Wagon's and Dogies..."

Brian took off his hat and rubbed his forehead and neck with his red and white plaid bandana. He looked down and moved the straw around with his boot.

"I guess it took you by surprise to meet Jack that evening," Ennis said.

Brian looked straight at him. "I'll say it did. Especially after you said you didn't know who you'd bring. And those times I was asking about going out for a beer...you never let on."

It was easy to read the emotion in Brian's eyes. He looked shattered, but after a brief moment he pulled himself together. "You live with Jack?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Wow. Why didn't you tell me?"

He didn't have a good answer to that. He wanted to apologize, wanted to say something that would make everything better, but he was just so damn uncomfortable and couldn't find the words. Beads of sweat gathered under the bill of his cap. He took a couple of deep breaths, but all that came out was a stammered, "I don't know."

Brian looked confused. "After seeing Jack I thought...well, I thought..." Brian stopped and regarded him closely, as if the wheels were turning in his brain.

He hated the feeling of being put under a microscope and wished the conversation could end. Brian knew he was with Jack, period, end of problem. He'd like an apology for speaking to Jack like he had, but right now he just wished they could move on.

"What did you think?" Ennis asked.

"That you must be out...so I couldn't understand why you didn't say something."

"Uh, well, I really wasn't...'till I brought Jack to the cook-out, at least to the folks here."

"Oh. Okay, I get it." After a moment of silence, with Brian shifting his weight from foot to foot, he dug in his jeans pocket for some bubble gum. "Want some?" he asked.

"No, no thanks," Ennis answered.

Brian unwrapped the chunk-shaped piece of pink gum and popped it in his mouth. "Ennis...um, nobody knows about me...you know, that I'm gay. Guess you could say I'm in the closet. Oh...Pete has the idea, but I've never admitted anything to him...nosey bastard."

"Okay, I won't let on," Ennis said. "One thing though...what made you...uh..." He had no idea how to put his question into words.

"Hit on you?" Brian smiled slightly. "I don't know. Just seemed like maybe you were like me. Maybe you'd like a friend. I guess I was only half right."

"Yeah." He still wondered what Brian had seen in him that gave him away.

Brian suddenly looked shy and embarrassed. He blew a bubble, and when it popped he continued chewing. "Will you tell your boyfriend that I'm sorry for actin' like I did the other night? I was kinda rude, and I hope you'll both accept my apology."

"Okay, I'll tell him, and, I'm sorry for springing him on you like I did."

"No hard feelings," Brian said. He held out his hand and they shook briefly. "Sure you don't want a piece of gum?" Brian asked.

"No, I'll pass. We'd best get to work before someone wonders why we're standing around."

"Yeah, or before the horses come back and their stalls aren't ready."

They got to work, and Ennis felt pretty good with the outcome of the conversation.

...

As soon as lunchtime rolled around, Ennis excused himself to go eat in his truck. By the downcast look on Brian's face, it was obvious that he was disappointed. The annoyance that Ennis felt was short-lived. He had no idea why, but he felt sorry for Brian on some level, and he did something that he normally never did...let something of a personal nature enter into conversation. Surely now that Brian knew he had someone at home, he could understand why he had other things to do than spend every lunch break shooting the breeze with him, but today he felt maybe an explanation was in order.

Before he walked off he said, "I need to check in with Jack. He's expecting to hear about a job he's in for. Been kinda nervous about it...so I wanna call him while I'm eating."

"Oh, sure, Ennis. No problem. I hope he has good news." Brian looked less dejected after the explanation.

He had checked his phone all day, and so far, no word from Jack. He pulled it out again on the way to the truck, but there still wasn't anything. Damn, if there was good news, he'd have called.

He got in the truck, leaving the door open, the smell of azaleas filling his nostrils. Listening to the ringing of the phone after he'd pushed Jack's number made him nervous as hell. He counted the rings. He didn't want to hear the disappointment that would be in Jack's voice if he hadn't been chosen for the job. Jack picked up on the third ring and sounded fine, maybe just a little tired.

"Hey, Ennis."

"Guess there's no news, huh?"

"You know what they say, no news is good news."

"So, nothing in the mail, huh?"

"No. Maybe tomorrow."

Jack sounded good for having the letdown of not hearing about the job when he'd been counting the days to get to the two-week mark.

"I shoulda called after the mailman delivered, but I figured you were probably busy, and I didn't want to take the chance of interrupting your talk with the kid."

Jack enunciating the last two words wasn't lost on Ennis. He smiled and dug into the brown paper bag to get his lunch.

"Yeah, that. Bet you've been wondering how it went."

"So, how'd he act when you saw him?" Jack asked.

"It was awkward at first, but we ended up having a good talk, and he wanted me to apologize to you for the way he acted that night."

"Really? Just like that he's over it?"

He could understand why Jack was surprised. But Brian hadn't been himself that night after seeing Jack, and now he was, so he hoped that Jack would let it slide.

"Well, I'm glad that your work environment is settled at least. Pete's not there today, is he?"

"No, and hopefully by the time he comes in he'll have forgotten about the side-show."

"Yeah. Hey, wait till you see the grass. The mower did a nice job."

"Good. I'm anxious to see it. Hope you didn't run the mower too early and disturb Bug-Eyes."

"Yeah...well, I know you're kidding, but I guess there's a rule about what time you can make noise around here. Phyllis told me."

"Well, that's good to know. I wouldn't have thought of that."

"I haven't seen Herschel all day. Usually he's on the porch at least once or twice."

"Well, it's your lucky day then," Ennis said sarcastically.

"No, my lucky day would have been hearing that I had the job."

"Sorry, Jack. Tomorrow's another day though."

"Well, I guess I'll let you go so you can eat, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm having BLT burritos today."

"Sounds good. Where are you now?

"I'm eating in my truck."

"Okay, well, I'll see you after work. Love you."

"I love you too."

...

Jack closed his phone and glanced around the yard once more to make sure he hadn't left any tools out. He didn't have much time for lunch, and then he'd need to hurry and get his clothes changed for his jog. He wanted to be home in time to put a roast and vegetables into the oven for supper. Ennis sure lucked out with getting his lunches prepared for him at work. He'd never heard of BLT Burritos, but they sounded better than the frozen Hungry Man Salisbury steak he had planned for lunch.

It had sure been good hearing Ennis' voice. Having someone who cared meant the world to him. He had to admit that he felt a sense of relief that Ennis wasn't having lunch with Brian. Shit, am I gonna have to deal with feelings like this from now on? It was just a stupid crush and now that Brian knew that Ennis wasn't available he'd back off. Even if he didn't, he trusted Ennis.

After lunch he quickly dressed in his shorts and tee-shirt, grabbed his water, strapped on his hands free waist pack and stepped outside. He was on his own today because Phyllis had other plans. He looked over at Herschel's house and there still wasn't any sign of him, even just peeking out the window. He had no idea why he kept looking over there. They certainly weren't friends or anything. Phyllis, however, was a friend, and she'd asked on more than one occasion about him bringing Ennis to her place for dinner. At first she seemed to understand about Ennis being introverted and private, but as time went on, maybe curiosity was getting the better of her, and she wasn't letting up. Jack had yet to meet her husband and kids, and he'd like to at some point.

Ennis had made a major stride the night of the cook-out, taking him to family night and introducing him like he had. It was just a matter of time before he'd feel relaxed enough to meet Phyllis and her family, he just knew it. She'd said they could have a barbecue in her yard, and Ennis liked cook-outs, so there was no reason he wouldn't enjoy that.

Cook-outs. Tomorrow night Ennis would be home late because of going on the Wagons and Dogies outing again. Brian will be there. Shit, don't go thinking about him again.

He had reached the trailhead for Henness Ridge, and he picked up his pace. Most of the people taking the trail were hikers, but he liked to challenge himself and found it invigorating to jog. When he got nearer to the top he usually slowed it down, both because of the effort and to enjoy the scenery. Today he figured on doing some thinking when he got to the top. Maybe pass some time in the lookout tower.

With any luck he'd be working soon. He couldn't wait to use what he'd learned in college. Graduation seemed so long ago, and he was ready to begin his life out in the real world. He jogged past a few people as if they were standing still. The trail was becoming steeper but he kept going faster, faster, faster.

...

Jack had just closed the oven door when he heard the high-pitched sound of a siren. The neighborhood had been so quiet in the two weeks since they'd moved in, the wind in the pines and the chirping of the birds being the main source of sound. Hearing a siren was unexpected and jarring. He listened closely as it became louder, and he looked out the window above the kitchen sink. The next thing he was aware of was the rumble of a vehicle approaching. His heart skipped a beat when an ambulance barreled up the lane and came to a stop across the street. His first thought was that Herschel's mother had taken a turn for the worse. He hurried outside to see if he could do anything to help. Maybe just be there as a concerned neighbor. As he slammed the front door shut, Ennis' truck drove in. He wore a startled expression as he quickly parked and threw open the door.

"What's going on?" Ennis asked.

"I have no idea. They just drove up," Jack answered.

"Must be the old lady," Ennis said.

They stood and watched from the front yard as the paramedics jumped out of the ambulance and rushed into the house. A short time later one of them came back for a gurney. The minutes ticked by. Jack was getting nervous the longer it took for anything to happen.

"I wonder what they're doing?" Jack asked.

"Guess they're trying to stabilize her or something before moving her," Ennis said.

"I hope she'll be okay."

"Didn't you say she's in her nineties?" Ennis asked.

"Yeah. I don't know what's wrong with her though."

"Other than being ninety?"

"Ennis, come on. People live into their nineties all the time."

"I know. I'm sorry."

They waited and waited, for what, Jack wasn't sure. Herschel would probably leave with his mother in the ambulance, or drive behind it, and it was doubtful that seeing them would do anything for his spirits.

"Maybe we should just go in," Jack finally said.

Ennis grunted in agreement. Just as they turned and started to leave, the paramedics appeared in the doorway with the gurney. As they wheeled it out, Jack noticed that the person being transported looked much too large to be a ninety year old woman. Ennis must have thought so too because he reached for his arm and brought him to a stop.

"That looks more like old Bug-Eyes."

"Shit, that's what I was thinking. I'm going over."

"Jack...come back here."

He left Ennis standing in the yard and jogged across the street. He knew that Ennis didn't understand why he'd go out of his way for someone who had been so rude to him, but he'd been raised that when someone was in need and you could help, you just did it. Herschel's mother must be scared to death if she was aware of what was happening. Who would stay with her...she couldn't be left alone. Herschel's brother would have to be called. He hoped he could find the phone number.

"Is he gonna be all right?" Jack asked the first paramedic that looked his way. The guy looked serious, and had a stethoscope around his neck.

"Are you a family member?" the man asked.

"No, I'm a neighbor," Jack answered.

"He's in and out of consciousness. We're taking him to the Community Medical Center in Oakhurst for evaluation, and it's likely he'll be transferred after that."

"His mother's in the house. She's bedridden from what I hear."

Before the guy could answer, Herschel opened his eyes and attempted to speak. One of the paramedics leaned over him. "Don't try to talk. Conserve your strength, sir."

Jack could see that Herschel was becoming agitated, so he stepped up to the gurney.

"I'm going to have to ask you to get back, sir. We need room here," the youngest guy said.

Before Jack got out of the way he leaned in close to Herschel to try to ease his mind. "Don't worry about your mother. I'll stay with her until Ernie gets here. I'll call him."

"You'll stay with his mother?" the paramedic with the stethoscope asked.

"Yeah, no problem."

The guy patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks."

He hoped that Herschel understood that someone was there to help. He looked across the street to see if Ennis was still there, and he was. Even though he hadn't come over, he looked concerned. Jack walked in his direction and hollered, "Go in on the desk and see if you can find the phone number written on a piece of yellow notepaper...and bring my cell phone."

Jack stood in Herschel's yard watching the ambulance leave. He needed that phone number and his phone. Pacing back and forth, it seemed like Ennis was taking too long to come back. Hopefully the number hadn't been misplaced.

Going inside Herschel's house seemed a good idea in case his mother had heard the commotion and was scared. He had no idea what to expect, and didn't even know where her bedroom was. Feeling like an intruder, he wondered what Herschel would think if he knew that it was him who was looking in on his mother. He had no idea if Herschel even heard or understood what he'd said, or if he knew who he was. He'd looked real pale and there was no recognition in his eyes.

He entered the house slowly. The living room looked old-fashioned with lots of bright afghans folded on the furniture and doilies on the tables, but it was very tidy and orderly. On the mantel were a number of photographs in frames, some looked very old. A few were somewhat faded, some were black and white, and the woman in a couple of them wore old style clothes and hair-do. The photo that drew his attention was of two young boys, one holding a fishing net and the other holding a fishing pole. The younger boy was toothless in front, and the older boy's face was covered with a multitude of freckles.

If there was a bedroom on the first floor, he assumed that's where Herschel's mother would be. He wondered if she was in a hospital bed. A very short hallway led past a bathroom, and then he saw a closed door. He knocked first, and gently turned the doorknob and peeked in. Sure enough, a hospital bed was in the room facing away from the door toward the window which was trimmed with pink lacy curtains. He moved sideways a step or two and could see the woman in the bed. She didn't seem to hear him, at least she hadn't reacted.

He cleared his throat. "Uh, ma'am..." He walked toward the bed into her view. She was on oxygen, and it didn't appear that she could see very well, or hear well either.

He went closer. "Ma'am, I'm your neighbor, Jack Twist."

She turned her head toward him and her eyes opened wider. He could tell that she knew someone was there...someone strange.

"Are you the nurse?" she asked meekly.

"No, ma'am. I live across the street. My name's Jack."

"Mack?" she asked.

"No, Jack." He tried to speak up and enunciate.

"Mack?" she asked again.

"Jack, with a J," he said loudly.

"Oh...Jack. Well, my name is Pearl."

"That's a real pretty name," Jack said.

"Where's Herschel?"

Jack pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down. The woman looked frail and delicate in her floral nightclothes. "Uh, Herschel wasn't feeling well and had to go to the hospital. I told him I'd stay with you until Ernie gets here."

"Herschel is ill?" She turned something on her hearing aid causing a high-pitched squeal. Jack wondered if that would help her to hear better.

"Yeah...uh, can I get you anything right now?"

"No...no, I don't need anything." She seemed troubled, and rightly so. It didn't seem that there was anything wrong with her mind. It must be very confusing to see a strange man in her room and be told that her son took ill and left the house.

He noticed a bottle of what looked like juice on a tray by the bed with a straw sticking out of it. "Would you like a drink?" he asked. He stood and picked up the bottle.

Pearl smiled then and reached an unsteady hand out toward the bottle. "Here, I'll get it for you," Jack said.

He tried to hold it for her as she got the straw in her mouth, but she took it from him. Her hands shook, but she was able to keep the bottle upright and none of it spilled.

He was relieved when Ennis appeared at the bedroom door. "Hey," Ennis said. He looked like he expected a monster to jump out from somewhere.

"Hey, did you find the phone number?" Jack asked. "Come in and meet Pearl." He took the bottle from her and placed it back on the table.

As Ennis entered the room he handed Jack the paper and cell phone. Jack directed him to the side of the bed. "Pearl, this is Ennis Del Mar. He's gonna sit with you while I make a call. Ennis, this is Herschel's mother, Pearl."

Jack pulled the chair over. I'll step out and call Ernie. He noticed a look of panic in Ennis' eyes. "I'll be right back," he said.

Ennis mouthed the words, what's going on? But Jack left without an explanation.

He dialed the number on the paper and after a brief conversation he went back into the room. The t.v. was on and Ennis looked a little calmer.

"Are you hungry, Pearl?" Jack asked.

"Well, I don't know...I usually eat at about six. Will Herschel be back soon?"

"Your other son, Ernie, is gonna be coming. He'll be awhile though because he's gonna be checking on Herschel, so I can fix you something to eat when you get hungry."

He figured he could bring what he'd cooked for him and Ennis because Ernie had said she wasn't on a restricted diet.

"Where did you say you live?" Pearl asked.

She tried to move a little and her face showed a lot of discomfort. Jack was at her side in a matter of seconds, helping her get settled in a more comfortable position, moving her pink and lavender pillows and adjusting her frilly bed covers.

"We live across the street," he answered. "Just moved in a few weeks ago."

He checked his watch. "I have dinner cooking, so how 'bout I run home and get it ready. We can all watch t.v. and eat together."

"That sounds like a lot of trouble," Pearl said. "I don't want to be a bother. Maybe I can just wait for Herschel."

"Ernie will be here later, Pearl," he said. "We'd best eat something now."

"Jack's a pretty fair cook. I'm sure you'll like what he brings over," Ennis said.

"Are you hungry, Dennis?" Pearl asked.

Ennis smiled at Jack, then at Pearl. "Yeah, I'm ready for my supper."

"Well, go ahead then, Mack. Dennis and I will watch t.v. until you get back."

He was barely out the door when he heard Ennis excuse himself. Ennis stopped at the door and spoke low. "What did Ernie say?"

Jack stepped closer and whispered, "Herschel had called him complaining of not feeling well. Ernie thought it sounded like it could be a heart attack, so he called the ambulance. He was leaving work when I called, planning to head over here, but when I told him we could stay with his mother, he said he'd check on Herschel first and be over afterward."

He saw the worried look on Ennis' face. "You're okay with us looking after Pearl 'till Ernie gets here, aren't you?"

"We're not really trained to deal with a person who can't get out of bed, and what the hell will Herschel say if he gets well and finds out we were over here?"

"First off, I took care of my old man after his stroke, so I'm okay with taking care of Pearl. It won't be for that long anyway. Secondly, what will Herschel say? Well, I'd hope thank-you, but if not, it really doesn't matter because Ernie's the one who asked us to help out."

"But we have to live across the street from Old Bug-Eyes."

"Ennis, please don't call him that. Especially when he maybe had a heart attack and all..."

"All right, all right, I'm sorry. I'm just kinda out of my element, and I know Herschel would not take kindly to us being in his house."

"Well, we're here and can't leave till Ernie comes, so there's no point worrying about it. Are you okay sitting with Pearl while I go bring the food over?"

"Yeah...go ahead."

"You sure?"

"Positive...Mack." Ennis smiled shyly.

"Be back as soon as I can...Dennis."

...

Ennis wished that Ernie would hurry up and get there. Pearl was fast asleep, and he was damn tired himself and didn't want to fall asleep there on Herschel's sofa. They'd finished supper two hours ago, him and Jack sitting in Pearl's bedroom with her. Jack looked beat, and he didn't even get a hot meal. After helping Pearl with her food, his had gotten cold. Jack was sure good with old people, or maybe sick people in general. He must have been a godsend to his mama when his old man had his stroke.

Jack left the room to check on Pearl when the ten o'clock news came on t.v. Ennis stretched his legs out on the hassock trying to get more comfortable. The pictures on the mantel kept drawing his attention, but he could barely keep his eyes open. When headlights shone through the sheer curtains on the front window he perked up. He got up and looked out, wondering if they should have pulled down the blinds. He watched as a car parked out front and then he went to Pearl's doorway.

"Looks like Ernie's here," he said quietly. He could tell that Pearl was still sleeping soundly.

"Good, I wonder how Herschel's doing," Jack said, coming out of the room.

They headed to the living room, and Jack went to the front door, opening it for Ernie, who stepped inside and shook Jack's hand. "Can't thank you enough for helping out like you have. I hope mother wasn't too much trouble."

"No, not at all," Jack said.

Ernie looked at Ennis and held out his hand. "I'm Ernie Davis."

"Ennis Del Mar," he said, shaking the man's hand. "How's your brother?"

"He's having several stents put in. They think he'll be okay after that. He sure gave me a scare."

"Well, that's good news," Jack said.

"Yeah, glad to hear it," Ennis said, and he was. He wouldn't have wanted Pearl to lose her son. In the short time that he'd sat with her, he'd grown fond of her, and Ernie wasn't bad himself from what he could tell.

"Your mom is asleep and doing fine," Jack said.

"Good. Thanks again. I just don't know what I'd have done without you offering to stay with her. I think it was a big help to Herschel having me at the hospital."

"Well, we'd best be getting home," Jack said.

Home and back to their own routine. Funny how things could change at the drop of a hat. Their evening had sure turned out differently than Ennis had imagined. Pulling together helping out their new neighbor, who would have thought. He still had concerns about Herschel, but it was obvious that Ernie and Pearl had a favorable opinion of them. Maybe Herschel would be a new man when he came home from the hospital.

To Be Continued...