Chapter 10

Shit, it's gonna be a long day.

Since learning the day before who'd be going with him to the CPR class, Ennis had been dreading it. He removed the keys to the van from the hook in the office and headed downstairs. There was no way to postpone the inevitable. He'd have to suck it up and get through it somehow.

If only the luck of the draw had been on his side, things would have been so different. What could have been a pleasant day was almost certain to be one filled with tension. When he'd arrived at work the day before and learned who all was leaving for the first day of CPR training, he couldn't believe it when he took a mental tally of the people left for the second day. Jack, who he anticipated with pleasure spending the day with ever since Don had mentioned that he and Jack were going on Friday. But the others? Everyone else with the exception of Helen would surely cause him heartburn. Liz had continued to be standoffish in his presence, and when he was around Alma, it was obvious that she felt uncomfortable. Then there was Gavin. It would take all his willpower to hold his tongue if he started in with his snide remarks.

Ennis reached the bottom of the stairs and his five passengers were waiting complete with note books and binders. Helen smiled warmly and he took comfort in that.

"You look very nice, Helen," he said.

"Thank-you, Ennis," she answered. "It's nice to be able to wear street clothes for once." She smoothed her skirt down and adjusted the collar on her blouse.

"Those uniforms get boring day after day," Liz said, directing her comment to Helen.

"But at least they're easy to wash and dry," Alma volunteered.

"Yes, we'd be washing all day if we wore our fancier clothing to work," Helen said.

"Plus, we'd use up a lot of time standing at the closet trying to decide what to wear everyday." Liz laughed.

Ennis hoped the girl talk would continue. At least there wouldn't be a lot of uncomfortable silences if they kept up the chatter. He had started to relax some, but that was short lived when Gavin leaned toward him and uttered in a low voice, "Aren't ya gonna tell me I look good today too?" He grinned like a total jerk.

Ennis ignored him and turned toward the door to make his exit. Gavin mumbled something about wearing his new jeans and whatever else; Ennis didn't hear it all and didn't care. The person that Ennis had focused in on was Jack in his two-toned blue pullover shirt, tight fitting faded jeans, Dodgers baseball cap, and sunglasses. He was sure easy on the eyes. He'd also noticed Jack was abnormally quiet.

The group followed Ennis toward the van. "I'll be right back. I gotta grab my ice chest," he said.

Upon returning, he realized that he should have unlocked the doors for the others, so he did so. He began fitting the chest into the far back, and heard Gavin try to take control.

"Alma, you want ta sit up front next ta Ennis, don't ya?"

Ennis listened for her reply. "I'd rather sit in the back so I can talk with Helen and Liz easier." Ennis was relieved and what came next shocked him. Alma went on, "Maybe Jack would like to sit up front. Jack, do you want to sit in the passenger seat? It's available."

"Okay, that sounds fine by me," Jack answered.

Ennis glanced at Gavin on his way to the driver's seat. He had to keep from laughing when he noticed the irritating smirk he usually wore had been wiped from his face.

A point for Alma, who'd have thought?

Helen and Liz had climbed into the far back seat. Alma looked like she was contemplating whether to ride back there with them, or to ride in the middle section where she'd have more space. It ended up that she seated herself behind Ennis, and Gavin sat with her, behind Jack.

"Are we all set?" Ennis asked. "Everyone comfortable?"

The consensus was that everyone's seat was satisfactory and all were anxious to get on their way. As Ennis predicted, the women were very talkative, which he was glad of.

"Liz and I have never been any farther than Mammoth, so this will be interesting," Alma said.

"It's a lot warmer down there, so be prepared," Ennis said. "Let me know if you need more cool air back there." He adjusted the air conditioner and vents.

"Thank-you, we will," Helen said.

"Well, according ta Clark and Lureen, this was as boring as it is every year," Gavin said in a self absorbed, disinterested tone.

"You have to go every year?" Alma asked.

"Oh, yeah, every damn year," Gavin said.

"Well, Gavin, when you get as old as I am, a refresher course every year doesn't hurt, so I'm just as happy to be going. Besides, it's a nice change to spend the day away," Helen said.

"That's one way ta look at it," Gavin said, still sounding unenthused.

"Hey, look," Jack said, pointing toward a big flock of sheep.

"You and them sheep," Ennis said. Then he smiled and met Jack's eyes. "You think they're the same ones you took pictures of before?" Ennis asked.

Jack was looking intently and shifting around in his seat. "I'm trying to spot the Shepherd," he said. "Or the dog. I'd know the dog if I saw him again."

Gavin leaned forward and looked out toward the flock. "I can't see anyone, or a dog either, just sheep."

In few seconds Jack exclaimed, "Over there, I see the dog I saw before, or one that looks like him."

"Yeah, those sheep dogs look alike," Gavin said. "Most are Border Collies I think."

"That one's black and white. I had a little black and white dog when I was a kid," Jack said.

"Is that so? I have two dogs at home, mostly black. Just got 'em six months ago. They're real nice dogs," Gavin said.

"I love dogs," Jack said. "Can't have one in my apartment in L.A."

"Maybe you can get one after you're done with school," Gavin said, and patted Jack on the back of his shoulder.

Ennis noticed the gesture and tried to put a lid on his annoyance. At only fifteen miles into their ride, if he let Gavin get to him now, no telling what would happen by the end of the day.

Alma cleared her throat and leaned toward Ennis. "Are others coming to the class? Like from Ranger Stations in the area?"

"Yeah, there'll be at least fifteen from various Ranger Stations, and probably some folks from the hospital, and others from town who need to get a certificate."

"Well, I think it will be interesting," she said.

"It's good to know how to perform CPR. You never know when you might need it," Ennis answered.

For a good part of the ride, Ennis could hear Alma talking with Helen and Liz. He was glad when each mile passed. A mile closer to their destination.

He and Jack hadn't exchanged many words, but he was well aware of Jack's presence. Jack had unwrapped a stick of gum for him, passed him a bottle of water, and generally made him feel good just by being there next to him. All in all, the drive wasn't going that bad. One thing bothered him though, other than Gavin. Why had Alma encouraged Jack to sit up front? That came out of left field. At first, Ennis was too busy snickering under his breath when Alma hadn't gone along with Gavin's suggestion to sit in the front, but now, he had to wonder what she was thinking.

His thoughts were interrupted when Helen and Liz pointed out a pasture with about ten horses grazing. "Oh, how beautiful. I love horses," Liz said.

"You know, dear, they have horseback riding on the loop. You should go sometime this summer," Helen said.

"Alma, would you go with me?" Liz asked.

"I might consider it," Alma said.

"You ever ride, Jack?" Gavin asked, again touching him on the back of his shoulder.

"I've ridden, but not for years," Jack answered. "I loved it though. Horses are amazing."

"I used to work in a barn when I was a teenager," Ennis said.

"No kidding? What a cool job," Jack said.

"Yeah, it was, but I needed more pay so had to quit that and move on."

"I've rented a horse over on the loop now and then, you know, when I feel like gettin' away and relaxin'," Gavin said, leaning right up to Jack's ear.

Jack didn't make a comment. Gavin went on. "Maybe someday we could go ridin' together. What days are you off, Jack?"

"Uh, Tuesday's and Wednesday's," Jack said.

"I'm off on weekends...but I could probably switch it up with someone and get a Tuesday or Wednesday some time. That'd be fun, don't ya think?" Gavin laid his hand on Jack's shoulder again.

"Uh, maybe," Jack said.

Ennis felt himself gripping the steering wheel with force. He detected some hesitation in Jack's tone to Gavin's invitation, but Gavin could be very persuasive. Ennis had found that out all too well.

Alma spoke up. "It is getting hot around here; doesn't the thermometer control on the dash say ninety degrees?" She sat forward and looked between Ennis and Jack.

"Yeah, ninety degrees. I told you to be prepared. It really heats up in this little valley," Ennis said.

"I hope the room we'll be in has air conditioning," Jack said.

"Just you wait till July and August. Things will really be cookin' by then," Gavin said. He patted Jack's shoulder again.

The asshole can't keep his hands off Jack. Ennis could just picture the smirk on Gavin's face. He noticed the provocative undertones in his statement, and it was a good thing he was driving or he'd be tempted to punch him in the face. He hoped he would cool down by the time they were out of the van.

They arrived at the hospital conference room in plenty of time. The instructors were there and were setting up. A few other people were there, some Ennis recognized, some he didn't. He hoped that Gavin would go mingle, and he did, but he drug Jack along to introduce him around. Helen walked over to some of the people with Alma and Liz following. Ennis took a seat way in the back of the room. He sat down with a thud and let out a deep breath. He felt that most of Gavin's behavior towards Jack was put on for his benefit to antagonize him.

He's seen us together and...and, he knows we're friends and he's jealous. Don't lie to yourself, Ennis, that's only half of it. He has the hots for Jack. He wants him and he's going after him.

Ennis took out some booklets on CPR from his folder and started reading to kill some time and look busy so no one would bother him. He lost track of time, and when he looked up, it seemed all the chairs had filled up. He didn't even know where his group was. He looked around and located all but Gavin in the second row.

At that moment Gavin sat down in the chair right next to him. "I had ta go ta the men's room so didn't get a chair. Now all that's left is back here with you. Hope ya don't mind," he said in a mocking tone.

Although Ennis wasn't a religious man, he closed his eyes and said a prayer for patience and strength. He noticed he'd sat down in a row with only two chairs. He was thankful when the first instructor began addressing the class.

"Let me introduce myself and my assistants," he began. "Thank-you all for coming today. We will be learning adult, child, and infant CPR."

Gavin stretched his legs out as far as they'd go, bumping the chair in front of him and earning him a dirty look from the woman who occupied it. "Sorry, ma'am. I'll be more careful, I promise. It won't happen again," Gavin said. Ennis just shook his head when the woman smiled at Gavin, obviously forgiving the buffoon for his carelessness.

Ennis had totally missed hearing the names of the instructors and where they were from. He did catch the part about this being a fun class, not dry and boring like others they might have taken in the past. That earned a loud yawn from Gavin. Ennis felt like smacking him.

The lecturer spoke for about a half hour before asking for volunteers to demonstrate on the mannequins. "We need three volunteers... anyone?"

When no one raised their hands he started making selections, pointing at an older woman in a red dress, a young woman wearing a medical smock, and then at Jack. The three of them stood and made their way to the front of the room. Gavin began to snicker. Ennis wished he'd put a lid on it.

"Let me get your names, folks," the second instructor said. The three of them gave their names, but Ennis wasn't able to hear. "This is Maureen, this is Brittany, and this is Jack," the instructor said in a loud voice. "We'll have Maureen demonstrate on the infant mannequin, Brittany, why don't you take the child, and Jack we'll have you take the adult. These training mannequins are very lifelike, full bodied, none of those half mannequins." Everyone laughed.

The three instructors got everyone set, and first Maureen did her thing. She seemed reluctant and embarrassed, but with encouragement from the audience she got through it. Brittany was next, and it was obvious she had prior training because she showed good technique. Last was Jack.

Gavin just couldn't keep his mouth shut and whistled and shouted, "Go Jack!"

Everything was going fine with the chest compressions. Jack looked focused and in control. He had the audience's undivided attention. When he had to move on to mouth to mouth, Gavin put his face up near Ennis' ear and began whispering suggestive comments as Jack began. "Look at those sexy lips, Mmm Mmm." Gavin poked Ennis with his elbow. "Wouldn't ya like ta be that dummy up there right about now? I know I sure would."

Ennis felt his face get hotter and hotter. He hoped it wasn't as red as he believed it must be. He feared someone would hear Gavin even though he was keeping his voice low. Gavin knew how to push his buttons and that infuriated him.

Please let this be over soon.

After the mannequin demonstrations were finished, the instructor spoke briefly before calling a break for lunch. Everyone stood and stretched their legs, gathered their things, and headed to the lobby where a table of finger sandwiches, broccoli salad, potato salad, and various chips and dip were arranged on a long table. Ennis and Gavin were among the first to reach the food. Ennis didn't feel much like eating, but Gavin dug right in. He filled a paper plate in record time. Ennis checked his watch to see how long he had before meeting K.E. in the parking lot. He decided he had time to eat something first. While picking out his food, he said hello to a couple of Rangers he recognized. Soon Jack came up next to him with his own plate.

"Hey, good demonstration," Ennis said.

"Thanks. I don't know how I got so lucky. Is that why you sat way in back?" Jack laughed.

Ennis laughed too. "There are advantages to being in the back row."

Helen, Alma, and Liz seemed to be enjoying themselves across the room. For the moment Gavin was nowhere to be seen which suited Ennis just fine. When Jack had finished his plate, he excused himself to go to the bathroom. Ennis decided to wander outside to see if K.E. might have arrived a little early. He wasn't pleased to run into Gavin standing on the steps.

"Thought I'd walk off my lunch," Gavin said when he saw Ennis.

"Pretty hot out here to be walking," Ennis answered.

"Then why are you out here?"

Ennis had no intention of telling him that his brother was coming by, and he hoped like hell that Gavin wasn't anywhere around when K.E. showed up.

"I just came out for some fresh air. Be going back in soon," Ennis said gruffly.

Gavin wasn't making any moves to get himself in gear and head back inside, just stood there staring at Ennis. The van was parked within view. Ennis could see a disaster waiting to happen if K.E. should arrive while Gavin was out there.

Someone...come and distract Gavin...Helen, Liz, Alma...even Jack...anyone.

Ennis saw no other way but to go inside himself. Maybe he could lose Gavin and sneak back out. "I guess I'll go on in. You coming?" Ennis asked.

"Guess so," Gavin said. They moved toward the door, but the sound of a horn honking caused both men to look over at the truck that had just driven into the lot. Ennis' stomach sank. It was K.E.

"Shit, look who's here. That redneck half-wit brother of yours," Gavin said in a disgusted tone of voice.

"I'll handle it," Ennis said. He headed away from the building toward the van, but unfortunately K.E. was driving towards the entrance of the hospital. Ennis stopped in his tracks when he realized that K.E. was going to pull up in front. He hurried over to K.E.'s open side window to try and head him off when he came to a stop.

"I'm parked over there," he said, pointing. "I'll get your fish out of the ice chest."

"Not so fast, Ennis," K.E. said harshly. His eyes were intense, but he wasn't looking at Ennis, rather right past him at Gavin. "I thought we had an understanding that you were gonna stay away from that fag!" K.E. shouted, his face contorted in anger.

"Calm down, for God sake," Ennis demanded.

K.E.'s door flew open and he was out of the truck in a flash. He grabbed Ennis by the shoulders and slammed him against the truck. His nostrils flared, his eyes in slits.

Ennis tried to make K.E. listen to reason, but it was too late for that. "We work together, K.E. We're here at a class." He didn't think K.E. heard a word.

"He's queer and he tried to turn you into one! I told you to stay away from him!"

Before Ennis knew what happened, Gavin was next to them pulling K.E. off him. "You stupid son-of-a-bitch, get hold of yourself," Gavin shouted.

K.E. took a swing at Gavin, but he ducked and K.E.'s punch missed. It was Gavin's turn to slam K.E. up against the truck. "Listen you mother fucker, you ever touch him again, I'll kick your homophobic ass from here ta Mount Whitney."

K.E. struggled to free himself. Ennis threw his arms around his brother to try and keep him from doing something he'd regret. All of a sudden Jack appeared and helped him break the two apart. Jack held Gavin back, and Ennis did the same with K.E. Several onlookers had gathered. Ennis was furious with his brother, but it wasn't the first time.

"Who the fuck are you?" K.E. shouted at Jack.

"Never mind who he is, K.E. Just simmer down and come with me," Ennis said. He backed K.E. slowly away from the scene. He noticed that the people who had stopped to gawk were breaking up and going about their business. He hoped like hell that no one had called the authorities. He happened to glance at the hospital steps and there was Alma, concern written all over her face. He wondered how much of that she'd heard, and how much Jack had heard for that matter.

Will this day ever be over?

By the time Ennis returned to the conference room the class had begun. He quietly slipped into the seat he'd occupied before, right beside Gavin. He tried to focus on the remainder of the class, but he was so rattled he could barely concentrate. At least he didn't seem to be shaking anymore. And at least Gavin was finally quiet.

The ride home was entirely different from the ride there. He could tell that Helen and Liz had no idea that an altercation had taken place. At first they were chatting about the class and the people, and then both had fallen asleep. Alma and Gavin might as well have been sleeping as quiet as they were, but they were awake, just keeping their thoughts to themselves.

Then there was Jack. He was quiet as well, but the encouraging looks he'd give every now and then went a long way in helping Ennis to feel calmer. Just knowing that Jack was next to him made his problems feel small. He wondered how that could be when he knew that Jack was at least part of his problem, maybe the biggest part. What had happened almost seemed like just a bad dream when he looked into Jack's eyes, but, unfortunately it wasn't. It was real. K.E. and his attitude was real. He couldn't even blame Gavin for his feelings towards him and K.E. And, he couldn't find it within himself to blame his brother for feeling as he did either.

If only he could get rid of the blame and guilt he had for himself.

To Be Continued...