Jess walked out the doors and took a seat on the steps. His stomach was still sore where Doug had hit him but he could live with it. He was also angry with Bobby, he could have handled the situation he thought why did he have to but into it? Now he's gonna for sure tell Jack and Ennis and once again will have to go threw one of there lectures.

Lois pulled up and Jess got into the car.

"So my daddy said it was okay," she said.

"What?" Jess was barley listening.

"I said I'm comin' over for dinner" Lois repeated "somethin' botherin' you?"

"No, its nothing" Jess said, "you know, just the usual".

"Okay, if ya say so".

They then pulled out of the parking lot and Lois began to ramble on about her day. They soon pulled up to the house.

"So when are ya coming over?" Jess asked.

"I think maybe sixish or so," Lois, said "that all right?"

"Ya, that seems about right" Jess replied.

"Okay, then sixish it is" Jess got out of the car and said see ya tonight to Lois. He then headed into the house.

Jack and Ennis were in the kitchen. Jess fixed a small sandwich and sat down at his usual spot.

"Lois is coming over," he said. Ennis looked at him in surprise and Jack suddenly lit up, those annoying dimples forming at his cheeks.

"Really?" Jack said "that's great! Oh crap, I'm gonna have ta get ready".

"What for Jack?" Ennis said "its only quarter before three".

"Ya but we're havin' company over Ennis" Jack said "and a girl no less. I can't remember the last time a girl sat with us at dinner" no big shocker their Jess thought.

"Swear Jack, it seems like ya turnin' into a woman" Ennis said.

"Really? I'm turnin' into a woman?" he walked over to Ennis "if I remember correctly, you happen to moan like a girl while-"

Jess gave a small cough "can't you keep that to yourself?"

Ennis shot Jess a stern look "don't you have chores to be done?" Jess rolled his eyes and headed out the door.

"And I don't moan like a girl" Ennis said.

Things were a bit tough for Bobby at football practice. He had already known that something like this would happen but he had hoped it wasn't.

Bobby had just drawn the line with Doug once he stood up for Jess. That meant that there was gonna be some conflict. It was basically a declaration of war and right now Doug had the advantage.

Even though Bobby could take Doug out in a second, he was no match for an entire squad. See, Doug had a lot of friends of the football team, ones he could easily manipulate. Although there were some that Doug had no control of, Bobby was still outmatched.

During practice, people who happened to be close to Doug hit him harder then necessary. When it came to trying to getting around the defensive players, it always happened to be the same guys that would go after him. And whenever he tried to throw the ball at a player who was friends with Doug's, they always somehow managed to seem like he threw a sloppy ball.

As Bobby excited the field, he got elbowed by a few people and nearly shoved over by Doug. However, the coach was near so he kept his cool. He didn't wanna be benched for the first game of the season no matter how bad Doug was asking for it.

Bobby then washed up in the school showers, the cold water feeling good on him. He walked out to see his clothes had somehow gotten wet even though his locker wasn't even near the showers. And since Bobby had no extra clothes, he had to slip on the uncomfortably wet clothes and make due with it.

He then got out of the locker room and started up his car. As he pulled out, a large black truck suddenly came out of nowhere but Bobby stopped in time before it hit. He could see from the mirrors it was Doug. He stared at Bobby for a moment, and then he pulled out.

When he got home, Jack, Ennis, and Jess weren't in the house. They must be working he thought. So Bobby went upstairs and changed into some warm clothes. He then headed to the farm and began his work.

Jack soon came up to him "hey buddy" he said, "how was practice?"

Bobby shrugged "it was okay".

"Did any good?" Jack said "you know you got you'r first game in a week".

"I think I did" Bobby said.

After a few moments of silence, Jack said "so Lois is comin' to dinner tonight".

This took Bobby by surprise. He actually didn't believe Jess would go through with Jack's arrangement but he guessed wrong.

Bobby had known Lois since he was in the third grade. He had never really known the girl; just that she happened to like drawing a lot and talked a lot. In all, Bobby had probably spoken…maybe, two words to her. A friendly hello or something but that was pretty much it.

"Really?" Bobby said, "That's surprising. I thought he would have never".

"Yep, surprise for us all" Jack said, "So look, I need ya to finish up here. I'm still workin' on dinner"

Bobby smiled "goin' all out huh?" he said as Jack began to walk.

"It's a woman we're dealin' with" Jack said, "everythin' has to be better".

as Jack walked away, Bobby was tempted to call him back. he wanted to tell Jack what had happened between Jess and Doug but at the last moment he decided against it. if Jess truly wanted to handle this by himself, then so be it. he didn't like keeping secrets from Jack and Ennis but for this one, he could let it slide.

Jess finished his chores faster then usual and took a quick shower. He changed back into his clothes and headed down stairs. Jack was busy making a chicken, a roast, mashed potatoes, a salad, some biscuits, and even some sort of pie. Jess had to admit he was going all out for this thing but that still didn't mean he could cook.

"Oh, there you are Jess" Jack said, "When's Lois suppose to be hear?"

"Sixish" Jess said.

"Anything more specific?"

"No" Jess said.

After a few moments pause Jess said, "I hope you and Ennis aren't going to act like…"

"Don't worry, we won't" Jack said "Ennis likes to keep our little thing a secret so believe me he won't be showing any affection".

"I should bring her over more often then," Jess said.

"What have I said bout usin' that sorta talk?"

"You only said I can't call you a fag, nothing else" Jess looked at the oven "your pie's burning". With that Jess walked out of the door while Jack hurriedly pulled out the sizzling pie. Idiot Jess thought.

Jess sat on the porch for a while. Bobby and Ennis soon came back from their work and headed into the house to clean up. After a few more minutes, Lois's car pulled up.

"Hey Jess!" Lois said as she got out of the car.

"Hey Lois" Jess replied.

"Well I'm starvin" Lois said, "I hope we're eatin' soon".

"I think we are" Jess said. Jess stood there for a moment, looking at his feet.

"Well come on, don't just stand there, lets go in" Lois said

"Oh right" Jess said snapping back to reality "uh, come on".

He and Lois entered the house "nice little place ya got here" Lois said. Then Jack appeared from out of the kitchen.

"Hello there" Jack said, "You must be-" but before Jack could say anymore Lois interrupted.

"Lois" she said, taking Jack's hand "Lois Madera. You must be Jack Twist; I know cause you look so much like Bobby. So, what are we havin'?"

"Well" Jack said "we're havin' chicken, a roast, salad, potatoes, and biscuits" Jess figured pie was off the menu for tonight.

"Really?" Lois said, "Why you didn't have to make all that food just for someone like me"

"No, I insist," Jack, said, "you'r a guest and guest should be treated extra special. Speakin' of which Bobby, Ennis, git on down here!" Ennis walked down the stair with Bobby right behind him.

"Hi ya Mr. Del Mar" she said walkin' over to Ennis "you remember me don't cha? Its Lois, I saw ya at the school that one day".

"Uh ya right" Ennis said, a bit of put by her enthusiasm "nice to see ya".

"Hello there Bobby" she then said "its nice to see ya, how ya doin?"

"Fine there Lois" Bobby said.

"Sorry bout cha losin' the quarterback position. Still can't believe that Macarthur guy got it, you know I think he was takin' some kinda steroids or somethin'. Ain't no way someone that bad coulda gotten that much better over the summer, just completely baffles me. So when are we eatin?" Ennis, Jack, and Bobby were both takin aback by Lois's quick statement but Jack soon recovered.

"I think we can eat right now" he said.

"Cool" Lois said "cause right now I can eat a horse for all I care".

The four men sat down in their usual spots while Lois grabbed an extra chair and sat next to Jess. Jess actually took some bites of his food while Lois just ate hers up like they were the best food on earth.

"So Lois" Jack said "doesn't you'r dad run the grocery store?"

"Sure does" Lois said proudly "been in the family for three generations. My daddy hopes he can pass it on to me, you know keep the business alive, but I don't think that's for me. Personally I wanna go to an art school and get my degree"

"You can get a degree in art?" Bobby asked.

"Course ya can!" Lois said "you can get a degree in practically anythin' nowadays, ain't that right Jess?" Jess nearly coughed up his food but he kept it down and recovered from the shock.

"Um, ya" Jess said, "ya you can"

"See?" Lois said. Lois ate a few bites of her roast before she began to talk "so Mr. Twist, how long have you and Mr. Del Mar had the farm?"

"please, call me Jack" he said "I never really liked all them formalities".

"okay, Jack" Lois said "how long have you and Ennis had the farm?"

"well, almost thirteen years now, ain't that right Ennis?"

"sounds right" Ennis said.

"and do ya like it?" Lois asked.

"it's good enough for me" Jack said "I'm not sure bout Ennis though…"

"oh please Jack" Ennis said "truth be told, ain't never been good at much. Keepin' this farm goin' is bout the only thing I can really do well, so ya I do like it"

"Well that's nice" Lois said "my daddy says as long as you like you'r job, you ain't got nothin' to worry about. So Bobby, the first game of the seasons next week, ya nervous?"

"A little" Bobby said "but then again, I always get a little pre-game jitters so it's nothin' new. Why, you comin to the game?"

"well" Lois said "not sure, I barley go to any school games. I usually do it just to get some drawings done of the athletes. Hey, you goin' to the game Jess?"

Jess was a bit put of by that. He really wasn't going to go, he had never gone to any school games back at Bergtraum, why start now?

"I'm not sure" Jess said "I never really went to school games but…if you wanna go…"

"really?" Lois said "of course, lets go" she then turned to Bobby "so yes Bobby, I am goin' to the game" Jess didn't really talk much after that, just listened to the conversations that happened around the table.

Jack and Lois instantly connected, Jess sorta suspected this since Jack loved to talk and with Lois he could have an endless discussion. Bobby seemed to like Lois to, even quiet Ennis seemed to have been affected by her. For one, he spoke a lot more then he would have if this was a normal dinner. And to Jess's great thankfulness, Ennis and Jack weren't being…well them. Bobby hadn't told them yet about his problem with Doug but Jess figured he bring it up soon.

"That's mighty interestin" Lois said to some comment Jack had made. "so Jack, not to be nosy or nothin' but…you've been divorced from you'r wife for a while now…wait, are you divorced? Or are you some sorta widow?"

Jack laughed "no, unfortunately both Ennis and me are divorced" Jack paused for a moment "may I ask why?"

"well" Lois said "I mean, I ain't never seen ya'll with another woman since ya'll guises divorce. So, I'm just sayin, have ya ever thought of given it another go?"

Jess felt an awkward tension fill the room. "Well" Jack said "truth is, I was pretty devastated when I divorced my wife. I guess I never really moved on and I don't think I ever will".

"what about you Ennis?" Lois asked, "You ever tried it again?"

"Nope" Ennis said, "When I divorced Alma, I just sorta gave up on love".

Lois nodded "okay, if that's what you wish". After that, the room eased up after that and soon the talk began again.

After an hour of eating, everyone was full. Even Jess had managed to clean his plate of, an accomplishment in itself. And, Bobby didn't tell Jack or Ennis about Doug. it was a trade of for everyone

"phew, I gotta say Jack" Lois said "that was some pretty good cookin" Jess wasn't sure if she was being nice or that she really liked it.

"aw, you're just fibbin" Jack said "I know I ain't the best cook in the world".

"no, no, honest to god" Lois said "I actually liked it. Trust me Jack, I would have told ya if I didn't like it". Lois looked at the clock.

"well, its almost fifteen minutes to eight" she said "I best get goin".

"really?" Jack said "sure you can't stay any longer?"

"No, sorry" Lois said "I promised my daddy I'd be home before eight".

"All righty then" Jack said, getting up and walking over to her "it was a pleasure to meet ya". Lois took his hand and shook it.

"Pleasure is all mine" she said, "oh, it was nice seein' you again Ennis. And Bobby, I guess I'll see you at school then?"

"Ya, of course" Bobby said.

"Well, I hope ya'll invite me over some more" Lois said "I'll talk to ya tomorrow okay Jess?"

"Ya, course" Jess said.

"Ok then, well bye ya'll" with that, Lois grabbed her shoes and headed out of the door. Jack smiled "well, that came out nicely" he then gathered all the dishes and put them in the sink "you know Jess, you should invite her more often".

Then, as if some switch had turn on when Lois left, all of that armor Jess had brought down for the night suddenly came right back. Spikes and all "ya, I'll put that on my list" he said in a nasty voice "I'm going to bed".

He didn't wait for the men's response; he just headed upstairs and closed his door.

Ennis stood there in amazement. What the hell just happened there?

"Did I say somethin' wrong?" Jack said.

"You did nothin' Jack" Ennis said, "it's the old Jess we know and love"

"I still don't know why he's still actin' so hostel to us" Bobby said "I mean, just a few minutes ago he actually seemed like a kind person but when she left…"

"I guess its still gonna take a while for him to accept us" Jack said.

"Jack, when are you gonna give up already?" Ennis said, "Its pretty obvious, it's been obvious from the beginning. He wants nothin' to do with us. Nothin".

Jack angrily slammed a dish into the sink "Bobby, go upstairs" he said. Bobby looked at him "but-"

"No buts" Jack said "just go". Bobby obviously sensed something was wrong, so he obediently slipped out of the kitchen and headed to his room.

"You know what Ennis? I'm getting' pretty tired of this shit" Jack said.

"What might that be?" Ennis said.

"I am sick of you'r attitude over Jess. How many times do I have to tell you? He will come around".

Ennis got up "and how many times do I have to tell you he won't?"

"You know" Jack said, "If you don't want him, why don't you just ship him of?"

"I never said that" Ennis said.

"Well it sure sounded like you did" Jack said "and I don't think you'r one to be talkin'. It ain't like you've tried anythin' big to mend things between you and him".

"Maybe that's because I'm the one he hates most" Ennis said.

"He doesn't hate you Ennis" Jack said, "he's just angry at you".

"What's the difference Jack!" Ennis said, "I have tried, I have tried to reach out to him!"

"it don't seem like you'r tryin" Jack said "it seems like all you've done is given up on him".

"oh and what?" Ennis voice now had anger in it "what do you suggest we do Jack? If you'r such a big expert, why not give me some advice?"

"Because I am not his father Ennis Del Mar" Jack shot back "you are! Whether he hates or not, you are his dad. You'r the only one of his parents he's got left. It ain't like with Bobby wear he can talk to his mom and visit her once in a while, Jess doesn't have that! All he has now is you"

Jack looked at Ennis intensely, then he took a breath "look Ennis, you've been a great parent to Bobby ever since he was four".

"but I ain't-" Ennis was about to complain but Jack cut him of.

"no Ennis" Jack said "don't you try and deny it. You are, you have been the best parent you could ever be with Bobby. Heck, you've done a hell of a lot more for that boy then Lureen ever did. He is you'r son too Ennis" Jack wrapped his arms around Ennis's neck.

"now" Jack said "its time for you to be that parent with Jess". Jack then kissed Ennis, softly. He pulled away and looked Ennis right in the eye.

"what then" Ennis said "how can I be that parent to him? I haven't been with him since he was three. The Jess I remembered was so full of energy and happiness, always so excited to see me when I came home from work. Now, he's become somethin' else entirely. I barley even recognize him anymore" Ennis said that last part with such sadness.

Jack lifted Ennis's chin and kissed him again "you will Ennis" Jack said "in time, you'll see that three year old boy you remembered so fondly. What you have to do now Ennis Del Mar, is wait for the right moment" Jack kissed Ennis again and embraced him in a tight hug.

"but when?" Ennis said in Jack's ear "when will that moment come?" Jack kissed Ennis's neck.

"soon cowboy" he whispered "soon".