Vignette 12 - 1978

Spring

It was Mother's Day, and Lily was sat at the back of the class, thinking. When she was younger, her teachers had encouraged them to make cards and gifts for their mothers. This had upset her every single year, and she was still usually in tears whenever Ennis or Jack came to pick her up. It got so bad that they had ended up having a private word with her teachers, explaining the situation to them. As a result, she was thus allowed to make cards for her grandmother instead, and if her classmates ever asked why she wasn't making a card for her mother, Lily would tell them the truth.

Now, she half-listened to the teacher and her mind was wandering. As she got older, she came to appreciate more and more just how much Ennis and Jack did for her. They gave her everything she needed and most of what she wanted, within reason. She had learnt the value of money from their tales of growing up poor, and she did her best to follow their example.

They've done so much for me, she thought to herself. Least I can do is try an' make 'em proud. Wasn't easy for them, I bet, bringin' up a kid, but look at us now. I'm healthy an' happy, an' I know they love me. I wish I'd known my mama, but I've still got a wonderful family. At least she died happy, knowin' for sure I'd grow up right.


Summer

Ennis rolled off Jack and exhaled, staring up at the deep blue sky and letting the pine fill his nostrils as he breathed deeply. Jack stretched and gave a contented purr, rolling onto his side and propping himself up on his elbow, looking down at Ennis. He let his fingers trail lightly over Ennis's chest, smiling to himself.

"That was real good, cowboy. Think I won't be able to walk proper for a while." Ennis looked at him and smiled.

"Oh yeah? Least I know I'm doin' it right." Jack kissed his chest.

"You oughta, after fifteen years of doin' it." He smiled. "Can't believe it's been so long since that summer..."

"I know," Ennis murmured, taking Jack's hand into his own. "We've been together for nearly half our lives, bud. Been together since we was just kids, Jack. Didn't know nothin' about love, not much 'bout sex, an' sure as hell nothin' about makin' any kinda life with someone, let alone another guy. Look at us now..."

Jack's smile widened. "Yeah. Together, in love, so many years behind us. A home, a family, a business...we've got everythin' we ever wanted. Can't believe how lucky we've been to have so much just drop in our laps the way it did."

"Well, we did hafta work at it, but we got through all that. We're happy now, right?" He gazed up into those impossibly blue eyes. Jack leaned in and brushed their mouths together.

"Happy just don't cover it, baby."


Fall

Lily walked into the living room to find her grandma sitting in her chair, knitting. "Hey."

"Oh, hey Lily. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess," she replied, sitting on the sofa. "Just...keep thinkin' on my mama. I wanted to go an' ride over there, but Ennis is real busy an' I can't find Jack. I don't wanna disturb them."

"Honey, I'm sure they'll take you there if you ask. I bet they won't mind," she said gently, smiling at her. "Why don't you go an' ask one of 'em?"

Lily considered this for a moment and then nodded. "Alright." She left the house and made her way to the office, deciding to check in there for Jack. When she knocked, she heard his voice, telling her to come in.

He smiled when he saw her. "Hey, Lily. What's up?" She stood there, nervously shifting her feet.

"Uncle Jack, I...I was wonderin'...would you mind takin' me out for a ride to my mama's grave? I just felt like goin' over there, an' I know you don't like me goin' so far on my own..."

"Say no more," he told her, getting up and walking around the desk. He put an arm around her shoulders and led her outside, walking across to the stable. "I'd be happy to. Ennis ain't around?"

"Yeah, but he's busy. I didn't wanna disturb you..." He stopped and leaned down, looking into her eyes.

"Lily...if there's ever anythin' you need, you don't gotta hesitate to ask."


Winter

"Come on, you two!" Lily called from the bottom of the hill, waving and grinning. Her cheeks were flushed pink and her bright blue eyes were shining. Jack turned to Ennis and grabbed his hand.

"Let's go, cowboy." They got onto the sledge together, Ennis behind Jack. "Hmm, I like this position," he said, wriggling a little. Ennis snaked his arms around Jack's waist.

"Ain't really the time or place, Jack," he murmured into Jack's ear. "But just you wait 'til Lily ain't around." Jack smiled and held onto the rope tightly, bracing himself.

"Whenever yer ready, Ennis." He waited as Ennis began to push them towards the edge of the hill, full of anticipation. It didn't matter how old they were; they didn't get snow often down here so they wanted to make the most of it.

Ennis pushed them off the hill and they were soon speeding downhill, yelling and laughing as they sailed past Lily. At the bottom, the sledge lost its balance and keeled over, upending them into the snow. Jack was laughing helplessly as he lay where he was. Ennis stood up and pulled him to his feet, kissing his cheek. If Lily hadn't been there, he would have crawled on top of Jack for an impromptu make out.

As they were brushing each other off, he felt a snowball hit his back and turned to see Lily giggling, starting to back away. He and Jack looked at each other, and then gave chase.