A Better Idea
Chapter Twenty
Claire, Jack and Ennis waved to Iris and Walter, and then turned to go back into the house.
Claire had her automatic reactions to a lifetime of housekeeping duties to keep her sane; she started clearing the table, keeping her hands busy. Her eyes were filled to overflowing, but did not. She could not see through the blur.
Ennis felt useless, so he began to wrap food and put things away in the refrigerator.
Jack just stood in the center of the room, not knowing what to do nor where to go. He still wanted to hurt something or someone badly and really did not want to do this or feel this in front of his mother. Oh God, he thought, here I am thinking about myself, but what must my mother be suffering now, realizing why she lost her husband all those years ago?
Jack went to his mother to take her hand or hold her and she looked at him with sad, empty eyes. Claire Elaine Twist turned to her only child and said "You know, son, I love you dearly, but I just cannot do this right now. I'm going to my room to be alone, to read my scripture, reflect and try to settle all that's in my mind and in my heart."
She kissed Jack's cheek, then went to Ennis, kissed his cheek, and left them standing in the kitchen.
When Jack just stood there, lost, Ennis went into action. "Come on, darlin' I feel the need of a ride. Let's go". Obediently, Jack followed. They got the horses saddled up once again and rode out toward Ennis' new favorite spot on the ranch. The sound of the little waterfall in the creek rushing between the boulders wasn't exactly like that of the snow swollen river next to their campsites in the Bighorns, but it would be close enough.
Not one word had been uttered on the ride out to their spot, and Ennis was okay with that. He knew the self-absorbed, deep-in-thought territory from years of having inhabited that silent land himself. This wasn't Ennis' to fix. He had to trust Jack to work through it on his own. To be sure, he would be there to support and love him, even pick up the pieces if it came to that. But he could do nothing else.
It was second best, he knew, but Ennis had iced down several 6 packs of Bud cans in the cooler for his trip to Lightning Flat. It was just easier and safer than packing glass long neck bottles. So for this ride, he had grabbed, one of the six packs, and put the cans in his saddle bags. When they got to the spot and tethered the horses, he opened a beer with a loud whoosh, and offered it to Jack. Taking the beer without even looking at it, Jack said, "thank you, Cowboy."
He proceeded to walk, and to ramble about among the trees and back to the clearing, then into the trees again. Ennis saw that there was no pattern or logic to where Jack stepped. To just keep moving, that seemed to be both the method and the goal.
While Jack walked, Ennis explored along the creek until he found what he felt was the most beautiful spot; sitting down, he turned away from the creek and scanned the horizon. He located the highest point, and there he placed in his mind, the house he wanted to build for Jack. Once the house was oriented in such a way as to ensure sun in the kitchen each morning, and the layout of the rooms designed, he added patios and porches for long afternoons of visiting friends and family, and having drinks before supper with Jack. He next picked the spot for the stables, for surely in this dream life they would have several horses.
Ennis was stretched full length across the largest boulder, listening to the rush of the water, shading his eyes from the late afternoon sun, and painting his vision of their future in his mind's eye. Ah, he thought, so this is how dreamers dream; no wonder it's so popular.
He got a second beer out of his saddle bags for each of them, opened them and took one to Jack who was still walking, hands in back pockets now, elbows out, and head down. When Ennis handed the beer to Jack, he absently replied "Mmmhm", took a long swallow, and continued on his meandering way.
Ennis left him, and looked for the empty can that Jack must have discarded somewhere on his rambles. Crushing both his and Jack's first empties, Ennis placed them upside down against a tree to drain. They would be taken back to the house. I can't abide trash in our front yard, he thought with a smile.
Ennis resumed his position stretched out on the boulder; it was warm from the sun and he had awakened awfully early this morning, it was so relaxing.
Before he realized that it was happening, he fell into a sound sleep.
Ennis felt Jack kissing his neck and mouth, and he responded instinctively and strongly. They each had a desperate need to renew their connection, to feel that they belonged body and soul to their chosen mate. Making love outdoors always returned them to Brokeback Mountain and to 1963. They could almost smell the lodgepole pines, the smoke from their cooking fire, and the sheep, as they lost themselves completely to the magic.
When Jack's urgency was at a peak and he could no longer hold back, his voice rang out across the clearing, "Oh, Ennis! Fuck! Ennis!" They held each other tightly while cooling off. Ennis brushed Jack's hair back off his face, and caressed his jaw; he rubbed his thumb lightly across Jack's lips, and bent to kiss the upper lip, and then the lower. Looking into Jack's eyes, he told him, "baby, I love you so much." Jack smiled through fresh new tears, and he said "I know you do. I know it, Ennis."
They rode carefully through the dusk to get back to the house, unsaddled the horses and made them comfortable in their stalls once again. Claire had turned on a light for them before the sun went down. When they came in the door she was in her housecoat and slippers, getting a glass of water to take to her bedroom.
"I'm turning in early, Jack, tomorrow will be a fresh new day." she said.
"Good night, mama, we're having an early night too." he said as he kissed her cheek. Claire clutched Jack tightly to her, and patted his face; walking to Ennis, she did the same thing. Ennis took her face in his hands, and kissed her cheek. "You sleep well, little mama, you hear me?" he said softly.
Ennis and Jack climbed the stairs to their bed, and fell into an exhausted sleep.
Ennis was awake first, and went to put on a pot of coffee. While it perked he took a quick shower, but it just wasn't the same showering without Jack. He brushed his teeth, shaved and dressed, feeling that he wanted to be prepared for whatever life threw at him today.
Taking his first cup of coffee outside, he loaded the pickup with bales of hay and salt blocks for the cattle before sitting down to have his first cigarette of the day, and to watch the sun come peaking up over the trees.
Jack stumbled out, wearing yesterday's jeans, and not much else. Ennis thought how sexy he looked with his hair sticking up all over and his face wearing yesterday's stubble. He had a cup of coffee in his hand, and came over to Ennis for a "good mornin' darlin' " and a kiss. Jack reached out for Ennis' hand and pulled it to his mouth for a drag of his cigarette.
"Jesus H, Twist! You are lucky your mother is here to protect you. I could spend this entire day in bed reminding you that you are mine, all mine."
"Hmm? Well, she's not out here right now; she's in the shower, Cowboy."
Ennis took Jack's coffee cup from him and set it safely down on the ground; he grabbed Jack and shoved him up against the house, kissing him hard and rough. Jack gave back tongue, bodily contact, and some aggression of his own. He wrapped one leg around Ennis' legs and pulled him in close.
"Whoa, cut it out, Jack. You were supposed to squeal like a little girl and say, "No, no, my momma will catch us."
Jack grinned from ear to ear, "That'll teach ya not ta offer what ya ain't willin' ta give!"
Claire came out with a cup of coffee, looked at Jack and said "You gonna get dressed today, son?" She offered them both a 100 watt smile, and said, "Breakfast is ready soon as you get your shower, Jack." She walked back into the house, and closed the door.
Ennis turned to follow her in, but Jack blocked his path. "Don't go just yet, Ennis, I have somethin' I need to tell you."
"What?" he asked.
Taking hold of Ennis' chin, Jack turned a serious face toward him, blue eyes searching deep into brown ones. "I love you so much, too, baby" said Jack.
Ennis looked at Jack; told him "I know you do. I know it, Jack." then leaned in for a kiss. Jack obliged him with a perfect Sunday morning kiss.
"Now get your sweet ass in the shower, Twist, I'm hungry, and you're holding up progress." Ennis told him. Under his breath, he added, "wish I could be in there with ya, darlin'." Jack heard him and wagged his sexy tongue at him.
Ten minutes later the three of them, Jack still slightly damp, were sitting down to enjoy the breakfast Claire had made. She took their hands in hers and prayed that the food would nourish them, she prayed that John would soon be better and come home to them, and that The Lord would bless their family, especially Jack and Ennis. "Amen" they said.
Before Ennis let go of Jack's hand, he pulled it to his mouth and kissed his palm. Then, but only then, did he concentrate on his breakfast. They ate hungrily, having had no supper last night. The French toast was warm and buttery, with maple syrup, the scrambled eggs with bits of sausage in them were done to perfection, and the fresh sliced oranges were cool and delicious. There was a pitcher of milk on the table, and they each had more coffee.
"Excellent breakfast, ma'm" stated Ennis. He looked at Claire, and announced "If you wasn't a proper married lady, I'd be proposin' to you this mornin' myself." and then he patted his stomach and smiled.
"Why, thank you, my dear." Claire beamed at him, and then continued with what she was thinking to ask them about, "What do you both think of going to the Cattlemen's Picnic today?" she asked.
Truthfully, they had forgotten about it in all the excitement.
"We talked it over yesterday and decided that whatever you say goes. If you want to go, we go. If you don't, we don't. Why? You thinkin' you'd like to attend?" answered Ennis.
"Yes," said Claire, "I think that would be a good way to get our minds somewhat back to normal, see other people, reach out and touch this community a bit."
"Done!" said Ennis. "What time you want to go? I've got the truck loaded to take some hay and salt out to the pasture, shouldn't take me more'n an hour all in all."
"Take half that time if I go with you, Cowboy. One of us driving, one of us throwing, we could be back here in no time."
"Sounds good," said Claire. "I want to call Reverend Peterson before we go. John's been on the Prayer List at church already, but I want to ask for Special Intentions for him, knowing what we know now."
Jack drove as he knew the ranch best, and Ennis threw hay to supplement the sparse grass that the cows had access to. He also replaced salt blocks as needed, and watched for any cattle that didn't look quite right. Ranchers had to constantly be on guard for predators or sickness that could sweep through a herd. They were okay on water at the moment, as the creeks had not given up the ghost yet, though that pond wasn't more than a mud hole by this time. They sure did need rain, couldn't stress that enough.
Those big fat rain drops that had chased them into the barn last weekend had been it, for several weeks. And it's not even the hot, dry part of the summer yet, worried Jack.
Claire had made quick work of cleaning up the kitchen, and then dialed her pastor's number. "May I speak with Reverend Peterson, please." Claire requested when his daughter answered the phone.
"Reverend, this is Claire Twist."
"Yes, alright, Clayton, this is still Claire Twist." laughing at him as he reminded her once again to call him by his given name.
"Anyway, Clayton, I'll be going to the Parade and Picnic with my family this morning, and I was calling to see if you would please ask the congregation for some extra prayers for my dear John."
"No, we haven't received bad news, it's just that his condition is worse than I had first realized."
"Yes, it is a shame. Thank you."
"Well, no, I'm not sure God's will has anything to do with it."
"Okay, I understand, Reverend, uh, Clayton. Thank you, I will."
Claire dismissed Reverend Peterson from her mind, knowing that he would see to her request. Poor man, losing his wife to cancer three years ago has hit him hard, good thing his daughter can take care of him part time, what with her own family of little ones, and that tall, strapping husband of hers.
Clayton Peterson, lost in thought at his own residence, felt uneasy. It's not right, me feeling like I do about John Twist; I'll just have to pray harder that I learn more of God's mercy. Still, I wouldn't be human if I didn't notice that the man's not worthy of such a woman as that. Not worthy by half! But then, who is? he asked the walls of his lonely home.
And dismissing what couldn't be helped, Clayton Peterson wrote himself a note to request prayers for John Cade Twist, and then went to get ready to begin his day and go to his church.
Soon Claire had her purse on her arm; a sweater and an umbrella were placed by the door. The boys, as she unconsciously had begun to call them, even though they would each turn forty this Fall, were not back yet, but she knew it would only be a matter of minutes. This will be a good experience for them, she thought, and for me too.
I'm so proud of my tall handsome, hardworking, loving boys, I could just burst wide open with it. Oh my, where did that feeling come from? She was dismayed with herself. "A sin of Pride is still a sin, Miss Claire Elaine Bell!" she remembered hearing her mother admonish her on numerous occasions when she had gotten overly excited and happy about something she had accomplished or something she had created on her own. And the inevitable ending of that statement, again from her mother, " The Devil loves any kind of sin, little girl."
Claire vowed to keep a better leash on her emotions. She reminded herself that whatever those young men were, was a creation of God's, not hers. It's between them and their Creator, but I'm still quite proud of them.
Ennis tried in vain to get Claire to leave her purse at home. "Nothing you're gonna need to buy, why bother to carry it?" he reasoned.
But she was adamant. She laughed, "it's part of me, you little scamp, and I'm too old to change now."
"Still think you'd be more comfortable in Levi's 'n boots, ma'm." he teased.
The trio parked one block away from the parade route, and walked to a good vantage point from which to watch all the activity. Claire spied her best friend from high school, and waved. Ruthann Hauser had her grand daughters with her, both girls were decked out all in red, white and blue.
Down the way was a former neighbor who'd lost his ranch. She heard that he got him a job with Ralston Purina at the Cassidy Feed and Seed, over in Sundance. She waved and smiled; Dave Bowers is his name, she remembered. Dave's wife Julie called hey and waved at Claire and her little party, too.
The parade had not yet begun, but they could hear the band members tootling and tuning their instruments somewhere off in the distance. It added to the excitement. The Crook County Consolidated High School was the only school in the area, and as such the Marching Cougar Band was the featured attraction. Every band member's family would be sure to be here.
These kids, aged 14 through 18, were wearing their Navy and White band uniforms proudly. Never mind that they were sweating in the morning heat.
It was one of the highlights of the year. Their last performance for the graduating seniors; the first exciting performance for the eighth graders who would be incoming freshman in September.
Ennis was on pins and needles, as he had never attended a parade of any kind and was excited about this one. 'Course, he'd seen the Rose Bowl Parade on TV, who hadn't, but that didn't seem real. This was real, with actual friends and neighbors of the Twists' and maybe even fellas who had grown up with, and gone to school with his Jack. It made Ennis yearn to know the boy that Jack had been.
He wished he could have comforted him after his daddy beat him that time in sixth grade. Need to stop thinkin' on that! he fumed.
The Band came first and stirred up the emotions with a good old John Phillip Sousa March, The Stars and Stripes Forever. Ennis was so excited he took hold of Jack's hand, not thinking – then when he saw Claire and Jack smile, he changed to clapping loudly for the band. After that he put his hands in his pockets, but he couldn't keep them there very long. The parade was not big, nor elegant, nor glamorous, but it was the best one they'd ever been to together and it was fine and grand in their eyes.
Ennis was finding it difficult to figure out what to do with his hands. They constantly wanted to find Jack, and that just could not be, not out here. He did not mean anything by it; it was just that he wanted to say, "Oh, look at that cute kid." Or "listen, Jack, you hear that boy playing the drums, isn't he good?" Just to share the experience with Jack, that's all he wanted. Whoa, he thought, Walter was right. What the hell am I going to do?
The little group tried to figure out who was left to watch the parade besides themselves. All the kids who wanted to, could march in the parade by either decorating their bicycles with crepe paper through the spokes, and tassels flying from the handlebars; or by decorating a pet. All pets in the parade had to be on a leash, and had to have on a costume. One such pooch wearing a baby bonnet on it's head, was being dragged down the street by a 5 year old with a lollipop in her hand. Sometimes the girl got to lick the candy, sometimes the dog did. Ennis got tickled watching her, and he remembered his own girls when they were five, and wondered where they were and what they were doing at this very moment. They'd never guess what I'm doing, he thought happily.
All the men and women who wanted to, could march in the parade by riding on the Volunteer Fire Company truck, if they were indeed a volunteer fireman, and practically everybody in the region was.
Anyone could drive their John Deere tractor or ride their horse in the parade. Horses had to be decorated to be admitted, as well. A ribbon would do, so there were some well loved old horses who sported bright ribbons through their manes or tails. There were quite a few good horses in the surrounding area, and they made a fine sight as the riders and horses were gussied up to sparkle in the morning light.
More than one grandparent showed off their pride and joy by leading a decorated horse through the street carrying their smiling grandchild on it's back.
Ah, that was fun, thought Ennis. "Thank you for bringing me, Mrs. Twist." he said, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
"You're surely welcome, my boy." Claire responded.
Going to have to do something about this "Mrs. Twist" thing, just don't know what is appropriate, but I'll think and pray on it, she thought. I liked it last night when he said good night and called me little mama. I did like that.
The picnic grounds parking area was half filled by the time they got there. It was so dry and all these cars and trucks in one place, couldn't help but kick up dust. They all were used to Wyoming weather, so they squinted against the flying grit until they got into the picnic grounds proper. It was a little better there, away from the entering vehicles.
Jack saw Walter as soon as they got inside near the booths set up by the Ralston Purina Company. Walter hailed the group and waved them over.
"Good morning, didn't know if you'd be here, but I sure hoped you would be."
Ennis said, "Good morning, Walter. It was up to your sister, and she felt like seeing a parade and coming to a picnic."
Walter reached over to shake hands with Jack, and then Ennis.
Iris and Claire were sure glad to see each other and they hugged tightly. "Want to walk down by the needlework exhibits and see who's entered?" "Sure do." So off they went, telling the men they'd see them later.
"Rough day yesterday, huh, Jack?" said Walter.
"Yeah, it was, but necessary. Can we speak to you privately, Uncle Walter? asked Jack.
"Sure can, my boy." They spied several empty wooden picnic tables at the outer edges of the grounds, and walked off towards those, where they could speak freely out of earshot of others.
Jack began by looking at both Ennis and Walter. "I have done a lot of thinking and have come to a decision. Ennis knows nothing of my thoughts, simply because we have not had a private moment to ourselves. But, to pull this off I'm going to need a lot of help, Walter. So I need you both to hear me out and offer suggestions if you think I'm going in the wrong direction."
Both men agreed to listen to Jack's plan. Ennis lit a cigarette for himself, saw Jack look at it, and so he gave it to him. He lit another for himself.
"Okay, first I'm going to cancel Bobby's flight for Friday. I'll call Lureen tonight and tell her I'm coming home to get Bobby myself, I'll probably tell her we need to talk. I really hope his other grandma can keep him for a couple days, or as long it takes his mother and I to talk this out. I'll just have to play that by ear. Once I get home, well, to Childress, I can't say what the time line will be. I hope it's quick, but I cannot say for sure just yet."
Ennis felt so bad for Jack, he sure wished he could make this easier on him.
"I plan to leave Monday morning when Ennis leaves; mama would be on her own again. Tomorrow is Monday already, so here we are with this decision and timeline right on top of us. Walter, Mama hasn't heard this yet, either."
"If you think that your sons or grandson's could or would be able to care for the cattle and horses for a few days, honestly it would be several days, then this is what would allow my plans to go forward. I can't ask it of anybody, it's my responsibility, it's just that I can't be in two places at once, though I seriously do need to be."
"Ennis would stay and take care of it all, I know. But he has a job and they are depending on him to be there. Again, it's ranch work, so the animals have to be taken care of."
"I just hate to be asking, you know, but I need help."
"In the best of all possible scenarios, Bobby and I would be back here Friday night, June 3rd or Saturday morning, the 4th. But that's unlikely. I can't see Lureen giving up without a fight, or not wanting to discuss every thing at length. Although, she hasn't had a lot to say to me recently so who knows how she'll take it? Once I tell her I'm leaving and why, she could throw me out in the next five minutes."
"Somebody jump in here, can't you see I'm grabbing at straws? Oh, yeah, the worst case scenario, is that we don't get back here, until the 8th or 9th and then Bobby, and I, daddy and Ennis will all be moving back in here at the same time. Gentlemen, I believe my head is going to split wide open here."
Ennis began, "Jack, you know I can stay away as long as you need me to. I don't want to, but I can. I will not put undue pressure on you to explain me, or make others feel uncomfortable, till you get it all sorted out, darlin'. "
"Wait a minute, both of you. Let me try to help, try to talk you through some of this." said Walter. Now Jack, you haven't lived up here for many years. You are a grown man with your own family, and your own life. You've been here once or twice a year when you came to help your daddy with the heavy work. But the rest of the time, your parents have been on their own, and when they need support, or anyone else in the family needs support, we have all pitched in to provide it. We're family, that's what we do. Poor Jack, you don't have a brother or sister so you don't know how that is to be able to fall back on someone else."
"Well, fall back on us, Jack. You go do what you have to do, and let us worry about Claire and John. We will be here. Trust me, and don't let your head split open. Kenneth told me the night we found you with that flat tire, how guilty you felt about not being here for your mama, after you learned of your dad's stroke. But Jack, that's life. You should not be feeling like that. It's not possible you could have known, nor prevented it, there's no way."
Jack heard the part about "you go do what you have to do" and felt greatly relieved. "Walter, I'm going to go find Mama now, bring her up to date." He took two steps away and stopped. "Oh my god, I almost forgot! This is Sunday, Lureen is going to call tonight at 9 p.m. anyway. With everything going on, I had forgotten all about that." Jack waved his hand behind him as he walked off from them
Walter said, "Come on Ennis, let's go get us something cool to drink, and let me introduce you around a bit." When they had their drinks in hand, he asked "Young man, do you have a big bustling family like ours?"
"No sir, I sure don't." said Ennis, "I have one sister and one brother, but they are scattered. My parents died when I had just turned thirteen. I used to have an Uncle James but he moved off to Michigan or Minnesota or somewhere, and we haven't heard anything from him in years. He's probably dead by now too. In any case, I don't think he ever married."
"Walter, I have two nearly grown daughters. Here's their picture."
"My, how sweet they are. Ennis it seems you are about to inherit this big family. I hope you can stand it, there's a lot of us! But we do care about each other." added Walter.
"I can see that you do," said Ennis, "it's all new to me but feels very reassuring."
"Hey Winston, how're you doing? I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine, Ennis Del Mar." said Walter, "Ennis, meet Winston Chambers, he's got a nice spread up at Rockypoint."
While they were saying their "pleased to meet you's", Walter called over another fellow who was in the Cattlemen's with him, Harvey Potts, and introduced Ennis to him, as well. The men were all bemoaning the lack of rain, 'round these parts and wondering how long it would last. They were more and more concerned about brush fires.
Ennis told them they were doing fine around Riverton, had plenty rain this year. Strange how one part of the state is okay, while another's in drought.
"Oh what brings you up here, all the way from Riverton?" asked Winston Chambers. "I got a cousin over there, runs a store. More like a gift shop. Maybe you know him, name of Higgins, Tom Higgins."
Ennis replied, "I'm up visiting friends, yes, I believe I know of him. Fine man, I hear." Ennis said his thirst had got the better of him and he needed to go find another drink, and did anyone need anything? He left.
Ennis thought, I almost fell over when he said his cousin ran a store in Riverton, first thing I thought of was Monroe. Good grief, that gave me a fright. It's a smaller world than even I thought.
Jack was in quiet conversation with his mother. Claire knew how settled or not, Jack's future was with Ennis, but she also knew that it could not get settled properly, as long as Jack was still committed to his marriage. Claire felt a bit sad for Lureen, the girl never had a chance against Ennis Del Mar.
Everything was topsy-turvy at the moment, but she had prayed over this for many years and she was determined to let the Lord work it out.
Claire has high hopes for the first time in many years. It seems she now has a remote chance of getting her son back home in Wyoming, and she also has a chance to get to know her grandson. She will just keep praying that it all works out all right.
Ennis came looking for them. "Jack, you ready to go as soon as we get some lunch?" asked Ennis.
"Yes, darlin', we have a lot to do and a lot to talk about." Replied Jack. Mama you want to go home when we do, or will you be staying longer and catching a ride with Iris and Walter?"
Just then Claire was hailed by a group of friends who were laughing and talking and she said, "No, Jack, I'll be staying awhile longer." At that moment, Reverend Peterson walked up to her. "Hello Claire, is this your son I've heard so much about?"
"My one and only son, Clayton. Jack, I'd like you to meet Reverend Peterson, Clayton this is my son, Jack."
"I'd like to introduce my friend, Ennis Del Mar, Reverend Peterson."
As Jack and Ennis drove out of the picnic grounds, Jack began to complain. "You know, Cowboy, for twenty years I've hoped that this day would come, that we would actually begin trying to work out a life for ourselves; man, I like the sound of that! Don't you just love the sound of that Ennis?" and he looked over at Ennis to see if he, too, loved the sound of it. Ennis was waiting for the "but" however, he couldn't resist giving Jack a smile and a nod.
"But Christ, Ennis! Not like this! This is like 3 seconds on the bull, and then Wham! Your ass hits the ground!"
Ennis turned in his seat, put his back to the door so he could better see Jack's face and read his meaning there. "What are you saying Jack? You don't want to leave Lureen right now? Or you don't want to tell her you're leavin'? There's no one holdin' a gun to your head, here. I thought this is what you wanted. We don't have to do any of this" Ennis spoke with a finality that Jack didn't want to hear, and for himself, Ennis' heart was beating like a drum inside is chest.
This new, young feeling inside him, that he has been calling "Possibilities" for want of a better name, is too fragile to withstand much of a threat. But it means an awful lot to him, so Ennis has to be clear if his newly hopeful heart is in danger.
Luckily, they had reached the Twist property and could pull in off the road, be a little less conspicuous. Jack pulled over and stopped the truck along the lane, he smacked himself in the forehead. "Shit, I'm an idiot, Ennis!" He was feeling like a total ass, for his last few comments. I'd appreciate it if you'd forget everything I said in the past ten minutes!
Ennis merely continued looking at Jack, waiting for him to finally say what he meant, or figure out what he meant all along. "You know me, I bitch if things aren't going along easy. I DO want our new life Ennis, I want it with all my heart. You know I do. N' I promise you, I'm gonna be man enough to talk to Lureen like she deserves. And I'm gonna do it in the next few days. Ennis, don't say we don't have to do this. Don't say that, please!"
"Okay, baby." said Ennis. "Get us home now, Jack, I need to hold you."