Authors note: well, here ya guys go, I was able to pump this chapter out relatively quick and I hope you guys like it. Also, for those of you who loved the whole Jess and L.D. thing, get ready cause the battle will ensue once more. Sorry, I had to say that. Anyway, enjoy.
December 25th, 1982
If you've ever asked someone where they will be in the next twenty years, their answers will always be about the same. They say they'll become someone rich and famous, have a dream job, a dream life, the perfect life.
Well, in actuality, the odds of this happening are pretty slim. Most of use will end up working medial jobs, be middle class, and just become another citizen of society. As for the movie stars and millionaires and billionaires, they are just a bunch of lucky bastards.
As for me? Well, like all people, I dream of that perfect life when I head into the business world, make a fortune, and have it all but realistically, I know this may never happen. I, like everyone else, may just be stuck in some sort of desk job working away at paper and clacking away on this thing called the computer (hey, give that thing four years and it will be everywhere).
At some point in their lives as well, I think Jack, Ennis, and Bobby have all dreamed of bigger and better things but considering the odds and where they grew up, that seemed highly unlikely. Jack and Ennis, I believe, have already felt they have the perfect life right now. And for that, I envy them.
Truth be told, we can never be sure what will come of us in the future, no one can. its one of those things we aren't suppose to know, so we can make our own decisions without having the burden of the future weigh down upon us.
So I guess you can say we'll never be certain where the future takes us, what this great mystery of life has in store for us. All we really can do is just enjoy the ride and see where it takes us.
Jess was lying awake in his bed, the covers pulled just beyond his waist. The moment he woke, he knew it was Christmas. He was met with both a mixture of sadness and weirdness. This was his first Christmas without his mom and realizing this not only was met with a pang of sadness but also with a mix of disbelief, that he really could be spending Christmas here in Shattuck with a twelve dollar tree, no lights, and barley any snow while in New York the great tree in Rockefeller center, the dozens of lights, and the powder of snow that fell regularly.
His presents for the men were beside his bed, all warped and ready in plain red wrapping paper. A thin stream of light spilled through the small window above his bed, the sun barely up at this time.
Ever since Monday, Jess had since been over at James's for nearly two hours everyday, most of the times longer. They would mostly just fiddle around with the car, which James supervised every time Jess was going to do something and after three days, he learned more about cars in three days then his whole life. They talk most of the time bout stuff from their lives and life in Shattuck and it was mostly contained to that cause they really had nothing else to talk about. James didn't really listen to music, nor did he care for movies that much, basically all the things Jess was into he wasn't but that was all right for him.
He found something oddly soothing about James, maybe it was his cool attitude or his laid back persona but whatever the reason, he was easy to talk to. Unlike Lois, who was energetic, talkative, and quick with the remarks.
James's aunt was also a very nice woman. Sure, she tended to come off a bit steely but after a few days, she actually revealed herself to be a really caring person.
After spending a few hours with James, Jess really didn't care how scary he was. All that mattered was the person he was inside. When Jess thought of this, he felt it was the biggest cliché he had ever thought off.
He finally decided that now was the time to get up, considering he wasn't going to be sleeping any time soon. He hauled himself off the bed, slipped on his usual attire of jeans and band t-shirt (the Blues Brothers). He made his way downstairs and slipped his presents under the tree, then he made his way to the kitchen to pour himself some coffee.
He made himself comfortable on the couch and turned on the TV. Of course, the only things that were on were Christmas specials or holiday themed episodes. Eventually, he settled on the Christmas edition of Laverne and Shirley.
An hour later, he heard the sound of rustling feet from upstairs, meaning the others were up. By now, Jess had watched the Three's Company, Happy Day's, and Bewitched Christmas shows and was on his second cup of coffee.
"Mornin' Jess" Jack said as he came downstairs "Merry Christmas".
"Thanks" he said in a not to enthused voice.
"Ah, cheer up Jess" Jack said "no need to be like that on Christmas".
"I'm trying," he said, "but its just not working".
Before Jack could say something, in walked Ennis and Bobby shortly behind.
"Mornin" Jack said, walking over and giving Ennis a kiss, Jess shuddering slightly.
"Mornin" Ennis replied when they broke free.
"So, we gonna open presents or what?" Bobby asked enthusiastically.
"Yes we will" Jack said "but first, ya hafta call yer mom".
"But dad, its such a waste of time" Bobby said.
"No it ain't" Jack said in a matter of fact voice.
"It ain't like she really asks for it" Bobby continued.
"Jus' do it Bobby, will ya?" it was obvious by his tone that Bobby wasn't getting out of it.
"Oh, all right" he headed over to the phone while Jack and Ennis took a seat on the couch, wrapping each other into their arms, which caused Jess to immediately get up and head over to the kitchen table while Bobby had the phone to his ear.
"Hi mom" he said when her heard his mom.
"Bobby" she said curtly "how are you?"
"Fine mom" he said.
"How's school going?"
"Okay I guess, still got straight C's though…but I got a B on my last English test".
"That's nice" for the first time, Bobby, thought he heard a little bit of that motherly encouragement from her.
"Anyway" he said after a pause "I'm jus' callin' ta say happy Christmas".
"Thanks Bobby" she said, "that's very sweet," it still sounded a bit cold but it seemed like she was trying to be sincere.
"Huh?" he heard her say "oh, Bobby, yer grandpa wants ta talk ta ya".
Bobby made an audible groan that caught Jess's attention, who was swiveling his coffee idly at the kitchen table.
"Hello there Bobby" he heard his grandpa's voice a few moments later.
"Hi grandpa" he said in a force voice.
"So, how ya doin? Did Football go well?"
"Ya, we won our last game of the season"
"That's my boy, knew ya had ta have gotten yer athletics from me, sure as hell wasn't yer daddy". Bobby fidgeted slightly. This was the reason why he hated to talk to his grandpa, cause he always found a way to throw an insult at either Ennis or Jack.
"So, ya doin' wrestlin' as well this year?"
"Ya, we had our first meet last week" he said.
"How didja do?"
"Okay, I was able to pin the guy and all".
"Knew it" L.D. said in a proud voice.
"Well, I was jus' callin' ta wish mom a happy Christmas" Bobby said, trying to wrap up the conversation "could ya tell grandma that as well?"
"Absolutely my boy" L.D. said "still don't seem right fer them ta celabrate Christmas. Good Christian holiday that don't need ta be tarnished by those type of folk" Bobby felt his skin beginning to crawl.
"Swear Bobby, don't know how ya turned out the way you did" his grandfather continued, clearly on another tirade "considerin' being brought up by those people. Nearly killed me when I heard it, thinkin' you was gonna turn into a pansy jus' like him or worse, the other ones son-" Bobby felt someone tap his shoulder and he turned to see it was Jess.
"Is he bothering you?" he said.
"A bit-" he began.
"Knew it" Jess said "he is such a bastard, give me the phone".
Bobby almost said no, knowing full well how this will turn out. But before he could do anything, Jess snatched the phone and brought it to his ear, Bobby leaning in to listen.
"Hello L.D." Jess said in a relishing voice.
"You" he heard his grandpa hiss, "What are you doing on the phone? Where's Bobby?"
"Oh relax fat ass," Jess said, "I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas, that's all".
"Comin' from you, its an insult" he hissed "tarnishing this day with you and yer fag father-"
"Now, now" Jess said "there's no need for that kind of language, especially on baby Jesus's birthday. So L.D. how are ya? Still as fat as ever?"
"Why you little" he heard L.D. roar.
"Wow fat ass" Jess continued, "You're breathing awfully heavy. You know, that's a sure sign of obesity when someone has to breath that hard when having an innocent conversation with a dear old friend". Bobby couldn't help but surprise laughter at the sound of this banter.
"So anyway L.D." Jess continued, "Lets just wrap this up so we can get on with our lives and you can eat the entire Christmas dinner".
"You insolent little shit!" L.D. said in furious voice.
"Love ya too bitch" and with that, Jess hung up the phone.
When he hung up the phone, Jess began to laugh hysterically. It was also so good to just mess with that fat miserable old hick.
"Oh, I needed that" Jess said, positively happy now.
Walking into the living room, he saw the looks of Ennis and Jack, obviously having heard his laughter in the kitchen. It was probably the first time they'd ever heard him laugh before.
"What happened?" Ennis asked Bobby as he walked in, he too with a smile on his face.
"Well, called mom" he said "then L.D. came on and then Jess hear totally went off on him".
"Ya know that wasn't such a good thing" Jack said "no matter how good it may have been and no matter how much we support it, its still bad".
"Wish I coulda don' it" Ennis said. Everyone laughed, even Jess, which he found extremely odd.
"So, we gonna open presents now?" Bobby asked.
"Oh all right" Ennis said, "lets get it done".
Jack and Bobby headed to the tree, pulling out the presents while Ennis remained on the couch and Jess sat alone at the solitary chair.
By now, the joy of pissing L.D off had worn by now, and once again Jess was in his usual mood. He watched as they all exchanged presents with one another, Bobby getting some clothes, car products, and even a new pair of boots. Jack and Ennis meanwhile getting about the same stuff, consisting as well with cowboy stuff, new boots, and ranching equipment.
As for Jess, his stuff was okay to say the least; he at least could tell they tried getting him stuff. Jess got another band t-shirt from Jack, finding it impressive he actually found one but not so much when it turned out to be a Black Sabbath one, considering he already had five of them. Bobby's gift was a couple of free movie passes for the Kellyville drive in, which Jess actually liked, even thanking him for them. But as for Ennis, there didn't seem to be a gift from him.
Bobby nearly died when he saw the autographed Yankess's shirt.
"Holy shit!" Bobby exclaimed, "How, what, how did you get this?"
"Friend of mine" he said "didn't really care for it, so I figured you might like it".
"I don't know what ta say! Shit, thanks Jess" and then he locked Jess in a backbreaking hug. Then it came time for Jack and Ennis's presents.
Jack opened his up to find a rodeo book with a guy on a bucking bull on the cover.
"Turn to page thirty six" Jess said.
Jack did and his mouth nearly dropped open, cause on page thirty six happened to be a large picture of Jack riding a bull in a local competition and a description of the event down below
"Oh my god, I remember this!" Jack exclaimed, "This is when I won that belt of mine".
"Ya mean that ugly old thing up in the wardrobe?" Ennis said.
"Shut up cowboy" Jack said, elbowing him lightly "wow Jess, how didja find this?"
"Found in a book store" Jess said "thought it be nice for ya to see your face in a nationally distributed book".
"This is…unbelievable, thanks Jess" and he too gave Jess a hug, which he found both awkward and nice.
Then Ennis opened his, which happened to be a large photo album.
"Ya said you wanted to know my life" Jess said, "well, there you go".
When he went to Oklahoma City, he found this one scrapbook shop that specialized in custom photo albums. In it, he placed in chronological order all the pictures he had saved with him starting from when he was just a kid all the way to the very last picture of him before leaving.
Ennis began to rifle through the book, a pained expression on his face as he looked at the photos from Jess's past, trying to find the words to say.
"Wow" he said in a strained voice "this is…this is…thank you Jess" and just like with the others, he came over and gave Jess a hug as well. When he pulled away, Jess though he saw tears in his eyes.
"And there's one more" he said. He headed over to the tree and scooped up a long, thin rectangular gift Jess had not noticed before.
"Here" he said, handing it to Jess "I hope ya like it".
Unsure exactly what the present could be, considering how small it was, being no bigger then a card. He tore open the red wrapping paper and looked down in confusion. They were plane tickets, two of them in fact. Then Jess looked more closely and he felt his stomach drop and his heart stop.
They were two plane tickets for New York City.
Jess was overcome with shock and when I tried to speak, all he could manage was a small crocking voice. He still couldn't believe it, plane tickets, bound for New York City. He was going back; back to the world he thought he'd left behind for good.
"Its fer a two day trip" Ennis said, "leavin' on the 27th. Its all been arranged for us".
This brought Jess out of his comatose state "us?" he said.
"Ya" Ennis said, "ya didn't think we let ya go alone? I'm comin' with ya".
Normally, this would have brought Jess down but he was far to happy and still too much in shock to really care.
"Okay" Jess said, still in a weak voice. Even Bobby seemed amazed at Jess's gift.
"Shit Ennis" Bobby said, "where did you guys get the money fer that?"
"Oh, ya know what Ennis, we still need to give them the good news" Jack said, standing up.
"What?" both Bobby and Jess said.
"Well boys" Jack said, wrapping an arm around Ennis "it seems our plans for expansion have been a success. We are now the heads of the fully functioning and as of now, newly recognized business owners of the Brokeback Ranch Company, with nine other operating branches on our belt with three more in the works and five more in talks"
This caused Bobby to jump up and give a shout of joy "holy fuck!" he yelled, running over to Jack and giving him a hug "that's great pop! This is…this is…shit" he finished in an exasperated voice.
"Couldn't have said it any better" Ennis said joining in the group hug while Jess slumped back on the couch, still overcome in shock.
Wow he thought I really am going back.
After a few moments, Jess got up, clutching the tickets tightly in his hand and walking over to Ennis as he pulled away from the others.
"Thanks" Jess said, "This was…really nice" finding no other words to say.
"Ya" Ennis said, a twinkle in his eyes "yer's as well".
Jess nodded "well…thanks again" he then gave Ennis a small hug before pulling away and walking, still half shell shocked, up the stairs.
All in all, this was the best Christmas Jess had ever had.