- Post-Reunion -
Jack and Ennis flew down the stairs, taking the steps two or three at a time. Feeling happier than he had in years, Ennis grabbed Jack's shoulders and shook him, making Jack look back and give the same innocent laugh Ennis remembered from Brokeback. Ennis slapped one of Jack's shoulders before releasing the man to run around to the other side of the pick-up, yanking the door open and jumping in just as Jack started up the engine.
In little time, they were out of Riverton, both trying not to grin too broadly, though Jack was having little success. "Where to, cowboy?" he asked Ennis, stealing a glance.
"Place I know about…turn there!"
The turn came up so suddenly that the pick-up rose up on two wheels in its attempt to make the corner. Jack held onto the steering wheel for dear life, fighting the centripetal force—a battle Ennis was already losing. Both men whooped madly when the truck landed back on all fours, and Ennis pounded a fist against the door, grinning and laughing like Jack had never seen him. Feeling giddy and very childish, Jack stepped on the gas and the pick-up jumped forward, finding each and every pothole one the washboard road, and bouncing Jack and Ennis around inside. The two shouted and whooped, Jack yelling like he was riding a bull again.
Finally, when Jack was afraid the pick-up couldn't handle anymore of this treatment, he pulled her over to the side of the road. Jack and Ennis sat inside, panting and grinning, both keeping their eyes fixed out on the road. "I missed you, Ennis," Jack said softly, fighting the urge to turn to see Ennis's reaction.
"Missed you, too, cowboy." It was so much easier to say these things when no eye contact was required. "Glad you sent that postcard."
"Yeah, that. Been plannin' to do it for about the past three years but there was always somethin' to keep me from doin' it…"
Ennis nodded wisely. "I thought about doin' it a few times myself," he lied, "but I didn't know where the hell you might be livin'." He finally turned to look at Jack, raising an eyebrow. "Texas?"
Jack grinned. "Yeah, Texas. Big fuckin' place, lots a rodeos."
"You still rodeo?"
"Nah, don't need to. Lureen's daddy gave me a job, sellin' stuff. Lureen says I'm doin' pretty good. What about you? Thought you said you wanted to get a ranch?"
"Alma wasn't too agreeable far as the ranch goes. Wanted to live near people, so our daughters'd have other kids t' play with… I been havin' to work my ass off just to make rent each month, but I s'pose she's happy."
"An' are you happy, Ennis?"
He shrugged. "Not really, but there ain't nothin' I can do. Got my daughters t' raise."
Jack nodded, but his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere, his fingers drumming on the steering wheel as he stared out into space. Then he blinked, narrowed his eyes at the road, stuck his head out the window and looked behind the truck—then threw himself at Ennis, pinning the bigger man against the door and kissing him fiercely. Ennis barely had the time to be shocked, for Jack ended the kiss abruptly and leaned down to rest his head on Ennis's chest, laying down on top of the other man. "Damn, I missed you," Jack whispered.
Not quite knowing what to do, Ennis hesitantly put his arms around Jack's shoulders. Four years…four years was a fuckin' long time, and with Jack pressed up against him as he was now… "Jack," Ennis said, his voice a little strained with the effort to keep Ennis, Jr. under control, "come on, bud…let's get to that place I said…"
Jack pulled away, nodding, and quickly settled himself back in the driver's seat. Ennis dragged himself back up into his proper position, his heart hammering against his chest. Need to get to that motel fast… Jack's urgency seemed to be just as great, and he floored it again, sending the pick-up zipping on down the road, its occupants silent now.
:>
