After that day Gem didn't see Ennis, her brother, or her nephew for five years. She never even answered Ennis's letters, however she always sent Alma and the girls cards on various holidays with a bit of money tucked quietly inside. Ennis however never gave up, the winter Gem turned 25 Ennis sent her a breeding pair of German shepherd puppies. These weren't normal puppies, their chocolate coats were accented with black tails and legs, and they even had white masks. They cost him no telling how much money. Enclosed was a note, Gem, Alma and I are divorced, please come to Broke Back this summer. Instead of going to Broke Back Gem went to visit Alma and the girls; she piled Raoul and Christine in the truck and took off. She also brought the girls each a sweet, matching Shetland pony. Junior and Jenny were ecstatic; they buried Gem in hugs and sticky kisses. She stayed until she was confident that they could handle the ponies. When she was ready to leave Alma hugged her tightly and said, "I know you love him, go for it!"
Gem was torn as she drove away, she considered over half of the way there, and instead of taking the left turn up the mountain she veered to the right. When Gem finally stopped she was parked in front of the hospital LD had been taken to when he'd fallen ill. Even in his poor health LD was glad to see her; Gem told him stories of them when they were young, LD would laugh, except the laugh would turn to a cough. The two dogs slept with LD on the bed, he would stroke their delicate ears and talk softly to them. Gem stayed with him until he took his final breath, with a heavy heart Gem closed the man's eyes and went home. Before going to her ranch Gem made a bank run, she had to withdraw some money to pay for stud fees that were coming up. The teller smiled as she handed Gem her statement, in two separate, untouchable accounts were insurmountable sums of money.
When she went to speak to the banker he smiled also, "These are for medical operations and nothing else, and a contracted surgeon has to come here with you for you to be able to withdraw the money." Gem's eyes welled up with tears, never in her wildest dreams had she imagined LD would give her this money. It was the ultimate labor of love; he'd given her the chance not only to hear, but to have a family of her own.
When she arrived back home after being absent for over 3 months a melancholy caretaker greeted her. The new lambs had just arrived, a promising flock. However there was bad news, Masque was down with deadly colic, he'd been holding on for over a week, waiting for her to arrive. Gem rushed to the great stallion's side, he staggered to his feet just for her. Gem knew by looking at him he was ready to say goodbye. With tears in her eyes Gem placed a lead rope and halter on his lovely face; together they walked to Masque's favorite knoll, the highest on the grounds. All day they lay together, Gem stroking his face and speaking softly. By nightfall somewhere in time and space Masque's soul galloped through the stars forever.
All night it rained and all night Gem single-handedly dug Masque's grave. She was soaked to the bone with frigid water. By dawn Gem placed a hand carved grave marker in the soft dirt that covered the best friend she'd ever had. Gem sniffed a final time, through the shovel over her shoulder and headed for home.
Once home Gem stripped her clothing and fixed herself a steaming pot of tea. Her rescued wolf, named Giry bounded in and jumped against Gem's legs until she picked her up for a cuddle. Gem smiled and went him to her bedroom, in the whelping box comfortably lined with wool blankets was Christine, and tucked next to her soft, pink belly were 8 squirming puppies, all of whom had white masks.
Gem admired them until the tea pot whistled. Gem drank deeply out of her cup, savoring the potent taste. Suddenly the mail slot spit a postcard into her front hall, Gem picked it up and read the message she'd never wanted to read.
