A Love Born From Steel
Chapter 2
They ended up staying at the cabin for an extra day. The "celebratory fuck" turned into an ongoing event, and Ennis finally achieved his dream of "fuckin' Jack's brains out." To be honest, at the end of it, Ennis wasn't quite sure where his brains were either. Like a pair of horny teenagers, they lunged at each other with a ferocity born of passion, and a hunger born of years of repressed emotion. "I think we let the genie out of the bottle," said Jack.
"I told you that lover fucks was gonna be diffr'nt," replied Ennis. They screwed on the bed, on the floor, in the worn easy chair, and even on the porch, which happened when Ennis grabbed Jack from behind when Jack had gone out to piss. When they got hungry, Ennis made more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Ennis took a big bite of one and suddenly, Jack pulled him in for a kiss, and with his tongue, fished the bite of sandwich out of Ennis's mouth. "What am I, the mama bird?" Ennis drawled.
"Yup, feedin' her little baby chick," said Jack, as he broke off another bite of sandwich and put it in Ennis's mouth.
Jack found other uses for the peanut butter, too, slathering it on Ennis's erect cock and then slowly, slowly, licking it off. Ennis groaned in pleasure, "Jack, please…"
"Hold on, cowboy, I gotta get it nice and clean," said Jack, "I ain't letting you shove no peanut butter up my ass."
But even with the games, the playing, and the rough and tumble sex, they both knew that there was a difference—no longer just fucking, it was truly making love, and they felt as if they were trying to merge their bodies and souls into one as they pressed ever closer. Jack looked deep into Ennis's eyes and saw an intensity and ardor he had never seen before. "Is that what love looks like?" he asked and Ennis pulled him close.
"I don't know what it looks like, but I can sure as hell tell you what it feels like, and shit, it feels good. Rodeo, I love you," he said.
"I know," said Jack.
"And it's kinda fun tellin' ya, too."
"I can tell," laughed Jack. Later, in a playful moment that turned serious, Jack asked Ennis, "You ever tell Alma you love her?"
"Not much," said Ennis.
"Did you love her?"
"Truth be told, Jack, the way I feel now makes me think that no, I'm not sure I ever did. I was fond of her, sure, and if'n I hadn't met you and just married her I prob'ly would have gone on thinkin' it was love…" his voice drifted off. "What 'bout you, you love Lureen?"
Jack shook his head, "No…she was a right fun li'l gal and we got along—at least at the beginning. She was cute and sassy and had a good sense of humor, but I never loved her. How could I, Ennis? I was in love with you."
"You was in love with me?"
"Ennis, I fell in love with you up on Brokeback Mountain. Hell, there are some days I think I fell in love with you the day we met, outside Aguirre's trailer. Love at first sight and all that shit." Jack could see that Ennis was digesting this bit of information, turning it over in his mind. "What 'bout you?"
"Hell, Jack, I dunno…I think back to Brokeback and remember bein' really happy and havin' such a good time with you. But I didn't have the words for guys bein' in love so I don't think I let myself feel it as love. I spent a lot of time pushin' the feelings away."
Jack took Ennis's face in his hands. "Well, I'm glad you found the words last night," as he leaned in for a ravenous kiss. Ennis broke away and gave him a wink.
"You get all mushy on me, I think I need t'teach ya a lesson," he said, as he flipped Jack over and pulled him up on his knees. He spit into his hand, "We're gonna do it the ol'fashioned Brokeback way," he said, as he eased his cock into Jack's ass. "Like that cowboy?" he said.
"Y'know I do," moaned Jack, as he moved in rhythm with Ennis. Their release was simultaneous and they collapsed, Ennis on top of Jack, sticky and sweaty, their consummation, for the moment, complete.
Jack woke a little while later to the sight of Ennis rubbing a spot on the skin above Jack's collarbone, and chuckling to himself. "Whatcha laughin' at, cowboy?" he asked.
"I branded you."
"What?" asked Jack, confused.
"I branded you. You got a great big ol'hickey, right here," said Ennis, massaging the spot with his finger.
"What!" said Jack, leaping up, and trying to look at his reflection in the glass of the window. "Lureen sees this she'll shit a brick!"
"Hold yer horses, cowboy," laughed Ennis, "She ain't gonna see it, it'll be under yer shirt. Besides, you tell her yer leavin' her for me, I think she'll figure out it ain't poker we been playin' together." Ennis leaned in, and started licking and sucking the skin on the other side of Jack's neck.
"Whatcha doin' now?"
"Givin' ya another one," mumbled Ennis, his head buried in Jack's neck. "Circle E Ranch."
And so it went, both of them pouring themselves into each other, as if they were empty vessels that needed to be filled. The day faded into evening, the evening faded into night, and finally, spent and exhausted, they fell asleep, a tangle of arms, legs, and blankets, twisted on the bed.
They woke up the next morning to overcast skies and a persistent drizzle. Jack pushed himself up on his elbow, looked out the window and said, "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'!" Ennis pointed out hat it was raining and Jack replied, "It could be a fuckin' blizzard out there and I would think it was a beautiful morning." He leaned in for a kiss and then said, "Ennis, I am the happiest man in the world today."
Ennis smiled. "I feel pretty good myself," he replied.
Jack stood up and stretched. "Man, I'm starvin'. Did I see some bacon and eggs in the cooler?"
"Sure did."
"Well then, I'm gonna fry us up a big ol'west Texas breakfast."
They both got up and started on the chores of the morning. Ennis stoked the fire in the woodstove and heated up a pot of water. They tried to clean up—as much as was possible—with the little rag that passed for a washcloth. Ennis shaved but Jack, rubbing his face, said, "I hate shavin'. Mebbe I'll grow a beard."
Ennis handed him the razor. "Don't you grow no fuckin' beard, cowboy. I like you just the way you are." Jack laughed and acquiesced.
They lingered over their breakfast of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes, smoking cigarettes while they drank their coffee. Jack said, "Y'know, En, I've been thinkin' 'bout this trip ya got planned."
Ennis looked at him, "Yeah?"
"Yeah, well, it's prob'ly gonna take me more'n a coupla days to straighten out ev'rything with Lureen and my job and all…I'll prob'ly need to be there for a week or two, mebbe more."
"And…?"
"Well, what I'm sayin', Ennis, is if ya don't wanna go to Texas for a coupla weeks, ya don't have to. You can stay in Riverton and I'll pick ya up on the way back."
"Here we just got together and now yer tryin' to get rid of me?" asked Ennis, with a wink.
"I'm not tryin' to get rid of you...you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," said Ennis, "but the fact is, Jack, I wanna go with you. I've never been to Texas."
Jack snorted. "Texas ain't so great." He paused and then looked at Ennis with a sly expression. "It ain't about Texas, is it?"
Ennis looked down, a flush creeping up his cheeks, and nodded. "No, it ain't about Texas. I wanna be with you."
Jack crushed his cigarette in the ashtray and pulled Ennis to his feet. "Well, that deserves a kiss," he said. "Cowboy, I wanna be with you too."
Later, when they had finished packing the truck and cleaning the cabin, they were sitting side by side on the edge of the porch, smoking one last cigarette before they got on the road. Ennis said, "Jack, can I ask ya somethin'?"
"Shoot," replied Jack.
"Well, yesterday, when we was talkin'…when you was talkin' about Brokeback Mountain and love at first sight and all that…and ya didn't even know me…" Ennis let his voice trail off, hoping Jack would catch on, which he did.
"Ya mean, I must've known I liked guys?"
Ennis nodded. Jack thought for a minute, thinking back to that summer. "Well, I had started to figure it out, I think." He paused, then said, "The summer when I was fifteen, my daddy hired this ranch hand, a guy named Steve. I thought Steve was the best lookin' fella I had ever seen." He looked over at Ennis. "He looked sorta like you, in fact, 'cept his eyes were blue, not brown." Jack poked Ennis in the ribs. "You must be my type," and Ennis gave an embarrassed little laugh.
"Anyway, one night I was layin' in my bed and I started playin' with myself and I realized I was picturin' Steve. I got real hot and well…" Jack shrugged.
"He ever do anythin' to you?" Ennis asked.
"Oh no, nothin'," Jack shook his head. "I think he thought of me like a little brother. He taught me a bunch of stuff, was real nice to me. I had a crush on him, but I don't think he knowed it. I'm not sure I ever felt his skin, even touched his hand, t'be honest."
"Well, okay then, if you were figurin' it out, why did ya marry Lureen?" asked Ennis.
Jack smiled ruefully, "Ain't that the $64,000 question. Why…'cause I was s'posed to? 'Cause I was tryin' to get over you? 'Cause I thought I could cure myself?"
They sat quietly for a minute, then Ennis said, "See Jack, that's what I don't get. I ain't looked at other guys, I ain't interested in other guys. It's just you."
Jack picked up Ennis's hand, and began massaging his long fingers. "I know, En, it's confusin' and I ain't got all the answers." He paused, "I do think we was meant to be together…" They lapsed into silence. Jack thought there probably was a fundamental difference between them, in that Ennis could give his heart to only one person and that it was a lifetime commitment. Jack was profoundly grateful that he was that person. But Jack also realized that if Ennis had rejected him and sent him away, he would have tried to find someone else. Ennis, on the other hand, probably would have accepted his lot in life, and ended up spending his days alone. Jack understood that he needed love and a stable relationship, and he wanted it to be with a man, while Ennis simply needed… Jack. At that moment, Jack's realization of the role they played in each other's life was both humbling and awe-inspiring. As these thoughts came to the forefront of Jack's mind, he was suddenly engulfed by a feeling so powerful and intense that it brought tears, unbidden, to his eyes. He tried to brush them away before Ennis noticed, but wasn't quick enough.
Ennis wiped Jack's cheek and gave him a puzzled look, "Why yer cryin', rodeo?" Jack shook his head, unable to speak. Ennis chuckled and in a low, soft voice said, "I think it's time for an 'I love you, cowboy,'" and pulled Jack close in a warm embrace. They sat that way for a long time, the drizzle collecting wet on their shoulders.
They finally got in the truck and started driving south, heading towards Riverton and points beyond. While they were driving, they discussed the trip, and Ennis came to agree with Jack that probably a few weeks, at least, in Texas, were necessary. Ennis said that wrapping up his life in Riverton wouldn't take long, so they decided to make that the first stop, and then leave for Childress. Ennis picked up his truck at the rest area and Jack followed him the rest of the way to his little line house, ten miles out of town.
Ennis decided to go see Alma that afternoon. "Ain't lookin' forward t'this, might as well get it done and over with." Ennis pulled a coffee can off the shelf, counted out some bills and put them in an envelope in his pocket. "Child support," he said, by way of explanation. Jack nodded and offered to start cleaning out the kitchen. Ennis said he'd bring back some empty boxes to pack his stuff. "I'll pick up somethin' for supper, too, while I'm in town. Ya like ribs?"
Jack laughed. ""Course I like ribs. Who doesn't?"
Ennis gave Jack a quick hug, and climbed into his truck. "See ya in a coupla hours, cowboy," he called out, as he drove away.
Ennis parked his truck behind the laundromat and climbed the stairs to the apartment where Alma still lived with the girls. He knocked on the door and called in, "Alma, ya home?"
"Door's unlocked."
He entered the apartment and found her in the living room folding laundry. "Didn't expect t'see you today, Ennis," she said.
"Yeah, well, we need t'talk. I'm makin' some changes, leavin' Riverton." Alma looked very surprised at this bit of news.
As she held up one of Jenny's shirts, Ennis noticed she was wearing a gold ring with a tiny diamond on her left hand. He pointed, "What's that?"
"Oh," she said, "Monroe's asked me t'marry him."
"Well, congratulations, then," said Ennis. "You happy?"
"I s'pose." Her answer filled Ennis with a profound sense of sadness, as well as a little guilt. He realized he hadn't been good to Alma, had been a lousy husband and a mediocre father, and knew she deserved more. And now, knowing what the feeling of blazing love in his heart felt like, he wanted that for her. Monroe was a decent guy, a little boring perhaps, but Ennis knew he would be attentive to Alma and the girls and be a good provider. But Alma's dejected "s'pose" didn't seem to carry much weight of love, and no passion at all.
"Ya set a date?"
"We're thinkin' July 24th. It's a Saturday." She put the folded shirt in the basket and picked up another. "So, y'said yer leavin'?"
"Yeah, goin' to Texas, for a few weeks, mebbe a month, not sure…then back to Wyoming, maybe head up to Lightning Flat."
"And yer doin' this alone?"
Ennis shook his head. "Here comes the hard part," he thought, and then said out loud, "No, I'm goin' with my buddy Jack."
Ennis saw Alma's lip curl in distaste at the mention of his name. "Jack Twist?"
"Yes, Alma, Jack Twist. He's the only Jack I know."
"Whatcha goin' with him for?" she asked.
"He's gettin' divorced, like me. I'm goin' to give him a hand."
"What's he need a hand for?" Alma asked, her voice petulant and bitter. "He didn't give you a hand when you got divorced."
Ennis sighed. He didn't like they way the conversation was going, and thought it best to change the subject. He pulled the envelope out from his pocket and handed it to her. "This is $250," he said, "child support for June. I'm payin' ya early." Alma took the envelope and nodded. "When I figure out where I am in July, I'll either mail ya the money, or bring it by, dependin'."
She nodded again, then said, "You didn't answer my question."
"Which question?" asked Ennis, knowing full well which one but still hoping he could avoid the subject.
"Why does yer buddy Jack Twist," she said, almost spitting out the name, "need help gettin' divorced?"
Ennis thought for a moment. He realized he could lie, or tell the truth. He also realized that lying would diminish his relationship with Jack and given all they had been through in the past few days, he didn't want to do that. He opted for the truth, "Alma, Jack and I are gettin' together."
Her eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
Ennis bit his lower lip. Was she being dim on purpose? Or just mean? He said, "We've decided to ranch up together," he said. "We're in love."
"That's disgusting," she said, her face twisted in an angry scowl.
"What's disgusting about it?" he said. "Aren't you in love with Monroe?"
"Y'know what I mean, Ennis," she said, "Two men…two men…" She seemed unable to finish the sentence.
Ennis sighed again, feeling weary and tired and just wishing he could end the conversation and get out of the tiny apartment. Alma stepped around from the laundry basket, and moved close to Ennis, poking her finger in his chest. "I've known all along," she said, "I saw you kissin' him that first day he came 'round, kissin' him down on the stairs."
"Well if y'knew, why didn't ya say somethin'? Could've saved us both a lot of misery."
"Because it was disgusting and I didn't want to know that I was married to a queer and a faggot."
Like a white hot bolt of lightning, anger poured through Ennis's body. He grabbed Alma by the shirt and pulled her close to his face, "Now you listen to me, and you listen good. I don't want you to ever call me one of those fuckin' names again. You can call me Ennis, you can call me yer ex-husband, or you can call me the father of yer daughters. But I don't ever want to hear those goddamn fuckin' words ever comin' out of yer mouth again, ya understand?"
Alma was trembling, but managed to say, "You won't be here, Ennis, so how will ya know what I'm sayin'?"
Ennis felt his hand ball into a fist, but used all his energy to control his temper. He knew he was quick to hit and prone to violence, but it was a point of personal pride that he had never hit his wife. "Since I won't be here, whoever yer talkin' to, it's none of their fuckin' business where I am or what I'm doin' right? So you don't need to say anythin', just say, 'My ex-husband Ennis moved to Texas,' and leave it at that." He stepped back, letting go of her shirt with his right hand, flexing the fingers of his left, trying to exorcise his anger.
"Tell ya what, Ennis, you pay your child support on time, like yer s'posed to, and I won't say anythin'. But the minute yer late—one day late—I'm goin' back to the judge and demand that you never be allowed to see the girls again. I'll tell the judge what kind of man you are and why you shouldn't be allowed around Alma and Jenny."
The white hot anger flowed through Ennis, but once again, he managed to rein in his temper. He realized that what she said was a cheap shot, but it was the only ammunition she had to work with. Ennis loved his daughters and the thought of never seeing them again was more than he could stand. He knew his life would be erratic for the next few months, but once things were more established, he knew he had to figure out a way to keep them in his life. He would be devastated to not see them. "Have I been late yet, Alma? Huh?"
"It's only been six months. You've gotten behind on bills before."
"Listen, Alma, I made a promise to the judge and I'm makin' a promise to you. I won't be late, but don't threaten me with not seein' the girls. This ain't their problem. Don't bring them into this."
Alma shrugged, "It's your choice, Ennis. I told ya what I'm goin' t'do if'n your late, and I mean it."
Ennis took a deep breath. "What time do Junior and Jenny get home from school?"
"Around three."
"And what time is it now?" Alma rolled her eyes and pointed to the clock on the wall. Ennis saw that it was 2:45. "I'm gonna go wait for them in my truck. I want t'talk to them—alone—when they get home. Mebbe I'll take 'em to the Rexall store for an ice cream cone."
Alma shrugged and Ennis left the room. It was clear they were both still angry and wanted to get away from each other. He was upset that their conversation had ended on such a bad note, but didn't see any other way around it, at least not at that moment.
Fortunately, his conversation with his daughters went much better. They were thrilled to see their daddy waiting for them when they got off the school bus. The three of them walked down to the drug store and bought ice cream cones at the soda fountain.
"Strawberry still yer favorite?" he asked Junior, and she nodded, delighted that her father remembered. "And chocolate for you?" he said to Jenny, who asked if she could have sprinkles on hers. "Of course, darlin'," said Ennis.
Ennis explained that he was taking a trip—not sure for how long—and might not see them for awhile. They made him promise to send postcards from towns he visited and he said he would. They all shared lots of hugs and kisses, and Ennis called them his little angels as he said good-bye.
"Bye, daddy, I love you," said Junior.
"I love you too, daddy!" said Jenny.
"And I love both of you," he said, kissing the tops of their heads and waving good-bye as he drove away in his truck. "I'll see you soon."
Ennis came back with ribs and cole slaw, as promised. He and Jack had a hearty dinner, licking their fingers and washing it all down with a couple of bottles of beer. Afterwards, they sat on a rock outside the house and watched the sun set. Ennis took Jack by the hand and pulled him towards the house. "Time for bed, cowboy. It's been a long day." Jack let himself be pulled.
As they settled themselves in the narrow bed, Ennis said, "I hafta say, this is a sight I never expected."
"What?" asked Jack.
"Me sleepin' with you, in my own bed, in my own house."
Jack smiled, "Ya ain't worried 'bout the tire iron guys?"
"Even if they come, I'll die a happy man." Ennis reached over to turn out the light, but Jack stopped him.
"Wait. I wanna look at you." They lay looking at each other. Jack traced his finger along the edge of Ennis's jaw, moving it across his lips, then down his chest. They slowly began to explore each other, using their hands and tongues. They moved in closer and Jack thought he could feel every muscle in Ennis's body, his chest, his thighs. Their cocks and balls rubbed together as they moved in a sensual rhythm. They took their time—finally, no need to rush—secure in the feeling that they knew they had all night to make love, if they wanted. Their mutual release was long, slow, and satisfying, and they finished with a kiss that Jack wished would never end.
When they were done, Ennis looked at Jack. "That was nice," he said, almost sounding surprised.
"It was different," said Jack.
"Yeah, but still hot." This time Ennis did turn out the light and pulled Jack in close. For the first time in their lives they fell asleep face to face, Jack's head fitting naturally in the spot on Ennis's shoulder.
In the morning, they finished packing. Jack had gotten quite a bit of cleaning done, clearing out the kitchen and bathroom, but didn't want to get into Ennis's personal stuff until Ennis was there. Ennis had said, "I don't own shit" and it was true. Jack was surprised—and a little saddened—to realize just how poor Ennis was. A few pairs of jeans, some worn shirts with frayed collars and cuffs, a bolo tie. The few sticks of furniture came with the rental and the dishes and glasses came from Goodwill. Besides his three guns and fishing gear, the rest of Ennis's worldly possessions barely filled two cardboard boxes.
Jack picked up a prayer book from the shelf and started to put it in one of the boxes. Ennis noticed and said, "That was my mama's. My sister gave it to me when I got married."
"Oh," Jack said. He opened the front cover and saw a collection of postcards and realized immediately what they were. He looked at Ennis and smiled, and Ennis smiled back.
"Yup, I saved 'em all," he said.
"I saved yours, too," replied Jack. "Closest thing we'll ever have to love letters, I s'pose."
Ennis gave him a wink, "Now, don't you go gettin' all mushy on me, otherwise you know what I'll hafta do." Jack laughed and laid the book in the box.
On the shelf in the closet, Jack found an old cowboy hat and recognized it as the one Ennis wore during their summer on Brokeback. "I remember this hat."
"Yeah, looks like shit now, all dented and dirty," said Ennis, "but I just can't get rid of it. My sis gave me that, too—for my eighteenth birthday. First nice hat I ever had, I know it cost her a lot of money. Wore it for years," he took it from Jack and rubbed the brim. "Brings back a lot of special memories."
"Maybe we could get it cleaned, you could wear it again."
"Nah," said Ennis, "I'll keep it, but I don't want to wear it. Y'know, Jack, sometimes ya just need t'move on."
As they finished up, putting the last bits of trash into a big black bag, Ennis turned to Jack. "Bud, there's one last thing I haven't figured out."
"What's that?" asked Jack.
"My horses. I s'pose I should sell 'em."
Jack, having seen just how little Ennis owned, and knowing how important his horses were to him, said, "No way, cowboy. We'll take 'em with us."
"Ya sure? It makes ev'rything more complicated…"
"Ennis, there are ranches 'round Childress. We can find a place to board 'em, no problem. Shit, I've been sellin' farm equipment down there for nine years, I know all the owners."
Ennis looked relieved, and grateful. "Well then, I'll hafta take my truck, 'cause the horse carrier's in the back."
"Ya think it'll make it?" Jack laughed.
"Let's hope so," Ennis replied. "Otherwise we might hafta ride the horses to Texas."
Ennis tied the trash bag shut, and threw it in the back of Jack's truck along with the rest of the boxes. "We can stop at the dump on the way to the ranch," said Ennis. "After that, I'm done with Riverton."
Once they got to the ranch, Ennis squared it with the foreman, quitting his job and getting his back pay. They walked down to the south paddock and found Don Wroe, who was breaking in a young colt, training him to the rope. Ennis and Jack leaned on the fence and watched him for a few minutes. Don noticed them and walked over. "Ennis, yer back early. I thought you was goin' up fer a week."
"Yeah, well, it started rainin'," said Ennis, "but we still had a good time for the days we were there." He handed Don the keys. "Thanks again for this, bud. I really 'preciate it."
"Anytime, Ennis. It's just sittin' up there unused."
"Well, I'm not goin' to be around, actually. Goin' down t'Texas with my buddy here." He nodded at Jack.
Don looked surprised. "Leavin' yer little girls?"
"Yeah, for a few weeks at least. Jack's gettin' divorced, I'm givin' him a hand." Ennis wasn't quite sure why he was telling Don all this as it really wasn't any of his business, but he had always liked Don and felt that somehow he could trust him.
Don looked at Ennis, then Jack, then back to Ennis. He stuck out his hand, "You take care, Ennis. Good luck t'you."
Ennis shook his hand, "Thanks, Don."
Don shook Jack's hand too. "Good luck t'you, too," he said. "Divorce is a bitch."
Jack laughed, "Yeah, but my wife is more of one. I'll be glad to be done with her." They all laughed together for a few seconds, then Jack and Ennis turned away and started walking back to the barn. Jack leaned into Ennis and said softly, "He knows."
"What?" asked Ennis.
"He knows—about us. He figured it out," said Jack. Ennis started to turn but Jack said, "Don't look back." They kept walking up the road and Jack continued, "See? It's okay. He didn't start yelling at you or saying anything. In fact he wished you good luck." They got to the barn and stopped. Jack turned to Ennis, "It's gonna be okay, cowboy. We're gonna make this work." Ennis gave him a little smile. Jack knew how hard this was for Ennis, realizing that it's not possible to wash away a lifetime of fear in a few short days. He knew it would take time. He wished he could reach out and hug Ennis, show him physically how he had his support, but this was not the time or place. So he just smiled and nodded. "It's okay, cowboy."
Ennis took a deep breath and pulled himself up straighter. He nodded at Jack in silent understanding, then said, "Let me get the saddles and shit, and then I'll get the horses." He disappeared into the barn, while Jack stood outside, smoking a cigarette.
Jack watched Ennis make a few trips in and out, bringing the saddles, the blankets, and the rest of the gear. Then, a few minutes later, Ennis came out of the barn, leading two horses behind him. Jack recognized Sioux, a pretty bay mare that he usually rode. But the other horse was new, a gleaming black stallion, probably eighteen hands high, with a blaze of white on his forehead.
"What happened to Banshee?" asked Jack.
"Oh yeah, poor ol'Banshee, I had t'put her down this winter. She got a twisted gut, vet said the merciful thing t'do was to put her t'sleep, so we did. After that, I went out and got this big guy. Ain't he somethin'?"
Jack watched Ennis, nuzzling the horse's forehead, feeding him biscuits from the supply in his pocket. Ennis leaned in and even gave him a little kiss. Jack couldn't believe his eyes. Ennis was never affectionate with his horses, always said, "They're just animals," but here he was cooing at this one like it was a baby.
"What's his name?" asked Jack.
"I call him Twister," said Ennis, rubbing the big horse's neck.
"Twister, like a tornado?"
"No, Twister like…," Ennis looked at Jack.
"Like me? Ya named him after me?"
Ennis gave Jack a big grin. "Sure did," he said, "he reminds me of you, all black and shiny. Look, he's even got blue eyes. And I like the idea of ridin' my Twister," he added, with an evil wink.
"Oh Ennis, if I could give you a big kiss right now…," said Jack.
"Well ya can't, so don't even think 'bout it."
Jack looked at Ennis, feeling like his heart would burst. "C'mon, cowboy, let's get these horses trailered up so we can get somewhere where I can kiss you," he said, "I need to thank you properly."
"You bet," said Ennis, and they turned and walked towards the truck.