-1Thanks to Onefreetoroam and Jada91. There is more to come. Ain't finished yet.

Disclaimer: Still not mine. Still wish they were. Thanks to Ms. Proulx for giving us a problem we can fix.

About once a month Ennis would bring the girls up to see her for the weekend. She could see that he loved his girls with as much of his heart as he could, but, she could also see the loneliness that he thought was hidden deep inside. He thought he'd hidden it in a place only he could see, but, a mother's love sees everything.

One time, after about four years, he brought the girls up to see her and she'd noticed a difference in him. At the time she couldn't place where she'd seen the glow on his face from, though she knew she'd seen it before. It wasn't until two days later that she finally figured it out. She'd been sitting there thinking about it and letting her mind wonder as she usually did when trying to figure out a puzzle. When she finally had his puzzle solved, she smiled. After four long years, she knew that Jack Twist was back in her son's life.

Twenty years had come and gone and she'd often wondered where they went to. In all that time she'd seen her son less often than she used to. And when he did show up, she could see a difference in him. Her son was slowly killing himself though she wasn't sure if he could see it or not. She was sad when he told her about the divorce, but, she wasn't really surprised about it. Expected it even.

One day, she was sitting in her usual spot drinking her usual cup of coffee when she heard a truck pulling up outside. Answering the knock on her door she opened it to see Ennis standing there looking like his world had just exploded on him. Not saying a word she just reached out and took him in her arms. She was quite shocked when he started crying on her shoulder. He hadn't done that since he was six. She knew right then that something terrible had happened. She also sensed that it involved one Jack Twist. Leading him into the kitchen, she sat him down at the table and fixed him a cup of coffee. Sitting down across from him, she studied him a bit.

"You and Jack have a fight?" she asked.

Upon hearing that he raised his head and looked at her in shock. Before he could say anything, she spoke again.

"A mother knows these things, Ennis," she said. "I've known it since the first time you ever mentioned his name to me. So, tell me what happened?"

Clearing his throat he forced the words out. Once he started he found he couldn't stop. Not till he was done.

"He's been on me to get a place of our own, Momma, but, I just can't. Every time I'm around him what daddy showed me keeps popping up in my head. I'm scared, Momma."

"I know, sweetheart," she said. "I've never forgivin your father for doing that. I also know that you've often wondered if your daddy actually had anything to do with Earl's murder. I figure it's time I told you the truth. Your daddy had seen Earl and Rich together one day. Guess he didn't like what he was seein. Came home all in a rage talkin bout how it was unnatural and sinful and about how they should be punished and such. Tried to tell him to leave it in the Lord's hands, that judgement wasn't up to us, but, he wouldn't listen. Got a few buddies of his together and went and paid them a visit. Found Earl by himself, guess Rich was in town or something. Told me all about it when he got back. Told me he was gonna show you boys the results. Said he was gonna make sure his sons never gave thought to doin that. Livin like that. Make sure you knew what was proper and descent. I knew I'd never be able to talk him out of it so I kept my mouth shut. Later on, when the car ran off that curve, it was God come to finally exact his justice on your daddy. Still don't know how I survived, but, I think the Lord wasn't done with me yet. I do remember, though, someone whispering in my ear that night. Voice told me I wasn't done here yet, that I still had a job to do though it would be years before it got done. Not sure, yet, what that job is."

Ennis just sat there in stunned silence listening to his mother. He had often wondered if his daddy had been responsible for Earl's death, but, was never sure. Suddenly, his mother asked him a question that took him by surprise, but, his answer surprised him even more.

"Do you love him?" she asked. "Would you be willing to die for him? More importantly, would you be willing to live for him?"

The words were out of his mouth almost before she'd even finished. "Yes, Momma, I would"

"I thought you would," she replied, smiling. "Now, why don't you go take a nap while I get supper started. You look tired."

He started to protest that he wasn't tired, but the yawn gave him away. He suddenly found that he was drained more emotionally than physically. Getting up, he kissed her cheek and disappeared into the spare bedroom. Checking to make sure he wasn't coming back, she got up and went to the phone. After dialing a number she waited. After the third ring, a voice answered. "Eleanor," she said, "it's Linda. We've got us a problem, girl." Ennis never knew that Eleanor Johnson and Linda Travis had grown up together. Even if he'd known, he wouldn't have recognized Eleanor's name anyway, but, he would certainly recognize the name Eleanor Twist.