131 MILES TO RIVERTON
It is midday November 22nd 1983 two days before Thanksgiving near Riverton, Jack and Ennis just returned from17 days at Lake Lewis in the Teton's are at the stables where he keeps his horses, unloading and settling them into their stalls. After the bitter argument last spring they both wanted to do all the could to make this trip special for the other. Ennis managed to get not only Don Rowe's cabin , but over two weeks time off to spend with Jack one of the very longest times together since Brokeback. They did go hunting , Ennis shot an elk, with spices and such that Jack brought it provided several meals. As always their reunion brought on joy and easy close companionship. A few warmer days, in the mid 50's, gave the boys a chance to take a three day campout with the horses. Every evening was in the light of the fire, whether the fireplace at the cabin, fire ring outside or the campfire the made at camp. Like most times whenever they spent time in the northwestern mountains in Wyoming, Jack met Ennis at the stables and traveled the rest of the way in one truck. With the stables rarely deserted by human eyes Ennis and Jack had their private good bys at the lake before the drive back.
These last hours before parting often brings on a sadness, emotions are sometimes tense. But Jack seems especially chipper, excited about something.
"Ennis, lets head over to Rawlins and have us a supper?"
Usually not hungry when he has to part with Jack "Wha …what, Rawlins? That's over two hours away, what's so special about Rawlins? Huh? Besides, I half'ta check on the stock, been gone over two weeks, Huh?"
"Come on Ennis, that Aspen Steakhouse has the best chicken fried steak in the state! I have always been wan'tin to take you there….we can go in my truck." Jack is trying his best to persuade Ennis.
"You'll gonna take me back or…what! It's a long way".
"I'll get' cha back. Come on, good way t' cap off the trip. I'm only going to Lighting Flat tonight. You won't be sorry bud" Jack giving his best grin, needing to make this happen.
Ennis, welcoming the chance to spend more time with Jack as anything else agrees. "Well, alright then , guess it'll wait till I get back. Rawlins?".
The two ride along in Jacks truck enjoying each others company with animated talk of ranches, stock, equipment they see along the way. It's ribbon of two lane highway most of the way through the plains as they make their way to Rawlins. Mid afternoon by the time the boys pull into town, both hungry and in a good mood. As he threads his way through downtown Rawlins, Jack glances at a lot across the street, satisfied with what he sees he continues down the street to The Alpine Steak House. Finding a space in front, Jack and Ennis exit the truck and stretch, Jack leaving his truck unlocked with the keys still in the ignition.
Inside the two are seated in a large both by a middle aged friendly buxom waitress. Interior is a typical western steak eatery. Finished in dark wood paneling, stuffed moose head over fireplace, horse blankets, wagon wheels, old spurs, various tools, paintings of the old west abound. Lunch crowd has long since left and there are only two other tables occupied.
"Something to drink, honey?" waitress very aware of these to handsome strangers, happy to have a customer.
"Bring us two beers to start, ma'am" Jack enjoying the attention, winks at her.
Waitress arrives back with the beers and menus.
"Ma'am, I hear tell you have the best chicken fried steak in the whole state"
"Well sweetheart that's a fact! You want I'll bring you fine young men two plates? Comes with everything" Flirting with Jack.
Ennis is turning red, Jack grins back and says " surely Ma'am"
After homemade split pea soup, green salad with roman lettuce and spinach leaves with ranch dressing served in one large bowel to be divvied out, the waitress sets a huge oval plate in front of Ennis and Jack. On them are the most crispy tender chicken fried steak in all of the west, large potato pancake floating in sausage gravy, freshly cooked string beans in a separate saucer. Also placed on the table along with extra gravy, tray of fresh butter is covered basket of freshly made country biscuits, with honey or jam on the side. Both men look upon it ravenously and dive in.
Plates clean, biscuits devoured, piece of apple pie with ice cream downed apiece, two empty beer glasses used for each of them, Jack looks to Ennis. "Now wasn't that worth the trip?".
"Sure enough was, one of the best ever had." Ennis, feeling full and glad to have Jack with him to enjoy it. "Thank you bud."
"You boys go' in to be around these parts again soon I hope!" waitress laying down the check.
"I'll be back, just to see you ma'am!" Jack grinning, with a wink.
"I'll be wait' in sweetheart." Ennis turns red again.
Jack leaves a fifteen dollar tip on a $30.00 tab. Both tip hats as they leave.
Outside as Ennis starts toward the truck "Ennis, let's take walk, need to work off this meal"
"We otta be headin' back, more 'n two hours back to Riverton."
"Just around the block, won't take anytime at 'll. Come on" Jack looks to Ennis.
"All right then, but we should get a move on." Ennis moves to walk in step with Jack.
They are both enjoying their stroll. Ennis who can count the times on less than one full hand the times he has been to Rawlins in his lifetime is looking about, seeing the feed store, etc. When they're almost to the street to where Jack parked, the pair pass Fairmont Ford Lincoln-Mercury dealership. On the new vehicle lot aside from a white Mercury Marquis wagon with fake wood on the sides, a teal green Ford LTD II sedan and a silver Thunderbird are twelve Ford pickups in various configurations, full size F series models except for two Rangers. All of these are parked facing the street except one. It is a brand new 1984 F-150 XLT long bed two tone white and blue, nice factory sport wheels, Dura-Line plastic bedliner, parked in the lot parallel to the street. Hooked on the back is a brand new Featherlite two axle horse trailer at a slight angle so as to fit on the lot. Jack stops, tilts is head to the lot. looks to Ennis. "Come on, let's take a look"
The last thing Ennis ever wants to do is to look at new trucks he could never afford. He looks down hands in pockets. "Naw.... go ahead if you want...I'll just stay here." Not wanting to disappoint Jack.
"Aw come on bud. It never hurts to look" Jack gives Ennis's arm a gentle tug.
Ennis very reluctantly follows Jack still looking down. Jack walks over to the F-150 with the horse trailer, examines it, pats fender. "What do you think of this one?"
Ennis barely looks, turns away. "It's alright I guess."
"Bet a fella would have no problem haulin' a couple a horses in this rig." said Jack in his best salesman's banter.
"Let's go Jack, we gotta get back... huh." Ennis is antsy to leave.
Jack pulls out a large clear plastic envelope with Fairmont Ford Lincoln-Mercury printed on it from his jacket, tosses it to Ennis, tilting his head at the truck and trailer. "It's yours Ennis."
"Wh……What" looking at Jack.
"The truck and trailer, it's yours" Jack looking Ennis in the eyes. "You deserve it Ennis, work hard all you life….." Jack comes over to the drivers door by Ennis reaches around and opens it, squeezes Ennis's shoulder, gives him a hearty pat on the back.
Ennis is dumbfounded, looks blankly inside, unable to take this all in. "I can't take……it…it's to much."
Jack, hand resting on Ennis's back . "It's all right Ennis, all bought and paid for, registration, insurance, title, truck and trailer, everything's in that packet, extra keys too. Yours Ennis."
"Jack, I….can't…….I never could……. have……I can't accept…." Ennis stammers.
"Don't cha like it?" Jack feigning disappointment.
"This….this is the prettiest truck I ever seen……." Looks at the truck, touches the outside of the cab, runs his hand on the finish, rubs the door molding.
"It's alright Ennis". Jack said in his most gentle voice.
Ennis confused, unable think clearly. "Jack you gotta make 'm take it back."
On queue Jack begins to walk away. "To late bud, papers there say it belongs to a Mr. Ennis Del Mar of Riverton Wyoming". Jacks voice trails away.
Ennis, who realizes Jack is no longer standing next to him. "Jack….Jack, you come back here."
Jack sees Ennis breaks in to a youthful sprint to his truck. "Whooaa….."Jack looks back at Ennis, breaks in to a wide playful grin.
"Damn you Jack, you come on back here…..". Ennis starts after Jack.
Jack reaches his truck, opens the door, stands wide smile in the opening. "ENNIS." Jack shouts.
Startled Ennis stops in his tracks for just a moment.
"Drive safe cowboy!" said Jack, with a wink grins back at Ennis, timing just right, jumps in, starts up and drives away.
"Damn you!….Jack f….g Twist, you come back here, where do yr' thinks you goin' . Huh?" Ennis is running after Jack's truck. "How the hell am I s' posed get back to Riverton now? Huh?……. Come on Jack……what the hell……do ya think yer doin'?…….Get your ass back here!" Ennis running down the street after Jacks, his truck getting smaller and smaller, then turning toward the highway. "Damn! What am I supposed to do now? Huh?" Looking down, Ennis sees he is still clutching the packet from Fairmont Ford Lincoln-Mercury.
Jack looks at Ennis in the rearview mirror, smiles, mission accomplished. Suddenly is reminded of that other time looking in the mirror at Ennis that summer so long ago when their time as one with the mountain, was cut short, then not knowing if they would find each other again. Jack frowns for a moment, all those years now gone. Truth was Jack wouldn't trade a minute spent with Ennis for anything or anyone. Hell, he could hardly breathe around him. Sometimes he wished it wasn't so but he knew nothing he could do would ever change it. It may never be more that this, maybe a months worth of days a year if they were lucky but as hard as its been sometimes, something is a hell of a lot more than nothing.
Jacks thoughts turn to the road ahead, wonders how long it will take Ennis to get to Riverton, when he will decide it's okay to drive away in his truck. Wiping his eyes Jack smiles.
A motorist honks for Ennis to move. Ennis startled not even aware he was standing there in the middle of an intersection on Spruce street in downtown Rawlins, walks to the sidewalk, seeing no other choice, slowly starts his way back to the lot.. As he approaches the shiny truck and trailer Mr. Harris, a jovial man of just over 70 with a stance and walk that still spoke of his days playing basketball in his long ago youth, of Fairmont Motors greets Ennis. "Howdy there, are you Mr. Del Mar?"
"Yes…yes sir." Shakes his hand.
"Well young man. I just want to thank you for choosing Fairmont Motors. We will do our best to keep you as a customer."
"Yeah, well…" Ennis flustered, is at a loss for words.
"I'm sure you will be happy with your new truck". Mr. Harris looks at truck and trailer. "I'm so glad to finally meet you. Ordered this one special, took almost two months to get here, none other just like it. Got heavy duty tow package, engine block heater. See how that side color goes up over the back of the cab and onto the roof? That there is called Victoria Tu-Tone. Isn't she a beaut?"
Ennis sees the shiny finish white and blue divided by a multi colored decal stripe. "It's nice…..I just.."
"Your foreman, Mr. Twist was so worried it wouldn't get here in time."
"My……what?
"Your foreman. Mr. Twist. Made all the arrangements, placed the order, made sure we were paid the minute it got here, called us ever day to see when it was a coming. Made sure we had it parked out here today with the trailer for when you came. Oh he's real good man, never gave us a hard time, always fair, you lucky to have a man like that work-in fer you.
"Huh. ..Yeah ….ah….I….guess I am." Ennis still is trying to take this all in.
"By the way here is the extra set of keys we used to move it, almost forgot what I came out here for. Here let me show you around the trailer."
Ennis follows Mr. Harris to the back of the trailer, peers in. Sees oak floor, safety harnesses for the horses in place, two water fountains up front for the horses, brand new shovel and push broom hooked on bracket on one side. "you got tack lockers on either side, your keys should be in that pouch, open one." Ennis does so and inside he sees four brand new striped woolen horse blankets , thick of the best quality. He pulls one part way out and sees 'Thunder' embroidered, another says 'Lightning'. Inside the other locker are two brand new harnesses with reins, two new leather bridals, coil of the best rope, a stocked medicine shelf with various vitamins, remedies, first aid, etc. Ennis is overwhelmed.
Mr. Harris opens the drivers door for Ennis. As he get in he notices for the first time a clutch pedal and gearshift on the carpeted floor, protected by a heavy blue rubber floor mat. Sensing his look Mr. Harris looks at Ennis. "Mr. Del Mar, that's a heavy duty 4 speed tranny with an extra low granny gear ". Ennis remembered all the times he drove Jack's trucks, telling him he had no use for the automatic transmissions they had. On some of his employers ranch trucks he had always found that extra low gear useful but the only two pickups he ever owned had a 'three on the tree'.
"She's got two gas tanks, see how both gas caps are right there on either side of back wheel, not like those GMC and Chevys where you have to reach around to the other side to fill both tanks." Ennis remembered how Jack bitched when he had to fill the tanks on his 1980 GMC crew cab. "Holds 38 gallons in all, filled to the brim, you can go 450-500 miles with just the truck". Mr. Harris goes on. "Mighty fine truck you have here. My cards in that packet, you will be getting your plates in a couple of weeks, give me a call if there's anything I can do for ya."
Ennis looks back, still not quite sure what to make of all this, led on by Mr. Harris, climbs onto the seat.
"Well, have a safe trip home Mr. Del Mar." Bids friendly farewell to Ennis, now seated in the drivers seat.
"Ah...yes sir". Mr. Harris turns and goes into the office.
Down on the floor of the passenger side Ennis for the first time sees a large bucket, inside are several containers of carnauba wax, polish, bug and tar remover, carpet cleaner, tire brush, wash mitt, sprayer, several chamois's, tire pressure gauge, car wash soap and a envelope with 'Ennis' written on it. Ennis pulls it out.
Ennis
I know you will always keep your truck spic and span..
I'm nothing nowhere if I can't never see you bud.
Jack
Ennis is moved beyond comprehension, biting his lower lip holding back tears. Sits there on the seat in a daze staring at the note.
Twenty minutes later Mr. Harris placing the receiver back on the phone on his desk turns from his chair sees the Ford truck with trailer still on the lot, gets up and walks up to the truck, see Ennis in the drivers seat, head down. Taps lightly on the window." Is everything alright son?" In a fatherly concern.
Ennis look up, rolls the window down. "Yes……yes sir" Ennis can hardly speak.
"Are you sure, son? Can I get you anything, a coffee, something to eat?"
Ennis gathers himself. "No …..no sir……everything is ….everything is real good, ……..thank you sir."
"Well then, you have a nice ride back."
"Yes….I……..I sure will."
Ennis fishes out his keys, pushes in the clutch, starts his truck, listens to the 351 V8 engine idle quietly, slips it into low, pulls out of the lot and starts to makes his way to HWY 287/720. As he settles the his new Ford at a cruising speed, thankful he didn't have to trust his old pickup on this long cold lonely two lane highway, its heater long ago bypassed when a hose ruptured. Sunset looming on his left, Ennis relaxes at bit enjoying the smooth ride, stretches out on the comfortable cloth bench seat still feeling the warmth and welcome muscle soreness of their steel embrace, now many hours passed back at the lake, each holding on so hard so the other wouldn't feel him shake, facing away when they finally pulled apart so as not to see the other's tears, yet each knowing both of their faces were wet. Jack, with whom he always felt so safe, always the comforter, protector, protecting him now as he drove back to Riverton. God, Ennis thought it felt so good to have Jack in his arms, faces pressed together, waking up wrapped around him, maybe……just maybe……
More that three hours had gone by when Ennis finally saw the first lights of Riverton thru the windshield, still distant in the horizon. With the trailer in tow on the narrow highway he didn't want to take it much above 50MPH. Not having made this trip often Ennis missed the Hwy 287 split at Windy Gap to Lender and had to backtrack a few miles. When he had gotten almost halfway, just outside of Jeffery City, he had to pull over for a while, Ennis could no longer hold back his tears.
END OF PART ONE