Title: Whiskey River
Author: Pyro
Rating:NC-17 to R
Disclaimer: Credit goes to Annie Proulx, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, and Ang Lee
Notes and Summary: What if Ennis had said yes when Jack came up to see him after the divorce? What if Jack had then divorced Lureen and they bought a ranch? This is that story.
Please read: I have re worked the previous chapters. I suggest that you go back and reread them. There are some changes and addtions that will help explain certain things down the line. Thank you.
Whiskey River
Chapter 5
God wasn't willing, and the creek did rise. The date with the judge went off without a hitch, and Lureen Twist was once again Lureen Newsome. Jack's belongings had already been packed, and just waited on him to load them into the bed of the truck. He walked Lureen out of the courthouse and to her car, opening the door for her.
"I'll see you at the house," she said, and started the engine. Jack nodded and she drove off. He turned to head towards his truck, but was stopped short by L.D. Newsome. L.D. held out his hand and shook Jack's jovially.
"Well, I'd say it's been nice knowin' ya, but that'd be a lie. I hope to see the end of ya now." A folded slip of paper was pressed into Jack's hand, and Newsome pulled back.
Jack opened the paper, and a frown crinkled his face at the dollar amount on the check. He looked up at Newsome.
"You stay away from my grandson, y'hear?" Jack's face grew thunderous.
"I told Lureen, and I'm tellin' you. There ain't no way I'm sellin' my rights to my son. You can take your money, and go straight to Hell," Jack snarled and threw the check back in Newsome's face. He stomped to his truck and got in, throwing it into gear and roaring away. Newsome reached down and picked up the fallen piece of paper, a rather surprised expression on his face.
The truck was almost loaded when little arms wrapped around Jack's leg. He looked down at Bobby's tousled head.
"I do believe that I've picked up a clingin' leg monster." There was a sniffle in response. Jack sighed, and dropped his head.
"Bobby, come on, now." His son hung on like a leech.
"You can't go," the tone was pure stubborn seven-year-old.
"Bobby, I have to go." Jack could feel his pants leg getting wet. "Oh, Bobby. Don't cry."
"M'not," the little voice was muffled and clogged. Jack reached down and hoisted his son up on his hip. He took out his bandanna and wiped the tears from Bobby's cheeks and held up the cloth.
"Blow," the boy obeyed. Jack set him on the tailgate, then sat down also.
" Mamma an' Grampa say you're goin' away'n never comin' back." Jack sighed and dropped his head.
"No, I'll be back come summer. You'll be comin' t'stay with me. Got a ranch all set up. You'll have your own room. Get to herd cattle. I know it won't be the same, and I'll miss you somethin' fierce, but this is the way it's got to be now."
"Why can't you stay here? Why you gots ta leave at all?"
"Bobby, your Mamma an' me, we both love you. We just don't love each other, not sure if'n we ever did. If'n we didn't do this now, we end up hating each other, an' that'd only end up hurtin' you. You understand, son?"
Bobby appeared to think this over for a moment. Finally, he nodded.
"Do I get to ride a horse?" Jack blinked, startled at the change of subject.
"Yeah, I s'pose you do. That's the best way t'herd cattle. Now, go send your Mamma out hear." The little boy bounced into the house hollering, "Mamma! Daddy wants ya'. I gets ta' herd cattle. On a horse, Mamma!"
Lureen appeared a few moments later. She gave Jack a steady, solemn look.
"Herd cattle, Jack Twist?"
"Well, that's what you do on a ranch, Lureen."
"You'll be careful?"
"Of course I will! He's my son, I'm not goin'ta let him get hurt!" Jack was indignant.
"Not him, Jack. You. You'll be careful drivin'? There's a storm goin' through Colorado. You may not be my husband, but I hope you are still my friend."
Jack smiled that charming smile that had hooked her. "You bet, Lureen. I'd like that. I don't have so many friends I can afford t'lose one. I'll call ya when I get to the ranch." Jack bent and hugged Bobby.
"Bye, son, see you soon."
"Bye Daddy. See you in four months." Jack raised a brow.
"I counted. On the calendar on the wall. Only four months 'till June."
"See you in four months, then." He straightened and held out his hand to Lureen. She gave him a disgusted look, and stepped in to hug him.
"You be careful, Jack Twist. Don't take foolish chances."
"Yes'm," He grinned into her shoulder. In some small way, it felt good to be admonished. It made him realize just how alike they were, probably one of the reasons they made better friends than a married couple. That, and the fact that he was completely in love with a taciturn cowboy. Of course, his heart belonged to his son, had since the day he was born. Somehow, he didn't think Ennis'd mind too much. She released him and stepped back. "You better get goin'." He nodded and waved goodbye as he walked to the truck. He pulled out and drove off, looking back until he could no longer see them.
He was outside of Denver, when it happened. He'd just left a tiny town not fifteen miles back. There was an explosion, and the back end of his truck lifted off the road.
"Shit, shit, shit!"Jack cursed as the truck slewed on the road. Decelerating quicky, he pulled to the shoulder, killed the engine and got out. The left rear tire had exploded, shredding out from one spot. There was nothing on the road, and no indication of a puncture. The treads were barely worn.
"Good thing I'm a damn good driver. That thing liked to flipped the truck," Jack muttered to himself, then shivered. He glanced up at the thick grey clouds that scudded overhead. Looked like that storm was going to come sooner than expected.
Jack hauled out the jack and cranked it up. He took out the spare tire and cursed again. It was flat. He now had two options. He could sit and wait for someone to come by, and judging from the lonesome look of the highway, that would be awhile. Or he could change the tire and try to limp the forty some odd miles to Denver and hope that there was a place still open when he got there. Either way, it looked like he'd be spending the night in his truck.
"So, do I want to spend the night in my truck at a tire store, or out in the ass end of nowhere. What a dumb question."
He went ahead and changed the tire, tossing the old one in the bed of the truck. Then Jack climbed back in, and switched on his emergency blinkers. He drove carefully the forty miles to Denver. When he pulled into the station, he groaned in frustration. The place was closed and wouldn't open until the next morning. Jack grumbled, then walked over to the convenient store across the street. He bought a sandwich and a drink, then went outside to the payphone. Inserting a few coins, he dialed the number Ennis had given him. The phone rang thrice, then picked up.
"Hello?" Jack sighed in relief hearing the voice.
"Ennis, looks like I'm a gonna be late. Tire blew on me, an' m'spare's flat." On the other end of the line, Ennis swallowed hard, visions of tire irons behind his eyes.
"You a'right?" He asked instead. Jack huffed out a laugh, sounding tired and irritated.
"Yeah, m'fine. I'm gonna hole up'n m'truck outside th' tire shop. Soon's it opens in th' mornin' I'll get th' tire changed and get gone. Should be there by tomorrah night." Ennis could tell how tired Jack was by how strong of an accent he had. Ennis knew he was about ready to drop.
"A'right. I'll see you t'morrah, then."
"See you then. 'Night, cowboy." Jack hung up the phone. He sighed and unwrapped the sandwich, munching on it while walking back to the truck. He opened the driver's side door and sat sideways, one foot on the pavement, the other propped on the floor of the truck, while he finished his food. He popped the tab on his drink, and guzzled it down, then headed over and tossed the trash in a nearby bin.
Jack gave the sky a disgruntled look, as snow flakes started to drift down. He dug behind the seat and pulled out some blankets and another coat. Getting back in the truck, Jack shut the door, rolled up the coat to use as a pillow, covered up with the blanket, and went to sleep there in the parking lot.
He woke the next morning to someone tapping on the window. Jack sat up and opened the door. Snow covered the ground, and he shivered.
"Got a flat. I need a change." Jack was grumpy and in no mood to be anything other than polite. Thirty minutes later he had coffee from the convenient store, a fresh tire, and was back on the road.
Night had fallen when Ennis heard the rumble of Jack's truck. He had started to get worried as the snow got heavier. Jack was just getting out of the truck when Ennis came outside. He groaned and stretched, and Ennis winced as every bone in Jack's back popped. Ennis went around to Jack and pulled him into a hug, feeling how tense Jack was. Jack sighed and relaxed completely into the embrace.
"Sorry I'm late. Snow got heavier. Had to slow to a crawl through th' mountains. Was worried about black ice."
"No trouble with th' divorce?"
"Nah, not really. Newsome tried to buy me off, but that's nothin' new. Bobby's real excited. Can't wait t'ride a horse and herd cattle. I may have created a monster. Gotta call Lureen, let her know I'm here.""Lureen?"
"Yeah. Turns out we're better friends now we don't live t'gether."
"You're asleep on your feet, little darlin'. I'll call Lureen, you go t'bed." Jack was too tired to argue, so he just nodded and went in. Ennis made the call to Lureen.
"H'llo?" The voice that answered could only be Bobby. Ennis cleared his throat.
"Is your Mom there?"
"Yeah, just a minute. MAMMA, PHONE! She'll be here just a minute." Ennis grinned. Yes, this was definitely Jack's child.
"Yes?" the cool female voice asked.
"Um, this is Ennis Del Mar, ma'am. I just wanted to let you know Jack got here. He had some trouble on th' road, an' he's gone up t'bed." Ennis coughed nervously.
"So, you're the one he went in with on the ranch. He tells me Bobby's welcome up there. That true?"
"Ah, yes'm. My girls come visit once a month, so he'll have comp'ny."
"You are divorced? With girls?"
"Yes'm. Two girls. Love'em t'pieces. Don't get t'see 'em as often as I'd like." At this Lureen's voice warmed some.
"You'll keep an eye on Jack? He does get reckless."
"Yes'm. As much as I can."
"Good. Well, I need to get Bobby to bed. It was nice talkin' to ya. I'm glad Jack got there alright. Good bye."
"G'bye." The phone abruptly went dead. Ennis put it down, and went upstairs.
Jack had just come out of the shower and had slipped on a soft pair of sleeping pants. He smiled tiredly at Ennis.
"Think I'm gonna hit th' hay, cowboy. I'm too tired t'think." Ennis wrapped him in a hug, snugging Jack's head under his chin. Both sighed in contentment. Ennis buried his nose in Jack's damp hair, and pressed a kiss to his head. Jack murmured something so quietly Ennis almost didn't catch it. The soft, "Love you, Ennis," warmed his heart and soothed his soul. Ennis walked Jack to the bed, gently pulling him down. Jack slipped under the sheets, and looked at Ennis.
"I'll be up in a bit. Have a few things to do first."
"All right. Don't take too long."
"I won't."
By the time Ennis came back up, Jack was sound asleep. Ennis smiled, and went to shower. He came back out and crawled into bed without disturbing Jack. Spooning up behind him, Ennis wrapped Jack in his arms. Jack made a soft noise and automatically rolled into Ennis's warm body, never waking. Content and comfortable, Ennis pressed a kiss to Jack's hair and joined him in sleep.