Just for Laughs
Ennis had been driving home in his truck, headlights outlining the dark road ahead. He had stayed late at the new ranch where he worked. He didn't like the foreman of this ranch, thought he knew everything, and punished those who showed him he was wrong. He had told Ennis to finish up some chores that should not have been his to do but kept quiet and did them anyway. Not a pleasant place but he needed money. He had long ago finished the child support but there were other things like…oh, food, rent, gas…assorted things like that. Without Jack, he was only half a man and most of that was closer to ghost than real but even so, this half-man ghost still needed to eat.
Jack had been on Ennis' mind a lot lately…he didn't know why. Jack was of course on Ennis' mind 24-7 but this was different. It was like the air would thicken near where he stood and, if he looked just right, he could make out a figure. Like the Cheshire cat's smile, all he could see were hints of an outline…sometimes the set of the shoulders, sometimes the flash of crystal blue eyes. Even more disturbing was the occasional sound of laughter carried to him by the wind…so like Jack that his skin crawled. Then there were the taps on the shoulder. He didn't even bother to turn around anymore which occasionally upset a bar patron who thought he was being rude.
Ennis' thoughts had been tied up with these occurences for most of his drive and he didn't see the hunk of metal that lay in the middle of his lane. An 18-wheeler had lost this piece of equipment…lack of attention to the load by the driver.
Ennis hit it square on. It blew the right front tire sending the truck spinning and then tumbling. When it finally came to rest in a ditch, there was no sign of life in the cab.
Ennis realized suddenly that he was lying down. He could feel a rock in his back which helped him to make that deduction. As he was able to put more coherent thought together, he found he could open his eyes. Around him he saw a black and white environment, misty and out of focus. He could feel solid ground underneath him, so he chose to stand. He was at a complete loss as to what was going on.
As he stood there, a part of the mist around him began to solidy. He stood, transfixed, as a figure took form. He began to hear the rattle of chains and saw they were held in the hands of this figure. A howl emitted from this apparition and the words,
"I am the Spirit of Christmas Past." Clank.
Ennis stood rooted to the ground. What?
Louder, "I AM THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST." Clank, clank.
Ennis just blinked and, being the simple man that he is, responded with,
"WHAT IN THE GODDAMN HELL IS GOING ON HERE?"
He stopped for a moment realizing that his outburst felt good. It gave him some solidity in this fuzzy environment. He could feel strength flowing through him with this defiance of the spectral figure.
The Spirit of Christmas Past stopped clanking his chains and just stared at him. Ennis stared back with a mounting rage fueled by his complete lack of understanding of what was happening around him.
The figure began to swirl and condense. It began to take on color and form.
It turned into….Jack. Ennis was stunned.
"Calm down now, cowboy. I'm just fuckin' with ya'."
Ennis continued to stare.
It was Jack alright. His smile, his unruly hair, his eyes…everything, down to the rodeo belt buckle.
Jack's smile faded and he looked concerned.
"Hey, friend. What's the matter? You look like you just seen a ghost." At which point, Jack started laughing so hard his eyes started tearing up.
Ennis' brain had begun to process some of what was going on. Mainly that Jack was standing in front of him…and was laughing at him, making fun of him. This caused a bit of fury to build inside which caused him to think more clearly.
"Jack Fuckin' Twist." Was all Ennis was able to get out.
"Ennis Fuckin' del Mar." Jack said as he tried to stifle the laughter.
Jack took a couple of steps toward Ennis, his whole body starting to shine. His essence as Jack…his Jack-ness…pouring from him now. Ennis was overwhelmed but was able to take a step or two also.
Suddenly Jack stood directly in front of Ennis looking him right in the eye. Ennis felt Jack's presence…realizing that Jack had been around him for a long time now. The sightings out of the corner of his eye, the laughter, the taps on the shoulder. It had been Jack all that time.
Jack took off Ennis' hat and placed his hands on each side of Ennis' head. Ennis closed his eyes. Jack leaned in and lightly touched his lips to Ennis'. The shock that seared through Ennis nearly took him off his feet but Jack, holding him lightly, kept him still and planted where he was.
With that kiss, Ennis had begun to understand. The memory of the truck accident flashed fully in his mind. He knew that he had died in the wreck but somehow it wasn't that disturbing.
He knew that he was now with Jack and there was nothing that could stand between the two of them.
He opened his eyes to see that the mist had begun to disperse and behind it were mountains, trees, valleys, rivers, the blue sky. Around him Brokeback had begun to form.
Jack had moved his hands from Ennis' face to his shoulders. He continued to smile and radiate that which made him Jack. Ennis grabbed him in a tight embrace soaking in the feel of his one, true, everlasting love.
A significant amount of time later, Ennis held Jack out at arm's length just looking at him. He was comfortable now with where he was, understanding his situation fully. His love for Jack had sprung forth complete and, like Jack, he had begun to radiate his Ennis-ness.
He looked lovingly at Jack and with all the love he could muster said,
"The Spirit of Christmas Past? You are one fucked-up rodeo cowboy. Does it always have to be bigger than life for you? Wouldn't walking up to shake my hand have been enough. But, no, not for Jack Fucking Twist!"
Ennis kept it up as they walked away Jack's arm around Ennis' waist, Ennis' arm around Jack's shoulders. Jack just smiled, ecstatic to finally have Ennis back, to be able to show him around, to stay together in peace forever.