The Path.19

Drabble: 1150 Words
Genre: Canon { A/U now }
Pairing: Ennis and Jack; Ennis' POV
Disclaimer: AP created'em, I just love'em.

Feedback: Much appreciated.

Thank you all so much for reading The Path and letting me know!

The Path.19

Lovin this blue eyed boy is the rightest thing I ever done. Feel more like a boy, my own self, than I ever have. Both Jack 'n me has done a man's work our whole lives; hard ranch work, never really had no childhood. I'm happy my youth has found me, here on this mountain. Jack smiles and nods his head when I tell him that he makes me feel young for the first time in my life. He goes to nibblin on my ear and kisses me, sweet little kisses all over my face 'n says "yeah Cowboy, me too."

Never thought I'd have this. Word gets out sometimes; some guy is marryin his gal. He's so much in love; he tells everyone he feels like he can fly. Didn't really believe it, till now. I'm 'maginin how the treetops'll look when I'm soarin with the eagles. Cause, look at me now, I can fly.

It's harder every day to force myself to go up to the sheep alone. We have a great time when Jack goes with me, but this day, he has lots of chores around the main camp. We are runnin low on firewood, and he has to check our supplies and make his list for Friday. I'd a stayed and helped him get done in half the time, then we could both go up to the sheep together, but I need to check for coyotes right quick, have that uneasy feelin in my gut.

So, as it turns out he is halfway through the week's woodpile, just choppin away when he hears someone approach on horseback. Looks up to see Aguirre ridin up, big scowl on his face, Jack says.

We are beddin down in that little pup tent; it smells fine now. Smells like us. This is our night to "sleep with the sheep 100%". Two out of three nights we stay up here, the other we have the big tent in camp. We might have to sleep with the sheep, but we are not sleepin without each other. No, we're not. Outa the question.

Jack never seems to be at a loss for words, but this night he is perty quiet. After a few minutes, I ask him, "what's up, bud?". That's when he tells me the strange tale of ol' Aguirre ridin up that afternoon and what he said and how he said it, and how he looked when he said it.

Jack said the weirdest part was how ol' JA kept lookin round the camp, frownin', then got out his binocs and searched the upper meadows till he spied me, workin with the sheep.

"Did he check up on you last year like that?" I ask him. "Nope, not that I know of. Never did."

"Funny thing is, Ennis, I never made Aguirre for a man who'd do a favor for a lady, like my mama, just to tell me about a family matter. . . not even if it was a 'mergency like a illness, nor even a death. You?"

"No, you're right, Jack. He don't seem like he'd bother to spit on ya e'en if ya was on fire. Somethin ain't right 'bout this."

I was really concerned about this puzzlin behavior of ol' Joe Aguirre, but Jack Twist was layin next ta me in that tiny pup tent. And he was wearin entirely too many clothes. A man can only truly concentrate on one thing at a time, I figured. So I was gonna spend my time the best way I knew how. I unzipped Jack's fly and proceeded to pull out my prize . . . he tastes better'n any popsicle I ever sucked on. Ya know?

Wadn't long b'fore we was both naked and glad of it, in spite of those pesky, hungry mosquitoes. A big black one landed on Jack's white butt and I saw it in the dusky night; no fire up here, remember? Just like that, I slapped his ass smartly. "Got it!" I said. I had to show him the blood and the little body b'fore he would believe I wadn't just gettin kinky with him. Never did understand anybody likin t'be spanked. Maybe someday I'll change my mind but right now, it don't make sense. But Jack? After the way his daddy beat on him, doubt he'll ever like that shit.

I solved the mosquito problem. Closed my eyes so I couldn't see them, and just went by "feel" from then on.

Ran into a sex problem that night. Yeah, we was runnin outa that grease that Jack brought up with us to help us along, y'know when we needed to get inta tight places? It bothered me, no matter which one a us was gonna get fucked, so I needed ta think of a substitute. While we was stewin that over, I decided it was time to make the rounds of the flock, check for predators.

Jack went round counter-clockwise a the sheep, and I rode clockwise. Since we've got together, we try to cut every chore in half by both a us doin it. There was one coyote skulkin 'round but he won't be livin to tell about it. After I disposed a him, I had me an idea. I gave the whistle signal that means "come here" and Jack found me. I dismounted and motioned for Jack to do the same.

His horse had figured out who was boss, so she didn't give him any more trouble. The horses cropped the grass at their feet, and stayed put.

"What you grinnin about, cowboy?"

"Got a little quiz for ya, Jack Twist, bet you'll get an A+!"

"That'll be the day. What is it? You're lookin mighty happy with yourself."

"C'mere Jack. Grab hold a that lamb."

"okay."

"What do you feel, bud?"

"Wool, I guess."

"And what else?"

"burrs and dirt."

"And what else?"

"You sure got a funny grin 'bout somethin . . wait! It's Lanolin, ain't it?!"

"See? Told ya you'd get a A+. Now run your fingers all through that wool, keep doin it. Git down near the skin where it's cleanest. Feel that? Now bring those greasy fingers over here t'me."

"Ennis, you're a genius, boy."

"Don't tell me, Jack. Show me."

"How's that feel, huh?"

"Perfect, Jack. I'm gonna mount up and carry that lamb over by our pup tent. We'll need a little more lanolin and you got too many clothes on for a good test right here. Let's go."

The lamb didn't know why he was getting so much attention all summer, but he did like the daily petting and caressing. He took to hanging out near the pup tent, hoping we would stay around here. Some days we did, but not always.

As for me and Jack, we were very appreciative. We even named him.

"Here Looby Looey, here boy!"

Tbc~