Love Motivates
Disclaimer: I don't own the book or the movie. There is no profit being made from this. All characters belong to Annie Proulx.
Chapter Four
"The Girls Get Here"
A week later, Ennis was waiting as the end of the dirt drive. Alma said she would be there around noon. It had been about half past when he finally saw her car come over the hill. Ennis was leaning on the fender of his truck like he usually did.
The car came to a stop next to Ennis with the dust following. Ennis looked at Alma and tipped his hat.
"Hi ya, Alma," said Ennis, placing his hands on her window sill.
Alma looked at him, barely saying a word. Ennis then leaned into the window, peered in, and looked at the girls.
"Hey girls," Ennis said with a smile.
"Hi, daddy," the girls replied simultaneously.
"Well, let's get your things," he said as he started to walk toward the back of the car.
The girls exited and met their dad to help. Alma stayed in the car, almost like not wanting to touch sour soil. Her hands stayed planted firmly upon the wheel. Ennis then put the girls' luggage in the back of his truck.
"Girls, go ahead and get in. I'll be there shortly," stated Ennis, as he stood next to Alma, who was still seated in the car.
"Ennis, you know I'm not sure this is a good idea, but the girls do need to spend time with you," exclaimed Alma.
"Well Alma, I think it's a great idea, the girls came out to the ranch."
"Just call me when I need to get them," stated Alma. "Again Ennis you and that there Jack better keep yourselves together. I don't need any teachin' goin' on, Ennis."
"Alma, you know better than that. Jack and I don't do things like that, especially now that the girls are going to be here. We are very 'private' about our love life."
"I'll see ya soon, Ennis," Alma said, looking as if she really didn't want to know that information.
"See ya, Alma," replied Ennis.
Ennis stood a few minutes watching the little white car disappear down the drive. No wave or honk even as she turned onto the main road. Finally the girls were there, but for once Ennis wasn't sure what to do. Looking toward the ground, he walked slowly back to the truck.
Back at the cabin, Ennis parked the truck, looked at his girls, and said, "Here we are, what do you want to see first."
Francine jumped out of the truck yelling, "The horses . . . the horses."
Ennis had to jump from the truck. His girls were running toward the barn. At that point he knew it was going to be a long month. 'So be it.' thought Ennis. He was so overjoyed that he finally had his girls for a while.
Alma Jr. and Francine, now fourteen and twelve, were going from one stall to the next in nothing flat. They couldn't get enough. Ennis pointed out his horse.
"Girls, this is Cigar Butt," said Ennis, holding the stall door open.
"Why is he called Cigar Butt?" asked Alma.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure, little darlin'. He just had that name, I guess." explained Ennis.
Jack happened to walk past the other opened end of the barn. He paused at the corner and looked down the dim aisle way. Watching for a while, he leaned onto the wall, propping himself with his hand. Jack couldn't help to think about what a man Ennis truly was.
"Hi there kids," yelled Jack from where he stood.
The girls looked toward Jack's direction. They got quiet and both took their dad's hands.
"How are you?" yelled Jack again as he walked toward them. Still no answer. Ennis knelt down, now hugging the girls in his arms. The shadow was now getting closer to them.
"Girls that there is Jack," said Ennis.
"Hey, Jack, this here is Alma, Jr, and this is Francine," Ennis stated, while placing his hands upon their heads.
"It's nice to meet you two finally," Jack said, placing his hand out for them to shake, but they didn't. "I see you found something you like."
"They really love horses," replied Ennis.
"Why don't we get your things and get you set up in your room. We'll have plenty of time seeing the other animals later." Jack explained, as they started to walk toward Ennis's truck.
Inside the cabin, the girls were amazed at all the relics. The cabin was decorated like some cowboy and Indian museum. In the living room sat a small sofa, coffee table, end table, and a beautiful fireplace. There was no television. The kitchen was quaint, but functional. It had one of those hearths, like an inside campfire. There wasn't much of a dining room, but it was more like a second bedroom.
The room was a nice size. It consisted of a double size bed, a closet, and a dresser. The bed seemed like it would swallow the girls whole. They loved it. Jack and Ennis showed the girls the rest of the cabin. Upstairs was called a loft. It overlooked the living room from a balcony at the top of the stairway. The girls loved that too!
That covered the cabin now it was time for other things. The ranch housed many a type of animals, chickens, goats, pigs, pigeons, dogs, cats, and of course, the horses. They saw everything. They even go to watch Jack and Ennis feed them all. Soon, as the weeks went on, they too would get a chance to help.
It was getting late now and the girls had to eat supper. So Ennis walked them back to the cabin. Jack would be in soon. The girls had some hot dogs, baked beans, and carrots. Quick, easy, and simple. They seemed to be enjoying their stay, here at the ranch.
Alma Jr, and Francine were finally in bed. 'What a long day,' Ennis thought. He couldn't believe how the girls reacted to being there. In came Jack, from the barn. He removed his shirt. Ennis looked up after he noticed that familiar stink he liked so much.
"I didn't hear you come in," exclaimed Ennis.
"You must have been in some kind of trance, cause you didn't even look when I closed the door," Jack said. "What are you thinkin' about?"
"What we're gunna do with the girls for the rest of the month." replied Ennis.
"They do know how to ride, don't they?" Jack asked as he sat down next to Ennis.
"I'm not too sure, Jack, we can find out." said Ennis.
"Well, tomorrow we'll ask." said Jack.
The next day at breakfast, Jack asked the girls if they knew how to ride. They replied, "No." So with that said, Jack and Ennis decided they would teach the girls to ride.