Disclaimer: I don't own Brokeback Mountain. No profits are being made from this. All characters belong to Anne Proulx.
A/N: Sorry readers for the long wait. I hope it holds up to your expectations. ENJOY!
Chapter 10
"Reunions"
Along the familiar road, Ennis's truck made its way back to Canyon River Ranch. Running beside them was the clear, shimmering creek. Slowly, Ennis turned onto the dusty, gray drive. Jack looked around at what he had been missing. The pastures now full with the new foal crop and the lush, spring grass. Then his eyes fell upon the cabin at the end of the drive. 'At home at last,' thought Jack.
Waiting for them inside the circular drive was Dustin McClaine, Andrew Williams and the rest of the hands from the round up. Jack couldn't believe they all were there. Across the cabin stairway hung a banner; it read 'Welcome Home, Jack!' Ennis was even surprised. He had no idea the guys were gonna do that, but it made the trip all worthwhile.
Ennis stopped the truck right in front of the wide stairs. As he stepped out, he whispered to the girls in order to wake them from their long slumber.
"Hey ladies, we're home."
They both grumbled and then stretched. Quietly they got their things and headed for the porch. Ennis meet Jack at the passenger's door so he could help him out.
"Here, Jack let me help you."
"Thanks, Ennis."
As Jack stepped out, he got the biggest welcome anyone had ever heard.
"Hey, Jack, welcome back," shouted Dustin McClaine.
"Nice to see ya home," added Mr. Williams.
All the men stood around the stairway and shook Jack's hand as he made his way onto the porch. Jack then turned to Mr. Williams and thanked him for all his extraordinary help at such a short notice.
"Jack, you know I wouldn't have turned my back on you. If it wasn't for your cattle business, my business wouldn't be as well as it is. You can count on me any day," proclaimed Mr. Williams.
Jack stood on the porch, with Ennis helping him, and said, "Thank you all for your hard work and helping me save my ranch. You all will be compensated for your extra time spent here. Now I must get inside and get off my feet. Please feel free to come in and relax a little," stated Jack. Ennis and Jack proceeded inside with the girls trailing behind.
Most of the men waved goodbye and wondered off to the barn to retrieve their belongings along with their horses. Now that the round up was over, they didn't need to stick around. They knew Jack would keep his word and get them their wages somehow. The only hand to stay was Jack's old friend, Dustin McClaine.
While the girls went upstairs to unpack, Ennis sat down, along with Jack, in the living room.
"You need anything, Jack. I'm headed to the kitchen for some cold, ice tea," questioned Ennis as he got up of f the sofa?
"No, I'm good thanks. I just want to lie here awhile."
"Hello!" shouted a voice from the front door.
"In the living room, come in," replied Jack.
"Hey there, Jack," said Dustin.
"Nice to see ya, Dustin, how are you," asked Jack as he sat up to allow Dustin to sit.
"I'm doin all right, I should be askin you that question. You mind if I visit with you for a little," questioned Dustin.
"I don't see why not," stated Ennis, now back from the kitchen.
"Jack . . . Ennis, I wanted to let you know that Avon Singer, one of your private buyers came by lookin to buy 200 cattle for some foreign contact of his. Something like over in one of those fancy countries," explained Dustin.
"Really, now how soon was Avon needin 'em," asked Jack.
"Well, he said in about two weeks. I told 'em to check back with you 'all to see wether you'd have the cattle ready or not," stated Dustin.
"You know Dustin, I really do appreciate what you've done here," exclaimed Jack.
"Isn't that what old friends are for Jack, to help each other out when we can."
At that moment, Dustin paused and looked around. He seemed as though he had a hard question boiling up that he just had to ask.
"You know Jack we have been friends a long time and I've never asked about certain things, but I need to know something," questioned Dustin.
"Now what Dustin," Jack asked resigned.
"Well . . . "
"Just ask the question, will ya," stated Jack.
"Well, you see there's been something flying around about you and Ennis there. And I just um . . . wanted to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, if you know what I mean," explained Dustin.
"Does it have to do with the accident, Dustin?"
"Yes and no," Dustin frantically looks around again.
"God Damn it! Dustin would you just ask the question. And if you're so worried someone gunna hear you than don't ask it," exclaimed Jack.
"All right then, are you and Ennis lovers," asked Dustin finally?
Ennis's face flushed with embarrassment as he nervously shuffled in his chair. Dustin then knew his accusation was right. 'What would the other hands think,' he thought?
"So it is true then. You and Ennis . . . uh huh."
"Does that change how you see me as your friend, Dustin," Jack inquired?
"Hell yes it does. Makes me think about all those times we've camped together growin up, Jack. How you might have looked at me and all. GOD! All the times I've bathed in front of you. I think I'm gunna be sick." Dustin got up from the sofa and now is pacing the living room floor.
"I'm sorry Dustin, but this is who I am. Nothing in the world will change that. Life for me was difficult. Especially knowing what I have come to love now . . . "
"Jack. I don't know how to take this . . . all this. This is such a shock." Dustin looked at Ennis with this disturbed look on his face thinking what kind of man was he. In addition, knowing how gay men behaved and how they had sex.
"I'm sorry too, Jack. I think I need some time to deal with my best friend being gay. The thoughts right now in my head just ain't great. I just need time to figure this thing out."
"Well, just to let you know, Dustin, my thoughts of you won't change. You have always been my best friend. I hope this may offer you comfort . . . I never thought of you in any way other then my friend. All those times camping and yes, seeing you butt ass naked, I never once thought of you as another possible lover. You have always just been Dustin McClaine, my high school friend."
"I'll take that into consideration, Jack. But for now I need to head out of here. I guess I'll call soon to see if you're al right."
"Take care of yourself, Dustin," replied Jack.
"Ya, you too."
Ennis got up to walk Dustin out, but he was confronted with . . .
"Don't mind . . . I know my way out, thanks. Off to the front door, Dustin briskly walked and behind him a slammed door. At that moment, he was overcome with emotion. His mind was now racing so much that the porch around him started to spin. Then, out of nowhere, he slid down the wall and took a hard seat upon the floor. Everything he ever knew about Jack Twist was now a lie. Where was the friend he once knew? What would become of their friendship? As he sat there and peered into the window; looking at the two men within, he thought, 'this was definitely not what he wanted to hear;' especially not now.
It's been a month now since Jack had been back at Canyon River Ranch. The cattle's sales, this season, had been going quite well; selling about 35 head a week. The herd was finally being reduced to a workable size. Jack's private buyer, Avon Singer, made his big, purchase. With that money, Jack was able to pay all the hands and banks the rest. It was way more than enough. Things were finally getting back to normal around the ranch.
Today, the girls head back to their mom's house. It's Alma, Jr's last year of school and Francine's junior. For them, ranching life was put on hold. Everyone, gathered around Alma's car, saying their goodbyes. Jack, finally back in the saddle, was mounted up on one of his younger colts; holding the reins to Ennis's companion–Cigar Butt.
"Now Darlin, I know you don't want to go, but you have to with school startin' and all," expressed Ennis.
"If you and Jack wouldn't have come out here on those horses, I wouldn't be fusin' about leavin," stated Alma, Jr.
"Jr, you need to just get in that car, you'll have next summer," exerted Alma.
"But Mom, please," pleaded Alma, Jr as she threw her hands to her sides and made a childish, little stomp.
"Jesus! Alma, Jr go with your mother and we'll see ya on your first break . . ."
Ennis was interrupted by a cloud of dust he noticed coming up the drive. No one was expected today; no grain delivery or saw dust delivery, so he wondered who the hell was upon the property. He looked to Jack with accusation.
"You expectin someone, Jack," questioned Ennis?
"No, you," replied Jack.
As the vehicle grew nearer, they could make out a mid-sized pickup. The day was starting to slip away and Ennis and Jack were headed to the top for their annual fall camping. Instead, the now approaching vehicle was of the utmost importance. It was unfamiliar to the two men, drawing Jack's attention so much that he dismounted his horse.
Alma was also intrigued by this strange meeting that she was transfixed; watching the vehicle drive past, around the circular center of grass and come to a stop right in front of her car. The girls, now chatting amongst themselves, seemed interested with the driver. Which was a young, brown haired man, who seemed to be close to Alma Jr's age.
"Excuse me, Alma," Ennis stated as he began to walk over to the stranger who had already stepped out of his pickup.
"May we help you, young man," asked Ennis as he made his way over to him?
The young man was tall and thin. Definitely a cowboy. White Stetson hat, flannel shirt, jeans and the one thing a lot of cowboys have . . . a rodeo belt buckle. Another thing stood out, he leaned on the fender of his truck. It also must be a cowboy thing.
"I'm looking for the owner of Canyon River Ranch, sir," stated the young man.
"Well, I am one of them. You gotta name of the person your lookin for," replied Ennis.
"Yeah, I'm lookin for a Mr. Jack Twist, answered the man as he pushed himself off the fender and approached Ennis. You him," stated the young man.
At this point, everyone looked at Jack. He could feel everyone's eyes upon him. He stepped out around Francine slowly and peered toward the strange man. Jack's heart pounded and he thought, 'Who the hell is this.'
"I'm Jack Twist."
The young man started walking over. Jack handed Alma, Jr the reins to both horses and met the man half way. When they met, the man put his hand out toward Jack.
"I'm Booby Twist, your son."
For a minute Jack was speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes. After all this time, his son was standing before him. Jack sized Bobby up. 'What a man he had become and a cow poke at that,' thought Jack. It seemed like forever and then Jack took his son's hand and shook it.
"Well, it's nice to see ya, son. You have definitely grown up." While still shaking his son's hand, Jack yelled to Ennis.
"Ennis come here and meet my son," exclaimed Jack.
Ennis walked over and shook Bobby's hand. Jack explained to him that this was his and Lureen's son.
"Nice to meet you, Bobby, I'm your father's partner and these here are my daughters," Ennis stated. He motioned to the girls to come over along with Alma. "And this here is their mother, Alma Beers," continued Ennis.
"Greetings, pleasure to meet you all," answered Bobby as he tipped his hat.
The girls chuckled and waved goodbye as they made their way back to the car. Along the way, they quietly were deciding who'd be the one to get to Bobby first.
"Don't mind them, Bobby, you know girls. It was a pleasure meeting you. I'd like to stay and talk, but I've gotta get going . . . Ennis," Alma states while headed back to her car and waves.
"Talk to ya soon, Alma," stated Jack.
"Yeah, see ya, Jack," replies Alma.
It was early enough to invite Bobby to stay and get better acquainted. Time was still on the men's side; fall wasn't upon them yet. Which gave them at least another couple days before they weren't able to reach the top of Brokeback. This was Jack and Ennis's favorite time of year. Their time to escape from the ranch. They'd usually go up for about a week, bringing back with them the meat that would hold them over til spring.
Jack walked the two horses toward the barn while Ennis saw Alma and the girls off. Bobby kinda trailed behind Jack and left his truck right where he parked it. It all seemed surreal to him as he looked around at the big ranch. 'Wow. I didn't expect him to have all this,' thought Bobby to himself. His thoughts were quickly interrupted.
"Well there Bobby, are you comin in here or what," questioned Jack as he slipped of his young colt's saddle.
Bobby stood there quite for a moment as Ennis walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You all right there Bobby. You look like you're ready to pass out or something," inquired Ennis.
"Yeah, sure . . . am. I just can't believe I'm actually here," stated Bobby subdued.
"Then let's go and give Jack a hand with those horses. Then we'll head inside, make some supper and talk shop a while," Ennis stated as him and Bobby made their way toward the barn.
"That does sound great, Ennis," replied Bobby watching the dust rise with every step he made.
Jack had already taken care of the horses while Ennis minded after Bobby. He also managed to get them into their stalls and watered.
"Damn it Jack, we were on our way. We could have helped you know," barked Ennis.
"I'm not about to wait, Ennis. They were already bitin my hands off. They needed alittle something now," remarked Jack while pouring the last of Cigar Butt's grain.
"So, Jack, what's it like . . . the ranching life," questioned Bobby.
For Bobby, calling him Jack just fit. He hadn't really gotten over him leaving. There were times in Bobby's life when he needed his father. A father that understood the growing up of a boy to a man. Of course, Bobby questioned why Jack left his mom. Or what did he do to deserve growing up without his Dad. Did he not love him or his mom? The list grows every time he thinks about it and the more he does the more he grows confused.
"I mean, I noticed all the cattle and horses, that's gotta be a lot of work, right," questioned Bobby again.
"Yes and no. Ya see when I got hurt a few months back, having friends here in the ranching business helps. All I did was hire some extra hands to help out," stated Jack.
Jack had no idea that his son knew about the accident. It never even crossed his mind why Bobby didn't ask what happened either. The men made their way to the cabin's porch and sat for a few moments. Jack could see the questions building up inside Bobby's mind. However, Jack could also see that Bobby was fighting other things as well. He knew only in time would Bobby ask those kind of questions.
"You know Jack . . . I've been livin up there in Lightning Flat," Bobby bursted out after a pregnant pause while standing at the kitchen window watching Ennis flip burgers.
"Really, I thought that old place would have collapsed by now," replied Jack surprised.
"No, it's still holding up good. I finally got it lookin like a real farm now. Sort of like this place."
"Well, I was hoping to get that place, but Pa and I never really saw eye to eye. What are your plans with the place, Bobby?"
"I was thinking of something similar to what you got going on here. Cattle . . . horses. Maybe even some sheep or goats. Goats seem to be really big right now."
"It takes work, Bobby. Hard work."
"Yeah, but for some reason or another, Jack, I've always enjoyed growing up ranching."
Ennis yells from the back deck, "Hey you two, supper's ready. Get it while it's still hot!"
Jack, Ennis and Bobby sat down at the long mahogany table after finishing their meal. Hamburgers always were Jack's favorite. Go figure, raising cattle all his life. The men seemed to talk about everything, jumping from subject to subject. The conversations never appeared to get dull or at best, boring. They had a lot to catch up on, which kept them up until the early hours of the morning.