Disclaimer: I don't own any of the short story "Brokeback Mountain." All characters are the creation of Anne Prolux.
Author's note: I'm sorry for the long delay and for the strong language. Life certainly has had its fair share of distractions from my writing including the death of my mother. Here is the next chapter. . . Enjoy!
Flashback is in Italics.
Chapter 12
Profound Moments
Jack stood silent at the fence still gazing into the fields as he dragged long on a cigarette. His mind was fixed upon what he just had witnessed. 'Were my eyes playing tricks on me?' he thought. "Yes," he stated out loud to himself as he shook his head in order to remove the mental picture. The picture of his son running frantically around the barn with one of Jack's younger ranch boys in tow was burned into his mind.
"Oh God," Jack blurted out again. Suddenly, the air around him felt heavy. Something wasn't right.
Jack waited a few moments then quickly looked toward the barn. The laughter was gone. As he looked on, he saw his son walking from out of the barn. Bobby shoved his hands deep within his pockets and for a brief moment he and his father's eyes met. Bobby didn't stop worried about a confrontation with Jack. He could already see the confusion building up in his father's eyes.
As Bobby's silhouette got farther and farther away, Jack stood motionlessly watching till he could no longer see it. He lit another cigarette and turned back to the young colt. Patting him, he again began the task of cleaning his hooves that he was so rudely interrupted from. Unexpectedly, Ennis walked over.
"Hey, Jack," Ennis said startling him. Jack dropped the colt's hoof. It hit the ground hard.
"Jesus, Ennis! I didn't hear you back there. You scared the shit out of me," Jack stated as he held his chest suggesting that his breath was taken from him. He picked up the colt's hoof again.
"Well, I only wanted to ask you how the colt was coming along, Jack. I'm sorry," explained Ennis.
"It's ok Ennis. I'm just a little worked up. That's all," replied Jack as he finished the last of the colt's hooves.
"So this that colt out of Rimrock Ranch's champion stallion, huh?" asked Ennis.
"Yes, it is. That ole Leo mare of ours done good, didn't she," replied Jack while rubbing the colt's forehead.
"Yeah she sure did. I'm glad we bought her. She's had great babies for us and brought us some damn good money too," said Ennis as he made his way around the colt sizing him up.
"Well, he should bring us just as much money or better," stated Jack as he took the lead rope into his hand.
"That's good then, I reckon," answered Ennis.
The two men walked along side of the young colt as they made their way to the barn. The colt swished his tail at the annoying flies while Jack unlatched his halter and proceeded to leave his stall, locking it behind him. Ennis was checking over the other stalled horses one last time.
"Jack, how about we head to the cabin? It's late and we haven't even had supper yet," suggested Ennis.
"Sounds great! I'm starved," replied Jack as he slid the barn doors shut.
Back at the cabin, Ennis started to prepare their supper. As always, Ennis almost burnt his hands from the scolding hot water and cursed himself for it.
"Fuck!" he blurted out while stomping his foot.
"Are you alright, Ennis?" Jack questioned from the dining room.
"Yes, I just had the god damn water too hot again," Ennis replied while drying his hands. He turned to the refrigerator and pulled out some fresh steaks. He opened a can of beans to go along with them and placed them on the stove to simmer. The aroma filled the room and all Jack could think of was that he loved when Ennis cooked. Ennis walked into the dining room to see Jack daydreaming at the table.
"Hey, Jack!" Ennis stated.
"Yeah, uh what," Jack suddenly replied as he was snapped back to the present.
"Where were you just then?" Ennis asked while headed back to the kitchen to get the food.
"Well, for one, I was thinking about your cooking and two about my son," Jack replied.
"What do you mean about your son," Ennis yelled from the hallway between the kitchen and dining room as he brought the last of the supper to the table and sat.
"Uh, I saw him today in the barn running around with Chandler Dobbins," Jack said with a blank look on his face staring at his dinner plate.
"Chandler Dobbins and what were running around the barn?" questioned Ennis. At this point, supper had seemed not to be of importance.
"Exactly what I said Ennis. Running around the barn together. You know chasing each other like we did up on Brokeback so many years ago," Jack reminded him as he finally cut up his steak.
"Are you sure? What did you say to him?" Ennis questioned.
"Nothing," Jack said solemnly.
"Nothing! Why the hell didn't you lay into that boy? And where in God's name is he anyway? He's got to answer to this," Ennis said shouting.
"Damn Ennis, I don't know. He just walked off. He barely even looked at me!" Jack remarked.
"Well, come daybreak we're going to look for 'em, Jack," Ennis stated as he shoved some steak and beans into his gapping mouth.
~Section Break~
Bobby made his way in the dark quietly, placing his feet carefully in order not to trip himself. He could see ok but not like his dad or Ennis could. Bobby usually didn't carry a watch for being raised by the sun; get up when it does stop working when it goes down. He decided he must have been walking for at least three hours when he studied the sun's position. He finally thought to himself, 'I should be far enough. Fuck it! I'm stopping here.'
Bobby made it only to the first campsite his father built. He wanted to make it out to Brokeback's site but without a horse he was screwed. It was too far for him to walk there, so for now he was far enough away from Canyon River Ranch. He built a fire, hoping it would keep him warm. Dumbass left without anything; no blanket, food, horse, or even Chandler. It was all Bobby could do. He didn't want to fight with his father about how his son turned out, but Bobby could only think of one thing. . .Chandler. He sat gazing up at the stars and dragged on a cigarette hard. Slowly, he let out the smoke, and as he looked at it, it made a hazy covering over the night sky.
'What am I going to do? How am I going to face my dad and how am I going to live with myself. People die for living this way. How the hell did my dad survive,'Bobby's thoughts rambled around in his head.
"Fuck," Bobby blurted aloud as he slammed his hand on the ground beside him.
In the distance you could hear the faint squawlering of coyotes. They too seem to be having their own family battle. As Bobby lay still rambling he slowly drifted off to sleep.
~Section Break~
It's daybreak and all is quiet at the ranch. The working day had started early. Peering out over the rim of Brokeback Mountain, the sun had now turned everything burnt orange. Out at the end of the drive, a dust cloud had formed; a car. It bounced its way toward the old cabin along the groomed pastures. It's mid-spring and Ennis's girls are returning. Alma Jr stopped the car at the same overhang as her father had. Both girls grabbed their luggage and headed toward the cabin. Francine was the first to the front door, but it seemed to be locked.
"Damn it!" Francine declared.
"What's wrong, Francine?" asked Alma Jr.
"Seems like dad left the door locked again," answered Francine as she turned and leaned on the porch railing.
"Let's try the back. Leave the bags," stated Alma Jr as she trotted down the stairs of the porch.
"Ok," Francine replied following behind her sister.
Indeed the back door was unlocked and the girls entered the dark hallway. Francine pushed her way past Alma Jr; yelling for her dad. Alma Jr heard a loud thump from the back door.
"What was that?" Alma Jr blurted out. Then a pregnant pause.
"Francine!" Alma Jr shouted.
"It was me tripping over that god damn dog. You know well enough that dog lays everywhere. It's like he owns the place. Jack should do something with him. Sam can't see worth a damn plus he's deaf. Dog should be put out of its misery," replied Francine as she caught herself on the kitchen counter.
"Francine! You are just wrong," Alma Jr said while turning on the kitchen light.
"Well it's true," Francine confessed as she walked down the hallway into the living room.
The girls looked further for signs of their dad or Jack, but to no avail. Finally, they noticed that a few things missing.
"They must be out 'cus I don't see dad's boots or his sweatshirt anywhere," Francine stated as she walked back into the kitchen.
"Well, Jack's camping gear is gone too from their room," shouted Alma Jr from at the top of the stairs.
"I wonder where they could have gone. They knew we were coming today," blurted Francine as she slowly made her way up the stairs after Alma Jr to Jack and Ennis's room.
"I certainly hope they didn't have any problems with the cattle. It's not like them to go off without leaving a note or something," noted Alma Jr while she sat upon the two men's bed.
"Maybe we should go check the barn. They could be out there working some horses," replied Francine.
"They should have heard the car pull up. I don't know. Let's just go," Alma Jr said as she made her way back to the kitchen.
Out at the barn, the girls again searched for any signs that Ennis or Jack were there. This time, with a closer look, they noticed fresh hoof tracks leading away from the barn. Once they saw this, they went to the tack room to find the men's equipment missing. Quickly, the girls ran to the pasture adjacent to the barn, and rounded up their horses. It didn't take long before they too where headed off toward Brokeback Mountain.
Not much was said as the girls made their way along a deep gorge that separated one of the grazing fields. There are so many pastures at Canyon River Ranch. Each one had a purpose. The girls looked around at the cows that spotted those fields.
"This place sure has grown a lot," Francine stated out loud.
"What?" Alma Jr asked as she turned and looked at her sister.
"I'm sorry I was thinking out loud again," Francine remarked.
"It's ok, Francine. It's nice to hear you talk about Dad's place," Alma Jr answered.
"You know Alma, I'm truly glad that Dad found Jack. I mean I know it's not the greatest love story, but Dad is at his happiest with Jack. I've never seen him this happy," Francine rambled while sitting so humbly upon her horse chin held high.
"Well, to me it is. No matter who it's with either," Alma Jr replied. Alma Jr looked down at her hands. Her eyes gazed upon the ring that now was on her finger. It felt funny holding the reins. She thought about what her Dad might say. 'Is he going to make her happy' or 'is he going to preach about her getting a better education before marriage.' Alma Jr just sat upon her horse daydreaming about her Elliott…her Elliott Von Burnstien.
We first met one evening when I was making my daily errands in town. I happened to stop at the Riverton Post Office and when I came out I ran smack dab into Dr. Burnstein.
"Why excuse me sir. I'm terribly sorry," Alma Jr stated as she went to pick up the mail she had dropped.
"That's ok miss. Here let me help you," Dr. Burnstein replied with an extended hand. Briefly their hands touched and Alma Jr pulled her hand away quickly like that first fateful night that her Dad did with Jack.
"That was very nice of you, sir. Thank you. Have a nice day," Alma Jr said bluntly as she turned to go.
"Wait…miss! Please don't rush off. I didn't even get your name," Dr. Burnstein shouted while pursuing Alma Jr.
"Well, I don't mean to be rude, but I have a lot of errands I need to do, sir. I can't be caught up by some complete stranger," Alma Jr replied while trying to continue walking.
"I could walk with you, if you don't mind," Dr. Burnstein rambled without thinking.
"But I don't even know you. Why would I want to walk with you?" questioned Alma Jr as she tried to turn again to leave.
"Would you feel any better if I introduced myself first, miss?" Dr. Burnstein inquired with his hand out to her.
"If you insist, sir," Alma Jr replied and placed her hand in his.
"My name is Dr. Elliott Von Burnstein. I'm the family doctor here in Riverton. I've moved here from Boston and you miss," he stated with a profound voice.
"My, you sound important. What are you some kind of royalty or something. I'm Alma Jr," she remarked sarcastically.
"Is that all just Alma Jr.? No last name or occupation. Nothing about yourself?" Dr. Burnstein said pursuantly.
"I don't think there is any reason to give you anymore information Dr. Burnstein, because quite frankly that's all you need to know. Now if you'll excuse me it's getting late," Alma Jr stated strongly and walked off.
Dr. Elliott Von Burnstein tipped his hat to her as she left him there alone on the sidewalk watching her.
It was mid-day and the sun was making Ennis and Jack sweat profusely. The two men rode over the same trails that they did back when they first ascended on Brokeback Mountain. It brought back memories, but finding Jack's son was top priority. Jack didn't have time for reminiscing. They came across plenty of tracks. The only problem was the juniper was now growing in and making it hard to determine what kind of tracks they were. Ennis and Jack both even dismounted their horses to get a closer look. They still had problems.
"God damn it," Jack blurted aloud while dragging his horse behind him.
"What now Jack," Ennis questioned as he walked along one trail looking at it with concentration.
"This is like finding a needle in a fucking hay stack. We're never gunna find shit out here," Jack blurted again in protest.
"How far do you think he might of got being he didn't bring no damn horse with him," Ennis inquisitively replied.
"I don't know Ennis! I wish he did though. It would be a hell of a lot easier to track him," Jack answered while working some juniper out of his way with his foot.
"Well, why don't we ride up to the top to that old campsite and wait out the night. We'll see if he shows up there," Ennis suggested as he remounted Cigar Butt.
"All right. I guess so, Ennis. I don't know what else to do," Jack mumbled.
Jack remounted his young buckskin colt and the two men rode off. The campsite they were going to was the one up the steep grade that Rocco took the girls down when Jack was in the hospital. Ennis's old horse took to it like a pro, but Jack's youngster didn't know quite how to navigate it. He stepped sideways, then a little forward, then sideways again…jumping and jigging. He then slowly placed his hooves just ever so lightly on the trail. The trench that ran down the center of the trail was dug deep from all the heavy rainfall. "A-Jay;" as the men called him, sniffed and snorted at the trail as he finally made his way.
"Hell, Jack, I didn't think that there colt was ever going to make it," Ennis stated looking at Jack as he made his final step into the sun.
"I just had to wait on him, Ennis. You can't push these youngsters, you know," Jack answered back while stopping to give "A-Jay" a break.
As the day began to close, Ennis and Jack rode to the highest point of Brokeback Mountain. The two rode quietly together. It seemed odd that they didn't have very much to say. They usually always had something to share among each other, but their thoughts were both on Bobby.
The wind began to pick up a little. One heavy blast came right at Ennis as he rode along behind Jack. He could smell Jack's sweet stench from the afternoon's heat and this made Ennis hard. 'Not now,' Ennis thought as he tried not to think about it. Especially at a time like this. He closed his eyes as the wind rushed past him again. His dick pulsed again too. 'Oh god,' Ennis rambled in his mind. He started to think about how Jack should be healed enough now for him to be able to fuck him. 'Maybe tonight,' Ennis pondered.
Ennis watched as Jack moved back and forth in his saddle. 'Oh good god,' Ennis still rambled while shifting himself inside his jeans. 'I got to stop thinking like this,' he told himself but he got frustrated with himself and started to curse out loud.
"What's wrong, Ennis," Jack questioned while maneuvering A-Jay through a shallow creek.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ennis replied awkwardly. "Just fine," Ennis said under his breath.
"You don't sound fine," Jack insisted while partly looking back toward Ennis but still watching how A-Jay was making his way.
"I'll be fine, I told you, Jack," Ennis profoundly insisted.
"Ok, Ennis. Damn, you don't have to be so moody about it," Jack replied.
For the rest of the way, the two men again rode in silence. Jack still wondered what was wrong with Ennis. Not knowing ate at him. As they moved along, they looked for more signs of Bobby, but still nothing and that ate at him too.
~Section Break~
The girls finally made it to the first campsite just after dark. They dismounted and hitched their horses onto the nearest tree. Francine got the tents ready while Alma Jr found some firewood. From around a large oak tree, a branch snapped. Francine jumped, cocked her gun and turned. Standing there, blood pumping, was Bobby.
"Don't shoot," Bobby blurted out with his hands reaching for the sky.
"Jesus Christ, Bobby. I could have blown your head off," Francine shouted while lowering her rifle.
Alma Jr ran up to the two of them shouting, "What in hell is going on?"
"It's ok Jr. It's only Bobby here," Francine stated as she went back to fixing the tents. Alma Jr walked over, dropped the firewood near fire pit and began to build a fire.