A Better Idea

Chapter Ten

Claire Twist was enjoying the evening drive with her brother and sister-in-law. They were coming home from the Blue Angus where they'd had a nice dinner together. These were the first moments of this day where she could catch her breath and relax. In Walter's car, she was not responsible for anything. What a sense of peace, she thought as she lay her head back on the headrest.

At the hospital every day, she wanted to do so much to help him, but John needed the skill and expertise of the doctors, nurses, aides and therapists. She enjoyed doing what she could to feed him his meals and see that he had a little conversation to keep his mind active. At times she felt so helpless.

It was quite the opposite at home where she was in charge of the well-being of everyone under her roof. But, God's Honest Truth, she thought, I love being the one seeing to those under my roof. Especially now, when the boys are home.

Her thoughts returned to Jack and Ennis and wondered what would become of them, whether they'd ever be able to make a life together. She so hoped they could find a way to work it out, and be happy. But there was nothing she could do about it one way or the other. It was their life to create against the odds. Sometimes it just broke her heart.

There is one thing I can do for them, she thought. I can make sure they have some time on their own before Ennis leaves for Riverton tomorrow.

She roused herself as Walter pulled the car into the yard in front of her house. "Please come in," she invited, "have some coffee and dessert. I'd like you to meet Jack's friend who's come up to help us for the weekend."

When Claire opened the door and led Walter and Iris into the house, Ennis was standing there searching through the refrigerator. "Well, guess I got caught red-handed" said Ennis. "I am The Baloney Bandit, and I jes' broke into your house to see if you had any baloney."

Claire laughed, Add Funny to his list of fine qualities, she thought. "Ennis, we can do better than baloney. I will get you some supper heated up in a minute, but first, come here I want you to meet my brother, Walter Bell, and his wife Iris."

The "Pleased to meet you" 's went around, and Walter and Ennis started talking about some issues with the stock feed market that every rancher in the state was frustrated over this year.

Claire put on a fresh pot of coffee, then busied herself heating up food for Jack and Ennis. She pointed to the cake plate and indicated for Iris to cut five slices, one for each of them. These two women had gone to the same high school and had known each other before Iris caught Walter's eye. From years of old habit, they were comfortable working together in each other's kitchens.

Jack came in the room, demanding, "what smells so good in here?". He walked over and hugged Iris hello, then nodded at Walter. Went back to the stove and put his arms around his mama and nuzzled her neck. Claire shrugged him away, laughing 'cause it tickled, "I know your type, you'd love on anybody'd feed you, wouldn't you mister?"

"Purty much." agreed Jack impishly. He looked over at his Cowboy to see if he had heard that exchange, 'cause Ennis had cooked for him when they first met at the camp up on Brokeback. There was no sign he had heard it.

The amiable party of five congregated around the dinner table and ate and drank coffee and talked. The conversation was pleasant and light.

As if she just thought of it out of the blue, Claire asked, "Iris, if you and Walter are going to church services in the morning, can you stop by and pick me up, please?" When they assured her that it would be no problem, she said "what time should I expect you to be here?"

Much of the talk centered on Jack and how things were going for him and his little family down in Texas; then on to the topics of inflation, draught and grass fires.

When the guests had departed, and the dishes were cleared, Claire told Jack and Ennis, "Guess you two will have to be on your own in the morning. I will not get back until noon, most likely. But we'll have a nice Sunday dinner when I get back, I'll put a roast and vegetables in the oven before I leave for church at 8 a.m., and it'll be tender and juicy by the time I get back. How's that sound? Think you can manage on your own for a few hours?"

As Claire prepared some dishes for the next day's meal, they stayed nearby and asked her how John Twist was faring, and whether she knew when he'd be released. His condition and treatment took up the rest of the conversation, till they said they were going out for a walk.

"Come out for a walk with us, ma'm, would you? It's a nice night for it." urged Ennis. Claire couldn't remember the last time she'd been invited out to walk by a handsome your man, and knew that it was a special occasion, a memory to be hugged to her heart for a long time to come.

"Well, thank you Ennis, I believe I would like that," Claire said, "just let me go and change into my walking shoes."

The three of them strolled along the gravel drive and down the lane. Claire took Jack's right arm to prevent a stumble, and that left the other arm for Ennis. They tried walking with their arms draped around each other's hips as they had earlier in the day, but it caused them to be out of step with Claire, so they settled for holding each other's belt loops.

"How long can you stay with us, Ennis?" asked Claire.

"Well, ma'm, I'll be needin' to get on the road tomorrow, early. It's a seven or eight hour drive back to Riverton. Was thinkin' I'd leave around noon, but since I heard you tell about the fine dinner we're having I thought I'd put it off till after that, should leave by two, latest.

Upon hearing Ennis' departure plans put into words, Jack's stomach knotted up. He took his finger out of Ennis' belt loop and ran it along his cheek and down his jaw, Ennis turned his face to kiss Jack's finger. Replacing his finger back in Ennis' belt loop, Jack tugged his Cowboy over to walk a little closer to him.

"Ennis, my boy, you have no idea how happy it makes me to see you eat. That belt of yours looks like you've cinched it in to a new hole lately. I'd like to put some meat on your bones." stated Claire. "Not careful, this Wyoming wind might could blow you away."

"Guess you ain't never tasted my cooking, ma'm" joked Ennis, "right there's the difference. If I ate at your table everyday I'd have to let this belt out the other way."

By the time they returned to the house, they were all relaxed, cooled and a bit drowsy. They said their good nights, with hugs all around and went off to their beds.

Jack and Ennis had to re-make their bed, as all the blankets were still on the floor. They stood on either side of the bed and gave them a good shake-out and put them on the bed again. They undressed, draped their clothes over a chair and climbed under the covers.

As was their habit, they held each other closely, kissed lightly and lovingly and after awhile, settled down; their breathing slowed. Though Ennis had a busy and emotionally draining day, he could not drop off to sleep. His mind kept revisiting the past twenty-four hours; the warm buzz of family in and out of the house, talking, eating, and laughing together. It has been so many years since Ennis was part of a family; he almost felt like he couldn't catch his breath right now, there was a tightening in his chest. He couldn't begin to put into words how sweet it felt to be welcomed by this family.

I guess this is just one more thing that Jack risks losing because of me. If he and I were to take up ranchin' together, his family would be gossiped about, same as us. They don't deserve that. I wonder if he realizes what he has, and how it could turn around in an instant?

Then he smiled into his pillow. 'Course we won't lose his mother, she's a Ace of a woman. I never expected her to be like this, never in a million years. Ennis pulled Jack's hand to his mouth and kissed his palm, and then his thumb before tucking it firmly across his own chest. Ennis fell asleep smiling.

Next to Ennis, Jack knew his Cowboy wasn't quite asleep. He hoped he wasn't over there worryin' and conjurin' up troubles before they hatched. Jack felt Ennis pull his hand over and kiss him secretly, then wrap up and go to sleep. It could be a real sweet life, thought Jack as he went to sleep.

In the morning, both Jack and Ennis were outside taking care of some early chores, before Claire came out of her room dressed for church. She put an apron on over her dress, made a pot of coffee, then checked on her egg, bread and sausage casserole. It was almost done, about 5 minutes more would do it. She sprinkled more cheddar cheese across the top to brown.

She sliced three fresh tomatoes onto a favorite old blue plate and set it on the table. Remembering the hot chafing dish, she placed a couple of thick pads on the table. Three places were already set; she poured a glass of water for each of them, and placed a small pitcher of milk on the table. She set their empty coffee mugs on the stove top to knock the chill off, so their coffee would not start cooling so quick. When the timer rang for her original recipe 'western omelet casserole', she placed the covered dish on the hot pads and opened the door to call them in to eat. "Breakfast's gettin' cold!"

By 7 a.m., the day had not brightened. As he washed up for breakfast at the basin, Ennis checked out the sky, wondering if the overcast would burn off, or stay and bring mist or rain for his drive. Let be, let be.

At the table, Claire was reaching for their hands again. Ennis took her hand, and Jack's and bowed his head. With so much to be thankful for at hand, he found it hard to concentrate on the words of the prayer, until she came to the good part. "Dear Lord," began Claire, "It is another beautiful day you've given us, and we are grateful for it. We thank you for this food which we are about to receive, may it nourish our bodies, as to your plan. Lord, watch over our friend, Ennis, as he drives home today, and bring him back to us safe and sound." "Amen." said Jack and Ennis, still holding hands.

The conversation flowed easily while they ate and drank. The clatter of dishes and flatware joined in Ennis' ears to complete the homey sound. He thought he would save this memory, tucked away for times when he was lonesome, and he would feel like he belonged again. He wanted to belong to these people; he would just have to think of a way to make it possible.

The table was cleared. As they lingered over their second cups of coffee, Jack told tales about the many trips he'd made up this road, arriving from Texas or from the Bighorns after seeing Ennis. "Oh, my gosh" said Jack, "I never told you about the near miss the other night. A deer ran out in front of my truck. I braked so hard, I blew a tire; then three men stopped along the road and came up to me."

Ennis' old nightmares of tire irons flashed in front of his eyes and his heart was pounding so fast, he could barely breathe, "How could this slip your mind, Jack? I don't get it, what happened? This isn't funny by a longshot."

So, Jack recounted the events, how Uncle Walter, Kenneth and Roger had helped him change the tire, and get him on his way home safely.

Claire put the Sunday dinner she had assembled into the oven in an old navy and white speckled, covered roasting pan. She set the heat on fairly low. She went into the bathroom to repair her lipstick, the only make up product she had used in her life, she ran a comb through her hair, as it was time for her brother and sister-in-law to pick her up for early church services.

In the dining room, she put her arm through Ennis' and gently pulled him into the kitchen. She looked into his face and spoke seriously to him, "This morning is my gift to you and Jack. Don't spend it on ranch work. Make it count." Placing her hands on either side of his face, she kissed his cheek.

Ennis took hold of her hands where they rested on his face, pulled them together to his lips and kissed her hands gently, once each. Looking into her eyes, he said, "I can't begin to tell you how it makes me feel, You treating me like a son."

Claire hugged Ennis fiercely, and then wiping her eyes, she walked into the dining room calling, "Where's that son o' mine?"

Jack called from the bathroom, "Ahm bruffin ma teef!"

Claire laughed at her crazy son, and turned to Ennis, "Will you tell him exactly what I told you?"

Ennis nodded; smiling at her, he said "Yes ma'm, You bet!"

Mrs. Twist waved to Ennis; said, "Thank you, dear." Then she walked out the door to wait for her ride to church.

End of Chapter 10