A Better Idea
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jack was so excited to see the Riverton, WY sign again; it gave him a little jolt. He had no idea if Ennis would be home on this early Thursday evening. Would be around 6 o'clock by the time they reached Ennis' place, he figured.
He had so much to tell his friend, that it seemed like months since they'd talked; but in fact, they'd just left each other's side two days before. At dawn, Tuesday morning, Ennis and Jack had been tangled together in bed, arms and legs entwined, warm memories of the night's lovemaking still on their skin. They forced themselves apart, but gently, and kissed the places now cooling from loss of contact. "Damn fine idea you had, to come sleep at my place, Jack." Ennis said as he kissed Jack's chest.
"Mmm hmm" murmured Jack while licking the little crease at Ennis' neck and shoulder.
"But, this'll never work. You and me. No way." stated Ennis matter-of-factly.
"What the hell you talkin' 'bout, Cowboy? Feels like it's workin' to me! Mmm somethin's workin' again, I can tell for certain."
"But, Jack, I gotta work, you ever hear of child support? And I'll tell you this, I can't quit this one." Ennis laughed out loud and continued. "How'd I ever get out of bed in the morning to keep a decent job if I had the likes of you in my bed every dawn? Eh? Answer me that!"
Jack started nuzzling down the center of Ennis' chest and didn't stop till he found something hot, hard and velvety in his path. "Eh? Can I think it over, and get back to you on that, Ennis?" Then, for reasons anatomical, he was unable to speak coherently for awhile. He soon had Ennis moaning with pleasure; Ennis pulled Jack around so he could take him in his mouth and give back some of that loving attention with mouth, hands, arms and legs. They again forgot about the clock.
The Clock! Eyes flew open and Ennis jumped out of bed all in one motion. He went to plug in the already filled coffee pot, and headed for the shower. Jack knew it would not "save time" if they showered together, so he washed his hands at the sink; and naked, pulled out plates, cups, flatware, bread, butter, eggs and he set the table for two. When he heard Ennis' shower water shut off, he poured Ennis' favorite cup full of hot, black coffee and took it to him in the bathroom. "Mmm, thank you, darlin'" murmured Ennis.
While Jack showered, Ennis cooked the eggs and made the toast. He poured each of them a glass of water, and one of orange juice. The table was all ready for them to eat whenever Jack came out dressed but still damp and sexy. There would be no lingering, or second cups of coffee this morning, they had seen to that with their reluctance to get out of bed and each other's embraces.
All the while Ennis was in the shower, and now while he cooked, there was this big, broad smile on his face that he couldn't seem to control or banish. When Jack walked out of the steamy bathroom, he had a matching smile. Oh my god would you look at that man, Ennis thought. Ennis had to get a grip on himself to remember his job, and not start undressing Jack all over again.
Jack could read the uncertainty in Ennis' eyes. Momentarily confused, he asked "What?"
"Uh, breakfast is ready, we should eat. Don'tcha think?" If this had not been a work day, he never would have suggested that they eat. For some reason, this morning Ennis couldn't get enough of Jack, never enough.
They ate one-handed, the other belonging to the man across the table. When they'd eaten their fill, they washed the dishes and left them to drain dry ala Claire Twist. They put the food away, wiped off the table, then went to make up the bed. The chores were done.
The men could find no reason to dally longer. They came together hard and clasped for dear life, unwilling to part after having shared at least portions of each of the past five days. Their kisses were desperate and filled with longing.
They had good reason to believe that the next time they saw each other, their lives would be altered forever. Jack was going to Denver to tell Lureen of his love for Ennis Del Mar, and to ask her for a divorce. He was also planning to bring Bobby back to live in Lightning Flat, and he intended to tell his son about them, he and Ennis as a couple, right away.
Reluctantly, they released each other with one last kiss. Ennis looked into Jack's eyes and said "Come home to me safe, darlin'."
"I will, Cowboy, wait for me." replied Jack.
Their keys were hanging on the hook next to Ennis' door, and the two hats, one light and one dark, were on the hatrack above the keys. Retrieving their items, they each took a deep calming breath and stepped out the door. Ennis locked up while Jack went to his truck. Glancing down at the red heart key chain that Ennis had recently given him, Jack smiled another happy smile.
Once outside the trailer, there was no sign they were anything other than one good buddy providing a stopover for a friend on a long trip. As Ennis climbed into his own truck, he called "Drive careful, bud." They each waved as they started their engines. Ennis drove off to the ranch to work, as Jack headed southeast to Denver to meet Lureen at the Brown Palace Hotel.
Now returning on Thursday, with Bobby dozing beside him in the truck, Jack rounded the curve on Rt. 138 and saw Ennis' aqua and white pick up at his trailer. His face lit up like a christmas tree. He reached over to excitedly shake Bobby's knee, saying "Wake up son, we're here." He almost said "we're home" because anywhere Ennis Del Mar was, would be "home" to Jack. Being Jack, He couldn't resist honking the horn as he pulled into the parking space he had just vacated on Tuesday morning.
He watched as Ennis opened the door, with a tray in his hand, and there were two more faces peering out at them as he and Bobby climbed out of their truck, both stretching to loosen tight muscles.
Ennis dropped the tray he was carrying on the counter with a clank, and raced to greet Jack. Friend-like, Jack offered his right hand to shake, but Ennis by-passed it for their usual full length body hug, saying in Jack's ear, "It's okay. I told them."
Then he saw the boy step around from behind the pickup.
Quite smoothly, he thought, Ennis slapped Jack on the back, saying "Good to see you, Twist!", then moved to welcome Bobby formally, introduce himself, and then introduce him to Junior and Jenny.
Ennis refused to allow himself to stare, but he was beguiled by the resemblance of this boy to the one he'd fallen in love with back in '63. "Anyone ever mention, you sure do look like your dad, Bobby?" asked Ennis.
"Maybe a time or two." Bobby gave that same lopsided grin that Ennis knew so well and his heart just about flipped over in his chest.
To get his imagination under control, Ennis turned his gaze back to Jack and said, "Girls, you remember Mr. Twist, don't you?"
"Call me Jack, please. Good to see you again Junior, Jenny. My, you are both such grown up young ladies now."
The girls responded politely, though they didn't remember meeting him except that one time when he drove up right after their parents were divorced, and he had driven away so quickly. The thing Junior remembered was how their daddy had told them "Say hello girls" like they was two years old and had to be prodded. That was embarrassing in front of anyone, but especially a good lookin' man like Jack Twist. Why did daddy have to act so nervous and antsy like that? He had been fine, and they were all joking about what toppings they were getting on their pizza, and then when Jack drove up daddy acted like he had bugs crawling all over him; he was so jumpy. The rest of the day had been awful hard, Junior remembered. Daddy was so sad, he hardly said a word. Maybe now, after what daddy had told them today, it made more sense. It made a lot more sense.
Ennis said, "Jack, you and Bobby got here just in time, we're putting supper together now. You wanna help me carry out the table, Jack? The girls have been wanting to eat outside, and this seems to be the best weather we've had to do it." After finding a level spot for the new two-part table, Jack fetched the dishcloth and wiped off the table.
Ennis already had the coals going before they got there. So they needed to get the fixin's ready pretty quickly. Jenny showed Bobby where he could wash up, then he patted out some more hamburgers. Junior handed down all the plates, cups, glasses and flatware. Ennis found two feed buckets and turned them upside down as stools for their guests. Jack, seeing that, scoffed and pulled two lawn chairs (the ones he and Ennis always used on their "fishing trips") out of his truck, and offered them. They weren't the right height though, so the buckets stayed.
Alma Jr. proudly carried out the deviled eggs she had made for the occasion and Jenny did the same with the pickled beets. While Ennis grilled, Jack sliced some onions and pickles and piled them all haphazardly on a platter. Jenny found a couple tomatoes that Edith Clark had given to Ennis from her garden, so Jack sliced them, as well. Jenny arranged them fanlike on an old yellow plate. Jack appreciated her efforts and cocked one eyebrow like he does, she knew he liked what she had done. Jack said, "maybe you want to make a art project out of that mess a onions and pickles I just created."
She laughed. "No, thanks, I think they are beyond redemption." Jack made a clueless face at her, and Jenny liked how he reacted to the mild teasing.
Junior and Bobby were having a contest to see who could fold the napkins in the weirdest style, and they laughed at each new attempt. They opted for flat, just like they were in the package. Junior remembered they needed salt, pepper, mustard and mayonnaise for the table. She told Bobby to come along and help her carry them. Inside, she found her dad heating up a pan of beans and grinning like it was such a good joke.
When at last everything was on the table, and they were seated, Ennis went to get the beans. He proudly set the bowl in front of Jack. "Knew you would be disappointed if we didn't have some beans, bud." Jack reached over and punched Ennis on the shoulder, hard. Couldn't keep from grinning, though.
Settling himself at the table, Ennis reached out and took Junior's hand and Jack's hand and looked at them to follow through around the circle. He said, "Bobby, this is something your Gran Twist does, and it's one of my favorite things I've learned from her in the past few weeks."
And following this explanation, Ennis prayed aloud for blessings on the food that it might nourish them, for blessings on all their family and friends, especially Jack's dad, and asked for guidance that he might be a better person. He ended by saying "Lord, this is my family right here, watch over us and protect us all." They all responded, "Amen."
Before Ennis released Jack's and Junior's hands, he gave them each a squeeze and a smile. The girls looked at each other; they thought they'd Never seen their daddy looking and acting so happy. Not ever.
Bobby had a similar feeling about his daddy, and was amazed that it didn't upset him to know the reason for Jack's happiness. That in fact, he was very okay with it. So Dad, "Love" loves Ennis Del Mar, he thought, correctly. It certainly looks mutual; no one could miss how they look at each other, and Jenny and Junior seem to have known for years. I feel sorta left out.
The talk around the table was lively and specific to their current events.
Ennis had begun the habit of having each person tell something good when they got together. They also discussed their disappointments, hurts or hopes, but during the meal, only good things.
Jenny said her good news was that she sang a solo in the school play this spring. They asked her to sing it for them. She stood up, mentally got into character and sang in her lovely lilting voice, My Wild Irish Rose. They gave her a standing ovation. Ennis walked over to his daughter and hugged her, saying "That was wonderful, darlin', truly wonderful."
On impulse, she said, "okay, everyone sing it with me!" And Ennis began, "My wild Irish rose, the sweetest flower that grows." And the others joined in timidly, but by the next line they were singing with gusto. It brought a lump to his throat, as it had been one of his mother's favorite songs.
Ennis' mother's full name was Elnora Rose McCain. She had always claimed that this Rose song was about her, because she would have preferred being called Rose. Her daddy called her Ellie from Day One though, and it had stuck. If her mother had her way, she'd have been called Nora. So being called Rose was a long shot any way you looked at it.
"I'll be okay as long as she doesn't sing Danny Boy. That song just tears me up." Jack said to Ennis. So, naturally, kids being kids, all three began:
"Oh Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone and all the roses falling
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide."
That's all of the song they knew, so they dwindled off. Seeing the tears in Jack's eyes they wondered if they'd been too silly and too cruel.
Surprising them all, Jack opened his mouth, and with a strong pure tenor, sang:
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
At this point, Ennis joined Jack both for moral support, and because he loved this old song too.
Or when the valleys hushed and white with snow
Yes, I'll be here in sunshine or in shadows
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.
Relentless, they continued to the end.
Yes come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valleys hushed and white with snow
Yes, I'll be here in sunshine or in shadows
Oh Danny Boy, oh Danny Boy, I love you so.
As soon as Ennis began singing with his dad, Bobby ran to the truck to get Jack's harmonica. Bobby accompanied them for the full third verse. Jenny and Junior joined in to sing the haunting lyrics with Ennis and Jack, too.
When the song was done, there was not a dry eye in the crowd, and that included Edith Clark who had come outside to take her garbage out, and stayed to enjoy the show. She applauded enthusiastically and called out "Bravo!" before going back into her house, and giving them privacy.
To lighten the mood, Ennis got a stack of paper napkins that had been left over from their meal, and handed one to each person to wipe their eyes.
"Well I surely didn't know we had so much talent in our little group, here!" said Ennis. "You've been hiding this voice of yours from me all these years? Why do you think that is, Jack?"
"Don't know, never gave it any thought!" said Jack. "Truth is, I've always loved to sing, just never have much of an opportunity. When Jenny sang My Wild Irish Rose, I purely loved it; and when our wonderful children conspired to sing Danny Boy for me. I couldn't resist any longer."
"Well, I'm glad you couldn't resist, I really enjoyed it. One more thing I didn't know about you, that now I do." smiled Ennis. "And I see Bobby did not inherit your talent with the harmonica. He's really good!"
Bobby didn't know the inside joke, but he enjoyed the compliment.
Ennis asked Bobby what was his favorite thing in school, or out of school and without hesitation, Bobby said "Taking care of our horses, and watching over them."
"Oh good, cause I have two horses up at your Gran's place that will be needing someone to care for them till I get up there on weekends. Would you like to look after Scarlet and Grey for me? They are very sweet and I think you'll like them."
"You can count on me, Mr. Del Mar." said Bobby.
"No more a that, now boy. Mr. Del Mar was my daddy, you just call me Ennis, okay?"
"Okay, Ennis." smiled Bobby. "I'll look forward to meeting Scarlet and Grey."
By this time, Ennis had seen enough of Bobby's personality, and those little differences that were not like Jack's ways, that he no longer felt spooked like he was looking back in time at Jack. He was seeing Bobby as a person in his own right. And for the most part, he liked what he saw.
It was Junior's turn to tell about her good news, and she said that her job was going well, her boss had given her a larger project, she really liked it a lot. Then she said she had been on three dates with Kurt Rawlins and that he seemed very nice. "Can we invite Kurt next time, daddy?"
"Sure, darlin', if you like him, we'll invite him."
"Do you have anything to tell, daddy? What's your good news?"
Ennis just looked at them all quietly, and said, "Jack's here."
He felt guilty in a fatherly kind of way, so he cleared his throat and said "My good news is that each and every one of YOU is here. I wouldn't trade this evening for anything in the world. Not anything."
And they all knew he meant it, but each one thought, We heard you the first time.
As the sun went down, they all gathered dishes and food, and began putting everything back in good order. While Junior, Jenny and Bobby did the dishes and listened to the Top 40 on the radio, the men sat outside and smoked and caught up with each other.
"Jack's here? I sure hope you have told your girls about us, cause the cat's out of the bag now, my love." Jack was elated, but he pretended to be astounded at Ennis for making such a statement.
"I didn't know I was going to say that, Jack, I swear!"
After Jack brought Ennis up to date on his trip to Denver, Ennis asked, "So what you're telling me is you didn't have to ask Lureen for a divorce; she beat you to it? And you didn't have to tell her about us?"
"True, she asked me first, but I did tell her about us. Well, I guess that's not technically true either. When I told her she ought to find what makes her the happiest, that she needed more than what we had in our marriage, I said I'd found What Makes Me Happy. She said, "It's Ennis Del Mar, isn't it?" And I said, "Yes, he is the love of my life."
"How did she know, Jack?"
"Said she heard it in your voice when she called up at the house that day."
"Well, Jack. There it is again. Like Walter said, it's obvious to others how we feel about each other. What about Bobby?"
"I talked to him on the way up here. Told him I love you, but I don't think he gets it yet. Or at least, don't think he did till you said "Jack's here"! Goddamitey, Ennis, I can't believe you said that right out loud." Jack started laughing so hard, he couldn't hardly speak. "Good secret keeper, you turned out to be!" Jack purely loved that Ennis had said that to the kids.
Ennis was laughing too, as surprised at himself as Jack was. "I talked to the girls tonight, too. Didn't think it was anything they could really understand, but I guess now, I've laid it all out there in black and white for them to see."
Just then Jenny approached where Jack and Ennis were sitting in their lawn chairs, talking together. "Daddy, Jack, Can we talk to you both?"
Uh oh, thought Ennis. "Sure, Jen, what about?"
"Just come back to the table, please. The three of us want to talk to you."
Many months later, Ennis would think of this as their first family meeting.
When they were all once again seated around the table, no one spoke. Finally, Ennis asked, "Do you, any of you, have something you want to say or to ask? About anything at all?"
"We do." said Bobby.
"Seems to us," said Jenny looking at Ennis, "that our daddy is happier than we can either one, ever remember."
"And my daddy too, the same." offered Bobby.
"And when you prayed, you said 'This is my family'." added Jenny.
"So what does this really mean for us?" asked Junior.
Feeling relieved, Ennis and Jack looked into each other's eyes with a smile that said they could finally talk about their love to those who mattered the most to them.
"You're all right," said Ennis. "This is the happiest I've ever been because now I have everyone I love, right here together."
"It has taken many years and a lot of patience to get to this point." added Jack. "Our goal has always been to be together as much as possible while still having you kids be with us."
"Yes, it's important to Jack and I that you know that. You, each of you, are what comes first with us."
At this, the three young people stood up together.
"Yes, we do know that, daddy." said Junior.
"But what we want to know, NOW," added Bobby.
"Is whether we are going to be Brother and Sisters." finished Jenny with some urgency.
Ennis and Jack looked at each other for an answer. Both were stunned at the depth of their children's question, and at their insight.
Jack began, "How would you feel about that? Would you like to be?"
Jenny again took charge. "Yes, we would. We talked it over when we was doing the dishes, and we decided."
"Always wished for a brother." claimed Junior.
"Never thought I'd be lucky enough to be part of a real family, and have two sisters." stated Bobby, with a voice choked with unshed tears.
Ennis and Jack could only stare as Jenny took Bobby's hands in hers, then turned to Junior to join them. Standing in a row, hand in hand, the three faced their dad's. "We're old enough to know what we want, and this is it, to be a family."
Ennis came to the group, He took Jenny's face in his hands, turned her up to look in her eyes and said, "Thank you, darlin'." and kissed her cheek, running his thumbs down her face. He said, "I love you, Jenny girl, so, so much."
"I love you, too, daddy." she said.
He next approached Bobby, unsure of what to expect. Ennis offered his hand man to man and Bobby shook it. "I'm proud to have you in my family, son."
With that welcome from Ennis Del Mar warm in his ears, Bobby threw his arms around him just like a little boy, and said "Me too." He held on tight. "I've heard about you all my life; Now I know you too."
Ennis put his hands on Bobby's face and turned it up to look in his eyes. "Thank you, son." he said.
Last, but not least, Ennis took Junior in his arms, rocking her. He said, "My darlin' girl, thank you for what you've done and said here tonight. You are all grown up now, but you'll always be my little girl. Junior, I love you so much."
Ennis and Junior put their foreheads together, they had tears running down their faces. "I love you so much too, daddy, you know I do."
Meanwhile, Jack was so overcome he could hardly breathe. He went to Jenny who looked shyly down at the ground. Taking her hand, he kissed it and called her, "Jenny, my girl." She hugged him and whispered "Thank you for making my daddy happy." Jack reminded her, "That goes both ways, darlin' Jen. He makes me happy too."
Jack took Bobby in a headlock, ruffled up his hair and looking into his face said, "You seem a man, full grown, to me tonight. I'm proud to call you my son. I love you, Bob." Bobby hugged Jack tight, and said, "I love you, Dad."
When Jack approached Junior, she stood tall and met his eyes full on. "What the hell took you so long?" she demanded. "My daddy's been a hollow shell these past few years, living only for his "fishing trips" with you!"
Jack responded, "Well, your old man's a tough nut to crack!"
"Isn't he though!" replied Junior.
And they each laughed so hard, their tears ran freely once again. They hugged tightly and then she made another demand of Jack. "Love him always, and keep him safe, Jack."
"You have my word, Junior, darlin'."
And then she kissed Jack on the cheek. "Okay." she said.
Ennis and Jack were wiped out from all the unexpected support from their children, and overwhelming emotions of the evening. Ennis got a beer for himself and Jack; they sat back in the lawn chairs, but Junior, Jenny and Bobby were energized. They decided to bring the radio outside and dance.
Ennis said, "You still got that tent in your truck?"
"Sure do."
"Well, maybe we could make up my bed for Bobby, and you and I could share that tent again tonight. Sort of brings back old times, whadaya think?"
"Good idea. Was wonderin' what to do about sleeping arrangements." said Jack. But he thought, has it only been 5 weeks ago we slept in that tent?
"Why not let me suggest it to Bobby, see how it goes?" offered Ennis.
"Sure thing, Cowboy."
"Time to get my girls home, you have one more dance and then we'll go." All three of the young folks chorused, "Already!"
Ennis called Bobby inside and explained what was being planned. He walked to the small linen cupboard and pulled out fresh sheets and a pillow case, and handed them to Bobby.
"I've gotta run the girls home, but you and your dad could make up this bed for you, and then he can put up his tent that we always sleep in on our fishing trips. How's that sound? You mind sleeping in a strange place by yourself, Bob?"
"Naw, that's okay, Ennis. Only, couldn't I go along with you to take Jenny and Junior home, and make up the bed when we get back?"
"Yeah, sure, that works just as well. We can all squeeze in the pick up."
"Hey, we could all go in Dad's truck, he's got that crew cab, Okay?"
Ennis laughed, and tenderly pulled Bobby Twist into the crook of his elbow, "Sure, it will be a family affair."
Bobby smiled.