A Better Idea
Chapter Thirty-Five
Disclaimer: These characters were created by Annie Proulx. I'm just borrowing them for a bit. This story and any errors are all mine.
Author's Note: Faithful Readers, There will only be one or two more chapters of A Better Idea, and then an epilogue. Thank you for staying with my vision on this; wanting Jack to live, wanting them to have a life together. That's my answer to Ennis' "You got a better idea?"
August 14th through August 21st, 1983
Lureen and her mother had come up the day before from Denver after getting Bobby's call. They'd planned to stop over on the road somewhere and come on up to Lightning Flat in the morning. But when they called to say they were on their way and were getting settled for the night in a ramshackle little motel in Gillette, Iris had insisted that her niece, as she still thought of Lureen, just come on up and stay with family. Bobby was still quite shaken over Gran's sudden illness, and was surely looking forward to having his mother and gramma here with him. They arrived, thanks to good directions from Walter, around 8 p.m. Iris was the picture of hospitality, and made them feel welcome and quite comfortable.
The women found an immediate affinity for one another. After all these years of Lureen refusing to come to Wyoming from Childress; and the elder Twist family, never making their way to Texas from Lightning Flat, they were now meeting face to face and felt no strangeness.
Walter couldn't help a little bit of chauvinism. Thinking he was being charming, he said, "My, my, you are as pretty as Jack always said you were."
And to Irene, "I can see where our Lureen gets her looks."
The women, however, didn't take offense and couldn't help but like his warm welcome and generous nature. Walter never met the person he couldn't talk the arm off of, and Irene and her daughter both thought "Jack comes by it naturally, to be sure."
They accepted a light supper that Iris insisted was no trouble, and it wasn't very long before the entire group was gathered around the kitchen table having dessert. It took Lureen back more than she'd expected to meet Jenny Del Mar. When she heard that name, she almost flinched; realizing that she was Ennis' daughter. After all these years, here was his flesh and blood sitting right across the table from her.
It had been a long one for everybody, so it was no surprise that they called it a day as soon as the kitchen was neatened up. Lureen was intending to say goodnight to Bobby, when she happened upon him and Jenny in the hallway saying their good nights. She didn't eavesdrop, couldn't if she'd wanted to, but she had eyes. Could see the body language. Oh my. Her little boy was not so little anymore. Interesting.
After kissing Jenny goodnight, Bob went to his mama's room to tell her good night as well. He didn't realize how much he had missed her until he saw her tonight, and it showed in his face. Another thing that showed was how much older, and more grown up he looked. He asked his mother why she had come up here, rather than wait for him to come to Denver, and she said there were several reasons; reasons that she wanted to discuss with his father, before talking to him about them.
"Well, I ain't leaving here, if that's what you're thinking!" He stated firmly.
"You can't make me!"
"Bobby, no. That's not my intention at all. Don't worry about that, son." Affirmed Lureen. "Sounds like you're happy here, and I'm glad. But I can't help wondering how much it has to do with that young lady you were kissing in the hall just now."
"You been spying on me, mama?"
"Bobby, I think you know me better than that. Let's not get sidetracked, son."
"Guess you're right, mama. You were never like that. Sorry, I didn't mean that." he said. "I sure am glad to see you. Didn't realize how much I missed you till I saw you tonight." Her tall son hugged her and Lureen couldn't help but compare him with the boy she met and fell in love with all those years ago.
"I've missed you too, Bobby. But everything is so changed, it's not as bad as it would be if I was back in our home in Childress without you and your dad. You know what I mean?"
"Sure do, mama. The same with me. Everything is new and different in my life up here." His statement reminded her again of his attentions to Jenny there in the hall.
So, what's going on with you and Jenny Del Mar, Bob?"
"I love her, mama."
"Oh, land sakes! My whole family is being taken over by the Del Mar charm." Lureen was half serious, half teasing him.
Bobby grinned sheepishly, and said "Yeah, guess that's true, very true. But MY Del Mar is leaving to go to college in Riverton, should have left this morning; anyway that was the plan."
"What was the entire plan before your grandma Twist got sick?"
"Gran. Not grandma. She asked us to call her Gran."
"Oh? Who is US?" asked Lureen as she sat at the old fashioned vanity table brushing her long, auburn hair, and watching Bobby's face in the mirror. "Since your daddy is her only child, you are her only grandchild, Bobby."
"Jenny and Junior, a course, mama. Ennis' girls."
Lureen was totally confounded, and decided she was barking up the wrong tree if she wanted a peaceful discussion with her grown son. She was determined to not let jealousy raise its ugly head at this late date, and to be as open to whatever was going on here, as she could possibly manage to be.
"So, back to my question then. Before your Gran got sick, what was your plan of action?"
"Well, this morning we were to take Jenny home to Riverton, where her mama lives, and her sister too. Like I said, she's going to start college there in a few weeks. Ennis would go to the doctor there too; his appointments were for tomorrow, actually." Lureen couldn't help wondering what was wrong with Ennis Del Mar, but didn't ask, didn't want to interrupt Bobby now that she had him on the right conversational track.
"The next day, they was gonna drive me to Denver, and leave me to visit with you and gramma. Then dad 'n Ennis would go on their wedding trip. They'd be back in ten days or so to pick me up, bring me back here so I could start school. That's the whole plan."
Lureen had barely heard a word past "wedding trip" and was sitting there, mouth open and brush held in the air. "Mama, what's wrong?" he asked.
Bobby had become so enmeshed in this large extended family that he no longer questioned how people were related to one another, only that they were a part of the family fabric; weaving that warm and strong connection.
Once again, Lureen caught herself before damaging the fragile link she had forged with this tall son. She closed her mouth and resumed brushing her hair. "Oh, I was just thinking of something. Sorry, Bob, I got sidetracked. You were saying that your dad and Mr. Del Mar were going on a trip?"
"Yes'm, dad 'n Ennis figured that while I'm away, and Jenny's gone, that Gran and Poppa could be on their own for awhile with Uncle Walter's and Aunt Iris' help, a course; so the two a them could get away together for a bit. Mama, you can't believe how there's always someone around to help ya out up here, it's good, really good."
"I can see that you appreciate them, Bob." Lureen was an only child, and Jack was an only child. They produced only one son, and this seemed normal to her. It would take more than these few hours she'd been here before the concept of a large, supportive family would become a reality in her mind.
"Well Bobby, I'm finished with my hundred strokes, so you know it's time you were in bed, and me too."
"Sure been a long day. Goodnight, mama." He leaned over to kiss her cheek and caught a light whiff of her perfume. Her scent evoked feelings from when he was a small boy; it was a good memory of being held and cared for.
She patted his back lightly and told him goodnight. "Let's head on over to your Gran's house bright and early tomorrow, I want to talk to your daddy right away."
"Okay, mama, but Gran's in the hospital; her house is empty. Dad 'n Ennis don't live there anymore, they got their own place. Fixed it up real nice."
Seemed every other word out of Bobby's mouth took her breath away. Was there nothing left of the husband she had known? Did "her" Jack Twist not exist anymore? Not that she wanted him back; she knew deep in her heart, she did not. But she wanted to recognize the man she'd married all those years ago. Would she know him when she saw him?
She'd formed an impression that Bobby didn't have a daddy anymore, not a single individual person; only this person he kept calling "dad'nEnnis" as if it was one name. One well-loved name. Yes, dammit, she was jealous! How could her son cleave to this new union, when the old one wasn't even cold yet? 'Well, shit,' she thought, 'maybe it was cold, had been cold for quite a spell.' Lureen's head began to pound; she walked into the bathroom for a cool wash cloth.
"Okay, Bob. I'll be up by six o'clock; can you take me to wherever your daddy is staying? Thank you. See you in the morning." She ushered him out of her room and quietly closed the door behind him. Such was her turmoil that she barely noticed the four poster bed made up with fresh linen, old family quilts and downy pillows. She dropped off to sleep in this strange room, and slept like a log.
Down the hall, her mother had an equally spacious and comfortable room. She spent some time talking to Iris and looking at old family picture albums, before turning in for a good night's sleep.
In the morning, her mother and Bobby prevailed upon Lureen to wait until seven o'clock to drop in on "dad'nEnnis". Jenny frowned, refused to go along on this expedition; didn't feel she could add anything to the proceedings. And Lureen had another early morning jolt. The person Jenny referred to constantly with warmth was "dad'nJack". Didn't want to wake "dad'nJack" after all they'd been through the day before, etc.
:-:-:-:
When she saw them standing together at their open door, it was apparent. Lureen saw it. They were together. Good god, here stood "Jack'nEnnis" in their own home. Still disheveled by sleeping in "their" bed, they were painfully aware of their appearance. They shouldn't have been, Lureen thought they were totally endearing. So she shooed them off to the showers and offered to make coffee herself, and scrounge around for something for breakfast.
No longer unsure of what Jack had with his Ennis Del Mar all those years, she now saw it. Saw what they had given up to "do the right thing". Saw the futility of all those years, all that driving, all that loneliness, all that drinking. It didn't hurt any less to know that she never had a chance because he had loved Ennis before he ever met her, but it did help to know that it had been made right, after all this time. She didn't have to feel so guilty about pursuing her own path; she was free.
Bobby showed her and gramma around the little home. He called it the "old Bell Place", seemed it had been vacant and uncared for until "Dad'nEnnis" made it theirs. Had belonged to the parents of Jack's mother. Okay, she was beginning to fill in some of the blanks of the family tree.
Irene told her daughter that she was going back to have a nice long breakfast with Iris and Walter, Bobby could drive her back. That left Lureen to have her private talk with Jack, and uh . . .
"You mean "Dad'nEnnis" Mama?"
"What dear?"
"Never mind, mama, I'll tell you later."
Ennis noticed that Jack hardly ever called his wife (as Ennis thought of her) by her name. Usually he called her Honey. Still. In front of Ennis and everyone. Jack still liked Lureen and acted very friendly toward her, hugging her and patting her here and there. It was a far cry from the way Ennis and Alma had ended their marriage, so it took a little getting used to, but he kind of liked it.
One of the main reasons Lureen wanted to see Jack in person was that she had the Final Order of Divorce, and it only needed his signature. That done, they could get on to other topics.
Lureen gave Jack copies of all the papers as well as a sizeable cashier's check, part of the settlement between the two; the division of the assets accrued during their marriage. He didn't look at it, just tucked it away in the top drawer of their chest of drawers.
"I wanted to see you without delay, to settle up some of these things we've just done. Since your mother got sick and your plans had to change, we decided to drive up and get Bobby, to save you the trip. I miss that boy more than I like to think about, and couldn't wait another day. That's the bottom line."
Jack jumped up from the table and started pacing, "you ain't thinkin' a takin' him back with you, fer good, are ya?"
"No Jack, you know I ain't set up for that. Not sayin' that I wouldn't . . "
Looking relieved, Jack just kept looking at Lureen's face. He saw no sign of duplicity. Just an honest statement of how she felt.
"Sides, he set me straight, the first rattle out of the box last night."
"What d'ya mean by that, honey? Was that boy rude to you?"
"No, Jack, he wasn't. And I'm not so sure we got ourselves a boy anymore. He seems more like a young man now. A young man who knows his own mind, and heart too, apparently."
Jack and Ennis both peered at her, waiting to hear what happened. She related the story of how Bobby let her know that there was no way he was leaving his dads' home and family up here, now that he'd found them.
Those blue eyes sought the liquid chocolate ones and held. Ennis was so pleased he pinked up clean to the tops of his ears. He looked down to hide his smile; he felt Jack reach over and take his hand in his. Seemed they let out a collective breath; they had themselves a son, gonna keep him too.
Ennis started to stand, "Why don't I get you two some more coffee, and let you have some pri. . ."
Lureen reached over and took hold of Ennis' wrist. "Please stay, Ennis, okay?"
"Okay, if you're sure then."
She brought up the old plan, the new plan and their trip. Once everything was discussed, it was settled. Lureen and Irene would take Jenny and Bobby to Riverton today. They'd meet Alma and Junior if possible, or just drop off Jenny at home. Then they'd take Bobby and go back to Denver till Jack and Ennis came to pick him up in a week or two, before school starts.
"Speaking of Jenny, you know that Bobby's infatuated with her, right? You been keeping an eye on that?" Lureen asked.
"Yeah, says he loves her. But they are being sensible, Honey. Know they each have school and separate lives and so forth. They're good kids."
"Okay, long as you're aware and in charge."
"We are." said Ennis, first he'd actually contributed to the conversation.
"So, about this trip you're takin' . . . what's the occasion?"
"Sure you want to hear this, honey?" asked Jack. At that, Lureen nodded.
"Well, it's for our honeymoon. Need some time, just us - you know? It's been a long hard road a gettin' here, and we're needing to get away some, relax. Ya know?"
Ennis jumped in, "Leastways that was the plan. Now we'll have to see since Mom's had her surgery." Lureen did not fail to note the "mom" and the "we" fall effortlessly out of the man's mouth.
At that, Ennis looked up at the kitchen clock. It was almost 8 a.m. and time to call the hospital. They couldn't wait to find out what time they could pick up the parents and bring them home where they belonged. While Jack went to dial the number, Ennis stayed with Lureen.
"Why'd you make him wait so long, Del Mar?"
"Scared a what folks'd think, I guess, ma'm."
"What changed your mind now?"
"Almost lost that man for good. You prob'ly know he was gettin' tired a it all, him doing all the drivin', all the tryin', and all the givin'. I'm sorry, is this too much for you to hear?"
"No, guess I knew it all along. You two ever catch a fish in all them years?"
"Naw, can't say as we ever did catch a single one." Ennis was blushing again, and she laughed at him.
He continued. "This Spring, the last time we met up in the Bighorns, we had an awful fight with words that sounded so final, so hurtful. . . over me not being able to give him more a my time, kept disappointing him. Thought we had killed whatever we had left. Then his letter came, telling me about his dad's stroke and asking for my help. Couldn't refuse. No way I could've stayed away anymore. It was just to help on weekends at first, and it was good, but we was still saying good bye ever' fu. . ever single time."
"What happened to change that pattern?"
"My accident."
"Bobby said something about you going to the doctor in Riverton, what's that all about Ennis?"
"Oh, I flipped my truck, tryin' a avoid hitting a horse and rider at work. Then Jack flew down and got me outa the hospital and brought me up here to recuperate . . . alongside the old man. That was it. Never have left since."
Ennis continued, "Ya know, I almost decided to never came back after you called up here that day, my first weekend here."
Lureen knew exactly what he was talking about. That's when she knew that there was no "other woman" and her competition was Jack's fishing buddy.
"I'm real sorry; I want you to know that. We been together since Brokeback, whether we knowed where the other was at or not. After we saw each other again in '67, I knew he had a wife and a boy, but you weren't real to me. That's no excuse, I realize. But he was mine first, you know? I told myself it wasn't wrong, only took him from you two or three times a year. That was before; before I heard your voice on that phone. . . "
"You don't need to explain, Ennis. I know how it is. But you were wrong. You took him from me 365 days of every fuckin' year since I met him."
Conflicting emotions fluttered around in Ennis' belly like butterflies; knew he should feel ashamed of how he done this young wife, but hearing how Jack was HIS every day of his life sure did sound good; matched Ennis' craving for that blue eyed boy every fuckin' day of his own life too. "Well . . . " was all he could say.
"Water under the bridge now." she said. "I wish you well, I really do. You've waited long enough, worked at it long enough. You two deserve your shot at happiness just like anybody does. You shoulda seen his face the day he told me he wanted a divorce . . . he was glowing." She stood to refill their coffee cups.
"Was still glowin' when him and Bobby got to Riverton. My girls were there and we had us a picnic. Our first family picnic, our first family meeting too."
Lureen had to sit back down at that. "What do you mean 'First Family Meeting'?"
And he briefly told her of the meal, and the singing; how fine a voice Jack has, and Bobby playing the harmonica for them. He told of the kids calling a meeting and saying they'd decided they wanted to be brother and sisters.
Lureen felt that Ennis was describing a movie about people she had never known. It bore no resemblance to the family life she had offered her husband and her son. Lureen remembered with raw clarity the home she had made for Jack and Bobby. L.D. lording it over everyone; his pinched face openly displaying disrespect for her husband, always referring to him not by name, but as "Rodeo". Her mother, Irene, was so squelched under her L.D.'s thumb; she nearly disappeared into the wallpaper.
Ennis was unaware of her thoughts and he recalled more of the memory; told her of the trip to take the girls home, and Jack stopping for ice cream, and then him telling Alma they were a family now, and how it was gonna be from here on.
"Speaking of your ex-wife, Ennis. You think she'd agree to a visit from me when I bring Jenny home?"
"Don't know about that. She and I sure don't get along the way you and Jack do. You and him seem like you like each other, like you are friends. Alma has been pretty angry over all this. She was good to Jack though, and brought him to the hospital from the airport to get me, so maybe she's coolin' off some, or gettin' used to the idea. I don't know, but it's worth a try, ma'm."
"Ennis Del Mar, what can I do to get you to call me Lureen? We're practically related, ain't we?"
He ducked his blond head and blushed a deep shade of pink, smiling up at her, he said, "Guess you ain't wrong about that, Lureen."
Jack was tired of hiding and waiting for these two to do the dance of the Wife and the Other Woman, or whatthehellever it was called in this situation. His phone call to the hospital had only taken two minutes, but when he returned to the doorway he heard Ennis say "almost decided to never come back", a fact which Jack knew in his bones but it had never been acknowledged between them. Jack had scrambled to find the right things to say that day, as Ennis was sincerely distraught over stealing Jack from Lureen and Bobby. He could only try his best, and thankfully, he'd gotten Ennis to promise to come back; they'd sure come a long way since then.
Jack had stood up and faced Lureen, found they both wanted a divorce. And that he wanted Bobby to live with him. Then Ennis had faced Alma too, about them being a family. This was hard work, but the results were worth working for . . . it was worth Everything in the World to have Ennis beside him in this house, in this life.
He decided to make some noise, and then walk back into their line of sight.
"Okay, daddy says mama will be discharged by Noon. We got a couple hours before we can go get them. What say we go over and see what Iris is serving for breakfast?"
"But I want to, really!" cried Jenny.
Gran had turned down Jenny's offer to stay at the ranch and take care of her instead of going home to Riverton to school.
"Your future is more important, Jenny." said Gran. "You can't know how fast opportunities fly past and then they're gone. You go to school, honey, Iris will take good care a me, and so will your Poppa. You'll be back for the Christmas holidays before you know it. Okay, sweetie?"
Gran squeezed Jenny's hand. "I appreciate you for wanting to help me, but it's not necessary, and not the time for it."
"Okay, if you're sure, Gran." Jenny replied.
Claire rested for about thirty minutes after making the trip home, and then Lureen and Irene came in. Jack introduced his wife to his mother, for the very first time. "My dear girl." She said as she hugged Lureen Hello. Bobby stood close by feeling proud as a peacock over the "two women in his life" finally meeting. Well, three, but he would think on Jenny later.
Irene gratefully made Claire's acquaintance, and then stepped back to let the younger ones talk to their Gran, and see for themselves that she was going to be okay. Irene helped Iris make up Claire's bed with fresh linen; they placed her medicine and a package of clean bandages nearby. She fetched a glass of water for the bedside table, and filled the hot water bottle for the foot of the bed.
Iris had brought over the hot casserole, salad and rolls that she'd made for the homecoming meal. She wanted to get it all set up and then leave. Let these people settle in. Rest if they needed to.
Iris reminded Irene and Lureen that the afternoon was slipping away. She suggested they stay one more night here. Get an early start in the morning.
Both were so wrung out, they decided that was a grand idea. They gladly accepted. She left them then, to go home with Walter.
He and John were standing off to the side, talking. But he had his eye on his sister, seemed like she came out of it just fine. He'd been more worried than he let on.
Jenny came over, put her arms around her Poppa's waist, and laid her head on his chest. "I was so worried." she said. "And I missed you." John Twist was over the moon; this girl had wormed her way into his heart, she was the grand daughter he thought he'd never have. Walter patted John on the shoulder, "I'm gonna talk to my sis now, if these women folk are done fussin' over her."
'Clink!' Ennis and Jack tipped their beers towards one another, tapped the longnecks in a toast. "Here's to us, darlin'." A smile and a nod.
"Didja ever think we'd . . "
"Nope. Sure as hell didn't"
"Ahhhh" said Jack, stretching his back, both arms high over his head. "It's been a good week, Ennis. We still got several more days, and then when we leave - and this is the best part - we get to drive home together."
"You told me "it could be like this - just like this always" but I didn't believe you, Jack Fuckin Twist."
"Yeah, well that's water under the bridge, can't change the past; we can only look toward the future. Our future, Ennis."
They were sitting in lounge chairs in the yard of their rented cabin up in the mountains, northwest of Silver Cliff, waiting for another spectacular sunset. Ennis had him a soft spot for the night sky, and always wanted to share the beauty with Jack. Too often, they were still working and failed to take note of the oranges and pinks that streaked the sky over the Twist ranch.
As the sun went down, the air cooled perceptibly. Ennis wrapped his arms around Jack as they snuggled in the same lounge chair. He pointed. "Look, there's a falling star! Make a Wish, Jack."
"Got everything I ever wished for, Ennis Del Mar."
"Oh, you sweet talking devil, C'mere."
Jack turned his face up for Ennis' kiss and moved in deeply, keeping it soft and sweet. Even with the snuggling and the heat from their passion, Ennis felt Jack shiver. "Come on, you. We're goin' inside where it's warmer. Might still have a bit of a fire if you're lucky."
"Maybe we could catch Simon and Simon, huh?"
"Could be. If you're bored, bud."
"Not bored, just a little tired tonight. We been going non-stop for the last five days. Getting' to be regular tourists, ain't we?"
"Yep, we sure are. It's amazin to me, Jack. So much to see and do in one place. I think if we planned five weeks in Denver and surroundin areas, we could spend every day seeing somethin different." Ennis continued, "That Zoo blew my mind. Seein' all them animals. Never thought I'd live to see a lion, or a tiger up close and for real. Saw'em both this week. Have I told you how glad I am that you gave me that camera before we went to the Zoo?"
Jack grinned up at Ennis from his comfortable position on the couch, in front of the fire. "Nope, only about a hunnert times, Ennis. So ya really do like it, huh?"
'Yeah, I sure do, and think how much more I'll like it once I learn all about the light, and the focus and angles and shadows, and . . and . ." "Jack."
"What?"
"This is the best present anybody ever gi' me. I hope those shots of the sunset last night come out. Don't you? Too bad I didn't have it when we went through that museum, Jack."
"No, they wouldn't have let you bring it in there. They had signs up. I looked because I knew I was gonna give you that camera. But you liked the museum anyway, right?"
"Oh, yeah. Course I did! I loved seein the tools our ancestors had to use to plant a crop, or shoe a horse, or even to cook a meal. They had more stuff at that museum than we could see in a week, bud. We need to go back there sometime. Maybe when we pick Bobby up. You ever take him there, Jack?"
"Naw, never did. Not the Zoo, neither. Didn't ever take the time to show him the wonders of the mountains in Colorado or Wyoming."
"How come you not to?"
"Had my eye on a felller up in the Bighorns, hadda get up there quick."
"You sayin it's my fault Bobby never got to go no place with you, Jack? Cause I already feel like shit about that."
"No, I'm sayin it's all my fault, Ennis. It was one thing when we was at home in Childress and I knew you was home, workin yer tail off. I'd go see Bobby's ball games or help with his homework; I even took him to Austin one time to the state Capitol, and on down to Aquarena Springs to ride those glass-bottomed boats. But when I headed north to Wyoming, only one thing was in my mind. That was gittin ta you."
"I know the feelin', li'l darlin'. I was surely the same 'bout meetin' you."
"Ya know, Jack, I never did take the girls to see and do much, never looked at the world like it was sparkly and interestin'. That's one more thing you done for me, bud. You've opened my eyes about a lot of things. I'd like to see so much more of this world, and I want to see it with you, but show it to our kids too. Don't want them growin up not knowing anything about where they live. Thinkin that it's okay to never travel farther than around a coffee pot lookin' for a handle. They deserve so much more than I ever give'em. That's gonna change."
"Oh, yeah? Where's the first place you gonna travel?"
"Tamorra I wanna go see that Air Force Academy, or Pike's Peak or Garden of the Gods, or all three if we have time. But right this minute I'm goin to travel to our bedroom, and you are goin with me." Ennis stood over Jack with his hands on his hips and looked down at him expectantly.
Jack smiled, or was it a leer? "I thought you'd never ask, Mr. Ennis Del Mar, my lovin husband." He held out his hand for Ennis to help him up off the couch.
Ennis flushed to the tops of his ears and the roots of his blond curls. "So it's yer husband yer wantin', is it?" He pulled Jack up flush against him.
Wrapping his arms tightly around his man he could feel Jack's growing excitement against his thigh. Jesus! That never failed to get Ennis hot!
They barely made it to the bedroom before pulling each other's shirts off and were starting on the belt buckles, and boots. So, before you could say Jackie Robinson, they were skin to skin on their bed and sliding against one another like two teenagers in heat. Ennis told Jack he wanted to kiss and suck every inch of his body, head to toe. Jack was generous. "Be my guest, Cowboy."
Some nights are just magic, and this was one of them. Jack was especially gentle. . .sentimental even, when taking his turn at making love to Ennis. He transported them both to a sweeter place. Both were sated; and happy to be with the man they'd always wanted. Before dropping off to sleep Ennis pulled Jack close and whispered in his ear, "you just made up that shit about glass-bottomed boats, right?" They slept like a pretzel, then as the night progressed, they eased back into their normal sleeping together positions . . .spooned front to back.
Ennis and Jack had not made love as often as they expected to on their honeymoon, because they'd actually gotten out in the world a bit. Too, they had their sweet little home in the old Bell place, back in Lightning Flat, and that daily life together now. So every tiny bit of energy wasn't spent on getting as much of their man, as they could possibly consume or endure, like it used to be when they had to part after their week in the mountains. They were both grateful that life was so much better now.
In the morning, as they ate their sausage, eggs and toast, Ennis looked at Jack. He took a sip of his coffee, and said "You gonna take me to see them glass-bottomed boats, Jack?"
"Doubt we'll be anywhere near San Marcos, Texas anytime soon, Cowboy."
Tbc