A Better Idea - Chapter 43
Mother's Day, 1984 – A Moment Between Here and There
This picks up following the Déjà vu scene in Chapter 42.
Genre: BBM
Pairing: Ennis + Jack 4 Ever
Disclaimer: I created the OC's but not the O/S characters. They belong solely to Annie Proulx, with some tweaking by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana. No money is being made, nor fame and fortune of any kind.
Disclaimer #2: This story is unbeta'd so you have no one to blame but me for errors or controversy.
Rating: A Better Idea is all over the map, but the basic premise is that two men love each other. If you don't like m/m slash, don't read this.
A/N #1: I adore reading other author's fics, and they inspire me to continue to write. But this story, this ABI Universe is my original work. Any similarities, yadda, yadda, coincidence.
A/N #2 - Thank you to all those who are still reading and enjoying, whether you post a comment or not. Of course I love every single one of those comments. You guys are great!
Feedback: You bet. I hope you like it.
Chapter 43 Mother's Day . . . . continued
In bed that night, Ennis told Jack most a the ideas he'd come up with for celebrating Mother's Day for Mom. Jack was amazed at all the detail Ennis had already worked through, to make a wonderful celebration for mama.
"Where's the party at, and is it the same place everyone is staying?"
"Well, not the locals a course, but yes, every one is staying at the hotel where the party is, easier that way."
"What's the name a the place?"
"It's at the corner a Federal Boulevard and Main Street, in Riverton."
"Uh, is there a problem with the name, Ennis?"
"No, not a problem, exactly," Ennis smirked, and took Jack's face in his hands, began kissing his eyelids, his nose, the side of his face, his lips, then on down to the sweet spot behind his ear, his long neck and the hollow of his throat.
"You tryin a distract me, Ennis del Mar?"
"Is it workin'?" Ennis said as he kept kissing and nibbling as he dragged his body lower and lower to reach more of Jack.
"You bet your ass it's workin, Cowboy. You had me at 'Ennis.' "
"Hmmmm?" Ennis kept to his journey, further and further south along the trail to paradise. All of a sudden, he lifted his face and asked. "What're ya talkin' about, Jack? I had you WHEN?"
"In fronta that godforsaken trailer, when I stuck out my hand and said, 'Jack Twist', and you said 'Ennis'. I was already done for."
"Hmmm, you ever think you might just be easy?" Ennis had resumed his travels down his beautiful man, licking and sucking and kissing.
"Maybe so, but darlin' where you're concerned, it ain't like I got a choice in the matter." Jack watched Ennis' head as he licked wet streaks across his belly and down.
"Hmmm, you complainin'?" Ennis could barely keep up his end of this conversation, engrossed as he was in his project here, while his chin was continually getting bumped by Jack's eager dick, making tracks of it's own.
"Never. Never. Far be it from me to ever .. AH, uh . . . do that." Then Jack began his own version of Ennis Appreciation. They made love slow and sweet tonight, nothing rushed, nothing hurried, nothing overlooked.
They fell asleep content and fulfilled.
Ennis was awake within two hours, worried and wondering if he'd thought of everything for the party. His mind was awhirl until about four when he finally dropped into an exhausted sleep.
Thursday came at last. Breakfast was D-Day and Ennis was sweating. He'd never taken on something like this, and he was nervous about how it would work out.
Once everyone started eating, Ennis looked at Claire and cleared his throat. "Uh, Mom?"
She kept on eating, forking a bite of scrambled egg into her mouth, she said, "Hmm?" then reached for her coffee cup to take a sip of the hot liquid. Hearing nothing more, she looked up at Ennis who was just sitting there, looking at her.
She put down her fork, and gave him all her attention, "What is it, Ennis? Is something wrong?"
Ennis had tried his best to get out of this, but Jack was adamant, "It's your idea, and your party Ennis, you need to tell her yourself."
Even dad had declined to take the lead, saying "you're on your own on this one, boy. Good luck."
"Well, no, nothing's wrong, actually. It's just that .. well, Sunday is Mother's Day, and we have a special plan. Yeah, that's it. A surprise sorta.
"A surprise."
"Yes'm, and you need to pack a bag for uh, two, three days. Okay?"
"Okay, Ennis."
"It is?"
"Yes, will I need an evening gown?"
"What?"
At this, they all laughed and the tension was broken. Even Ennis laughed at himself, and heaved a big sigh of relief.
"Ennis, did you put Walter and Iris in charge of the animals and such here on the ranch for this weekend?"
"Yes, they offered to help out, why?"
"Wondered why they were hovering so." admitted Claire.
"It was Iris' idea to kidnap you." Ennis offered. "Back when I first started planning this."
"What is "this" Ennis, what is your plan?"
"Well, but Mom, it's to be a surprise." he answered.
"Oh, it is, believe me. Think about how much you can tell me without ruining the surprise, dear. Help me know what to pack, what to take along. Okay?"
Before lunch, Ennis had been able to tell Mom that there would be some travel, so wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Something casual for visiting would be helpful; there would be a party, so plan for a dress or whatever, and there would be church on Sunday before returning to Lightning Flat. That's all he would divulge. When he walked away from that conversation, Ennis was feeling pretty smug.
They left the ranch after breakfast on Friday, and headed southwest in John's truck, since it was the most comfortable. Claire was glued to the side window, looking at the scenery as they drove. She was a lifelong resident of this area, but had never looked at it with fresh eyes. She'd never looked at it as a person who knew she was leaving it behind.
She couldn't believe the changes that had taken place in her life since last May, a year ago. It was all triggered of course, by John's stroke on May 9th, then Jack came to help out. Ennis followed, to give a hand on weekends, Bobby came, the girls, all the revelations that Walter had made, then John getting his priorities straightened out, reclaiming her as his wife, and trying to make amends to Jack, getting some counseling, and now this . . she could barely take it all in.
And not long ago they'd decided to move away. Claire knew it would all be fine. She had faith in her men, and her family to work out whatever was needed. As she dozed in the warm sun shining through the window, Claire felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
The truck slowed as Ennis put on the turn signal to pull into a gas station just west of Gillette. He advised Claire and John to get out of the truck, walk around a bit as it would be a long day of traveling. He had gotten somewhat used to this highway, and the daylong drive. He knew of a scenic overlook where he planned to stop for lunch. They packed plenty, and if he gauged it right, they'd be about there when everyone was getting hungry.
As they were eating lunch a little past noon, Claire looked up to the mountains on either side of her and marveled at the beauty of her home state. She'd never lived anywhere else, but realized at this moment, just how lovely it really was. For a moment, she wondered if she would suffer home sickness when they left, but decided not. All the important parts of her life were going with her, or would be even closer than before.
They packed up their lunch wrappings, and she deposited it all in a trash can. The men wandered off behind a set of strategically placed bushes, then came back momentarily, brushing off their pants, and straightening their shirts. "Ready?" said Ennis, as he climbed into the driver's seat of John's truck one more time.
"I'm thinking of visiting your bushes, too." declared Claire, a bit sheepishly. Okay, she'd led a sheltered life, but she did grow up on a ranch, so she knew how to pee behind a bush. Today she was grateful that she was wearing a longish skirt, because she was modest enough to worry about being exposed out in the open, even though Jack went with her to stand guard. She found that her biggest challenge was to not pee on her own shoes! She came out laughing, but dry.
When they turned south at Worland, Claire began to be more sure of where they were headed. "Are you taking me to Riverton, Ennis?!" she asked.
"Yes, I am Mom. Is that all right?"
"Will I see Jenny and Junior, son?"
"Well, that might be arranged; would you like that?" grinned Ennis.
Closer they got, the more Claire bounced around, her head swiveling left and right. When they saw the city limits sign, she squealed. Then continued surveying as they drove. "It's bigger than I thought, Ennis."
At last, Ennis turned left off of E. Main Street onto Federal Boulevard, and pulled into the Jackpine Motel. "Nice name, Cowboy!" whooped Jack, who never thought he would EVER be pulling into a motel with Ennis and his very own parents!
"I picked it special, I hope it's nice cause I really did just pick it for it's name." admitted Ennis. He stopped in front of the office, and went in alone, identifying himself and getting the two room keys for the rooms he had reserved. While there, he checked on the party room he'd asked for. The clerk told him everything was in order, and someone had already called to see what time they could get in tomorrow morning to decorate it.
"That would be my daughter, it's a surprise for Mom for Mother's Day." He beamed.
"I see", smiled the clerk. "Hope you and your wife have a lovely time while you're staying with us."
Ennis blinked, then wandered out, looking confused. He stopped, turned around and said, "Oh, I meant it's for my Mother-in-law, I call her mom."
"I see", smiled the clerk again. "Thank you."
Getting no satisfaction out of this exchange, Ennis just walked out to the truck and got in, driving around to the side where #19 and #21 were located, side by side. He had Claire check out both rooms before choosing which one she wanted. Since they were identical and both had the same view, she picked based on her favorite number, 19. And so it was decided.
Ennis checked his watch, told everyone they had an hour and a half to rest, get freshened up, and then they'd go eat somewhere.
He refreshed himself with a hot shower, put on clean boxers and lay on the bed farthest from the door. Jack did the same. When he reached over to put his arm over Ennis' waist, he found him stiff as a board, lying there all tense, not resting one bit. Jack raised his head to look at Ennis who was gnawing on a hangnail.
"I ain't getting any, till this party comes off without a hitch, am I?"
"Huh?"
"Do you want me to just hold you?"
"Sure, okay."
Jack wrapped himself around Ennis; tried snuggling, tried putting his nose against Ennis' neck. "Jesus H. Christ, Ennis! You gotta relax, let me in, okay?"
"Maybe this ain't such a good idea, Jack." And at that, he got up and began pacing around the room. As long as he'd been driving he was working toward the goal, but as soon as his body stopped moving, his mind took over and it was whirling.
"What are you doing, Ennis? Act like you're going to have a nervous breakdown, or else you're gonna give birth to a baby elephant!"
" The fuck you talking about?"
" I'm talking about you. You haven't said two words to me this whole day, and when I get you alone, you clam up worse than ever, Ennis."
"Well, I got lots a things on my mind, Jack. You know that! Whatta you want from me?"
"I want you to be here with me, Ennis. Right here, right now, in this motel room. Not off somewhere else in your mind, doing god knows what!"
"Well, this party is important, Jack. It's the biggest thing I've ever planned on my own in my whole life, you ever think about that?"
"Yeah, I've thought about that plenty, Ennis. Plenty. And what I want to know, is WHY? Why are you planning it on your own? Why haven't you shared this with me? She's not even YOUR mother, she's MINE!"
Jack's words struck Ennis right across the face. He sat down with a thump on the other bed, and just stared at Jack with wide eyes.
"she is so."
Tears of hurt and exhaustion puddled up on his lower lids. Only one ran over and streaked down his cheek, and he brushed it away angrily with the back of his hand. "she is so my mother too. she said she was, and she is. Don't you try an' ruin this for me, Jack."
Jack felt like a heel, and he came to Ennis with his apology and regret written across his face. He sat on the bed next to Ennis, reached out and put his arm around him. "I'm sorry Ennis, I sure didn't mean that. You know I didn't mean to be so selfish with you. I'm just hurt at being left out of all this."
"You ain't bein' left out, Jack! I been keepin' things from you, cause the surprise is for you, too!"
"Me?"
"I didn't know you was feelin' like this, bud. I've gone about this all the wrong way. I've screwed up everything."
"You're doing fine, Ennis. You'll see. It will all work out, and all your hard work will pay off. I'll be a little bit more patient, too."
Jack stood up and pulled Ennis with him, they went back to the bed that had been turned down. They got in bed, Jack spooned up behind Ennis and they pulled the covers up, clear up over their shoulders. Ennis turned off the bedside lamp, and Jack asked him, "you need to set an alarm?"
"Naw, doubt I'll sleep anyway."
The next thing they knew, John was knocking on their door. "You ready for dinner in there? Your guests are gettin' kinda hungry."
Jack opened the door, and invited his dad inside. "We're running a little late, Ennis was having some trouble unwinding, so it took a while to get to sleep. I think we got everything sorted out now."
John said, "Eewww, Jack. You know I don't want to hear any of the gorey details."
Wide-eyed, Jack said "What? OH NO, that's not what I meant, good god, dad. The truth is, we had to snap at each other a bit, get our ducks in a row, and then we could rest, but not before!"
"Hhmmmm, sounds like every other married couple I know."
"Exactly."
Just then they heard the shower shut off, so Jack shuttled his dad out the door. "We'll be over directly, be thinking about what you want for supper."
Jack went into the steamy bathroom, turned the water back on, and stepped into the tub, just long enough to run a quick soapy washcloth over his body, and let the steam get to his face and beard. He shaved in two minutes flat, and then came out to the relatively cool bedroom to dress.
Ennis looked better, although not thoroughly rested. He would do. Oh god yes, he would do. His hair was still wet, his curls all tight dark ringlets, but tousled from the towel. Jack loved this look the best, but his parents were waiting. He turned his back to Ennis as he dressed, but his mind could still see him, all long, strong muscles, and firm ass. Shit. Why did he have to think about Ennis' firm ass? They'll never get out of here as long as he keeps this up. Speaking of keeping this up, he was up all right. Shit!
Jack was slamming things around, looking for what was right beneath his very nose, but in such a state of arousal, he couldn't think straight.
"I'm going on over now. You need some time with me not here."
Jack guessed correctly that Ennis had seen him casting those longing looks at him.
When Jack walked next door to his parents' room, the door was open. Ennis was sitting beside Mama, looking at the tv remote control thing that had her fascinated. "See Ennis, you push the red button on this little dealy and the tv comes on all by itself, and you don't even have to get up and walk across the room. Push this one, and the sound goes higher, the opposite one, the sound goes lower." Ennis so enjoyed her excitement, he didn't tell her he'd had a remote just like it for several years.
Their heads were bent together as they studied this new fangled gadget, and Jack had to choke back the love that bowled him over. These two people were tops in his world, and he felt blessed, so blessed.
Eventually, he regained his voice, "Where's a workin man to get a decent night's supper 'round here?" he parodied.
Mama and Ennis looked at each other. "Oh, Johnny-Come-Lately is in a hurry to eat, now. Wonder where he was twenty minutes ago?"
Ennis laughed, "let's get outa here, okay?"
They walked across Federal to the intersection, and studied their choices down Main Street. "What's everyone want?" asked Ennis.
"Steak, fish, fast food, sandwiches, or good ol' American Diner Food at the Bus Station? They got some good apple pie."
Claire said, "I like the looks of that "Main Street Café" down the block. Bet they'll have a variety, and we can each get what we want." So that's just what they did. It was quiet at this late hour, most of the regulars having eaten an early dinner. They asked for and got the large round table.
Claire mentioned in a general way, that she and John had both spent their entire lives in the same northeastern Wyoming area, Crook County. Never knew any place else. Most of their friends were the same way.
Once they had their iced teas and coffee, Claire asked Ennis "Were you born and raised here in Riverton, Ennis?"
"Oh no, Mom. I was born over against the Utah border, down in Sage. Stayed there till my folks was gone. Me and KE lit out, looking for jobs, till he got married. Then I found Riverton just before I took the job up on Brokeback, twenty-one years ago.
They all quieted as the young waitress tried to remember who ordered what, and to get all the side dishes with the right order.
Each person was given the right food, and each had a clean napkin and proper flatware. "Thank you very much" said Claire as the girl whose tag declared "Hello my Name is Brenda", looked down at them, seemed satisfied she had it right, and said "Y'all enjoy your meal, now."
The men just grunted their agreement with what Claire said, but the girl didn't take any offense. She was used to it.
"Since you lived here the longest, and it's where you raised your girls, I suppose this is where you think of when you say 'home', am I right, Ennis?"
Ennis did not raise his eyes from his roast beef and mashed potatoes, for seemingly, an eternity. He knew Mom was just being pleasant, and making conversation. But a word like Home, was not something to ever be taken lightly with Ennis.
The tops of his ears got pink, Jack noticed, but Ennis appeared calm when he finally spoke, and he was shaking his head 'no'. "Well, Mom. To tell you the truth, it ain't exactly that way. And it never has been. To me, wherever Jack is, that's home. And now you, too. I never felt at home, otherwise, since the accident that made us kids orphans."
No one could eat another bite. The waitress noticed they were not eating and came over to the table. "Everything all right, here? You need me to get you something else?"
No one looked up to meet Brenda's eyes, but Claire said, "could I please have another glass of water?" and there were several "me too's" that followed.
Jack reached over and took Ennis' hand, and squeezed. Mom just sat there, quietly. When Jack saw a tear drop into her plate, he reached out his left hand and took her right.
John put his hand up on Ennis' shoulder, and gripped him, showing his support and approval. Seeing this, Claire took her husband's free hand and held it in her lap.
Still no one spoke for an eternity, and before long, they each had a sweating glass of cool water on the table in front of them. They hadn't seen them arrive, but gratefully grabbed them. Jack ran his across his forehead, before drinking it down like a parched man.
Ennis held his water glass to his cheeks, one then the other, before beginning to sip, still keeping his eyes down on his plate.
Claire sipped her water, then said "I can't stand this." And so saying, she got up and went around to Ennis' chair. He turned in his seat to accept her hug, and put his arms around her waist. She lay her cheek on his head. Still holding him, she said "You ain't never got to be away from home no more, my boy. You are ours and we are your family."
He kissed what was closest to him, her arm, and said "I know that. You've made me feel welcome and loved from the first. I want you to know how much that means to me, Mom. It means the world to me, it means everything."
Brenda looked up from her Civics homework, to see that these folks were still feeling emotional. Probably just came from a funeral or something, she thought. And she was grateful that the café had remained quiet and relatively empty for them. She began to read page 583 over again, her Final would be on Monday.
She gave them about 5 more minutes, then loaded up a tray with fresh cups of hot coffee, and new iced teas. She walked to the table, and exchanged the new drinks with the cold coffees and watery teas. And went away again.
"Well, I guess we're being a mite obvious here, aren't we? Even the little waitress is on to us." joked Claire. She squeezed Ennis' shoulders one more time, took his chin and made him look at her.
"You are so brave, Ennis. Thank you for telling us that."
"I sure never expected to ever get the chance to say this, ever again, but, Happy Mother's Day, Mom." And he smiled wide, clear up into his eyes, as he looked at her. She smiled back, and whispered "thank you, son." She kissed his cheek. Ennis got up and walked her back to her place, then helped push in her chair.
As he sat back down, he told them all, "Eat up folks, breakfast is a long ways away."
Little by little, they began to eat their meals once again, and eventually to talk about general topics and the upcoming party. After a bit, Brenda brought the coffee pot and the tea pitcher over for refills, and things got back to normal. 'Course their food was cold, but they didn't even notice.
Tbc in Chapter 44