A Better Idea - Chapter 44
Mother's Day, 1984 – The Party
This picks up following The Main St Café scene in Chapter 43.
Genre: BBM
Pairing: Ennis + Jack 4 Ever
Disclaimer: I created the OC's but not the O/S characters. They belong solely to the author, 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: The basic premise of ABI is that two men love each other. If you don't like m/m slash, you won't like ABI either.
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 - I'm not having much luck with formatting this as far as Bold, Song Title underlining, and pictures. They won't go where I need them. May have to put them at the end. Sorry it isn't coming out like the Word document. Hope it's not too much of an aggravation.
A/N #3 - I accidentally stole a line from Driving Miss Daisy, HAVE FUN LOOKING FOR IT!
Feedback: You bet. I hope you like it.
Chapter 44 Mother's Day – The Party
As they strolled up and down both sides of Main Street, enjoying the evening air, Claire took Jack's arm, and Ennis and John walked behind them.
"Well, that was quite something." offered John, by way of an opening.
Ennis stopped on the sidewalk and stared at him, "I didn't plan that, if that's what you're thinkin', old man."
"Now, don't get your dander up, Del Mar! I was just thinking out loud. Don't believe you could have given her anything she would have loved better. No sirree, nothing better than to have another son. . . to have you for a son, specifically."
"You really think so, dad?" Ennis beamed.
"I know so. Don't you see how she looks on you? And on you and Jack when you two're together? Puts her in heaven, it does."
Ennis just swallowed, and didn't say a word, though John saw him relax his shoulders, like all the fight had gone out of him.
After a time of strolling in companionable silence John resumed the conversation by asking "Now what's this building up the way there, Ennis?" pointing up the street a bit.
"That's the main Post Office for Riverton. Nice old building, beautiful woodwork inside, and the finest mural you ever wanta see. Painted back in 1942, it was, before Jack 'n me was even born. Matter of fact, it's the only mural I've ever laid eyes on, but there's something about it that draws me in, right into the picture. It's the strangest feeling. I'll bring you both over here tomorrow morning. We have some free time, and I'll show
you around. How's that sound?"
Meanwhile, Jack and his mama were checking out the sights, looking in shop windows and just taking it easy in the evening air.
But when Jack opened his mouth to speak, he shocked Claire out of her peaceful musing. "Must be a big change having a thoughtful son, after all a this time."
"What?!" exclaimed Claire
"Oh, Ennis is so good about showing you how much he appreciates you, not like me. Gone for more years than I can count. Taking you for granted all this time."
"You hush that kinda talk right now, Jack Twist. You are my son, you've always shown me that you appreciated me, and loved me. It was just your daddy you were avoiding back then, I know that."
"You knew? Even when I didn't write, or call for months on end, you knew I was thinking about ya?"
"Jack, 'course I did. I'm your mama. Tell you what, one of my fondest memories, is how you always yelled when you went out the door, "I love you, mama!" And even if you hadn't said it every time, I always knew it son!"
"Well good, I'm glad you knew. It's just that . . ."
"Yes, Ennis is precious the way he looks after me, him being without a mother all these years, it shows in his face, in everything he does. But do you think for one minute that I didn't know that you came back to the ranch every year for a week to help your daddy. . . . even when you were rodeoing, or when you lived in Texas, you think I didn't know that you were doing it for me? You think I didn't know you worried about me being here with him, the way he was?"
"Didn't know I was so transparent."
"Well, I'm your mama, you are plenty transparent to me, Jack. And a finer, more loving son, I could never have wished for."
"Most folks can't see that in me at all, mama. They think I'm selfish and . . ."
"I doubt that it's most folks, Jack. Maybe some do, but they just don't know you. They're not the ones who count, anyway son. You think a fine man like Ennis Del Mar would love you like crazy as he does, if you were less than I've said? Ennis has very high standards, in case you hadn't noticed it."
Jack grinned, and looked at his mother. "You're a doodle, mama!"
Claire smiled to herself as she and her son walked on down the street, Ennis and John falling farther and farther behind, talking about god-knows-what.
"So you think Ennis loves me like crazy, huh mama?"
"Are you fishing for assurances, or worms? You might be fishin' the wrong part o' the lake, young man!"
"That's okay, Mama, I know he does. I love him like crazy too, always have, always will. I'm just tickled somebody else besides me can see it too. He ain't the talkinest man I ever met."
Claire just about choked on her laughter, but she tried to cover it up. Didn't want to feel she was being disloyal to Ennis in any way.
The walk progressed with both of them quietly enjoying their own thoughts, and this new adventure of being in a town together for a celebration.
When they had walked out the kinks from that long drive today, and felt peace descend on them at last, they noted that the moon had risen in a sky that looked clear indicating a fine day tomorrow. The foursome said their good-nights at their doors.
"What time you want to get up in the morning? We can go to breakfast at that same café if you like. Think they open at six." Ennis informed the group. "Or you can sleep in, it's totally up to you."
"If you don't knock on our door by 6:30, we'll knock on yours. How's that?" Claire said as she kissed each of her boys good night.
"That's a deal! You know you can dial 0 on the phone, and get a wake up call, don't you?"
"The Operator will call and wake us up?" asked John incredulously.
"Yeah, the Motel operator, up at the front desk. They offer that service for free if you want it. Well, good night, see you in the morning."
"continuity break"
"Get your ass in this bed, Del Mar! Your man is waitin' and he ain't the patient type!"
Ennis peeked his head out of the bathroom, toothbrush sticking out of the side of his mouth, foam dripping . . . "Whuh?"
"Ooooh, that's a sexy look, Ennis."
"Are you crazy, Twist?"
"Yeah, about you. And mama said you was crazy about me, too!"
Ennis was toweling off the foam and the wet, as he walked shirtless, back into the bedroom. "What're you on about? Mom said WHAT?"
Jack reached for Ennis' belt buckle and proceeded to undo it, and pull the jeans and underwear off in one tug, then had to stop to get the boots off first. He knew he shouldn't get in such a hurry, but he just couldn't help himself where Ennis was concerned.
They'd had too damn few opportunities over the years to be within reach of the other, makin' up for it now. You bet.
When Ennis' cock sprung free, Jack just about swallowed his tongue in his haste to get to it. The noises that were coming out of Jack's mouth and throat, turned Ennis into a heated missile, ready to come too soon, too soon.
Jack let go for a second, and Ennis hated the coolness that took over without Jack's mouth on him. It was just for a second though, the time it took Jack to look up at Ennis and say, "Come for me, baby. Come for me, Ennis." And it was all over but the shoutin'.
Neither was aware of the time passing, only of warm, wet and knowing touches to all the right places, getting harder and faster as their intensity grew. When both were sated, satisfied and well fucked, they lay still and sticky in each other's arms to cool down. "You think they heard?"
"Shit, I don't know. I hope not. But nothin' we can do about it now, is there?"
Just then, there was a muffled noise from next door, and then a sound like a headboard hitting the common wall. And then quiet.
Jack and Ennis looked at each other, "what the fuck?" and then both bust out laughing. "guess it don't matter at all, now." Ennis got up to get a warm, wet wash cloth and a towel. He cleaned himself off, then Jack, kissing all the spots he was washing, as if he was blessing this man, and indeed he was, blessing his man.
Finally, a restful night's sleep. Ennis deserved it and he earned it.
"continuity break"
He woke around 5:00 a.m. and got busy scribbling on his legal pad.
His daughter was awake already too. Jenny was in charge of decorating the hall. She wasn't planning to begin that work until nine o'clock; that's the earliest they would give her the key and access to the party room. She knew they must all be in town already, and she wanted to see her Gran and Poppa.
She pulled on her jeans, tee shirt and sandals and quietly left the house while her mother and everyone else was still abed. She headed out into the cool morning, humming as she crossed 18th Street.
The desk clerk at the Jackpine Motel told her that her family was in #19 and #21. Getting no response to her knocks, she directed her feet down Main Street and found them at breakfast at the first place she looked.
During the all-round hugs, Gran whispered in Jenny's ear that she needed her help with something. It was a secret. But she needed a florist, or someone willing to let her cut some yellow roses.
Jenny said, "we'll talk to mama about this."
Lureen, Drew, Irene, Bruce and Bobby were breakfasting north of town at the Denny's. They'd come into Riverton yesterday evening as well, and were here to honor Bobby's Gran, for all she'd come to mean to him. Truth was, he already missed her, and he'd only been gone a week or so. Was taking his Spring Break up to his Gramma Newsome's to check out the Campus of CU, and look into their pre-vet-med curriculum.
Bobby had finally gotten that tutor in the beginning of his senior year, and they were at a loss as to how to challenge him given the limited class offerings. Then on his own, he'd found a Vet he could apprentice to on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. His experience with Doc Stanley had reinforced his desire to work with animals, and his comfort level with the academic side of this pursuit increased by leaps and bounds. Doc had been a mentor to another student a couple years ahead of Bobby, and he knew the way to let the boy grow in confidence and ability was to give him hands-on experience as often as possible. Bobby was hoping for a full-time assistant job with a veterinarian this summer for more experience, and to earn his own spending money.
Bobby was watching the time; he was anxious to get over to the hotel party room, Jenny would be there waiting for him and the others to decorate the room. As it happened, Junior and Kurt gave them a hand, and the previously bare room was soon looking festive. They had crepe paper streamers, ribbons and balloons. The florist would deliver the corsages at noon.
"continuity break"
While the young folk were decorating, Ennis made good on his offer to take Mom and dad to see the Riverton Post Office and to point out the mural that was so compelling to him. Jack had not seen it either, of course. He innocently blurted out his thoughts the moment he laid eyes on it. "Jesus, it's us, Ennis."
"What're you goin' on about, Jack? We wasn't even born when this mural was painted back in '42. "
"I know we wasn't, but how can this be any clearer? They're herding and caring for the sheep. One's tall, blond and wearing his tan hat and coat.
The other's wearing my black hat and my green lambswool lined coat. Holy shit! You've always known about this mural, Ennis?"
(Unable to paste picture here - see end)
"Well, no. I mean yes. Guess I seen it the first day I came into Riverton cause Alma sent me over here to talk to her dad about a job board. Only I didn't pay any attention to it, all I cared about after Mr. Beers showed me the letter, was contacting the Farm and Ranch Employment about getting that job up on Brokeback for the summer. I was almost dead broke. Mr. Beers, he was a good man, Jack. It's because a him that we met; you and me, I mean. But um . . .it was cause a him that I married Alma too."
They each looked back up at the mural while Mom walked up to the plaque to see who painted this mural, and when. 'Ennis was right', she thought, '1942. The artist is George Vander Sluis, don't think I ever heard of him. Didn't know either, that Wyoming post offices had murals in them.'
Ennis continued, "It was only after we came back down from that mountain that this mural started meaning something to me, pulling me in, kinda like. But to tell you the truth, Jack, looking at it pained me, gave me gut cramps likely as not, so I didn't really want to look at it that much."
"Yeah, well I can see why, Cowboy. It's all right now though, ain't it?"
"You bet, now I think it's beautiful, and amazing! Now I want everyone to see it. Wish we had us a picture of you and me back then; of our 19 year old selves. "
"As long as either one of us is alive, we'll have those memories, Ennis. Far as I can tell, you ain't changed in twenty years, look as good to me now Cowboy, as you did back then."
"Yeah, Jack, I know just what you mean. You ain't changed in my eyes, you only get better day by day."
John was taking it all in and not saying much, but he was stunned that a piece of art could mean so much to so many members of his family. He planned to ask Jenny if she ever noticed this, or if it meant anything special to her now that she was grown and she had learned the history of her dad and Jack. Maybe Junior had seen it and thought of it too, he would ask her. This was powerful.
"continuity break"
They reluctantly left the post office, crossed the street, and stepped back in to the Main Street Café. Brenda was on duty by this time. She smiled and beckoned them to the same round table they'd shared the first time she saw them. Was that just yesterday? Goodness. How time flies.
"Coffee, all around?" she asked.
"No, too warm for coffee just now. Ice tea for me, please Brenda." And a chorus of me too's followed. When she returned with their drinks, she brought four menus, but they were unsure about food, so they needed a minute. They wanted a bite to eat, but knew that there would be party food very soon. They decided on a couple of club sandwiches, shared amongst the four of them.
Refreshed and replenished, they sat around the table sipping more iced tea while they made their plan. Claire and John would go back to the motel, rest in their room and get ready for the party. Jack and Ennis would knock on their door at 2 o'clock sharp to escort them over.
Ennis would like to rest too, he'd been up since before dawn, but he didn't know if he could. This party planning was harder than it looked, he thought. 'I just hope it comes off like I planned, and that Mom has a good time.'
They went to the party room, but Ennis wouldn't let Jack in, he didn't want him to see Bobby yet, or start asking questions about who would be there. Jack walked back to their room and began polishing his and Ennis' boots for the party. Ennis came in, admired his work and gave him a big hug. Ennis pulled Jack with him, they lay down on the bed. Jack was all wrapped up in Ennis' long arms, while Ennis nuzzled the back of Jack's very male neck with the dark hairs that tickled his nose. They had about twenty minutes before it was time to pick up the parents. "See, this is what folks do who don't have animals to feed, and a ranch to run." Ennis said.
"What, they jump into bed every time they pass one?"
"Well, they do if they got somebody like you to snuggle with, yeah."
Jack chuckled so, he shook the bed.
"Everything all set for the party?" asked Jack.
"Yeah, good as I can think of, I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting, but I don't know what it might be."
"I know what you've forgotten, Ennis, and I can help you with it, too."
"Oh yeah, what's that, bud?"
"You forgot to hire me to play the harmonica. Lucky for you I brought mine along."
That made Ennis smile, and squeeze Jack even more. "You try it and I'll have you arrested for disturbing the peace, this is a decent law-abiding town, you know."
They both closed their eyes for about five minutes, but could not banish the smiles from their faces. Then it was time to get up, brush teeth, freshen up a bit and go next door to begin the festivities.
"continuity break"
At last 2:00 came and Claire was dressed and waiting for her sons to walk her over to the party. As they walked, she clung to Ennis' arm, stating "I've never had anything like this happen to me before, son. Hope I don't faint, or anything."
"Oh, you'll be fine, Mom. I'm the one who might faint. But really, this is nothing. It's just a little bitty part of what you deserve, not near what I'd like to do for you."
She clapped her hands with glee, when she saw the room. Streamers and balloons of pink, violet and green, festooned the hall, and the tables had been draped with soft white paper. Each table held one cream colored candle in a hurricane lamp, laced with the same colors of ribbon. The crepe paper, balloons and ribbons all tied in with each other in that same color scheme. 'How did that Jenny know my favorite colors?', she wondered. She then realized that they'd spent the previous summer together, day after day, and special occasions since. She has picked up on many, many things. 'Good girl.'
Claire was now in her place of honor. Her first surprise was Bobby walking in by himself, looking so much like his dad that it took her breath away; he greeted her affectionately and then returned to the door. He escorted his mother and grandmother in, and sat them at the head table with Gran. The women all nodded at each other, then Lureen took hold of her former mother-in-law's hand. They all smiled in anticipation and watched the door to see what would happen next.
Soon Jenny and Junior walked in, hugged Gran, kissed her on the cheek and then went to the door to escort Alma in. They sat her at the head table as well, on the other side of Gran. She didn't have time to become really uncomfortable because Lureen began talking with her right away, as did Irene and Gran.
Ennis had ordered a corsage for each of the mothers' present.
Mom, of course, Alma, Lureen and Irene. He had let the florist advise him, and not knowing what color the ladies would wear, he settled for a cream color carnation with thin violet and green ribbons.
Jenny had taken those as her color scheme, and everything looked beautiful together.
Jack approached Mama, kissed her and asked if he might pin on her corsage, and she agreed.
Bobby approached Alma, greeted her warmly and asked if he might pin on her corsage. Shyly, she agreed. Privately, she wished her parents could have been here to see Ennis proving himself to be the good man they'd always thought he was. But her sister, Lily, had her first baby yesterday and they'd gone to Cheyenne to be with her and her husband.
Ennis went to Lureen and did the same. Nothing shy about her response. She said yes, then when he had the flower secured, she stood up and hugged him tightly. It meant a lot to Ennis, but he blushed anyway.
By this time, Jack had gone to Irene, his former mother-in-law and had pinned her corsage on the lapel of her suit. She was wearing a pantsuit, and hoped it was alright. She soon found out that anything goes at this type of family party. A thought flashed through her mind of how L.D. would have protested a thing like this party, would not have come and would not have allowed her to either. She quickly banished that memory and determined to have herself a good time today, with this new and ever growing family.
The men were hanging in the background and acting kinda edgy around so many women and so many flowers. Ennis decided it was time to get this show on the road, so he took center stage in the room and raised his voice.
"All you who are not mothers, please go out to the other room and bring in everyone else, all the family and friends of the family."
In no particular order, came Monroe and Alma's two youngest, both boys; Kurt Rawlins, Junior's fiancé and his sister and brother-in-law; Herman Stodemeir and his aunt Greta Stodemeir, Drew, Lureen's new friend; and yes, Bruce, Irene's friend. He was still around.
"Now while I still have the ladies together at the Head Table, let's all give them a nice round of applause." Ennis paused to let that happen, and there was an enthusiastic, prolonged homage to the women at that honored table.
"Welcome to everyone who has come to celebrate Mother's Day with us today. As you may or may not know, since I lost my mother at such a young age, I am especially fond of, and respect anyone who can be a good mother. We have four such women here today. They have meant the world to Jack and me, and made our lives possible, and bearable, and much of the time, happy. We won't go into the times they terrified us." He smiled and everyone laughed.
"I give a special salute to my new Mom, Claire Twist, Jack's mother, who has taken me in and welcomed me into her family." At this time, Ennis was almost choking, but he got it all out plainly. He walked to the front table, took her hand and kissed it while looking into her eyes, so she could see that he meant every word of it.
Turning toward the food tables, he said "Okay folks . . "
But behind him, Claire had risen, and she said "Ennis, Wait, we have one more mother to be honored who could not be with us today. Jenny?"
Jenny walked toward her daddy carrying a cake with "Happy Mother's Day Elly" written in bright yellow letters on white icing, and Bobby followed her carrying a vase of 12 yellow roses. Ennis swallowed, he didn't know where to look or what to do.
"This day would not have been complete without acknowledging the very fine, strong woman who gave birth to Ennis del Mar, and loved him and raised him until he was 13. She was taken away from him too soon. Elnora Rose McCain Del Mar, we will never let your memory fade." And Claire sat down to thunderous applause from the little crowd.
Ennis just stood there, the reins having been effectively stripped from him, he used his right hand to rub each eye once, and then he braced himself for the rest of the party.
Then while most of the folks stood in little groups and talked among themselves, each of the ladies at the head table, opened the gift that was placed in front of them.
Ennis had done this one more thing that he hoped would be well received. He had an old black and white snapshot blown up to 5 x 7 and put in a white frame with a black mat trimmed in white for mom for Mother's Day. It was a photo of her and baby Jack when he was nearly a year old. He was holding onto a chair and reaching out, getting ready to take his first steps to his mother. She was reaching both arms out to him to catch him if he should fall.
Claire smiled through her tears when she saw the picture of herself as a young mother with her lively little boy. "Where? . . .How? . . .thank you, Ennis."
Ennis had immediately loved the picture when he first saw it. It showed Jack's little face, how excited and proud he was of himself, he was going to let go of that chair, and he'd be walking like a big boy. To Ennis, that spirit of Jack's to try something new and difficult is what attracted him to Jack in the first place.
Whereas Ennis was the type to scope out a situation, figure the safest way to get what he needed, Jack would just "go for it" if he wanted it. Ennis, for the one millionth time, thanked God or whoever controlled such things, that Jack had wanted him, and had gone for it with everything he had inside him.
Each of the women received the same style gift, only the photographs were different. He had a lot of helpers to swipe all these special snapshots, it was a team effort.
Alma got two picture frames, one with the two girls, and another of her and her boys. She was so touched, all this was totally unexpected. Jenny and Junior were proud of their slight of hand, to find the pictures and get them out of Alma's stash undetected. Ennis had had them copied in black and white. The frames were just like Mom's. Of course, the original prints were returned, as they were not damaged in the process of copying them.
Lureen received a picture of her and Bobby when he was a baby, she was giving him a bath in a plastic tub, and he was splashing water everywhere with his yellow ducky. Lureen knew the duck was yellow, but it was all black and white in the photo. She wasn't really surprised that she got a picture, because she'd been asked to get hold of one of herself with her mother, so she kinda figured it out. Still it was a lovely gesture, and it was interesting to see which photo Bobby would choose, she was sure it was one that would mean a lot to him. And she couldn't deny it was a beautiful result.
Lureen peeked at her mother, to see her reaction to the photo she had chosen for Ennis' gift. The snapshot was of Lureen at about two. Irene had sat her up on her first horse, and the little girl was dressed in riding clothes. Irene's hair was long and auburn, and she was beautiful. Her eyes did not stray from her daughter. It was the rare picture where L.D. did not inject himself into the center of things. But just this once, it was mother and daughter alone, which was why it was so special to Lureen. She noted that Irene wiped a tear, just a bit, but was smiling proudly. Lureen took a deep breath, and wished her own mother a Happy Mother's Day.
The women were asked to turn their photos around so everyone could see them; then the folks all lined up for the delicious smelling buffet that was stretched across the back wall. The honorees were put at the head of the line, and told that once they filled their plates, they should find their picture on a table, and that would be their table. Everyone who wanted to sit with them could then find them and join them with their own full plate.
"Bobby, will you place the photographs on the tables please, son? Wherever you wish will be fine. If you want to, you can help the ladies find their tables, and carry any items they need help with."
Ennis had thought to have music, but just had a tape of old songs that were popular when Mom was a young girl. She liked the fact that he put so much thought into it, and liked the music from the time of the long ago war.
Oh don't sit under the apple tree
With anyone else but me
Anyone else but me
No, no, no, don't sit under the apple tree
With anyone else but me
Till I come marching home
Ennis looked over and saw John singing to Claire when the first song came on. It swept them both back to the time they were young. He poked Jack in the side and nodded his head at them so Jack would see this too.
All the little kids got into the act when the next song came on. It was "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B". No one could sit still with that song playing such a lively cadence. They marched and twirled and danced till they all fell down, which was what they'd hoped for.
After a while however, Jenny, Bobby and the other young people began to moan and groan when the old songs came on, so Claire suggested they turn off the music. "We've loved it Ennis, but we are driving the kids crazy. We don't mind, really!"
Jenny flushed, but told the truth. "Well, dad, we saw all the music you brought and so we brought our own. Can we play it, can we, dad?"
Ennis gave in about the music. Then he and Jack managed to mingle, to get to every table and sit awhile, and visit with or meet for the first time, everyone at the party. Everyone eventually moved from table to table to meet and talk and just enjoy the celebration.
Lureen and Irene introduced their gentlemen friends, Drew and Bruce to Jack and Ennis, who had ended up at the same table at the same time, quite by accident. After the initial, "what do you do?" types of getting acquainted questions, the men seemed to hit it off just fine with each other.
Bruce told Ennis, "I thought what you've planned here today was just so very thoughtful. I know these gals will never forget it."
"Thanks, Bruce, I hope you're right. We owe them all so much."
Claire was in all her glory. She not only had two sons now, she had three new grandchildren. Well, Bobby always was her grandson, but she had not seen him before a year ago, so he feels as new as Jenny and Junior. And Lureen and Alma were so very different from each other, but just so precious and interesting, if things were different, she'd be happy to have them as daughters-in-law. 'But the relationships are just fine the way they are now. I like how all this worked out', she thought.
Monroe looked at Alma Jean or AJ as he called her, and said "Your husband seems like a really nice guy, and I believe he's happier than I've ever seen him."
"Well, I hope you are." she replied.
"No, no I mean Ennis. You're teasing me."
"Yes, buttercup, I'm teasing you. But I agree with everything you've said. I sure never thought I'd like him again, or that I could stand to be in the same room as him. And here we are celebrating family occasions together like this. It takes the pressure off, don't you think? 'S a lot easier on the girls too, if we can be friends."
"I like that he admits what a wonderful mother my wife is." stated Monroe.
"Yeah, I like that too, even though he never denied it. Ennis and I only had one issue between us, and that was that he married me knowing he already loved Jack Twist. I think we was both so young that he didn't know what was the right thing to do, he was just trying his best, and so was I."
"Well, I for one am very happy he chose someone else. Otherwise you'd still be married to him, and I'd still have a broken heart."
Alma kissed her Monroe, and then went to check on her boys. She was very happy things had turned out like this too. Monroe was a good man, stable, and he loved her with all his heart. She never had to worry or wonder who took first place with him, like she had with Ennis.
Everyone had the choice of either strawberry shortcake, or devil's food cake; that's what Ennis had ordered. But when he went to the dessert table, his mother's cake was there along with the other desserts. The cut glass flower vase holding the yellow roses had a card leaning against it, which read:
Happy Mother's Day, Elly Del Mar
from
your son, Ennis and his extended family
For the first time in his life, Ennis could think of his mother without overriding sadness. He was celebrating her today too.
He turned to the room in general and called loudly, "Looks like we got a pineapple cake with cream cheese icing, folks. Come and get it before it's all gone." And he proceeded to cut it into square portions. He even cut through his mother's name without flinching in pain.
He felt a tug on his arm, and turned to see Jack looking at him. "You gonna eat anything today, or are you waiting to wake me in the middle of the night cause you're starving?"
"You're right Jack; this party is running on its own now. So I will fix a plate, and sit down and eat."
"I'm way ahead a ya, Cowboy. Yer plate is right over there at Mama's table, and so is mine. Let's eat. Which dessert do you want?"
Ennis chose the cake that Mom had ordered, the pineapple cake, and he got them both a big piece. "This good?" he asked Jack. "Yep." he said.
And they took a load off, resting for the first time since the party began.
Jenny and Bobby were playing host, they carried a tray with a pot of coffee, cups and all the fixings, around to all the tables. It hit the spot after this great meal.
When Junior and Kurt joined Gran, Ennis and Jack at table, they began to remind everyone that their wedding was less than a month away. "Gran, I thought we'd go to my church in the morning, that way you'll know where it is, and won't get lost. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, Junior. Your Methodist church will be just fine. I'll look forward to it. Can you and Kurt pick me up, or do I have to get one of these men to take me?"
The arrangements were settled, and Gran indicated that she was getting tired. Wondered if her boys would mind if they went on back to their room. She thought the party would undoubtedly go on for at least another hour, but would soon wind down after that.
Just as she and John were about to rise from the table, Herman Stodemeir, and his Aunt Greta stopped by to pay their respects as they had to get her back to her retirement home.
"Greta, this is the young man who found our family bible and restored it to us, and who later flipped his truck when my automobile backfired. At long last, I'm pleased to introduce you to Ennis Del Mar."
"Ennis this is my aunt, Greta Stodemeir."
Ennis had stood when they approached. He shook hands with his friend and former boss, and his aunt. They spoke a minute, especially about their gratitude for Ennis finding the family bible, and then Ennis turned to introduce them to the folks at his table.
Upon meeting Claire, John and Jack, Herman said "I'm so glad you've recovered so well following your stroke, Mr. Twist."
John mumbled his thanks.
"Your son-in-law here, was worried sick about you, and couldn't wait every Friday to get up there to help out. He's a fine young man."
Both Claire and John nodded their agreement, and thanked him.
Continuing, Herman said, "I sure would like to meet your daughter, sir, while I'm here today. I'd tell her what a fine, dedicated man she is married to. Is she here?"
John blinked, and Claire opened her mouth but nothing came out. Then John said, "Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to have more children. Jack here, is our only child."
Jack stood firmly at Ennis' side and said, "It's my father that Ennis came to help after his stroke. I'm the one Ennis is married to, and yes, I agree, he's a fine dedicated man. The best."
"Daddy, is everything all right?" asked Junior. She and Kurt, along with Kendra and Anthony were intending to say their good-byes as they felt they had to get back. So, the timing was a little awkward when the young ones walked up to the standing group. It seemed that Mr. Stodemeir, who'd been a brick when daddy had hurt himself, was bristling, and the air was tense. Junior raised an eyebrow and her group backed off a few paces - it was apparent that daddy was in the middle a something.
"Herman, you drove us from the hospital to the airport, I thought you knew, all this time, that it was Jack. . ."
Herman had initially turned white, and at this time he was in the process of turning bright red. He spluttered "All this time, I thought you were a good man!"
Ennis was completely taken aback, and said nothing. He could think of nothing to say. He didn't intend to defend himself for loving Jack.
Greta took Herman's arm, "Nephew, you are being rude to our hosts. Please stop . . ."
He angrily shook off her hand, his eyes filled with tears and his voice with venom. "I have loved you like a son, and now I find that you are nothing but a queer! Your name is in my will to inherit my ranch! I cannot believe this is happening!"
"Nor can I." quietly stated Ennis.
Herman had not raised his voice, had lowered it in fact. Nevertheless, a chilled atmosphere had taken over the space.
Junior left Kurt and his sister and brother-in-law to stand at her daddy's side, and Jenny and Bobby put down the coffee tray to be there, for support as well.
Herman stood with his lips clenched in a thin line across his disapproving face. While Greta wrung her fine linen handkerchief into a wadded mess.
Alma had taken Thomas, her youngest to the toilet, and was returning when she noted the body language of the group around the elder Twist's table. She saw Junior run her arm up her daddy's back in a comforting gesture, a habit she was sure the girl didn't even realize she had. So Alma walked over to investigate why Ennis might need comforting.
Without hearing a word, she took in the scene and promptly walked over and stood all of her 5' ½" frame in front of Ennis, facing Herman Stodemeir. "Sir, you are not welcome here."
By this time, Monroe had come in search of Alma, and found the situation charged to the max. He stood beside Ennis, and put his hand on Alma's shoulder. "Everything all right here, AJ?"
He looked sternly at Mr. Stodemeir, as well, and eventually, the fire and fight went out of Herman, and he slumped. "Let's go, Aunt." he said. He turned to Ennis for one long last look of regret, for the son he thought he knew, and thought he'd loved.
When the Stodemeir's left, everyone took a new breath, they hadn't realized they were holding. They were giddy in relief and in disbelief that such a thing should happen to them in the middle of a wonderful celebration.
Ennis grabbed Alma. "SIR YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!" he laughed as he repeated her words. "My hero!"
Joining in the laughter was Monroe, "Is that what she said to him?! Oh, my god AJ, what possessed you?"
Jack was beaming at Alma, he was grateful that she had taken matters into her own hands before he had to punch an old man. He did not want to do that, but would have if it should have become necessary.
Both the girls stroked their daddy's shoulders and back in blessed relief, and he looked at them and rubbed his thumbs down their faces as he had done since they were babies.
Bobby came to Jack, grateful that this ugly scene was over. "whew!" He leaned into his dad, too old for a hug now. "You git mucha that?" he asked his dad.
"Naw, not much son. Nothin' for you to worry about, anyway."
"Well, sure wouldn't want some Crazies taken a tire iron to you and Ennis. I'm just sayin . . ." he swallowed a lump in his throat.
"Bobby that ain't gonna happen, son. And I love you too. We both do"
It became apparent that many of the partiers hadn't noticed a thing and some were dancing to the music, some singing along, some were eyeing the dessert table, thinking of seconds.
A glance at Lureen's and Irene's table assured Jack that they had not noticed anything amiss, and were having a good time. Irene was dancing with Albert, Alma's oldest boy and he was spinning and spinning. Bruce cut in, and all three danced to "Uptown Girl".
Once he was over the worst of the shock, Ennis turned to hug Jack to his chest, locking his arms around him momentarily, and rubbing his stubble against Jack's stubble to reassure his man and himself that they were alright and still together.
Ennis then turned to Mom and JC to see how they had held up through this ordeal. He saw them, forehead to forehead talking over something in private, low tones. "Whatever comes, they are our boys and they belong together. Yes, it's still a risk."
"A risk worth taking, that's undeniable."
"Yes, we just have to love and support them."
"I can do that."
"I love you so much."
"Love you too, Clarey"
When they had settled the matter, they again were talking of leaving, but changed their minds in favor of some coffee and dessert.
There was no way that Ennis or Jack could resume eating now, luckily they had finished about half of their meal. The excitement was over, but they were still keyed up. At that moment, a new song came on, and Ennis took Jack's hand in his. "I wish I could dance to this with you, darlin'." "Every Breath You Take" was one of his favorites, so he asked Mom to dance instead.
With his best gal in his arms, dancing to that great song Ennis felt good. But soon there came a tap on his shoulder and Jack asked, "May I cut in?" and Ennis began to back out to let Jack dance with his mother. "No, you stay, Ennis." So Claire began to back away. "No, let's all dance." So it happened that Ennis was able to dance with Jack to this song that he loved, and to dance with Mom too. The three of them were not the smoothest dance team on the floor, but they were the happiest.
Even John was tempted to shake a leg, when "Islands In The Stream" began, and he looked for his wife. She wasn't in sight at the moment, so he asked Jenny to dance, and she accepted. "I didn't know you could dance, Poppa!"
He laughed, "Me neither."
At some point in the evening, Jack danced with Irene, Ennis with Lureen, and Monroe and Alma got out on the dance floor between chasing their boys.
John and Claire looked for each other when "All Night Long" began, and were soon dancing and singing to each other along with Lionel Richie. During this song, Jack and Ennis were holding hands and talking with Drew and Bruce about life in Denver and how they liked the city. Their dates had gone to the powder room.
Ennis motioned Monroe over when the dance was done, to bring him into the conversation of the men. They had nothing in common, any of them, due to their jobs or professions, but they were a congenial group nonetheless. They laughed about it even: a grocer, a pilot, a contractor, a salesman, and a rancher. They found the only thing they had in common was a love of baseball.
"Well, I'm beginning to get tired" explained Mom, by way of saying good night to Ennis. He glanced at his watch, and gasped.
"Hang on a minute, okay?" she nodded, and he stepped to the middle of the room once more.
"Friends, time flies when you're having fun. We only have this room till midnight, and it's now 11:30. We can keep the music going, and we can move the desserts to Jack's and my room. The rest has to be cleaned up and disposed of. Who's willing to pitch in?
Everyone was enjoying the camaraderie, so they began collecting cups and plates, throwing everything away that was disposable. The dishes were stacked in the tubs for that purpose, and the silverware placed in the bins.
Alma wet a cloth to wipe off the chairs. Monroe took it upon himself to begin folding up the chairs and stacking them on the chair dolly. Kurt rumpled up all of the tablecloths and pushed them into the large trash bin in the back room. Jack was folding up all the round tables and placing them in the rack.
Drew grabbed a broom and began sweeping the floor. Irene checked the Ladies Room, and Bruce the Men's Room. Albert and Thomas were oblivious to all this as they slept on a couple cushions on the floor by the wall near where Alma had been sitting.
Ennis was helping the kids reach all the scotch-taped crepe paper streamers so they didn't leave any bits dangling. He remembered the hurricane lamps. "Oh, I forgot, to tell everyone. The lamps on your tables are souvenirs for the Mother who sat at that table. Take them with you." There were more tables than mothers, so Junior and Jenny each got to keep one of the hurricane lamps.
Bobby gathered the stereo system and his and Jenny's tapes and carried them over to Dad 'n Ennis' room for the moment. Then he went back and retrieved Ennis' old style music tapes too.
Jack met him halfway, carrying a tray of desserts that were leftover. When they returned to the party room, all looked ship shape.
Everyone was in the middle of the floor congratulating themselves on a job well and quickly done. It was 11:50. Jack saw Ennis enter from the kitchen, and went over to him. "All clear?"
"Yep. We've fulfilled the contract I signed. The only things left are the dishes and they have agreed to run those through their dish washer tomorrow. They prefer that, in fact."
"This is a good party room, Ennis."
"Is it? I never been in one so I didn't know what to expect."
"Yes, you chose well, Ennis." Mom had come up behind him with a wet cloth in her hands. She'd thought about small children with sticky fingers, and had decided to wash off all the window sills and doorframes. John followed behind her and dried the surfaces that she cleaned. They stowed the rags in the laundry bag.
Ennis turned out the lights and locked the door at 12:00 sharp. He would walk up and take the keys to the office now, so it was not on his mind all night.
When Ennis returned, the party had moved to the parking lot where friends, old and new were saying good night or deciding to go somewhere else to continue the revelry.
Mom and dad waved to their boys and turned into room #19.
Ennis and Jack stayed in the parking lot long enough to shush those who might disturb others who were trying to sleep in this motel, and to say "rain check" to those who wanted to hit the bars and keep going awhile.
When the lot was cleared, Ennis took Jack's arm and directed him to the truck. He proceeded to pull out two lawn chairs which he handed to Jack, and pulld two beers from their cooler.
He directed him to the line of trees along the edge of the motel lot, away from the flashing
M O T E L sign. They opened their chairs and sat down, stretched out their long legs, popped the caps off their beers, and clinked the necks of the bottles together. Then sighed.
"Look at that moon, darlin'" said a contented Ennis Del Mar.
TBC
Special added attractions here: If these links have disappeared again, Please go to ABI - 44 in LJ. I apologize for this inconvenience.
To see and hear the old songs of Claire's and John's not the best sound – kinda tinny)
To see what the top songs of 1983 were that Bobby and Jenny might have bought tapes for – remember, it took a while back then for songs and fashions to hit Wyoming, starting as they do on the Coasts.
To see the website containing murals from several post offices including the Riverton, WY post office that I've talked about in this story. I hope you enjoy this look into the past.
Annie Proulx says she did not see this mural, but we don't know whether Ang Lee did or not.
Here's a picture of the astounding mural in the Riverton Post Office that my friend Joe took in June, 2006. Enjoy.
Judy/Ohiomyown
a href"http://pics. src"http://pics. width"320" height"240" border'0'/a