A Better Idea - Chapter 47

May, 1984

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 - Huge THANK YOU to all my readers who are still hanging on. It has been quite awhile since I've updated ABI, and your patience (and a little nagging) is appreciated. After 1/22/08 I didn't think I could ever read or write fanfic again, but I have returned. It feels healing for me, though I will never completely heal from the loss of my Heath.

A/N #2 - I enjoy 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 #3 – Dedicated to all who loved Heath Ledger; He will never be forgotten.

Feedback: You bet. I hope you like it.

Chapter 47

Several minutes later, Ennis was still sitting quietly on his side of the truck.

"What's on your mind, Ennis? Why so quiet?"

"Thinking about all the family we had at the party. How nice that was."

"Yeah, that was really nice."

"Yeah, but I can't help feeling sorry that I haven't made an attempt to keep in touch with my side of the family, Jack."

"How you figger that? We had Alma 'n Monroe and their kids, Junior and Kurt, Jenny. . They're your side of the family"

"True."

"So what is it really, Ennis?"

"Herman hurt my feelings, Jack. I been his friend a long, long time and I'm useta him likin' me and givin' me respect for all my hard work, for bein' the best hand he's ever had. And just for being me, an honest good man. That really hurt me, how he went off all crazy-like at the party. And lookin at us like we was just somethin he'd scraped off the bottom of his work boots."

"Yeah, I know it really bothered you, Cowboy. So what're you plannin' ta do about it?"

"Well, Jack, I been settin here thinkin on that. I wanta invite K.E. ta Junior's weddin'. Yeah, and my sister Maggie, too. What'dya think?"

"Ennis, it's your brother and sister, and if you want them to come to your daughter's weddin' that'll be up to you. But if I were you, I'd think some on it first."

"Been thinkin on it."

"I know you have, darlin', but don't you agree this should be Junior's day? Junior's and Kurt's. You sure you want to risk a family ruckus on their most important day?"

"Hmmm, no. I sure as hell wouldn't."

"Another thing for the father of the bride to think on; where should your focus be on that day but on the beautiful Alma Junior Del Mar?"

"Yer right, Jack. I was just thinking how nice it would be for Junior to have a Del Mar uncle and aunt come see her on her most important day."

"Well, that is right. All things being equal, or normal or . . . guess I don't know how to say it right. It's just that they are going to have a big shock to get used to, meanin ME, standin up there next to their little brother."

"You make a lot a sense, Jack. They need to get the shock over with before the weddin. That's obvious; or it won't do Junior no good, them bein there."

"That sounds about right. How you gonna find'em Ennis?"

"I have no idea, Jack."

As each day blended into the next that following week, Ennis became more withdrawn.

Claire noticed that the boy seemed to have something on his mind; he didn't joke around with Bobby, nor engage John in any baseball speculation though the season was upon them. On Saturday when he came over to help move her parlor furniture and carry the rug out to be beaten, she thought she might approach him, see if he would be forthcoming about whatever was worrying him.

"Ennis?"

"Yes, Mom?"

"Is something bothering you, dear?"

"Well, yes, I guess you could say so. I don't know where my brother is."

"When was the last time you talked to him, son?"

"Uh, it was April, 1963 when he got married."

"But that's 21 years ago; you've written each other letters, surely."

"Uh, no."

"Then why are you now concerned that you don't know where he is?"

"For the wedding, Mom. I'd like to have my family at Junior's wedding."

"Oh, I see. Yes, you must make every effort to find him then. But, Ennis, if you cannot, you know that we are your family now. You know that, don't you, son?"

"You bet, I do know that. And I never expected to have nothing so fine."

They resumed the chore of bringing everything from the parlor out into the sun for its Spring dusting. The knick-knacks and picture frames were taken into the kitchen for a good scrubbing. She did this every Spring, but this year especially, for she had no intention of moving Wyoming dirt and dust with her when they left.

Ennis carried out the footstool that was covered by crewel embroidery that Claire's mother had stitched. She spied it, and it brought back memories of that winter when Dessie had worked her fingers till they were stiff and sore over this beautiful piece. Before that, they hadn't realized that she had rheumatism.

"Thing is, Mom. I don't know where to start or how to find K.E."

"Where did he live? We could try calling Information, couldn't we?"

Ennis loved how she immediately sided with him; and his quest was cut in half because she was now with him on this. She had said "we".

As soon as the ancient wool carpet was divested of its winter soot and dirt, and was replaced in the parlor; the sturdy, threadbare furniture was returned to its accustomed places in the room. Ennis hoped they could now get on with their search for K.E.

Mom said, "Let's get some lunch on the table Ennis. Jack and his daddy will be in any time now, hungry as bears, not to mention Bobby, the boy with the hollow leg. After we take care of lunch, then we can see what we can find out."

"What's going on? Find out about what, Gran?" Bobby asked as he walked in the door, starving as only a teenager can, and sweating from running up the lane. He pushed his hair off his forehead to cool off. In that one gesture he reminded Ennis of his Jack, and how many times he'd seen him do that very same thing. For a moment, he was distracted by his sweet memories.

Speaking of the handsome devil, the door opened again and John and Jack walked in. They were returning from Iris and Walter's place where they were coordinating plans for the family's moves.

Jack put his arm around Ennis' shoulders and gave him a quick squeeze as he entered the kitchen. He got a smile from his man, for the attention. Bobby smiled and rolled his eyes at them.

After lunch, the men headed back out to check the stock. But Ennis begged off, explaining that he and mom were working on something. They had a pen and tablet ready for when they made their first call. They were prepared to follow every lead until they found KE even if it took them weeks.

Mom dialed zero, and the Operator answered right away. "Yes, please. I'm looking for the number for K.E. Del Mar in Shoshoni, Wyoming. Thank you. What?"

"Your number is 307-307-7373."

"Oh! Ennis, write this down, 307-307-7373."

Ennis felt like his fingers were twice the size they should be to fit in the dial holes. Dialing this phone was like a strange activity, meant for someone else's life. He never did it if he could avoid it, but this was important. He put the hand set gingerly up to his left ear.

"Hello."

"Calling for KE Del Mar."

"Speaking."

"What?"

"I said, 'this is KE'. Who's calling?"

"This is Ennis Del Mar calling."

"Ennis? What's the matter? Are you all right?"

"Yeah, KE, I'm fine. Is it really you? After all this time?"

"My god, Ennis. You sound like you are in the next room."

"KE, where are you living? I want to see you, brother."

"Hell fire, Ennis. We're still at Barbie's house. We added a couple rooms on when the kids started coming, but we're still right here where you left us."

"Well, how's tomorrow KE? Can I visit you then? If tomorrow's not good, name a time when you'll be home."

"I'm here every day, little brother. Come on whenever you want. I'll look forward to seeing you. And Ennis? Gimme your number so's we don't go 21 more years without at least talkin'."

Mom was standing by, wringing her hands, waiting to see what happened with Ennis' brother. She was so excited for him, it never crossed her mind that he would want to be in contact with his family, or what was left of it.

Ennis hung up, and turned to her. "He wants to see me." And his smile bloomed across his beautiful face.

Mom hugged him as tightly as she could. Happy for him, she smiled and crooned, "Oh, my boy. I'm so glad. When will you go?"

"The sooner I get this over with, the better. I'm going tomorrow."

"Ennis, what do you mean, 'get this over with' son?"

"Let's have a glass of tea, Mom. I'll fill you in on the Del Mar family history."

Mom was horrified at the things Ray Del Mar had done, things he had forced his sons to see. Now she understood more completely why Ennis had resisted Jack's plan to be together for all those years. This poor baby!

Hearing about poor Earl in the ditch, and knowing how and why he got there, everything became so much clearer for her where her darling boys, Jack and his Ennis, were concerned. The dangers they faced daily; were they real? Should she have allowed them to be in public together?

Jack had warned her way back when Ennis first came to the ranch, that a slip of the tongue by her, could get them killed. She hadn't taken that literally. Now she knew, that's exactly how Jack had meant it to be taken.

Now she also knew how Ennis had tried to protect Jack all these years, fearing that just being with him, could bring him harm.

"Ennis. I want to go with you to Shoshoni. I want to be with you when you meet with your brother for the first time in twenty-one years."

Ennis grabbed his new mom and hugged her tightly to his chest. He knew what she was doing, wanting to protect him, but it would likely get very ugly. Most of the words that macho men use to describe his and Jack's kind of relationship would curl the hair off a wild boar, and he would not subject her to that.

"Naw, Mom. That would not be a place for a lady. My brother is just as rough as I was, and still am at times. Knowing my family, he'll likely get ugly about me and Jack and I don't want you to have to go through that. That kind of hate, that kind of language; it would surely kill me to have you hear that."

"Sit down here darling. How is it you assume I haven't heard those words? That I would not have sought out every hateful bit of cuss words and slang to describe what I suspected, what I knew was in store for my baby boy ever since he was eight or nine years old?"

'Oh, my god' thought Ennis, 'she's been carrying around this fear longer than I have.' He put his face in his hands, but she pulled them away.

"Ennis, with a father like Jack had . . . I had to know it all. Watch for signs. Warn him to keep his feelings from showing across his beautiful little face."

"A lot a good that did, Mom!"

And they laughed together, over their beloved, transparent, Jack.

"I know! He couldn't even pretend to be someone else, even when he knew his daddy would beat him within an inch of his life for it. His heart has always been firmly attached to his sleeve."

"And thank god it was. The way I was raised, I certainly wouldn't have, couldn't have, gone after him. He had to come to me; eyes and arms and heart wide open."

"That sounds so nice, Ennis. Someday when this move is over, and we are comfortably settled in our new homes, and the weather keeps us indoors on a quiet afternoon, I'd dearly love to hear all about you two nineteen year olds, and how it all came to be on that mountain. . . .an abridged version, of course."

"What?"

"That means, with the juicy parts cut out!"

Ennis blushed nice and pink, hugged her again and said, "You got a deal, Mom."

"So do you think they'd like to have one of my cherry cakes? Or something more traditional like an apple pie?"

Ennis saw that he wasn't going to dissuade her from the course she'd chosen.

"The cherry cake. . . for sure. And I think we should get on the road by 7 a.m. Can you be ready?"

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away from going on this trip with you."

Even with all the arguments put up by John, Jack and Bobby, that evening, they still managed to meet their goal of leaving at seven in the morning.

"How are you going to bring it up, Ennis? Who are you going to say I am?"

And so they rehearsed a few scenarios as they drove along the desolate Wyoming roads, keeping alert for antelope who jump onto the roads as if they belong solely to them.

"Ennis. isn't this the way we went to Riverton? It looks the same."

"Yes, Mom. Shoshoni is just up the road from Riverton. Imagine it. All them years I lived in Riverton, and KE was just up the road from me and neither one a us knew it."

"That is strange, I know. What about your sister? Will you look for her, as well, and try to find her before Junior's wedding?"

"Depends on how it goes with KE, I 'magine. Maybe he knows where she is, and maybe he'll tell me. But if he don't, then you and I can call that operator person again, can't we?"

Mom smiled, and suggested they stop for lunch pretty soon.

They didn't lollygag, they ate, attended to bathroom duties, and hit the road again with a full tank of gas, feeling refreshed. They had good weather all the way, but the unrelenting sun made them more tired than they would have been on an overcast day. They made good time on I-90, but had to slow considerably when they turned onto 16. It was a good road, but much more winding than the interstate had been.

They eventually got to Shoshoni around 3:45 p.m. They filled up the gas tank at the TSA truck stop, got an iced tea, and went to the restroom. Claire looked at herself in the mirror and thought how stiff and tight she looked after traveling all day. Not a welcoming sight to meet Ennis' brother and his family. She washed her face in cold water and dried off with the bottom of her underslip since the place did not provide paper towels. It wasn't the first time she'd had to be creative.

When Claire came out of the restroom, Ennis was nowhere in sight. He was not at the lunch counter, nor at the desk to pay for their tea. She caught sight of his denim jacket outside, and went to join him. He was stretching his back, arms and legs after sitting in the truck all day.

During the portion of their drive on route 16, Ennis had started talking again. In his general unease about what kind of a reception they may encounter at his brother's house, Ennis had told mom the update on Herman. Told her what had transpired, and that he had given the man an ultimatum. "Accept that I'm with Jack, or don't try to be my friend. Make up your mind by the time of the wedding. . . it's up to you, Herman."

"So you haven't heard from him? Not a phone call, not a letter?"

"No, I s'pect he's still wrangling with it. He was blind sided and it will depend on whether he can let go of some long held beliefs about men like Jack and me. I'm not holding out any hope that we will continue the friendship. Though I'd like to." He hadn't talked any after that till they got to Shoshoni and ordered their tea. She hoped he was feeling okay, wondered what was uppermost on his mind.

Now, stretching the kinks out at the TSA, Ennis' total concentration was on seeing KE after all this time. His body was a jumble of excitement and at the same time, fear.

"You doin' okay, son?"

"Good as can be expected, I guess. Barbie's house is just a couple miles down this road, so let's just bite this bullet, shall we?"

"I'm ready. Just let me check on the cherry cake, see if it's still in one piece after all this traveling."

Ennis knew she'd wrapped and buffered her gift for a fare-thee-well, and it would hold up even if it was being shipped to the moon. He was suddenly glad that she had forced him to accept her company on this trip. She was a real good woman, and he loved her. Loved her like a mother. She made him feel cherished and accepted for who he was, and she made him feel safe.

When they pulled up in front of Barbie's . . er KE's house, Ennis remembered all those cold nights of sleeping in the truck here. That was a long, long time ago. A lifetime ago. He was a man now. Not a little brother.

Ennis ran around to Mom's door to help her down. Then he picked up the cake and put it safely into her hands. By then the front door was opening as if someone had been watching for them.

"Uncle Ennis?"
"Is it you?"
"Are you my daddy's brother like he said?"
"Is this your wife?"
"How was your trip?"
"Can I help ya with that box m'am?"

Charmed and disarmed, Ennis grinned from ear to ear, and by that time, KE was out on the porch. . . .poking, poking, poking along on a walker.

'Shit!' thought Ennis. 'My brother is old. But he's only . . '

"C'mere you! I'd know you anywhere, ya l'il scamp!" and KE grabbed Ennis in a bear hug that squeezed the breath out of him.

'Well, he ain't a weakling!' thought Ennis.

When they pulled back to look at each other, KE's eyes were kinda puddled up and Ennis suspected his were too. They still had some back pounding to do, and KE had to tousle his little brother's curls for old times sake, but once that flurry of affection was over, they reverted to men who didn't touch other men except to shake hands.

Ennis remembered his manners and turned to introduce KE to Mom, but she was busy talking to the twins. He smiled as he heard her say, "Cody, Corey, I'm your uncle Ennis' mother-in-law, and you can call me Mrs. Twist, or you can call me Gran, if ya want to. " She had relented and the cake was now being carried by Cody. . or Corey . . she wasn't at all sure which.

She came forward with some speed now that she noticed they were looking at her, up on the porch. Never one to hang back, Claire grabbed KE's free hand and told him how happy she was to make the acquaintance of her boy's family. "I'm happy to say I'm Mr. Ennis Del Mar's mother-in-law, and you can call me Claire."

She heard Ennis gasp, and turned to him. "Well now, Mom, KE's just a tiny bit older'n me and I don't think it's fittin for him to be callin you by your given name."

KE grinned and shuffled . . . and waited for a decision.

"Well darling boy, what would you suggest he call me that is FITTIN enough?" and she patted Ennis' arm in a motherly, affectionate way.

KE asked, "Uh, can we go inside while we decide this issue? I really oughta sit down about now."

"Sure, go ahead on, we'll be right there." advised Ennis.

They did some whispering, and nodding and head shaking . . and then they smiled. They opened the screen door and entered KE's and Barbie's neat living room.

"Ennis thinks it would be fine if you wanted to call me Mom Twist."

"Mom Twist it is, then" grinned KE. "A Pleasure to meet you. How'd you folks like to sit a spell and have some iced tea?"

"That sounds fine, long as you'll let me get it." suggested Claire.

He pointed her toward the kitchen, all the while explaining that Barbie was still working but would be home within the hour. She had not taken the day off since they didn't know what time Ennis would get there.

KE began 'You're wife . . ."

But Ennis cut in quickly with "Why in the world are you on a walker KE? What in the hell happened?"

Cody . . or Corey had put the cake on the kitchen table before KE ran them out and told them to let the adults talk for a change. Claire found the glasses, tea, and a tray. Soon she was setting the cold drinks on the coffee table, just in time to hear KE's story.

They all wet their whistle, and then he began. "Somebody shot me."

"What? Why? Well who was it?"

"It was Barbie."

'Jesus Christ, KE!" looking around for children's ears, Ennis apologized. "I'm sorry, that just slipped out."

"It's okay, baby brother, they've heard worse. . . on occasion. The whole thing was an accident. We were cleaning out the attic, and Barbie found some hunting rifles that her uncles had left up there, she hadn't known they were there. They were stacked along a wall, and she went to move a box and one of them fell over and discharged . . right where my pelvis happened to be. Shattered it in a gazillion pieces. After three surgeries, I can now walk, which is a big improvement let me tell you!"

"Well, I been waitin' for this opportunity all my life KE. Race ya to the corner!?" and Ennis slapped his knee and just thought that was the funniest thing he'd ever come up with.

"It'd be the first time ya ever managed ta beat me, and maybe ya couldn't even beat me now!"

Claire thought it was sweet how you couldn't take the sibling rivalry out of grown men, but before they came to blows or started wrassling on the floor, she thought she'd change the subject.

"Ennis is married to my son, Jack."

"Mom!"

"Well honey, I didn't know how else we were going to get it out there."

"You're queer, Ennis?"

"Well brother, guess I have to say I am."

"How's that workin' for ya; you and Jack?"

"Whu . . guess I don't know what you mean."

"Well, have you run into any gay-bashers, or have you had people refuse you service in a restaurant, or had your tires slit, or. . . ."

"KE, you seem to know a whole lot about it. We've had our rough times, yeah. But how do you know so much?"

"Well, Barbie and me . . . our oldest son is gay."

"Well, I'll be. Where is he, KE?"

"Him and his partner, Paul, had it up to here with Wyoming. . . so they lit out for San Francisco. It ain't perfect, but it's much better there, Ennis. We went out to visit them last Fall."

"The reason I'm here KE, is to invite you and your family to my daughter's weddin' . . it's in Riverton on June 5th at the Methodist Church. It'd mean the world to me if Junior could have a Del Mar uncle and his family come on her special day."

"Well, sure. I'll speak to Barbie . . .Junior?"

Ennis relaxed for the first time that day, and explained about how she was named Alma Junior, and the smile of pride and love on his face explained how special she was to her daddy.

They talked about Ennis' kids, and Jack's Bobby and all the family connections. Ennis said, "I wondered about your twins, they don't look very old, compared to my kids' ages. And I know Barbie was expecting way back last time I seen you two."

"Yeah, Noah is twenty now, he was 19 when him and Paul met."

Mom's head spun toward Ennis and she had such a smile on her face, that KE said, "what?"

"Ennis and Jack met when they were nineteen too."

"But each of you married and had kids?"

"Yeah, we did, KE. It's a long painful story. But we're through that now, and we are together. Neither one of us regrets having our kids, so what can we say?"

Mom asked, "KE, how old are the twins?"

"They are almost eleven. Their birthday is coming up, as a matter of fact, on your oldest daughter's wedding day."

"Speaking of Junior and Kurt's wedding, I was thinking I'd like to invite Maggie too. Are you in touch with her? You know how I can get hold of her?"

KE's face clouded up, and his eyes filled with angry tears. "Maggie and I have had a falling out. She suggested to me awhile back that I should set up an intervention for Noah, and make him take "the Cure". She's no longer welcome in my home."

TBC