A Better Idea - [ Chapter 50 - in LJ; Chapter 52 in FF ]
Genre: BBM A/U
Pairing: Ennis / Jack
Disclaimer: main characters were created by A E Proulx, all others by me and my muses; no money being made here, nor fame nor fortune.
Rating: NC-17 in some chapters
A/N 1 – This story is unbeta'd. Please let me know of any typos or errors. Thank you!
Dedication: To the Memory of Heath Ledger
Feedback: You bet. I hope my story brings you peace.
Chapter 50 - Friendship
The letter came as a surprise to Ennis. He didn't get many; usually they were from his girls. The postmark said Riverton, but he didn't recognize the handwriting. There was no return address, so he had no notion of who it might be from. The Sears Catalog came in the same post, so he slipped the letter into his back pocket intending to read it later.
As he came in the door he saw that one of the pups was just about to fall over the top of the box onto the floor. He laid the catalog, bills and flyers on the table before picking up all three: Bailey, Barley and Bobo, and tucked them against his chest. While he balanced the squirming pups he quickly stepped outside and set them in the grass. He watched to make sure each squatted and relieved their little bladder, and then waited awhile longer to see if they needed to do anything else.
Back inside, Ennis filled the small water bowl, then gave each of the pups a saucer with a tablespoonful of dry puppy food moistened with a little warm water. When they're older, they'll all eat out of a large common bowl, but for now, the men wanted to moniter how much each dog was eating. So far, Bobo consumed the same amounts as Bailey and Barley.
They ate like they hadn't seen food in a month, then curled up together to sleep and grow some more. He couldn't believe it, they'd just about doubled in size in the three weeks since he'n Jack found them. Even Bobo was thriving. Won't be long before we'll need to make them a bigger bed, he thought.
Next he washed his hands at the sink with some strong soap and dried them on the thighs of his jeans. Ennis smelled his hands; he always did like the scent of Lifebouy. He pulled a package of chicken out of the freezer to thaw. He searched in the bin for potatoes, carrots and onions, then got the celery out of the fridge. He began chopping the vegetables into fairly large chunks. These he threw into a pan of cold water to soak.
He rinsed and pried apart the chicken pieces and arranged the meat and vegetables in an old 13 x 9 baking pan Mom had given them. Jack and Ennis took turns cooking; whoever got home first knew to start supper. It worked out well. Ennis was proud that he was learning to make a few passable meals, and he enjoyed seeing Jack's eyes light up when he fixed something that was especially good. Ennis had learned a secret; Jack likes everything better with gravy on it. He opened a can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup and spread it over the top of the food. He filled the can with hot water and poured that evenly over everything, tightly covered the pan with foil and put it in the oven at 350.
Neither he nor Jack baked. Mom liked to spoil them though, and kept them in fresh breads, pies and cakes by sharing half of everything she baked for John and herself. She frequently offered to teach them to make anything they wanted. . . but so far, they didn't have the need or the drive to do so.
Ennis got two of everything they'd need out of the cupboard: plates, forks, knives, spoons and set them on the counter near the oven.
While dinner took care of itself in the oven, Ennis went to their bedroom and stripped the sheets and pillowcases off the bed, and remade it with their other set. Mom always offered to do their laundry with hers, citing the small loads she had with only her and John, but somehow that didn't seem right to Ennis. Seemed like taking advantage. Besides, he didn't want to think of her washing his underwear, nor their raunchy sheets even though they were always changed each week. Ennis liked washing the sheets he slept on with Jack, where each day began and ended, where they made love. It was a weekly reminder of the blessings of his new life.
Jack would do 'most anything that was required of him, but he disliked doing laundry with a passion. Ennis had never minded it, so it became one of his regular chores. Besides, if he washed and dried all their clothes himself, he never had to smell an article of clothing to see if it was clean or dirty. This brought back memories he'd rather not visit, so he pushed that aside and began to think of the kids and what their schedules were this weekend. Soon he was smiling as he worked.
While Ennis wadded up the sheets and threw them in the laundry basket at the back of their closet, he finally began to notice delicious smells of tonight's meal coming from the kitchen.
He heard squirming and whimpering going on and went to get the pups and take them outside again. They'd napped for about an hour or so, and would be ready to romp and play when Jack came in.
Most nights Jack was dog tired, but just seeing Ennis there, in their warm home, and having the big welcome from the puppies, he perked right up. Both men worked very hard to have the sweet life they wanted no matter how long and difficult their work days were. Their evenings at home, having dinner, a late cup of coffee or a beer together seemed like a priceless gift after their years apart.
Ennis heard Jack's truck pull up and was immediately energized. Jack came in. His face was smudged with dirt, his shirt was totally unrecognizable but he looked tenderly at Ennis and said "there's my cowboy!". He gave Ennis a quick kiss before heading into the shower.
Ten minutes later, a sparkling clean but damp Jack Twist re-emerged and was ready for a real hello kiss. "Mmmm, missed you babe." "Me too." Being in each other's arms on a regular basis was as needed as oxygen, and they made sure to make time for themselves each day. Jack flinched as Ennis squeezed him in a passionate hug.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Oh, this fuckin rodeo back is giving me fits. I've had spasms for the past two hours. Hurts like a sonofabitch."
"You wanta go to bed, take some aspirin?"
"No, I wanta lay flat on this floor for ten minutes and then eat supper. Where's my babies? C'mere you guys, daddy's home!"
Jack got the pups out of their box before lying flat on his back in the living room floor. The dogs climbed all over him and chewed on his hair, just as he knew they would. It heals a lot of aches to have something so cute jumping all over you and licking your ear! It made him smile to think he could say the same thing for Ennis. Ennis is surely cute and he jumps all over me, and he often licks my ear. Jack smiled a broad grin.
"Whut?"
"Oh just thinking how you're my favorite pet of all."
Ennis got down on all fours and walked across the floor to Jack, nuzzled his neck and licked across his face and ear. When he started whimpering, Jack said "you better quit that, or you'll be sent to bed with no supper tonight."
"Promise?"
Jack grinned, feeling better already; he rolled over on top of Ennis. He reached down with both hands to grab two good handfuls of ass. When he squeezed, Ennis' right pocket crinkled. "What the . . ?"
"Oh yeah. It's a letter I got today."
"Who from?"
"Don't know yet; ain't opened it."
"How long ya gonna wait to find out?"
"Till after you'n me have supper and relax. That's time enough to see who it's from and what they want."
"Speakin a supper . . . somethin sure smells good. "
"Come on, it's ready. You gonna want coffee, bud?"
"No, I think a beer'll do me better than coffee tonight."
"Make that two, then. Will you get'em while I take the pan outa the oven?"
"You bet!"
Each man filled his plate with the baked chicken and vegetables, there was already bread, butter and applesauce on the table as well as salt, pepper and ketchup. They set to eating and not much was said till they'd refreshed themselves and had their fill.
"Fine meal, Ennis. You're really getting to be a good cook."
"Nah, I ain't. But this did turn out very tasty, didn't it? You want another beer, Jack?"
"No thanks, Ennis. I think I'll have a glass of water while you open that letter. It's beginning to bug me . . .outa the blue like it is. You want one too?"
Ennis agreed that he did, then got his pocket knife and slit the envelope.
He checked the last page first, to see the signature. "Hmmm, it's from Charlie Warren. You know, one a the guys I worked with at Stodemeir's"
"Was you two special friends, Ennis?" There was a bit of an edge to Jack's question.
"Shit Jack! I ain't never had no special friend 'cept you, asshole! Just let me read what he's got to say, okay?"
"Be my guest, Del Mar."
"What's gotten into you, Jack?"
"M'sorry Ennis. Guess I'm just tired. When I seen that a man wrote you a three page letter, it just made me feel pissy for some reason. All's you ever got from me was a post card now and then."
"That ain't so, Jack. Purtiest words I ever seen in a letter came from you, asking for my help when your daddy had his stroke. Made me cry, did I ever tell you that?"
"Cry? Shit no! Why?"
"Oh, relief mostly I think; that you still wanted me. And the fact you needed me, and you were asking for me when I thought you'd never want or need me again. Thought you'd done quit me."
"Never Ennis. Tried to, I admit. But that's water under the bridge. Can't live without you, cowboy. Not now, not ever. Uh, think I'll have that beer now. You?"
As Jack got up to go get the beers he stopped by Ennis' chair and planted a kiss on his mouth, and ran his fingers down his ear. Sort of an apology for getting pissy about the letter.
"Sure. Now let's see what ol' Charlie's got to say."
"Dear Ennis. I hope this letter finds you well. Know you must be surprised hearing from me after all this time, but I figure there's things going on here at the ranch that you should know about.
First, Herman is inconsolable - the way he treated you and your friend. He walks around in a trance half the time, muttering, and often I hear your name.
Second, there's the truck he bought you - just sitting here. He won't let no one else drive it but you. Not even if the tires rot off.
Third, and this is just a guess on my part, but I think he has you in his will – and doesn't want to change it. Ennis, you didn't know Herman when I first came to work for him. He was a hard man, a hard worker, and he didn't get close to anyone except his aunt, of course.
When you came to work with us here, he became a different man. He mellowed out, began to talk to all of us, but mostly to you. Many's the time I've heard him say "that boy's like my own son."
Ennis, Herman is sick. I know this, even though he has not said nothing about it to me or anyone. You remember Mrs. Fowler in the office? Well, Virginia makes all his appointments and keeps his calendar. According to her, he's been visiting several doctors. One is a Cardiologist. That's a heart doctor, Ennis, in case you ain't had no relatives that had to go to one a them kinda doctors.
I'm not saying he's asking for you, nor that he's going to die any time soon, but I know it eats at him, what he lost by turning his back on you and your partner. I know he regrets it bad.
Ennis, I'll always look up to you like I did when we worked together. The fact that you sacrificed your ownself instead of running over me and that crazy horse, well, I'll just always be grateful to you for that. I wouldn't be alive today if you hadn't done what you did, I know that.
You can do whatever you want to with this information. Only you know what's best in your situation. I'm only hoping for all our sakes that he gets over this sadness he's living with. His aunt won't give him any sympathy either, she just snaps at him that it's all his own ignorant fault. Kind of funny really.
No matter what you decide to do, know that me and all the guys here at the ranch remember you as a stand up guy, and would be glad to work with you again. And Jack too, of course. Aunt Greta told us all about what happened at your mother's day party, and how harshly Herman reacted to the news of who you was actually married to . . . she feels right bad about it still.
Leah sends her love and I remain,
Your friend,
Charlie Warren"
Ennis had never read out loud so much in his life. He took a big swig a his beer, refolded the letter, and put it back in the envelope.
Jack wanted to ask Ennis what he was going to do, but he knew his cowboy good enough by now to know that Ennis would tell him as soon as he was ready. Jack went over and sat on the arm of Ennis' chair. He put his arm around his man, and leaned his head over onto Ennis' head. It was very hard for Jack to remain quiet, but he managed it. He just sat there, holding his man. Ennis leaned into Jack more, and covered his hand with his own.
Jack patted Ennis' back, rubbed it in circles, kissed the top of his head, then got up and went into the kitchen to start clearing the supper dishes from the table. He ran hot water into the dish pan and sloshed in too much dish detergent. He had bubbles everywhere.
Ennis came up behind him, said "I'll do those if you'd rather take the pups out one last time before bed."
"No, babe, you go ahead, get your shower. I'll just do these few dishes then take the dogs out. I'll see you in bed, cowboy." Jack turned around with soapy hands and put his arms around Ennis' shoulders, kissed him thoroughly and patted his butt smartly. "Now go!"
Ennis smiled into Jack's eyes, knew what he was doing for him, and why. "Well I guess I know when I ain't wanted around here."
That made Jack laugh and choke at the same time. The idea that Ennis Del Mar would EVER not be wanted around here was crazy . . . impossible." Jack reached for the dish towel and holding the ends, spun it into a whiplash, he cracked Ennis on his denimed behind, and said "Git along little dogie! Don't make me tell you again."
When Ennis finally climbed out of the shower, where he'd stood awhile, letting the hot water soothe his shoulders and back, he dried off deep in thought about Herman. He shaved out of habit, his mind a million miles away, then brushed his teeth. But when he walked into his own bedroom to see that Jack Twist was naked in their bed . . the one with clean-smelling air-dried sheets . . . every thought of any other person in the world flew out the window.
Jack held Ennis and kissed his face, snuggled face to face a bit. Then he made tender love to this man, his man, who was so strong, but who could be hurt so easily by an unkind word from a friend.
When they were drowsing together before sleep overtook them, Ennis turned in the darkness and looked into Jack's eyes. "I love you Jack."
"Yes, you do, and you do it very well too, if I may say so!"
Thirty seconds later, Ennis asked "is that any way to answer a declaration of undying love?"
"Shut up and go to sleep Del Mar."
"You did NOT just tell me to shut up, Jack Fuckin Twist!" Ennis grabbed hold of Jack's left nipple and tweaked it rather hard.
"Ow, you bitch!"
"That's what you get, asshole."
"Okay, okay, I'll be good. Start over."
"I love you, Jack."
"I love you too, Ennis. With my whole heart, my whole soul and my whole body."
"And with your Hole?"
"Shut up Del Mar, and go to sleep!"
#
End of chapter 50