Chapter Three

Jack was exhausted by the time he reached the cabin that night. He had driven straight through, stoppin' only long enough to go to the bathroom or grab a bite to eat. As he pulled up he spotted Ennis' truck and he began to feel uneasy. Somethin' wasn't right. He parked his own truck and got out. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He tried the door and it opened. That was strange; Ennis would never leave his door open. Jack walked in and called out his name. No answer. He checked the cabin from top to bottom, his heart beating faster with each step he took. Ennis was nowhere to be found. Jack thought maybe Ennis went for a ride so he went to see if the horse was tied up out back. The horse was there but he was not tied up and the saddle was still on him. Panic struck him. Ennis would never leave his horse like that he knew somethin' was wrong for sure. He went back to his truck got in and went to find the sheriff's office.

Ennis stood waitin' fer the next spirit to come, thinkin' of Jack and all the good times they had.

"Hello Ennis, I'm the spirit of the present."

"What are you suppose to show me?" Ennis asked.

"Close your eyes and take my hand." The spirit said. Ennis did as he was told.

"Look Ennis at your life now."

When Ennis opened his eyes he saw him and Jack on their last trip. His heart broke when he saw Jack's back turned away from him. He knew this was one of their worse fights ever. Jack had told him he didn't know if he could do this anymore and Ennis had just told him that he couldn't make the next trip because Junior was gettin' married. Jack understood but he was mad that Ennis had waited so long to tell him. They had said a lot of hateful things to each other and that was why Ennis took the time off work and went to the cabin to try and calm down. Ennis had missed the trip after that one too because he couldn't get the time off. He never called Jack to tell him 'cause he figured he didn't care, after all, Jack never called him to apologize.

"Oh Jack I wish I'd handled that differently. I never meant all them things I said. I shoulda've called ya and told ya what was goin' on instead of bein' so stubborn." Ennis felt his heart ache. He wanted to reach out and hold Jack tight, to tell him he was sorry. Ennis closed his eyes and tried to hide the tears.

Next thing Ennis saw was Jack all alone in his place. He was drinkin' and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Ennis stared at him in shock. He had never seen Jack look so bad.

"What's wrong with him?" Ennis asked.

"This is how he's been since yer last fight." The spirit replied.

"I did this? Where's his wife and kid?"

"That's somethin' you have ta ask him."

Ennis closed his eyes and tried to block out the horrible image. He didn't want to think of Jack that way, all hurt and alone. It reminded him too much of himself. When he opened them again he was back in the white room.

"Ennis, what did you learn?" The spirit asked.

It took Ennis a moment to answer.

"It's my fault that things are this way. But I can't change it, they are what they are."

The spirit left and Ennis was alone once again.

Jack found the sheriff's office and went inside. His heart was beatin' so loud he couldn't hear himself think. Fear had a hold of his heart and he didn't know if he could get the words out right to ask the questions so he just stood in front of the desk for a minute.

"Can I help ya sir?" The deputy asked.

"Yes, can you tell me where the man is that was stayin' at the Larabee cabin?" Inward Jack breathed a sigh of relief that he was able to get it out it a calm and steady voice.

"Do ya know him?"

"Yes he's my brother, Ennis DelMar." Jack said without hesitation.

"I'm sorry sir, he was in a terrible accident. We did everythin' we could here but he was too badly injured. We had ta take him to Lander General Hospital."

"How far is that from here?" Jack asked.

"Just over 11 miles."

Jack didn't even thank the young man he ran out the door jumped in his truck and was gone.