Right 65 By Littlewing1957
“Relax, sweetie,” Mrs. Twist soothed as she grabbed hold of Jack’s forearm. She learned from her earlier worrying spell when she thought Jack and Ennis has disappeared. There was just no need to get all worked up, especially when things always worked out. “You say you guys were out in the back just awhile ago?” Jack nodded. Mrs. Twist tightened her grip on Jack’s forearm, as he was shaking. “Easy, son,” She began. “Why don’t you go on out back and look for your friend. I’m sure he just stepped away for a bit…probably looking around..real curious like!” Yeah, stepped away, carrying all his stuff with him! Jack thought, ruefully. But in order to satisfy his mother and himself, Jack agreed to look around out back for Ennis. “I’ll be back in a bit,” Jack whispered to his mom. He nodded politely to Katie and headed to the back of the shop. “I should go with him?” Katie asked Mrs. Twist. “No, please,” Mrs. Twist answered. She took Katie’s hand and held it tight. “Let him go on. He can handle this!”
Jack moved quickly through Katie’s apartment. He averted his eyes. He didn’t want to see the place that he almost shared with his good friend. When Jack reached the back door he flung it open and moved outside. The only sign that Ennis had been there at all was the burned out match that he lit earlier. It was still on the ground and looked insignificant and lonesome among the yellow leaves, small rocks. Jack knelt down and picked up the used match from the near frozen earth. He turned it over in nervous fingers and examined the burned out tip. “Ennis, how could you leave without me?” Jack rose to a standing position and felt weak as he experienced every emotion starting with anger and progressing to shock, ending with loneliness. He placed the used match carefully in his jacket pocket and took a cursory glance around the grounds. “If this is the way you want it, cowboy..” Jack mumbled. He shook his head and walked back into the shop.
Mrs. Twist and Katie were talking, were very deep in conversation when Jack walked into the store. The two women stopped abruptly and faced Jack with expectant looks on their faces. “Well?” It was Mrs. Twist. “I didn’t find him. He’s gone.” Jack stated without emotion. Mrs. Twist held her breath. Katie sucked her teeth. “Well,” Mrs. Twist began, “It looks like Ennis has some things to work out on his own. I’m sure he’ll return.” Jack nodded, but he wasn’t so sure. “I had plans for the rest of the afternoon, but in light of what has just happened, I think we better go home.” Mrs. Twist moved closer to her son. “I’ll serve you some of that pot roast I cooked earlier. What you say, son?” Jack didn’t want to go back to the ranch. He didn’t know what he wanted at that point. But he didn’t have a lot of options. “Okay mom, I’ll go home with you. Just let me have a few minutes with Katie in private, and then we’ll catch a cab home.” Mrs. Twist nodded and headed for the door. “There is a cab always parked over by the donut shop, ma. Go have one wait for us.” Mrs. Twist smiled and walked out. Katie moved to her desk at the back of the store and pretended to read over a few receipts. She was devastated that Ennis had run off without a word to anyone. And now Jack was about to take his leave! Katie was warming up to the idea of having two gorgeous men around. And what would she tell Raquel? Jack approached Katie’s desk and glared down at her with an expression that was impossible to read. “Katie, I..” Jack began, but she cut him off. "Its okay, Jack,” she spoke sincerely. “I understand.” Jack hung his head and was silent. “Look, if you ever need to use my little apartment, don’t hesitate to ask. And if Ennis comes back here, I’ll get word to you.” “Thank you kindly,” was all that Jack could manage. Katie looked up into Jack’s baby blues. “You’ll let me know when and if he comes back?” Jack nodded mournfully and headed for the door. “Will do, Katie! Thanks for everything!” “No problemo!” She offered. “See you in church.” Jack tried on a smile for her sake and left the shop.
He found his mom seated in a cab right in front of the shop. Jack climbed in beside her and the cabbie drove off. Jack looked at his mom as she sat stiff, looking suddenly older than her years. Jack felt a tug of tenderness when he observed his mother. He hated to see his mom with a worried face and a rigid demeanor. Jack reached over and took his mother’s hand and they rode in silence for the most part. Jack couldn’t wrap his mind around what just happened. He shook his head to keep out the thoughts and images that threatened to intrude: sweet mental pictures of Ennis walking across a stream; Ennis laughing at one of his bad jokes; Ennis pulling him close. Jack couldn’t avoid the image of Ennis asleep on his living room couch, just a few days ago. He remembered romance, passion, even love. Jack knew he had to pull himself together, but he feared he was coming apart. When the cabbie pulled up to the house, Jack paid him and helped his mother onto the property. Jack allowed her to take his arm, but when they were in view of the basement steps, Jack felt like his knees would buckle. Mrs. Twist looked at her son and saw the tears in his eyes. She spread her arms wide and folded her son in. They must have looked a sight: the two of them there, swaying; Mrs. Twist patting, cooing, as silent tears ran down Jack’s miserable face. As Mrs. Twist held her son, and as the tears continued to fall, she decided to do what she always did in situations like these – Mrs. Twist began to pray. She rocked Jack back and forth, all the while asking God to strengthen them both. She prayed silently, as her entreaties couldn’t be uttered.
Topic: Introducing the "Jack with Ennis" Fan Fic Game - the BetterMost Edition (Read 2667696 times)