Right 67 By Littlewing1957
“What do you say, Ennis? Let me get you out of this weather, or come nightfall, you’ll freeze to death!” Raquel squeezed her wool coat tighter around her chest to emphasize her point. “I don’t want to see you catch your death!” Ennis looked at the pretty young woman. Every instinct told him not to trust her, but what else to do? He was alone, broke, hungry, and he certainly was cold. Raquel waited patiently in her car, a smile fixed upon her lovely face. Ennis observed her, and wondered how long she would wear that grin. Raquel’s smile looked genuine, but his internal warning signals were going off like a fire alarm. “Ennis, you coming?” He hesitated. Ennis knew he was being rude, but he was too confused and conflicted to answer right then. After another moment, Raquel’s patience was beginning to wear thin. “If you don’t want a ride, just say so and I’ll be on my way!” Ennis looked straight into Raquel’s eyes. Her smile was gone. So was his steely resolve. The cold was getting to him. Ennis was only human. “I’ll take a ride,” he muttered. Raquel’s smile returned and she unlocked the doors and allowed Ennis to enter.
“You want to go get something to eat?” Raquel asked as she drove along the main road. Ennis studied her for a split second. She was definitely a lovely woman. He wondered why she wasn’t married. “Yep.” Ennis answered. “Cool!” Raquel enthused. I know a nice place just on the outskirts of town. Dinner will be my treat. You okay with that?” Ennis hated the idea of having his meal paid for, but he was too dang hungry to argue. He would find a way to make it up to her later. “That sounds real good, ma’am!” Ennis added, politely. “Call me Rocky,” Raquel stated. “Okay…Rocky,” He whispered. It was settled. Ennis sat still and enjoyed the ride to the restaurant in silence.
Greg’s place was a middle-of-the-road eatery on the outskirts of Lightning Flat. Raquel pulled into the parking lot and fetched her purse. The doors were unlocked, and Ennis walked over to the driver’s side and helped Rocky out. “So gentlemanly!” She exclaimed as Ennis took her hand and pulled her from the vehicle. Ennis blushed slightly and followed her into the restaurant. “Ah, Raquel, how nice to see you again!” Raquel smiled sweetly at a middle aged woman who wore a white silk shirt and black skinny pants. A name tag that spelled out “Valerie,” was pinned to her ample chest. “Good to see you, Val,” Raquel answered. “Table for two?” Valerie asked, as she looked first to Rocky, then to Ennis. Valerie’s expression was neutral. She was accustomed to Raquel frequenting the place, and she was rarely alone. “Yes, table for two, please.” Valerie gathered a series of menus and led Raquel and Ennis to a table by a large picture window. There was not much of a view – just the silent Wyoming plains barely dusted with snow. Raquel studied the offerings, and made several suggestions of what Ennis might like. “The veal is very good here, and I’m sure you’ll like the baked chicken breasts.” Ennis studied the menu. He was so hungry that the menu itself was beginning to look appetizing. “I think I’ll start off with a Caesar salad, and I'll have the baked halibut for a main course,” Raquel spoke sweetly. She looked expectantly at Ennis. “What looks good, Cowboy?” “I’ll have one of those house salads,” Ennis spoke softly. “And then I guess I’ll have the burger and a side of fries.” Raquel wrinkled her pretty nose. “Oh come on, Ennis, live a little!” She laughed. “This ain’t one of those drive-in places! You can have whatever you want! I’m paying.” Ennis wanted to run away. “Okay,” He whispered. “I’ll have the halibut.” Raquel nodded and signaled for the waiter. They gave their orders and watched the waiter walk away.
After the meal Ennis and Raquel walked back out to her car. It was almost 8:00p.m. and the weather had turned very cold. “Do you have a place to stay for the night?” Raquel asked, almost as an afterthought. She stopped and placed her hand on the driver’s side door and waited. Ennis weighed his answer very carefully. He had absolutely nowhere to lay his head. He had no money left for a motel room, and he couldn’t very well ask Rocky to take him back to the Twist Ranch. Ennis felt more miserable at that moment than he ever had in his short life. How did things get so bad? His life should be improving, not getting worse. He felt like he was going backward, and he wasn’t really up for the trip. Raquel waited patiently. She somehow knew he didn’t have a place to stay, and was certain he would accompany her home. Ennis shrugged and began to look rather old and deflated. “Why don’t you camp out at my place tonight? I have a sofa bed, and it’s yours if you want it.” Raquel tilted her head to the side and continued, “I promise not to take advantage of you!” Unless you want me to! She thought. Ennis didn't like the sound of that, but there was really nothing else to do. “Okay, I’ll take you up on your offer,” he said. Ennis didn't want to accept. He wondered what Jack would think about him spending the night at Raquel's place. Ennis' spirit was actually with Jack at the ranch, and he tried desperately to pull his thoughts back, to put Jack and his parents out of his mind. He was feeling enormous guilt about running out the way he did. They must be sick with worry by now! “Great!" Raquel exclaimed, bringing Ennis back. C’mon, then! My little house is not far from here." Raquel's eyes twinkled. Ennis looked away. I’ll put on a pot of coffee, and we can get to know one another!”