Right 85 By Littlewing1957
Jack was the first to hear it! “Ennis, wake up!” He whispered as he tried to shake his friend awake. “I think I hear someone outside the door!” “Wha..?” Ennis mumbled groggily as he opened his sleep encrusted eyes. Ennis pulled himself up from his pillow and faced Jack. “Shhh..listen!” Jack spoke softly. “I’m sure I heard someone or some thing out there!” Ennis was fully awake now. He had to take a moment to get his bearings, remember where he was and what was going on. He thought back to last night when they made love so passionately and urgently. Ennis had to smile when he remembered Jack, in the heat of passion, whispering, “Say my name, Ennis, what’s my name?” Jack brought him back to the moment. “What's the matter with you, friend?” Jack stammered as he noticed the dreamy look on Ennis’ face. “Don’t you think we should go investigate?” Ennis looked at Jack and shook his head. “I don’t hear anything, Jack! Look, if it will make you feel better, I’ll put on a pair of jeans and go take a look.” Jack didn’t like it. “Wait! We can both go out there. I won’t tell you to do something that I’m not willing to do myself.” Ennis thought Jack was babbling, but he didn’t argue. “Suit yourself. C’mon then, let’s go see what’s up.” Jack climbed out of Ennis’ twin bed first. He looked back as Ennis pulled himself out, and, like Ennis, couldn’t help but recall last night’s deliciously satisfying love fest.
Ennis, fully dressed in dark wash jeans and a sweatshirt, led Jack out of the basement apartment. The early morning air was brisk to say the least. Frothy white clouds moved across a robin’s egg blue sky on the wings of a lazy wind. Jack followed Ennis onto his property and had a look around. “Maybe we should have a weapon?” Jack asked. Ennis considered it. “Well what do you suggest? I don’t have a gun, or even a knife.” Jack shrugged as Ennis took it all in. There was nothing to be afraid of, or at least it seemed that way. No one in sight. Jack walked a bit ahead of his friend. “Yeah, you’re right, Ennis,” Jack conceded. “Don’t look like anything is wrong. But I swear I heard someone out here.” Ennis caught up to him and placed an arm around Jack’s shoulder. “Its okay, Jack. Nothing wrong with being cautious. You have every right.” Jack fought an urge to lay his head against Ennis’ shoulder. You never know who may be watching. “Ahhh, ain’t that sweet!” Ennis jumped as though someone branded him with a hot poker. Jack flung around and followed the voice, but there was no one in sight. “Don’t let me stop your tender moment, fellas!” Ennis and Jack both turned from side-to-side, scared out of their minds, but needing to find the danger. “Who are you?” Jack shouted into the air. But before anyone could answer, Leroy Tippens and Alan Sims seemed to materialize right in front of Ennis. Jack didn’t see anyone. Ennis watched a bruised and bloodied Leroy slide closer toward him. Alan was standing just behind Leroy, equally bloody, as real and as grim as death, and holding a tire iron!
It was too much for Ennis. He woke with a start and looked around. Sweat that was beaded on his forehead now trickled down his cheeks. Ennis looked over at Jack who was sleeping peacefully. It was all a cruel dream! Ennis looked at the tray with the now cold milk and what was left of the cookies Mrs. Twist made for them. It was all coming back. What a relief! But what if the dream was a warning of sorts? Ennis thought back to the time when he was nine years old. His dad told him he wanted to show him something very important, and took him by the hand and led him to a drainage ditch. His brother went along, as well. Ennis would learn of people who block bad memories from their consciousness forever, and he sincerely hoped that he could have been one of those people. But the image of poor Earl lying in that drainage ditch with an angry red gash where his private parts were supposed to be was an image that Ennis would never forget as long as he lived. He didn’t want to think of anything happening to Jack. Ennis looked at his lover and patted his shoulder ever so gently. The tender motion woke Jack. He turned a groggy head toward Ennis and smiled. “Hey, good morning, friend!” Jack whispered and placed his fingers between Ennis’ thighs. Ennis warmed and smiled at his lover. “Didn’t mean to wake you, Jack. How you feeling? You okay?” Jack had a bemused look on his gorgeous face. “Well, sure! Why not? You okay?” Ennis moaned. Jack noticed and sat upright in the tiny bed. “Friend, what is it?” Jack was concerned now. Ennis avoided Jack’s gaze. He couldn’t tell him about the dream. He never even had the opportunity to mention Earl to Jack. It just never came up in conversation. Now was not the time. But he knew what needed to happen.
Ennis climbed out of bed and looked out of the window. “Beautiful morning, Jack!” Ennis stated. “Seems that way!” Jack answered, warily. “Ennis, what is it?” Jack asked, incredulous. He knew how quickly Ennis could move from one mood to the next, and he wanted to know just what he was up against. Ennis turned to face Jack. He was naked, and Jack appreciated the view. “Look Jack,” Ennis began, “I gotta leave here. I can’t stay.” Jack heard it all before. “What brought this on? I thought you wanted to come back to the ranch?” Ennis lowered his eyes to the floor. “I have my reasons, and if you come with me, in time I’ll make them clear to you.” Jack considered Ennis’ words. He knew, instantly, that he never wanted to be separated from Ennis again. He would follow him to hell, if need be. “Okay, En,” Jack whispered. “Sometimes we just gotta move on, make our own way in this life. My folks will be very disappointed, but they must have known that this day would come.” Jack climbed out of bed and embraced his lover. “Just let me break it to my ma. My pa will be trouble, too, but he’ll get over it.” Ennis’ eyes danced. He kissed Jack tenderly on his full lips. "Where will we go?”