Beautiful pic, Chrissi! At first I thought it was a screencap, from the view out the trailer window in the last scene of the movie.
One interpretation I think is possible goes along with my belief that Jack was killed in an accident. So, "There was some open space between ..."
... what he knew: Jack had been killed in an accident
... and what he tried to believe: Jack had been murdered.
Ennis tried to believe Jack was murdered because that would justify his fears and he wouldn't have ruined both their lives for nothing.
Thanks for the compliment on the pic
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My interpretation is just the opposite:
... what he knew: Jack had been murdered
... what he tried to believe: the accident scenario
Ennis knew (
he knew, not an objective, universal truth) it was murder because that's what he has learned from early on: being gay gets you killed. Add the neighbour from Texas, OMT's knowing expression, Lureen's admittedly questionable story plus her cold voice = Jack was murdered.
Ennis tried to believe it was an accident first and foremost because that's what you desperately wish for someone you love. Additionally, it would be less ironic for Ennis. Ennis didn't allow them being together out of fear it would get them both killed. If Jack had been killed for being gay nonetheless - Ennis' sacrifice (however conscious or unconscious) would have been in vain, at least for Jack.
'
There's some open space for us, too.
You have no idea how often this exact thought crossed my mind recently
And isn't it ironic ... don't you think? (Alanis Morissette)