On the Way
(September 1985)
Ennis was outside, waiting for Tom. It was getting late, it was already after six. Finally Tom came walking across the way.
“Whadya got there?” Tom asked, looking at the package Ennis was holding tightly in his hands.
“A present, for the baby, some flannel pajamas.”
Tom laughed. “Isn’t it a little hot for flannel?” he asked.
Ennis didn’t reply. He hadn’t thought of that. The funny feeling got stronger inside. He tried to ignore it as they got inside the truck. Ennis slowly began to drive to Junior and Kurt’s house.
“Ya got the jam?” Ennis asked nervously.
“Sure do” Tom said, showing Ennis the package that he didn’t notice before.
The night was warm, but the days were getting shorter and the sun was going down. The sky was lavender and orange and scarlet red. Ennis drove on the empty road, with the lights already glowing in the passing houses. They were almost there, but then he pulled over to the side of the silent road and stopped the truck, past the string of houses. Ennis opened the window wide as if to get some air, but then he pulled his jacket tightly around him as if the evening was frigid cold, not soft with the summer warmth.
Tom put his arm around him. “Hey, you okay?” he asked gently.
Ennis nodded, but there was a worried look in his eyes.
“What is it? Tom asked, pulling Ennis close.
Ennis shook his head. “Don’t really know” he whispered.
“Hey, don’t worry. What’s there to be so scared about? It’s just your daughter’s house” Tom said softly, his lips on Ennis’ cheek.
Ennis shook his head again. “I don't know…. just feel like we’re goin’ to some foreign country, or somethin’. Like some place I ain’t never been before. I…..I don’t….I just don’t know.”
“Hey, it’s okay” Tom murmured, wrapping both his arms tightly around Ennis. “It ain’t a foreign place.” he said, his lips on Ennis’ damp brow. “She knows, and it’s okay….it’s okay…. I know.”
Ennis stared into Tom’s deep blue eyes, trying to put the feeling into words. But he couldn’t make a sound. He closed his eyes and suddenly felt the summer warmth again as Tom’s soothing lips met his.