Ennis pulled into the trail head just a little passed noon. His stomach was letting him know it was near time for lunch, so he pulled out his cigarettes, lit one and grabbed for the thermos of coffee. Poured a cup, and waited a few minutes for the drag to calm his empty stomach. The coffee made his stomach feel a bit sour after it bein completely empty. He figured he would see if those ladies had brought a lunch before grabbing himself a bite from his bag. He'd brung his lunchsuch as it was . He walked over to the car they were sitting in, makin no move to get out yet. Jus takin in the surroundings . He watched as the lady other than Ms Proulx , the driver. Rolled her window down awaiting his approach. He asked them if they had brung a lunch or did he need to unpack the stuff he had brought from the store for their packs to the mountain. They said "no sir we brought some lunch items, and we can just sit here and eat if its ok. You must be ravenous by now. You didn't eat this morning." "Nah I am hungry, but im used to not eating early." They watched him as he snuffed out the butt of his cigarette on the way back to the truck. He stopped to make a check on the horses, making low and encouraging sounds they knew, and were accustomed to hearing, soothing them before returning to have his lunch as well.
He pulled out the small brown bag containing his lunch of cheese, bologna, and the last of the cornbread, Alma Jr had brought him the morning before, on her way to work. When he saw the cheese, it made him remember the way Jack had always brung cheese in his bags of foodstuff. He said "It makes a quick snack, and it gives ya lots of good vitamins. Don' even have ta be kept cold if the weather ain't too hot." He always was bringin some new things up to make the meager meals better and more varied. He knew Ennis was not an adventurous grocery shopper. Bare bones was how he made his meals. Jus mostly what he had. Not to be much worried about the content. Potatos, bacon, and beans was a good portion of the meals he chose for their outings. Jack would always complain about those for all the meals. Saying "Ennis you ain't never gonna venture out of the things ya been eating all yer life. Same old beans and fried potatoes." "Well I believe we need to try and be more adventuresome in our life. Learn more new things all the time, and try new stuff."
"Eating is just one way to do that." Ennis had a smile on his face as he remembered the time Jack had brought that can of oysters, and the can of
snails with him. It was a joke, but Ennis didn't know it right off. When Jack opened those cans of odd looking things up, Ennis almost got sick just looking at em. Jack laughed and said "man ya oughta try some before ya say no. First time I saw them I told Lureen "she was nuts ifn she thought I was gonna eat that shit." She said, "Jack how you ever gonna know if you don't at least give them a try." "I took a bite of those oysters, with some little chopped up onions on top, and layin in their own shell with a bit of red powdery stuff and some hot sauce dripped on em. Danged if they weren't half bad. So ventually I got ta like em pretty good." "Its ok Ennis if ya don't like em. But don't say I didn't offer ta share with ya. I get sick a beans all the time." Ennis had took a sniff, and watched as Jack took one into his mouth, and ate some crackers with it. Smiling big as you pleased. Stuck his hand in the napsack, and brung out a can o beans, saying" go ahead Jack, i'll stick with the beans." Jack just roared with laughter. Sayin "awright I was purty sure ya'd say that. Theres some other stuff in there if ya'd rather have it."
Ennis finished his lunch and went to unload the horses, and get them all ready for the trip up on Brokeback. The ladies exited the car coming in his direction, saying "can't we help do that." "Sure nuff if ya'll don't mind. I could use some help." So they set about the task and were soon ready to make the trip, and each one had their horse packed and ready. "Ok ladies I guess we are ready. Lets do it. He said," He glanced up into the afternoon sky, and saw the clear blue of the sky and light an fluffy clouds on their leisurly trip east. "Yessiree Jack its a fine afternoon to be out on a horse and taking the trail up again." He had a small smile on the edge of his mouth as he thought about the many trips that they had made just like this one. Only thing was. This one was with complete strangers. Never mind that they were, women too! "Well, Jack like ya used to say. I sure am tryin somp'n new this time!"