It had been nearly two weeks since Ennis had been to his favourite hang out, the Black and Blue Eagle Bar in Riverton. It had been a busy calving season, and even though he was retired now, Ennis couldn't say no to a neighbour who needed a hand.
This was the one place, that Ennis felt at least somewhat comfortable. He was welcomed as one of the locals, yet he wouldn't let anyone get "too close", just in case they would "come to know" of his secret life.
It had been exactly14 years to the day since Jack's death, and he felt the need to be around the friendly, familiar atmosphere of the bar, and try to forget, at least for a while, the ongoing pain, regret, and loneliness he had endured for so long.
This night, as with any other night, Ennis stationed himself by the back wall of the bar, right next to a group of pool tables. He never played much himself, but enjoyed watching the game, and all the young ranchands who would come in, especially on a Friday evening, to enjoy some pool and just being among good friends, enjoying some good-natured teasing, all "lubricated", of course, by copious amounts of whiskey and beer
At the table directly in front of him was a group of young men, probably no more than 19 or 20 yrs. old. One of them had on a black Resistol, and blue denim shirt, which immediately reminded Ennis of JackTwist, as his mind was transported back to that long-distant summer of '63. The only difference, he noted, was that this guy seemed to "chew", instead of smoking his tobacco.
Ennis was now on his fourth beer, and while he was paying attention to the game, every so often, in his heart, he felt a twinge of pain, as he longed for the companionship of the only person he had ever loved completely. He was thinking, as he had done ever since Jack's death, just what it would have been like to have taken him up on his offer to ranch together.
Not that his life was devoid of all happiness. His daughter, Alma Jr. and her husband, Kurt had made sure that he was never really "alone", even after he had moved back on his own, into another trailer, which was only about a couple of miles from their ranch. He had a 13 yr. old grandson, Kurt Jr., who was almost the spitting image of himself at the same age, and who looked-up to his granddad, and went fishing with him as often as he could.
Still, the sense of loneliness and longing was an ever-present reminder of what could have been. A couple of times, a few tears started to escape from his weary eyes, but he managed to take a deep breath, and focus his attention on the game of pool in front of him.
After another couple of beers, he noticed an older bar patron, whom he guessed was from out of town, although he had seen her around town every once in a while, talking to the rest of the locals, and enjoying the atmosphere. Then, this older, rather pleasant-looking lady, came over to where he was standing, and with a warm smile, and quiet, kind voice, said, "Hello. My name is Annie."....