Toycoon, sorry this one exceeds the 3 paragraph rule, but you don't mind if I repost, do you?
Gary, Clyde-B, I am dedicating this story to the 2 of you. I hope you both enjoy it!
Jack drove 14 hours to meet up with Ennis at Don Wroe's cabin. And as usual, he didn't give it a second thought. He was reminded of a poem that Lureen loved: a sweeping, epic rhyme that he believed was titled, "The Highwayman." Jack pondered his 14 hour treks whenever Lureen was in a poetic mood and read aloud:
Look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight!
I'll come to thee by moonlight,
Though hell should bar the way!
Jack vowed that as long as he was breathing, he would find his way to Ennis, even if the gates of hell itself stood in his way. Jack felt guilty when he thought of Lureen. She had no way of knowing that a poem she loved so much held such a secret, special meaning for him. Poor Lureen!
He had a surprise for his lover: a certain something that he knew Ennis would like, but he was fearful, almost embarassed, not sure how Ennis would react to the treat that he had in store for him! Jack climbed the steps to the threshold of Don Wroe's cabin, fettered with a travel duffle, extra food (Ennis promised to bring the bulk of the vittles) and an additional bag that housed the surprise.
Jack found Ennis sprawled asleep on the overstuffed couch. His legs were spread wide, his fair hair plastered across his high forehead. Jack felt the old, familiar stirrings just gazing at his beloved, but he cast the feelings aside. After all, they had all week to be together. Jack decided to let Ennis sleep while he put his things away. Once his gear was safely in one of the bedrooms, Jack reached into his extra bag and fetched a mat: a yoga mat, to be exact, and placed it on the floor in front of the couch were Ennis was still sound asleep. He arranged his tools in a neat row in front of the mat and sat very still, closed his eyes.
Ennis woke with a start when Jack, growing impatient, rubbed the soles of his feet with a delicate hand.
"Hey Bud, Ennis began, as he wiped the sleep from his beautiful eyes. "When did you get in?" Ennis looked down at Jack's feet and noticed the mat, a small book, a bottle that contained an oily looking liquid. Jack was sitting in a strange position with one leg crossed over the other.
"Jack, what is going on?" Ennis asked, incredulous. "What's with all that stuff? How long have you been here?"
"So many questions, Cowyboy!" Jack began as he palmed Ennis' right ankle. "I just got in about 15 minutes ago. I thought I would put my stuff away and let you sleep for a few more minutes. You have a good rest?"
"Yes, thanks. But what is all this?" Ennis asked, as he pointed to Jack's gear.
"Listen, Bud, I want to do something for you. Don't be creeped out. This is very natural and healing. You'll like it, and I'm sure you'll benefit from it. Just stay where you are and be still." Jack uncrossed his legs and reached for the oil. "I wanted to have the technique memorized, but I haven't had the time. I'm going to give you a foot massage. It's called reflexology."
"Reflex what?" Ennis laughed as he shook his head. "Is that supposed to do something?"
"Yeah, it's supposed to do something, you ass!" Jack, testy now. "Look, just hold on and let me begin. You won't want me to stop when I get goin'" Ennis shrugged and let Jack begin his minsitrations. He oiled Ennis' left foot with a liberal dose of the lotion. "Now I'm going to work on your liver," Jack began as he massaged circles on Ennis' sole.
"Ahhhhhhhh Budddd...that is so good!" Ennis almost passed out from the pleasure of Jack's massage. He had never been touched on his feet by anyone, ever. Jack's gift for nuturing never ceased to amaze Ennis. he allowed himself to be pampered. Jack continued the massage on the other foot. By the time he had finished, Ennis was sound asleep. Jack chuckled and put his tools away. He would have Ennis return the favor - that was for sure! As he folded his mat and placed the gear back into his bag, Jack thought about the hippies who stopped by his office one December evening. They were a married couple who were passing through Childress, but had car trouble and were lost, cold and hungry. Jack fed them, provided a few hours of warmth and had his mechanics fix their Volkwagon Bus. And in return, the couple left him with the yoga mat, the oil and a book on how to perform reflexology. What better way to put the gear to use than to treat Ennis Del Mar? Jack changed his clothes, got cleaned up and started supper. They would eat good that night. And after the main course, the dessert...
