Surgery (301 Words)
The new rose bush planted just below the living room window was the first thing Ennis noticed upon exiting his truck, making his way slowly to the front door, shaking his head, grumbling slightly…
‘Dammit, Jack,’ Ennis muttered, “…you’s supposed to be restin’.”
Ennis entered their home and followed the sounds and smells to the kitchen, where he found Jack busily attacking a pile of vegetables with a very large, very sharp knife.
“Hey, Bud…thought the doc told you to rest…” Ennis began.
Jack jumped and turned quickly, large knife still gripped tightly between tense fingers.
“You think you might wanna put that thing down before I mosey over there and try to hug ya?” Ennis teased.
“Hey cowboy, didn’t hear ya come in.” Jack laid down the knife and grabbed Ennis to himself, letting his tired spirit snuggle and nest into the taller man’s body.
“Why aint ya resting like the doc told you to, huh?”
“En,” Jack sighed, “…please…don’t start. Can’t stand this…can’t stand my body betraying me like this. It’s like I’m being punished for needin’ somethin I can’t quit needin’ any more than I can quit needin’ to breathe.” Jack shook quietly in Ennis’ arms. “Aint right...just aint right…” Jack sighed, letting his head come to rest softly on Ennis’ shoulder.
Ennis held his man tenderly, stroking his hair, before finally pulling back to hold his lover’s face, looking deeply into his eyes…
“You’re gonna be fine, Jack. Doc said so.” Ennis’ voice broke as he gripped Jack tightly, leaning his head quickly over Jack’s shoulder again, so the clutching man who needed him so much wouldn’t see the tears starting to work their way from his eyes. Ennis continued to repeat the only thing he was willing to accept at the moment…
“…gonna be just fine…”
301 Words
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