Nap Time
Wednesday, May 15, 1968 11:02 a.m.
Jack sighed, leaning on Ennis heavily, arm around the taller man’s
waist, as the two men walked across the camp, re-entering the tent. Jack groaned noisily, collapsing unceremoniously onto his left side, eyes immediately closing. One would have thought he was instantly asleep, the moment his head hit the bedroll, but for the fact that his right hand came up behind him, without looking, grabbing for Ennis, pulling the man down beside him, without saying a word, but managing to convey everything known and everything felt with that one simple little gesture.
Jack was asleep within moments.
Ennis coiled himself around Jack, protectively, pressing his face deeply into the man’s thick soft hair, as he always did. But once he recognized the steady sound of sleep upon his friend, Ennis lifted his head for a time, just watching, as Jack rested in peaceful satisfied slumber…exactly how long, Ennis couldn't say…before he finally turned over to peer out the tent flap for a while, his eyes surveying as far as he could see…the contents of their
black duffle bags strewn across the camp, the horses in the meadow, the rushing sound of the nearby stream, the birds in the trees, the sound of small animals scurrying on the ground…taking in everything, all in one fell swoop. Ennis squinted, narrowing his eyes, seemingly staring down an unseen yet palpable presence, as if warning nature itself to stay clear of hindering their happiness.
Satisfied at last, Ennis tied the tent flap closed, and slid his long body securely once more beside his restful friend, wrapping himself around Jack like a
protective shelter, and laying a defending arm across the quiet body rising and falling slowly in rhythmic, peaceful serenity.
“…sleep well, Bud. I’m right here.”__________________________________________________________________
(300 Words) __________________________________________________________________
Okay, yes…I completely and totally cheated with this drabble.
With the exception of some minor tweaking to fit in the
“black duffle bags,” this entire piece is lifted from the end of “Warmest Week of the Year,” – Part 4.
(But I realize a few of you already know that.
![Wink ;)](http://bettermost.net/forum/Smileys/cowboy/wink.gif)
lol )
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