...Also, I understand what you are saying about Ennis in that scene, it shows that he is starting to get in touch with his sexuality again and this can only be positive for Jack. LOL!
Yep, you stated that better than I did (and let's hope about the "positive for Jack" part!
)
Oh Alma, yes, I never have that with OS Alma, but this Alma is just causing me to have so much more sympathy for her. I don't know why. I also felt sorry for her when Ennis made it all about himself when HER father died. At least, that's how I interpreted it, do you know what I mean?
Well, I'm one of those people who has always had sympathy for Alma, even in the OS - she really never did anything but marry a boy she loved. But I do find I'm worrying about her even more in this story. I think it's because she
knows Jack in this story. To use Kumari's own description - they are
family to each other. So she's not only being betrayed (and, yes, as much as I want J&E together -I can't deny that that's what they're doing) by her husband but by someone else that she loves....and trusts. Another reason why I find this whole story so intriguing and so original - how will all of this play out?
I was so deeply touched by Ennis's sincere devotion and love for Hank and how gentle and patient he was in caring for him, that I can't be upset with him for his reaction to Hank's death. It seemed to me that he thought of Hank as the father he lost, more than a father-in-law. I do know what you mean - Alma was grieving too, of course - but I didn't see Ennis as consciously making it all about him instead of Alma - it was more that he was so lost in his own grief. Ennis is always taking care of people in this story - always worrying about someone else and he never (until now) has thought much about
himself or his feelings. I keep thinking back to the famous "missed game" chapter where Ennis cries to Jack about how he took it like a man when his parents died, then asking "Why can't I have nobody" - that just broke my heart.
God, I hope Abbey doesn't expect more from Ennis - he needs more guilt like a hole in the head! I don't think on a conscious level Ennis realized he was using Abbey until the moment he was reflecting about it. Ennis has been through an emotional earthquake in the last few chapters - his entire life and everything he always thought he knew about himself is upside down and inside out. And where can he go? What can he do? Because his most trusted friend and confidant is the very person causing the upheaval. To say that this is a complicated situation would be the understatement of the century!
Well, look how I've rambled now! LOL! You're so right - this is a story worth discussing because of all the thought put into it!
Marie
Ha Ha! I was just about to post and I spotted David poking his head through the door!
Come on in, David - are you reading this story, too?