“Your mom ever sing to you?” Jack asked Ennis as he lay enclosed in his arms. Jack couldn’t explain why, but he had been feeling very tired and rather blue. He flung an arm around Ennis’ neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
“Well, yeah, I can remember a few songs, Jack.” Ennis answered as he returned Jack’s kiss. “Why do you ask, Bud?” Ennis was becoming concerned. He placed a hand on Jack’s forehead and rubbed. He sensed Jack’s mood, and was determined to provide comfort.
“Can you remember any of them, Cowboy?” Jack asked, as he removed Ennis’ hand from his forehead and squeezed it. “I sure can use a song right now. I love the sound of your voice, Friend! Sing to me.” Ennis looked at Jack and suppressed a chuckle. He wrapped Jack into his arms and held him like he would a small child.
“Well, if I’m gonna do this, I may as well do it right. Any requests, Rodeo? What do you wanna hear?” Jack felt his mood lift as he snuggled into his lover’s arms.
“Oh, just anything. Sing to me, Ennis... please?” Ennis smiled down at his lover and cleared his throat.
“Okay, I’ll try. This tune is one my mom used to sing to me when I was afraid to sleep.” Ennis sang,
“Go ye therefore and teach all nations
Go, go, go!
Go ye therefore and teach all nations
Go, go, go!
If you love me, really love me
Feed my, my sheep!
If you love me, really love me
Feed my sheep
Lo I’ll be with you
Forever and ever
Until the end of the world!
Go, go, go!”
Ennis stopped at this point and looked down at Jack. He was wide awake, but a lone tear was falling down his cheek. Ennis reached down and wiped the tear with his tongue.
“Everything will be okay, Bud! You’ll see. Just hold onto me… I’m here.” Ennis pulled Jack closer and ran his long fingers through Jack’s thick hair. Jack nodded and closed his eyes, grateful that whatever was bothering him was now just a distant memory.