I think I agree with you on this... I think to say Ennis would never move on really limits/trivializes him as a person. And, as I've said before, just because he 'moves on' doesn't mean he loved/loves Jack any less, it is just him changing and growing as a person, and what is wrong with that. (It is okay to find a way to 'live again.' Please don't interpret what I've said as me meaning there is any sort of time table or routine to grieving, and moving on, I just mean I think it's unfair to say that moving on can't happen, and unfair is probably a poor choice of wording... I will catch up on the posts and likely find someone who has said this better...)
Exactly right. Just because he has found someone to love, doesnt mean he thinks any less of Jack, thats just silly. I should think at the start of their relationship, he felt as guilty as hell. Guilty because he is living that sweet life that Jack wanted for the two of them. He probably also blamed himself in some way for Jacks death, because if he,d said yes, then obviously Jack wouldnt be dead, so he probably thought he deserved to be sitting alone in that crappy trailer drinking and smoking himself to death as some sort of "punishment". Thats just crazy. The poor guy is allowed to feel again. He,s allowed to love again. Of course he,ll never forget or probably stop loving Jack, but he,s finally coming to terms with it, and being able to talk about him to Ellery without breaking down. Jack wouldnt have wanted him to drink himself to death, and we dont want that for him either, it,s too awful. I love this story Louise, I really do. IF they ever did a sequel, I,d love to see Ennis,s face when he gets called buttercup in the bar. BTW, I know someone asked you this, so apologies if you replied and I didnt see it, but where did you do your ahem, "research" into their, erm,"bedroom antics?" Love it.