Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Fan Fiction & Poetry
A Love Born From Steel - Ongoing Discussion
belbbmfan:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on December 30, 2006, 10:47:51 am ---
One of the things I did not like in some other fics that I read is that in many cases, Ennis realized he was gay by having sex with another man (not Jack). In writing this, I knew I had to have some sort of catalyst that would make Ennis understand he was attracted to men, but I didn't want it to be with him being unfaithful to Jack. And so we have Hal...
Leslie
--- End quote ---
Leslie, you were so right in that decision. I could never picture Ennis being unfaithful. It wouldn't ring true to me. I really liked how Hal appeals to Ennis's heart and Ennis feels it's just right to spend time with him, just being there.
And what a gift Ennis and Jack gave to Hal! Hal must have been quite lonely and it so fitting that in the end he is surrounded by people who really care about him and understand him.
This story is just heartwarming! :) :)
mariez:
--- Quote from: belbbmfan on December 30, 2006, 06:22:16 am ---
thank you for all your insightful comments! i love reading them :)
and thank you leslie for this wonderful story :-*
--- End quote ---
Aww - thank you, Fabienne. What a nice thing to say. I'm not sure if I'm terribly insightful - but I do know that I'm feeling a deep "connection," I guess you could say - with this wonderful story!
Thank you!
Marie
--- Quote from: belbbmfan on December 30, 2006, 02:18:42 pm ---Leslie, you were so right in that decision. I could never picture Ennis being unfaithful. It wouldn't ring true to me. I really liked how Hal appeals to Ennis's heart and Ennis feels it's just right to spend time with him, just being there.
And what a gift Ennis and Jack gave to Hal! Hal must have been quite lonely and it so fitting that in the end he is surrounded by people who really care about him and understand him.
This story is just heartwarming! :) :)
--- End quote ---
Yep - my feelings exactly.
Leslie, I was going to apologize for causing you to cry by re-reading the chapter, but then I realized - you're making yourself cry with your own beautiful words! LOL!! And bringing out such strong emotions from your readers (and yourself) is a testament to really, really fine writing!
On to Chapter 16!
Thanks - Marie
MaineWriter:
Sometimes I re-read something and I say to myself, "I wrote that?" It's an eerie feeling, actually.
Yes, onto chapter 16...
L
MaineWriter:
Here's a quote I like, from Chapter 16:
Ennis started crying again as he said this, looking embarrassed and wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. “I loved my mama,” he said, his voice a whisper.
“And I’m sure yer mama loved you,” said Jack, smiling at Ennis and covering his hand with his own.
“I wonder what she’d think t’know her little baby boy grew up t’be a queer,” he said, trying to compose himself by picking up his sandwich and taking a bite.
“Well,” said Jack, “I don’t know for sure, a course, but I bet she’d be okay with it.”
“Ya think so?” said Ennis. “She was married t’my daddy and I told ya what he thought ‘bout queers.”
“Ya might be right,” replied Jack, “but I like t’think that what mamas want is for their children t’be happy.” He paused. “Yer happy now, ain’t ya, Ennis?”
Ennis smiled at Jack. “Ya know I am, babe. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
“Well,” said Jack, “that’s what I think yer mama would see—that yer happy. The queer part wouldn’t be so important.”
Ennis wiped his eyes again and picked up his soup spoon. “That’s a nice way t’think of it,” he said. “Mebbe that’s how my mama would be.”
L
mariez:
Well, couldn't stop at 16! . . . so, some ramblings on 16, 17 and 18:
--- Quote from: MaineWriter on December 31, 2006, 11:43:53 am ---Here's a quote I like, from Chapter 16:
Ennis started crying again as he said this, looking embarrassed and wiping his eyes with his handkerchief. “I loved my mama,” he said, his voice a whisper.
“And I’m sure yer mama loved you,” said Jack, smiling at Ennis and covering his hand with his own.
“I wonder what she’d think t’know her little baby boy grew up t’be a queer,” he said, trying to compose himself by picking up his sandwich and taking a bite.
“Well,” said Jack, “I don’t know for sure, a course, but I bet she’d be okay with it.”
“Ya think so?” said Ennis. “She was married t’my daddy and I told ya what he thought ‘bout queers.”
“Ya might be right,” replied Jack, “but I like t’think that what mamas want is for their children t’be happy.” He paused. “Yer happy now, ain’t ya, Ennis?”
Ennis smiled at Jack. “Ya know I am, babe. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
“Well,” said Jack, “that’s what I think yer mama would see—that yer happy. The queer part wouldn’t be so important.”
Ennis wiped his eyes again and picked up his soup spoon. “That’s a nice way t’think of it,” he said. “Mebbe that’s how my mama would be.”
L
--- End quote ---
Oh, I like that too! When Jack is right, he's right. Speaking as a mama, the Number One Thing mamas want is for their children to be happy!!
In our house, grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup was the official lunch menu for anyone feeling under the weather - I think some version of that is true for many families!
I liked Ennis' reaction to Jack's mention of Ray - another good sign of his faith in their love and life together and his understanding of himself.
On to not-so-nice thoughts -
...and, of course, I'm talking about Norm Crocker. Deep breaths - try not to let my blood pressure rise too high! My mom always taught me that there is good in everyone and to try and look for that - but I must say Crocker really is the exception that proves the rule, isn't he? And that's the nice thing that I will say about him! ;D
I was worried that this would send Jack into a tailspin of drinking and depression - but Ennis is so wise and so strong.
“Maybe the fantasy of this horse farm,” Ennis said, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t find somethin’ else. Yeah, we were lucky with this place, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be lucky again. Or maybe it’s not just luck.” He picked up Jack’s hands and looked closely in Jack’s eyes, “What I’ve learned this summer, Jack, is t’believe in myself. I ain’t ever believed in myself before and I ain’t ever got ahead before. But havin’ you lovin’ me has made me realize that I can do things—if we want to own a farm, or a ranch, or somethin’ else, we will.” He stopped, and gave Jack a smile
YES!!! Take that, Crocker!! (I sound like an eight-year old, don't I? :laugh: I can't help it!)
I was so proud of Ennis when he spoke at the funeral! What a special moment - and, of course, his heartfelt words would mean a lot not only to Hal's family, but to all the good people in the community who considered Hal a friend, and that will go a long way in building good will. I really do like to believe that the kindness and love we extend to others is given back to us tenfold - corny, I know! :)
I suppose I should have known that we would learn more about Hal's brown-eyed friend - I just didn't expect to actually meet him - and so soon! What a wonderful (but bittersweet) surprise.
Got a little teary again -
“Holy God,” thought Ennis to himself, “I’m lookin’ at a picture of what I might have become and I ain’t likin’ what I’m seein’.”
...
“I was just lookin’ at Pete, thinkin’ I coulda been who he is…poor as shit, nothin’ but a life of regrets. Fuck, Jack, fuck…I am so fuckin’ glad I said yes t’you in May.” Ennis pulled Jack close again as he said this, his embrace squeezing Jack like he never wanted to let him go.
Jack laughed, his faced mashed in against Ennis’s neck. “Well ya did say yes, cowboy,” he mumbled. “No need t’regret what ain’t gonna happen.”
Happy for Jack and Ennis. So sad for Hal and Pete. No re-wind buttons on life though, right? We just have to move forward and learn.
Now, I know Jack and Ennis end up with the Lazy L - but I don't know how, yet. Very anxious to see what Tom is going to say!
Thanks again, Leslie!
Marie
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