Food for thought.
Yep. So no answer on this right now, it's late for me.
A lot of people do. By “managed” do you mean “nothing changed, business as usual,” or that Ennis finally made a decision to live with Jack? I have a hard time with the former because of Ennis’ breakdown and Jack’s love combined. I have a problem with the latter because it would be (has been) such a, to me, insurmountable hurdle for Ennis.
No, I don't mean "managed" as for business like usual (camping trips). Maybe for a little while longer. The girls being grown up would mean two things for Ennis: no more child support and letting go his girls on some level. All parents come to a point where they have to let go their children. This may be hard, but it has a good side on it, too. The parents are then free again to take responsibility only for their own life, not any longer for their children's. For exapmle free to move to another place, without their children; just as as the children might do themselves. And I think the girls are really that important to Ennis, not only an excuse. Not the most important reason why he keeps saying no to Jack (that would be his homophobia) but sure the second important reason.
I mean "manage it" in the sense of Ennis coming around to make commitments. Maybe not the one big commitment Jack is waiting for so long in just one step. But maybe at first some baby-steps: going with Jack to Lighning Flat just for some days, just to do Jack the favour. Maybe opening to the possibility for a trip south. Maybe moving closer to Texas, maybe a second, third... and longer trip to LF, maybe whatever....
I'm aware that this is not what Jack
really wants. But things like these could be a beginning. I'm sure Jack would be stunned and pleased by any of those steps. And
for a beginning this would have been not bad, hunh?
And in the end, yes I can see Ennis and Jack living together.
Hm, my last paragraph sounds like fanfiction. But you asked, and I answered. So you shut up about me being helpless romantic, it's all your fault