The Fire
(April 1978)
Ennis looked up at the mountain. “It’s onward and upward” Jack said.
Ennis threw a sly glance at Jack. But he didn’t answer him.
They began riding up the trail. It was a picture postcard perfect day, with a surprisingly soft breeze and bright blue sky. They rode up the mountain silently, with Jack leading the way.
“Hey, why are you goin’ so fast?” Ennis called out. “This ain’t a race.”
Ennis shook his head, Jack still liked to show off sometimes, still wanted the bragging rights. But not all the time.
They finally arrived, high up on the mountain. They dismounted the horses. Ennis stood for a moment, and looked at Jack. He waited so long for this time. He rubbed his shoulder, it still hurt from that night. Thanksgiving night, and the two fights, and being thrown upon the ground. He was still trying hard to forget that night, and Alma’s words. The words that still tore right through him.
“Let’s get the tent up fast” Jack said, as he a came real close to Ennis and wrapped his arms around him. Ennis felt the fire rising up in him. He wrapped his own arms tightly around Jack, as if he needed to hold on to him. The fire was getting hotter. The fire was burnng deep inside him. But the fire couldn’t burn up the ever present, stinging pain that was also still deep within him.