Getting Up
(August 1985)
“So you're goin’ to come inside? Tom asked again. “I really want ya to.”
Ennis just looked at him with vacant eyes. “I think I’m just goin’ to go to bed, I gotta get some sleep” he said quietly, almost in a whisper.
“You sure? Fine, suit yourself.” Tom said, and sighed, a soft exasperated sigh.
“You know, I just wish you’d once and for all just make up your mind, a couple of days we’re together, and then your gone again” he said, looking right at Ennis “Maybe you just need to move on.”
Ennis stared at him, his eyes were no longer vacant, but were suddenly full of fire.
“Just cause I want to sleep in my bed one night, and I get this from you now” he said, getting up out of the chair.
“You know, I’ve been……” Tom said sharply, but then he suddenly stopped. His eyes softened, and his voice became low. He paused, then said softly “it’s just that I worry about you, man. How long have we known each other now? Months, and you keep takin’ steps back. There’s a whole wide world out there, if it’s not goin to be me, then someone else, but I just can’t stand to think of you all alone, in that shitty little trailer.” He grew silent, then looked at Ennis with a sly smile. “But that was some time we had, sure hope its goin’ to be me.”
Ennis sat back down. He looked at the ground. Then he looked up at the sky, all dark now with the twinking stars. He faced Tom, with his twinkling deep blue eyes.
“Sometimes….. Sometimes I feel like, I dunno, like I just fallen, and I can’t get up, even if I try….. Just all of a sudden….you know.” Ennis said with a quiver in his voice.
“But I’m here now, to help you up.” Tom said. Then he stood up, walked over to Ennis and took him into his strong arms…. “It’s time to get up now” Tom murmured, as he buried his face in the nape of Ennis’ neck……