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I did once (have a better idea)... to go to Mexico???

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Aussie Chris:
Ok, I have a question that occured to me on my first viewing that I only remembered today.  I've been trying to catch up on historical Tremblay posts, and today I came across the topic: "An interesting thread from the main IMDB board...".  This *was* an interesting read, and in it there was a reference to the scene where Jack says "I did once".

Now what has puzzled me is this scene is where Ennis is explaining why they can't get together in August.  It all leads to the admonition that Ennis' life is too hard/complex, can't quit this job, it's difficult enough to get the time away that he does, and "the trade-off is August".  He then asks Jack if has/had a better idea.  So far, all well and good, but I was surprised that when Jack says "I did once" (expecting this to be in relation to the better idea of a cow-and-calf operation, that Ennis immediately concludes that "you been to Mexico Jack?".  Jack nods and then there's the argument, yadda, yadda, yadda.  So now I'm confused.  Is the full sentence from Jack supposed to be:

Ennis: You got a better idea?
Jack: I did once... and it's to go to Mexico.

Huh?  Am I missing something?  How is this a "better idea"?  Have you Tremblayans discussed this before?  Sorry if you have and I've not come across it yet.

Ray:
I think it was " I did once but you have let me down so many times that I dare not ever contemplate offering it again."

Aussie Chris:
Yeah, but how does that lead to a Mexico conclusion???

Sheyne:
Chris, I always thought "I did once" was a bitter reference to the proposition Jack made in their 20's that they leave their wives and be together.  He was saying that he HAD the better idea - as in, he's sick of their sporadic get togethers but he's put up with it because he loves him - but if he had HIS way, they'd have lived together as partners.  And he says it with that accusatory tone because he wants to rub it in to Ennis that it didn't have to be the way it has been.

And as Ray said, he wouldn't ever put the offer out there again.

I think at this point, also, he's considering leaving Ennis because he can't handle hardly ever seeing him.

That's the way I've always interpreted this line.

Aussie Chris:
OK, I agree, but that's my problem.  We are focusing on Jack's motive for saying "I did once" and what he means.  What I don't understand is how Ennis concludes that he means Mexico?

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