September 23rd, A Little Bit Later in the Afternoon by BBM-Cat
With the idle miles of driving, the thoughts in his head swirled and intensified with each passing hour. What was he doing driving all the way to Riverton, Wyoming? What was he goin to say to Ennis? Jack did not have a plan. All he knew was that he needed to reconnect with Ennis. Jack felt oddly detached recently, like an observer in his own life. He was not sure what was real anymore. He just needed to see Ennis. Just needed to hear his voice. To look into his friends eyes. Thats all, he told himself, believing that just seeing his old friend would be his rescue.
While driving in the rain, Jack fantasized that Ennis would be equally glad and excited to see him. It was hard deciphering Ennis two-word reply from his postcard. He was supposedly married now. What if over the past four years he had forgotten or dismissed the special time they had shared together on the mountain? Jack recalled returning to Brokeback that following summer, only to discover that Ennis had not. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe Jack was the only one keeping the memory alive. His heart ached to think it could be true. The only person he had ever truly, felt connected with, and the feelings might not even still be there! He had no idea how Ennis would receive him, though he hoped against hope, it was with an embrace.
Jack needed something real right now, he needed something to hold onto. Even if it was just hope. He glanced over at Ennis postcard on the passenger seat of the truck, touching it for reassurance. That little bit of hope in the river of despair, was exactly the lifeline propelling Jack Twist along his 14-hour journey north.