Encounter - Chapter Eighteen
Ennis stared at the cordless phone while hundreds of excuses raced through his head. Jack was there because they had hung out the night before and drank too much…or he was there to help do some early-morning chores…or he banged the shit out of him last night and was the best fuck he ever had and they were in love…
Flushing madly, Ennis said, “Oh, yeah. Well, he helped me move some furniture last night. We, um, we had some beers afterward and I didn’t want him to drive home, so…” Ennis held his breath.
“Oh, Ennis,” Alma said, her voice full of disappointment, “you know I wish you wouldn’t drink so much.” He exhaled sharply. Alma was only concerned about the drinking. She didn’t care about anything else. Ennis looked at Jack, whose face was shadowed with worry. He blinked twice and smiled, nodding his head. Jack placed his hand over his chest and nodded back. Jack smiled and disappeared around the corner, heading back down the hallway.
“Well, that’s the last time for a while,” said Ennis. He was so relieved he was able to thwart any more questions about Jack’s presence, but at the same time, felt annoyed with both himself and Alma because he still felt the need to justify his actions to her. He knew she didn’t approve of homosexuals, and he didn’t want to risk her finding out anything that could give her more reasons to keep his girls from him. Plus, he was angry with Alma for being so reluctant, though rightly so, to drink alcohol while pregnant, yet she still had an occasional cigarette. Ennis decided he should end the call before he got an attitude with her, especially since things were going so well.
“Hey, Alma, look, I’m gonna get off here now,” said Ennis, keeping his voice even. He had nothing to worry about; nothing to feel guilty about. He and Jack hadn’t done anything wrong. Alma didn’t respond right away, so Ennis added, “And I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving with you and the girls, too. And, Monroe and his mother’s stuffing recipe.” Alma sighed.
“Sure enough,” she said, her voice slightly edgy but sounding a little more relaxed than when she had scolded him about drinking. “See you Thursday at 2:00. ‘Bye-bye.”
“O.k., see you.” Ennis pressed the button to end the call, held it to his chest and leaned his back against the door jam. After a moment and a few calming breaths, he wandered down the hall where he heard the shower running. After placing the phone back on its stand, Ennis rapped twice on the bathroom door and pushed it open a crack. He was greeted by a moist burst of steam, and the welcoming grin of Jack Twist, who was peeking from behind the shower curtain.
“Everything go o.k.?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s good. I just told her you helped me yesterday, and then we drank too much. You crashed here.”
“Well, it’s basically the truth,” said Jack, disappearing behind the curtain. “I mean, I did help you with the furniture, and we did have some beers. She doesn’t need to know anything else.” Ennis put the lid down on the toilet and sat. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, was that the gist of the conversation?”
“No, she actually called to invite me to Thanksgiving dinner.” Jack’s face appeared around the shower curtain again.
“Really?” He smiled and then pulled the curtain closed. “That’ll be awesome to see your girls.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.” Ennis pushed his thumbnail into his mouth, wondering if Jack had any plans or if he would be spending the holiday alone. “So, what are you doin’?”
“I’m showering,” joked Jack. His hand appeared over the top of the curtain rod and he flicked water in Ennis’s direction. Some droplets fell on to Ennis’s head, causing him to laugh.
“Hey!” He brushed his hand over his hair and looked toward the shower. “I meant, what are you doin’ for Thanksgiving?”
“Well,” said Jack, “I didn’t have plans per se.” Ennis heard the water turn off, and Jack whipped back the curtain. His body glistened as if coated by a million tiny diamonds, and even though Ennis was sitting, he actually had to grab the sink with one hand to steady himself. He swallowed hard and watched intently as Jack began to towel off.
“So, um, no plans?” Ennis asked, managing to pull his eyes away from Jack.
“Well, my mom actually called a couple days ago. She asked me to come up. So I figured, it’s been a while, and they aren’t getting any younger.” Ennis was a little surprised Jack wanted to visit his parents, especially since he made it clear he and his father didn’t get along. Ennis almost asked Jack about it but then reconsidered. Ennis, himself, would have given anything to spend just one more moment with his parents, even if it would just be to say thank you for doing their best and to even tell them he loved them. Sentimental words like that were few and far between in the Del Mar household, which is another reason Ennis lavished as much attention as possible on his children.
“That’s good,” said Ennis. “When are you leaving?” Jack stepped out of the shower and placed his foot on the edge of the tub. He swiped the towel up and down his leg, then switched positions to dry the opposite side.
“Figured I’d head up Wednesday. Neil and Brad gave me off until Sunday, so that should be plenty of time for them to get on my nerves and chase me the hell out of there.” He flashed Ennis his gorgeous smile, but Ennis saw sadness in Jack’s eyes. And even though Jack lowered his gaze quickly, busying himself with drying his legs, Ennis could have sworn he saw moisture in the corner of Jack’s eye. Ennis stood and easily took Jack into his arms. Jack paused a moment, a little surprised at Ennis’s sudden burst of affection, but then encircled Ennis’s waist with his arms. “Hey,” Jack quietly said, his voice trembling, “what’s this all about?”
“You’re everything to me, Jack,” murmured Ennis. “And I just want you to be happy.” Ennis thought, for a moment, that Jack would say that he was happy, that everything was o.k. and that Ennis didn’t have to worry. But Jack didn’t say anything; he simply sighed and tightened his embrace. Ennis held on, humming quietly, while Jack trembled in his arms.
~*~*~*~*~*
Ennis clutched the bag containing the bottle of white wine, pressed his free hand on his neatly-combed hair and stared at his feet, which he couldn’t seem to keep still. He was standing on Alma’s front porch on Thanksgiving afternoon, waiting to ring the doorbell but almost too nervous to do so. He was excited about seeing the girls, and Monroe had turned out to be a pretty good guy, but there was something about being at the same table with Alma, which hadn’t happened since before the divorce, which worried him. Their relationship was volatile. Either one could say something which would set off the other causing the tension in the room to explode. He didn’t want that to happen. He just wanted to have a nice evening, enjoy the company of his girls, and perhaps through his actions, convince Alma to let him take the girls more frequently. Ennis raised his head, fixed his eyes on the doorknob and rang the bell.
~*~*~*~*~*
Laughter filled the small dining room as Monroe finished telling a hilarious anecdote about a customer at the hardware store. Ennis looked around the table, fixating on the beaming faces of his girls, and felt intense warmth spread through his chest. His eyes then fell on Alma, who was covering her broad smile with one hand while the other rested affectionately on Monroe’s upper arm. She had never looked more beautiful. Monroe was staring at her with such adoration, the likes of which Ennis had only known from gazing at one person himself - Jack Twist. Ennis felt his chest tighten as he thought about Jack, who was now visiting his parents in New York. He wished Jack could be with him, enjoying this comfortable and cozy holiday. It was how it should be.
“There’s never a lack of interesting people at the store, for sure,” said Alma as she stood and began to collect the dirty dishes. She took a moment to quickly press her lips to Monroe’s forehead. Ennis averted his eyes, stood and also began gathering plates. Junior stood also, but Ennis waved a hand at her.
“It’s o.k., Junior. Let me help your mom.” Junior’s eyes flicked to her mother who, after a second’s hesitation, nodded. Junior’s eyes lit up, she grabbed Francie’s hand and they both dashed into the living room.
“Ennis, you don’t have to,” said Monroe. “You’re our guest. I’m more than glad to help.”
“No, please,” said Ennis. “I’d really like to help.” He saw Monroe glance at Alma, who nodded her head. Monroe knows what it can be like with us, thought Ennis.
“Ok, then,” said Monroe, pushing his chair away from the table, “I believe there’s a football game to be watched.” He smiled at Ennis, took one last look at Alma and joined the girls in the living room.
Ennis followed Alma into the kitchen with an armload of dirty place settings and put them on a clear spot near the sink. While Alma began rinsing and putting the items in the dishwasher, Ennis returned to the dining room and loaded his arms with more. He could hear Monroe explaining the football plays to the girls, and the side of his mouth raised up in a grin. He returned to the kitchen where Alma was leaning on the sink, her right arm wrapped around her belly. Ennis bristled. Alma didn’t look happy. Something was about to go down.
“Ennis…” she said, her voice quivering.
“Alma, hey, I just want to thank you again for such a great day,” Ennis said, pushing the items onto the counter. He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “For you and Monroe to let me come here…to be with the girls…well…”
“Ennis!” Alma’s head snapped up, sweat running down her cheeks and her eyes full of pain, “It’s time.” Ennis’s eyes grew wide, and he looked at her arm clutching her swollen belly. His eyes flashed back to her face, which had now softened into a smile. Tears gleamed in her eyes. “The baby’s coming.”
“Oh shit,” exclaimed Ennis, his mind flashing back to when Alma’s contractions had started with both Alma, Jr. and Francie. “Oh shit, we gotta go to the hospital…”
“Monroe,” Alma said. Yes, that’s right, thought Ennis. This is Monroe’s baby.
Ennis went to Alma, took her by her free arm and led her to a kitchen chair. “Relax, Alma, and I’ll get Monroe.” Leaving Alma seated at the table, Ennis rushed into the living room. Monroe, Junior and Francie all looked at him expectantly. “The baby…” Ennis said, and Monroe, immediately knowing what he meant, jumped from his chair.
“The baby’s coming! The baby’s coming!” Francie shouted, running around the room.
Back in the kitchen, Monroe knelt in front of Alma. “Is it time, honey?” he asked. Alma nodded, her hand on her abdomen.
“The contractions are coming fast, Monroe,” she nearly whispered. “Much faster than with Junior and with Francie. The baby’s coming…not much time,” she said, tears spilling down her cheeks. She smiled and placed her hand on Monroe’s cheek. He looked lost. Ennis shifted from foot to foot.
“Um, she got a bag packed or something?” Ennis asked, trying to be helpful. Monroe’s head snapped around, a look of bewilderment on his face.
“Yes,” Monroe stammered. “Yes, oh yes, we knew the baby was due any time. There’s a bag in the bedroom.”
“Why don’t you get that,” said Ennis. Monroe dutifully complied as Ennis knelt in front of Alma. Their eyes locked. “How far apart?”
“Not far,” she whispered, then her face screwed up from the pain.
“Can you make it to the hospital?” She nodded.
“Can you call my sister? To take the girls?” Alma’s eyes flicked over Ennis’s shoulder to where Monroe now stood, holding her small packed suitcase.
“Why don’t I just take them?” suggested Ennis. “Their room is all set up…” Alma nodded vigorously.
“Yes, ok,” she said. She cleared her throat and looked at Monroe, holding out her hand to him. “Sweetheart, let’s go. Let’s go now.”
Monroe helped her to her feet, clutching her suitcase in his other hand. As they walked toward the hallway, Alma, Jr. and Francie appeared, their expressions anxious. Alma took a deep breath, composing herself. “Girls,” she said, her voice steady, “Monroe and I are goin' to the hospital because the baby is comin'. Remember how you put stuff in your back packs? Go get them. You’re going with Daddy tonight, ok?”
The girls, simultaneously, reached out and clasped each other’s hands. Francie pulled in her lips, her eyes reflecting her worry. Ennis stepped forward and knelt in front of them. He placed one hand on Alma, Jr.’s left cheek and the other on Francie’s right. His caramel eyes looked from one to the other, reassuring them.
“It’s o.k., girls,” he calmly said. “Go on and get your things. You can spend the night in your brand new room and then see mama tomorrow. Go on now.” As the girls darted toward their rooms, Ennis stood and looked at Monroe and Alma. “You better get goin'. That baby’s gonna be here ‘fore you know it.”
Alma nodded and took Monroe’s arm. They moved to the front door, and as they were about to leave, Alma turned toward Ennis. “Ennis,” she said, “I’m so glad you were here today.”
“Me, too, darlin’,” he said. “Me, too.”