The Dance: Chapter 14 - Against the Wind

[smiles_a_lot]

 Genre & Rating: Canon/AU, R for cursing.

Disclaimer: Jack and Ennis were created by the Great and Mighty Annie Proulx. I'm just the dude behind the yellow curtain working the lights and using the Big Voice microphone.

Summary: This is the continuation of  The Package, and takes place after Ennis and Alma's divorce. Ennis has moved to Kansas and is

Comments

[mariez65]

I admire Janie. She not only lost Jesse, she also lost the brother she knew. I have a colleague who is a Vietnam vet and while his experiences were not as horrific as some, he told me that he was still a different person when he came home. The "Janies" out there are sometimes the forgotten casualties of war. Great job with this storyline and with showing how well in tune Ennis and Janie are ; even when they're "bickering" there's a comfortable rhythm to their interactions. As always, their humor is a godsend.

LOL at the Christmas concert! And did they have to sing all twelve verses in that damn song? You speak for parents everywhere, Jack! :) :)

Randall is smarmy with a capital "S" isn't he? Ick. And I'll love Lureen forever for how she handled that.

As for the conversation between our boys -

This was real, washed clean, shiny and pure and sparkling with honesty.

'Nuff said. I'm beaming (and wiping a bit of moisture from my own eyes). Thanks so much, Em!

Marie

[smiles_a_lot]

Oh Marie, thanks so much for getting what I wanted to convey with Janie, and in her relationship with Ennis. I think, she and Ennis are really very much alike. They hide things within a gruff exterior, they're both yearning for something that's missing in their lives, and they both have an affinity for horses. So, I guess, they know how to communicate to each other in a way that other people might not understand. Which is why the Janie/Ennis scene takes place in a barn, surrounded by horses.

I also love the word you used for Randall, smarmy. Exactly right! And you've pinpointed the exact line I sweated over for days. Thanks for letting me know it was worth it! xx Em

[brokeback1963]

Awww, Em, you know how much I love to write endless posts and now I have no words. This is so special, baby. I started laughing, then I ended crying. You did it again. You really know how to touch a heart!! Being a writer myself, swear that I don’t know how you do it. You can have us smiling wide and next second heart broken with vivid images of sadness and melancholy

[smiles_a_lot]

Wow. I made you Shelter-less for a while? That's not right!

And for a girl that's speechless, you sure come up with a lotta words! lol. Oh Tammy, you're a joy, you really are. I always look forward to your comments.

I'll focus a bit on what you said about Lureen. I've always liked her, maybe because I love Anne Hathaway, too. I think Lureen's coming to realize that it was wrong for her to stand idly by while LD put Jack down for years. And she's really a decent person, a true Southern girl, who now has an opportunity to make things right. Well, you'll see more of Lureen later.

But first...the boys have some percolating to do! Thanks again. xx Em

[ramona4jake]

"How do you describe being woken up from a long-standing dream, only to find reality so much better than what you expected?" - I dreamed for this to happen to Jack.... and you did it ! I know, it's still a long way.... but maybe not so long !
I liked how Lureen stepped in for Jack, even if it was for her pride ! But I don't understand that jerk Randall: what is he doing ??!
Thank you so much, Em, and don't worry, I can wait for that.... percolator ?!!!! ;)

[smiles_a_lot]

Well, Jack and Ennis have both come a long way, so it's about time they start to see some results, don't you think? I may be an angst girl but I'm not a masochist. (That's more for my other fic. ;))
As for Randall, who can reason with that level of sliminess? Let's just wash our hands of him! Although, it seems Lureen's figured out how to deal with him! Go Lureen! xx Em

[eandj]

Oh this chapter is absolutely wonderful.
Ennis is reaching out to people, he don't want to be an 'island' anymore.
And he's made Jack so happy with this phone call.thanks for this.
I never liked Randall but in your story he's downright silly. He will never get a chance with Jack. Thank god.
Now I'm looking forward to christmas
Paula

[smiles_a_lot]

Yah Randall Shmandall. Poof. Begone with you.

It's a bit of a risk writing an Ennis that reaches out. It's so unlike OC Ennis, so I kind of have to build a case, like CSI. Kind of lay the groundwork little by little so when Ennis begins to break away from OC Ennis, there's enough to support that happening. This is where I really rely on my betas to help me figure out what's believable. So glad it's all making sense to you! Thanks for your comment. Em

[bbmuppslukad]

What a sweet, sweet chapter!
I especially liked the phonecall between the two of them! So emotional!
Looking forward really much to after Christmas!

But I'm afraid there will be problems along the way, especially with Randall, and with Lureen too....

I don't think Janie and Nicky will be a problem, though. They have suffered enough both of them to be understanding and accepting of others.

Looking forward to next chapter!

[smiles_a_lot]

Oh, I wanted to write that phone call for such a long time. It seemed to take forever to get there! This really is like being a kid, waiting for Christmas to come.

As for problems along the way, well, unfortunately you're right about that. But let's put our worries aside for now and just look forward to the perks. Thanks! Em