The Dance: Chapter 20 - Forgiveness

[smiles_a_lot]

Genre & Rating: Canon/AU, NC-17 for cussin.

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

Comments

The Dance, Chapter 20

[ennis4me]

Beautiful chapter - Love this Lureen - she's so much more in depth than I always pictured her. Good job here on characterizations.

And of course, the culmination of the chapter is the "I swear" proclamations from both the boys....Ennis in Jack's dream, and then Jack's whispered confession when he awakes. Beautiful....

Can't wait to see/hear the reunion - it will be just joyous, I know it.

Thanks again - it's been fun - and over way too fast!! Adrianne

Re: The Dance, Chapter 20

[smiles_a_lot]

Hi Adrianne:
You're kidding me right? Over way too fast? I feel so guilty that it's dragged on this long. However, I thank you for your support and your wonderful comments along the way. So glad this gives you a deeper perspective of Lureen. She's always been one of my favourites, I always picture her with this kind of fire. Thanks for everything, Em

[smiles_a_lot]

When I first conceptualized this story I knew I had to have *this* Lureen. One that was strong, but still vulnerable. I love that Thanksgiving scene in the movie, where Jack takes Bobby to task for not respecting the work Lureen put into the dinner; I especially love the little squeeze he gives her shoulder when he passes by her chair, and the way she kind of leans towards him gratefully. I wanted very much to convey that kind of relationship between them in this chapter, that kind of united front, despite their differences.

As for the shirts...Oh My. Welling up even. I guess you can tell I was in tears when I wrote that last bit. Thanks for all your encouragement. ♥ Em

[torry28]

There are a few other Authors, who have made Lureen a likable person and understood how she felt throughout her life with Jack. I love your Lureen enormously, oh sure she is angry for having been made a fool of, hurt because Jack loved someone else and not her, but not once did she say anything about being disgusted because it is a man he loves. She is a woman with a lot of heart and deserves the best. Its wonderful if they can stay on being friends not only for Bobby's sake but for them self. Hate only destroys and eventually eats you up. She is not only forgiving but opens Jacks eyes to the fact he has to stop letting his father and her father rule his feelings and not be angry at Ennis for fears he shows for the same reason. Both have to lay their fathers treatments to them to reast and move on, love each other and learn to respect each others feelings with out jumping to conclusions every time eyes are averted, old fears grip momentarily. I probably make no sense as usual, but I love how this entire chapter is written.Jacks dream

Dear wonderful Torry,

[l_rabbit]

re: "I probably make no sense as usual..." I think you always make excellent sense, and you do so here when you point out how our fears can keep us from fulfilling our dreams. I agree, J and E jump to conclusions at the smallest sign, because they're so afraid.

[smiles_a_lot]

Torry, my dear, you make perfect sense and I thank you for that. You have incredible insight and it's a joy, as an author, to know what I hoped to convey has been read and understood.

I wanted very much to bring a Lureen to this story that seemed believable. One that wasn't too nice and forgiving, but one that wasn't a total hardass bitch either. Thank you for letting me know you think I wrote her well.

As for this: Both have to lay their fathers treatments to them to reast and move on, love each other and learn to respect each others feelings with out jumping to conclusions every time eyes are averted, old fears grip momentarily . Exactly right. In this story I wanted to explore how much past experiences, especially both Jack and Ennis' fathers, affected their relationship with each other. My beta commented to me that she loved how the opening few paragraphs are ambiguous because they could refer to either Jack or Ennis. Often times what haunts has nothing to do with the present, but is linked primarily to the past

[carmenmariabs]

Beautiful, emotional, the field is free, at least one hand ... the other, too. Sure.

[smiles_a_lot]

Carmen - Thank you. I love that: the field is free. Exactly. xx Em

Pckage 20

[cwby30]

Afternoon, Auntie Em.

Well, this chapter really carried me onward as I read, built up, surprises along the way, to a real good ending. Liked your Lureen, mad at Jack and the rest of the world, but smart enough to realize that Bobby was the most important person in their quadrangle and she and Jack had to protect him. Not enough divorced parents take that to heart and act on it.

Sad to see this coming to an end, but looking forward to the rest of your story... and to putting my boots under your kitchen table and enjoying a piece of your homemade pie and some good conversation when it's all over.

Thanks again.

Re: Pckage 20

[smiles_a_lot]

Oh my dear, I'm gonna have a lot of pumpkin after this weekend so I hope you're partial to pumpkin pie! With homemade whipped cream, of course. Glad you enjoyed this chapter and it held a few surprises for you. Thanks, as always for your lovely comments. I always love hearing from you. xx Em