Part 1, Chapter 6

[talkstocoyotes]

The next few months were among the most confusing and conflicted of Ennis’ life.

He knew what would have happened if David hadn’t turned away when he had, recognized the gathering storm in him and the point when lightning was going to strike, no two ways about it. They’d have been on the ground together next to that stream, doing another kind of

Comments

[joetheone]

Great, those two chapters where just great. You, have captured a lot of what must have been going through Ennis's mind and it is such ashame that those thoughts about Lightning flat come after Jack's departure, I'm still curious to more about David and maybe these dreams and Junior can give Ennis the push to see where this may lead. I sure hope that Ennis does take the chance on life the one thing he should learn from Jack is that Jack would want him to be happy and finally live the life. I know Jack woudl not be jealous he is too giving and loving to be selfish and want Ennis to live in dispair the remainder of his life. And in the end I'm sure Jack will be waiting for Ennis to return to Brokeback mountain and be with him for eternity but for the remainder of his time on this earthly plane he does deserve to experience a little happiness. Joe

[louisev]

This is a wonderful chapter, and a completely unique take on Ennis's grieving process. Damn! I wish I had thought of it!

[talkstocoyotes]

It seemed to me to be a natural part of Ennis' process of coming out to himself: thinking of living with Jack/another man on a day-to-day basis as something desirable and healthy. That's why Jack refers to "changing horses" and cautions him not to fight it: a healing process can be painful at times.

[under_wyo_skies]

Hi Marcia, just me drifting through again. It feels so poignant that Ennis is having these fantasies of life with Jack, and also that they're intruding so much on reality; there he is in Alma's kitchen physically, but hundreds of miles away in a non existent cabin in his mind. Very very intense world he is living in, one which is blurring the boundaries between his reality and other people's reality.

One of my favourite things about this story has been its slow build up, and almost leisurely pace. I know you've said in other comments about thinking you would be writing more quickly, but that Ennis didn't want to move so fast, and that is really coming across. The journey that Ennis is on we are on, and we are travelling with him, not him with us.

This is one of my favourite stories. :) I think I might save Part 2 for another night, and savour it :)

Helen :)

[changedbylove2]

Dear Talkstocoyotes,

Thank you. Your writing is a lifesaver. I am a Brokeback newbie. After waiting two years to check out BBM, I have been wandering round for the last week, breaking into sobs every time I think too much about Ennis not having been able to fully express his love for Jack. The movie (I've not yet read the original short story) left me in an unresolved place, and touched on many personal issues.
By continuing Ennis' development, and by continuing his relationship with the departed Jack, you've spared my overwrought brain the ongoing anxiety the movie left with me. This movie hit me like a ton of bricks. I've been waiting for the exposition of the truths it contains for at least 40 of my 50 years. . . in that sense a satisfying experience. . . But the movie left me raw and unsettled.

Ahh, your writing, salve for the sadness of Ennis' mind. Thank you.

[talkstocoyotes]

Yes, I think the movie did leave a lot of us with a sense of unfinished business, both in the fictional story and our own lives. That's probably where a lot of the BBM fanfiction starts.

Thanks for reading!