Right, said Jack, and they shook hands, hit each other on the shoulder, then there was forty feet of distance between them and nothing to do but drive away in opposite directions. Within a mile Ennis felt like someone was pulling his guts out hand over hand a yard at a time. He stopped at the side of the road and, in the whirling new snow, tried to puke but nothing came up. He felt about as bad as he ever had and it took a long time for the feeling to wear off.
In this excerpt from "Brokeback Mountain," Jack and Ennis have just shared a significant moment but are forced to part ways, leaving them with a sense of emptiness. The distance between them underscores the emotional strain, and as they drive in opposite directions, Ennis grapples with a profound sense of loss. The physical act of driving is contrasted with the emotional turmoil he's experiencing.
Ennis's feelings are intense and visceral, resembling the pain of a gut-wrenching separation. Stopping on the roadside, he attempts to relieve his distress but finds himself unable to do so. This inability to express his anguish highlights his deep suffering and the lasting impact of their separation, marking a painful moment that lingers long after they part.
