Interesting point you brought Marge about Ennis having to interact with Alma at Junior's wedding. Despite this perspective he decides to go. He deceived so many people in the past, Alma, Cassie and finally Jack. I would say he's trying to pay back for the errors he commited and about Jack I swear... From this perspective I would say I swear I had another chance, go back and have this sweet life with you.
I am glad you all re-activated this topic, because in fact, I had thought about this wedding and how Ennis would be when the time comes. In my never to be published screen play for the sequel, Ennis returns to Lightning Flat for Thanksgiving and Christmas with Jack's Ma and Old Man Twist. He furthers his growth emotionally, and strengthen his bond with Jack's Ma, and finding reconciliation with the Old Man. I think having a family again will transform Ennis even more, making him less concerned with the opinions of the pink elephant in the room (society and conventional customs), and more concerned with the people who care and accept him.
We have to remember that even at this point in the movie, we are still only in the mid-eighties, which is suffering from the backlash of the AIDS epidemic, etc. Rural people especially are not yet that accepting of gay people. We are decades away from Will and Grace, the fab four, etc.
Old Man Twist was always disappointed that Jack never grew up to be more of a cowboy like him. Ennis would show him during his visits that he could indeed help out around the ranch, and be the cowboy son that the old man always wanted. And the new Ennis would be able to stand up to the Old Man without getting angry, just by standing tall and standing firm, and he did when he said "Yes Sir", his last words before leaving, and saying "Thanks for this" privately to Jack's Ma when he was out the door.
I think that by Christmas, after visiting Lightning Flat a couple more times, Ennis would come out to his girls, and apologize to Alma for the deception all those years. He would no longer fear the pink elephant, but welcome the opportunity to talk with the people important in his life. Of course, Alma Jr. would be supportive and loving. Jenny would become closer to Ennis. Alma may even forgive him, now that he accepts himself, and not blame the divorce on Alma. In any case, he would have the strength and courage to face Alma, because he gained it from Jack's Ma love and acceptance, as I acquired mine from the love and acceptance in this forum. Alma may not be the forgiving kind. No sting like a woman scorned, etc. In any case, that would be Alma's problem, once Ennis raised the courage and self-acceptance to be who he is truly, and reached out to her.
Then by the time of the wedding, in June, Ennis would have made plans to move out to Lightning Flat. He would meet Cassie again, being a small town and all, Alma Jr would invite Cassie as her friend, or perhaps as a date for one of Kurt's friends. In any case, Ennis would apologize to her as well, and tell her about Jack. Ennis would find that she is now happily engaged to a man who adores her. She still has feelings for him, but wishes him all the best, especially now that she gets him.
That's just what I would like to see happen, but naturally, it is my own alternate universe. I have no doubt that others will want their own particular version that suites their own needs. The story goes on for quite a bit after the wedding, and the new baby, ... I have it going on for another twenty thirty years, with over thirty scenes.
As for the three words, Jack, I swear. I can think of only one reason, especially as Ennis brush gently the post card with his thumb. To me, the three words meant that Ennis will return Jack's ashes from the family plot to Brokeback Mountain. As was said in the short story, Ennis can't imagine leaving Jack in the grieving desolate plain in Lightning Flat, where a single road heads out to no where. Ennis was, as manhattangirl said, making a covenant with Jack that he will fulfill the one wish that Ennis could deliver, that Jack asked of him, other than the sweet life that is now gone forever. Again, just my humble opinion.
