Clay Pot
Thursday, September 20, 1984: Jack and Ennis are in Fort Collins, Colorado at the the Centennial Livestock Auction bidding on some stock for their new purchased ranch The Broken Arrow near Fort Morgan. Hard at work nearly all of their waking hours bringing the spread up to par the pair are enjoying a rare excursion.
At noontime taking a break from the stands Ennis and Jack head over to the food stands, Ennis selecting a barbecue beef sandwich with potato salad and coleslaw, Jack had ribs with the same sides. Strolling back to the stands they made a path thru a few rows of flea market vendors.
"Jack, look!" Ennis said pointing down to a large brown ceramic pot among a various clay wares in the stand.
"Fancy pot". Jack looking down.
Ennis picked it up admiring the dark enamel with the contrasting off white around the lip. Nearly two feet tall and a foot circumference, the pot glistened in the sun. "C"n we get it Jack?"
"Ya want it Ennis?" Jack looking at Ennis.
"Yeah Jack....might put it by the fireplace....huh?"
"You really want it ...don't cha?"
"Yeah...you know...it'll be the first thing...we ever got...together....you know that we didn't need...somethin' special."
"All right." Jack smiled back at Ennis. 'We'll git it."
Ennis beamed, clutching the pot lacing his fingers.
"Sir how much?"
"$15.00 sir, very good deal." Jack reach into his wallet.
For the rest of the day Ennis held tightly onto the Clay pot, both arms draped around it while they sat in the stand bidding on stock for their ranch, walked through stalls inspecting cattle, checking out different types of feed. After a hearty supper of beer batter fried catfish, dusk falling as the pair make their way back to the parking lot Jack leaned ageist Ennis. "So you really like your new pot?"
"Our pot". Ennis looked back.
"Our pot." Jack looked back, smiled proudly at Ennis.
"Mind driving back home bud?" Ennis looked at Jack.
"Don't cha trust me to hold the pot" Jack smiled back.
"Course Ah do. Just don't trust ya ta stay awake is all." Ennis smirked. "Seem every time we go ta town yer snoring yer head off five miles into the interstrate in the ride home. So loud couldn't even here a siren if one went by!"
"All right then...don't mind a bit."
"Don't worry none Jack. Ah 'll talk ta ya the whole way so you wont get sleepy." Sure Jack Thought.
Five miles east off Interstate 25 Ennis's head fell back against the bench seat, mouth open, snoring still clutching the ceramic pot. Jack turned off at the Windsor exit on HWY 34, took a heavy horse blanket from in the behind the seat wrapped the pot, secured it on the floor in front of Ennis. Then he stretched Ennis out, feet facing the passanger door..
"Are....we...home....already....bud....." Ennis eyes still closed
"Not yet cowboy, bout 30 or so miles ta go..."
"Zzzzzzzzzzz.......Zzzzzzzzzzzzz........
Jack put the truck in gear, Ennis's head in his lap, started back on the highway with a slight lurch (he was no longer used to a clutch), rested his hand in Ennis's head after he had gotten truck in high the reminder of the ride home.
