CHRISTMAS DAY 1984
Andy and Rita Collins, Ennis and Jacks friends who live and work on the ranch the boys had bought late in 1984, are up this Christmas morning while their 5 children open their stockings. Andy walks to the wind seeing an unfamiliar shadow as the sun rose.
Eyes wide Andy calls out. "Rita..." Almost breathless.” it..."
"Is something wrong honey?" Rita concerned.
"No...no...not at all...come over here and look."
Youngest in her arms Rita walks over to her husband looks out the window, sees what he sees. He places his arm around her.
"Oh my god!...what... " Rita's response to the maroon and white GMC van with the big red bow glistening in the sunlight.
"What is it daddy." Matthew on of the two oldest boys walks up to his parents and looks out the window.
"Wow!!!!...mommy, daddy look! Whose is it? Can we go outside and see?"
"Come on son get yourself a jacket and get your brother to help you sisters get somethin' warm, we'll all go."
The seven members of the Collins family made their way out side gathering around the shiny new van. Seeing the bow Andy reached out sees the card. He reads what he clearly knows to be Ennis’s handwriting.
Merry Christmas to the Collins family
Andy
Rita
Matthew
Delano
Gabby
Jessica
Nathan
From Santa Andy looks to his wife, nods.
Daddy can we go open the door?” Echoed the children.
Andy walked over to the sliding door followed by Rita, with tears streaming down her face holding little Nathan. As he pulls open the door unseen before because of the dark tinted side and rear windows are the bikes and Big Wheels nestled on the seats, each with a small metal license plate bearing the name of the rider.
“Are those for us?”
“Can we ride?”
“Let’s race!”
“Big Wheel daddy!”
And carefully takes out each bike and Big Wheel handing to each his child reading the name on the plate.
“You …..you know it’s from Ennis and Jack.”
“Yes…yes I do….them two, so sweet…”
“Heard them talkin’ once when they were workin’ on that old Willys. Jack was wantin at get Ennis a new pickup, Ennis said he wanted at keep the one he had, the one Jack got him that time down in Rawlins, surprised him with, how special it is to him. That sure is some story, maybe we c’n get them ta tell it today. Anyways I think this is instead.”
“Uncle Ennis, Uncle Jack look what Santa got us!” Little Jessica beamed up at the pair, a bit disheveled but wide awake as they strolled toward to the Collins home from her Big wheel. “We all got new bikes! And mommy and daddy gots a new van!”
“Well sweetheart that sure is nice! You must ah been a good little girl this year.”
“Watch me ride!” the rest of children ran to hug and climb on Ennis and Jack.
“Bet you can’t ride faster than I can run.” Jack said to Delano.
Rita and Andy bid their turn as the children greet their favorite uncles.
“Thanks Buddy, can’t tell you how much we appreciate you getting us that van!” Andy said as he hugs Ennis.
“You boys are so sweet to us.” Rita said as she kissed both Ennis and Jack on the cheek.
“Don’t know what your talkin’ about.” Ennis looks down.
“The beautiful new van….we sure thank you!” Rita pats his shoulder.
.
“Came from Santa….just like the kids say. He sure picked out a pretty color”
“Ennis…”
“You heard the man.” Jack grins. “Came from Santa….Looks like Santa buys his vans at Grand GMC Buick in Denver.” Jack indicating the license plate placket. Ennis elbows him in the stomach grinning at Ennis.
“Daddy, can you take us for a ride in the van.”
“Yeah, daddy can we go for ride.”
“Ride, daddy…ride!”
“It’s ok Andy , lets take it fer a spin, see what she do.” Jack said. “Come on lets all get in.”
“Rita …you otta drive….seeing how you is gonna be usin’ it most…get use to it.” Andy said, helping his wife into the drivers seat.
Ennis Jack and Andy help all the kids into the van, the three oldest on the rearmost seat, Ennis and Jack in the center seat, two youngest in their laps with Jack at the window.
“Keys are in the ignition.” Ennis said. The all look to Ennis.
“What….I can see ‘em, right there.”
Rita looking carefully over the controls and gauges. “Where’s the knob for the wipers?”
“Um…” Andy trying to assist his wife.
“It’s on the end of the turn signal switch, ya just turn the end of it.” Ennis said.
“How’d you know that Ennis?” Jack looked at him.
“Um…that’s how a lot of these new cars ‘n trucks have it now.” Ennis looked back.
“But your truck doesn’t. It’s on the dash….so how….”
“An how would you know? ….Huh?….you don’t never drive my truck….something’ ‘bout the clutch.” Teasing Jack.
“Cause it’s the same as my pickup…remember? ….their both Fords.” The kids are giggling at this banter.
“Guess I musta read it in the paper or something’ , can’t a fella read the paper.? Huh?”
“Why would they put that in a newspaper? I know not much happens round here to report but I don’t think their gonna start printin’ stuff out of an owners manual. Huh Ennis?”
Ennis turning red elbows Jack in the ribs. Jack respond by tickling Ennis, Laughing the kids join in bringing Ennis to the floor, Jack and the kids on top of him shrouding him with laughter.
Excerpt from ENNIS AND JACK IN THE KNIGHT CH3