ROAD TRIP OR NOT?
By early spring Ennis pronounced the Willys roadworthy and the big day came when Ennis and Jack were going on a shakedown cruise to town to pick up weekly supplies., the first of several before the big trip.
"Now this is travelin'." Jack leaned against Ennis as Ennis drove , both hands tightly on the wheel, keeping a watchful eye on the gauges. The Willys churning smoothly down the highway seemingly content having made this journey many times so many years ago, long before Jack and Ennis were a gleam in their fathers eye.
"Take us 'bout 20-30 minutes more to get into town."
"Don't mind a bit. Enjoying ever minute." Jack stretches his arm across the seat squeezing Ennis's left shoulder, then resting it on the seat . nodding
Ennis looks back at Jack, lets out a smile.
When they rode into town Jack and Ennis noticed something, people turned and stared, some pointing and gave big smiles, the people loved the old Willys, many stopped to ask them questions, gave a thumbs up as they went by. Ennis even eased into the banter, telling how he had made it run, how it was found, how it had a special motor. And so it went that day.
The last errand finished, Ennis and Jack walk toward the Willys parked in the street. From their view they see a elderly gentleman, leaning on his cane looking longingly at the Willys, recalling days of his youth.
"Howdy sir." Jack reaching out his hand. "Jack Twist"
The old man look up at Jack with a smile. "Paul Bennet Use to work at the 66 service station here in town when I was a young man. Worked on some cars like this, but mostly pickups, tractors and such. Brings back some good memories son."
"Here take a look inside Mr. Bennet, all there just when it was built." Jack opens the door for Mr. Bennet.
"Please call me Paul, be a honor someone under eighty call'n me by my given name."
"Yes sir…Paul, and this here is Ennis Del Mar."
"Please to meet you son."
"Sure is a nice old car ya got there, don't seem all that old to me though, looks kinda familiar."
"We found it on our ranch in one of the buildings. Think it's been parked there since 1937." Jack volunteered.
Ennis remained silent place his hand on the fender.
"You boys wouldn't be talk'n about the old Broken Arrow ranch no would ya?"
"That 'd be it sir…Mr. ..Paul."
"Well I'll be. I knew I remembered this car. 'member the day Mr. Hartfort bought it , back in, oh '29 or '30. Real proud of it. I did the first oil change and lube on this here machine."
"Ennis here, just did the most recent." Grinning at Ennis placing both hands on his shoulders.
Paul claps Ennis on the shoulder. "Good for you son, did ja oil the cups in the generator and distributor?"
"Yes sir! I mean Paul."
"Very good."
And began a bond threaded with mechanical tales as Ennis and Paul poured over the open hood of the Willys. Paul explaining the principle of the 'Knight' sleeve valve engine when Ennis asked about access to the valves, how the adjust the brakes, retarding the spark and so on.
After 20 minutes Jack said with a big smile. "M…Paul would you for us to take you for a ride Give ya a lift home or any where ya want?"
Paul looks back at Jack beaming. "That would be just… would be swell."
As spring marched in to the threshold of summer plans were under way for the journey to Ohio. Maps were poured over, pack horses rented in Banff for five days, Jack and Ennis would even take in a stock show. Before they would leave Jack would meet his son Bobby for several days fishing, camping in the San Juan National Forest in south western Colorado. Ennis would drive up to Riverton for his son in law Kurt's birthday staying with him and Alma Jr. for a few days. Ennis was satisfied all the service needed was performed the Willys. Two shake down trips to town and back had been completed with success. On this fine June day Ennis and Jack went for a final drive to town and back. The boys enjoyed a supper at their favorite steak house, Jack had prime rib with baked potatoes, green beans, Ennis had his favorite Chicken fried steak, potato pancakes, green leafy salad. The ride back to the ranch was especially nice, descending sun casting golden hue on the prairies, bringing alive the wide open spaces.. With just over five miles to go Jack gave Ennis a huge grin.
"Be great, sit-in' like this al the way to Ohio." Ennis and Jack are pressed against each other in the narrow front mohair seat.
"Sure will…if she makes it."
"Course she will"
As Jack got the words out Ennis started to hear a noise underneath him, it continued for a quarter mile and then a loud bang! The whole car began a violent shake.
"What the f…" Ennis let out as he pulled the side of the road.
"What is it Ennis?"
"Don't know Jack, mebe a wheel. Hafta look."
After a few minutes with his feet sticking out from under the car Ennis sees the trouble. "Looks like a U-joint Jack. Driveshaft's all wobbly."
The sun was setting when a flatbed tow truck care of AAA lower the Willys to it's resting place near the garage. Jack had a mournful look to his face.
"Bet ya can find the proper U -Joint one 'na them place in that newsletter ya got. Come on let's get inside." Ennis squeezed Jack's shoulder.
Jack returned a hopeful smile to Ennis, following him inside.
By midmorning the following day Jack had been on the phone with nearly all the advertisers in the newsletter. None he was able to get a hold of were able to supply the much need part. One thought he might have it at his 'other' warehouse but would be unable to check for at least a week. Most had not had any in several years. The best he got was a part number. Ennis watched as disappointment grew on Jack's face.
"Be ok bud, will find som'n. least ways we can still go in the truck, camp a few days in Banff like were gonna, still go to the meet, see the others if ya want. Or just camp 'n fish, always been fun with ya." Ennis hand on Jack shoulders.
Jack lets out a small smile. "Yeah it's just…just wanted at show you off is all. Folks seeing us together, I mean no one would really know but I 's proud of ya , that ya got the old girl running, you and me…you know."
Ennis clutched jack's shoulders, touched his face. "I know….I know bud. "
After a moment Ennis said. "So no one could tell you fer sure were to get a U-Joint?"
"Naw…some said we might have luck at meet we was goin'."
"Don't give up yet, Jack"
"Wha…"
"Just don't."
Early morning Friday, June 9th 1989 Ennis throws his duffle bag in the back of his pickup. Jack loading the last of his camping gear into his. Ennis is heading up to Riverton to Alma Jr's to celebrate his son in law's 26th birthday the following Sunday. Jack heading down near Durango to meet his son Bobby for their annual fishing and camping trip for about six days. As Jack is leaning over the tailgate Ennis comes from behind flips Jack's hat in the air. Jack grabs Ennis by the arm and pulls him down, they wrestle around with Ennis landing on top of Jack. Jack has him in a chokehold.
"Say uncle." Jack squeezes harder. "Say it!"
"U….Uncle." Jack loosens his grip.
Ennis turns to face Jack meeting his mouth in a tender kiss, shielding them with his Hat.
"Gonna miss ya cowboy."
"Same here bud…same here."
The two lift each other to their feet, hang on , two halves whole, in a fierce embrace, heads pressed together resting on shoulders. After a few minutes they pull apart in silence, facing away hiding wet cheeks, Jack collecting his hat, each climbing into their pickups and drive away. Not unlike other parting of years past, but this time only for a matter of days, not months.
Half an hour later Ennis stops at the general store in Fort Morgan picking up drinks and snacks for the trip ahead. Picking up his purchases from the counter he turns to leave when he hers his name.
"Mr. Del Mar."
Ennis turns to greet the store owner Mr. Nelson. "You know you can call me Ennis"
"Good to see you Ennis. And please call me Fred". Did ya bring you old car?"
"No, afraid not. It's broke right now."
"Let me tell you my grandfather, Paul Bennet was so excited to see when you brought it into town, Hasn't stopped taking of it since!"
"Yeah we met him, he's you grandfather? Very nice gentleman."
"On my mothers side. Turned 93 years old last month! Seein' that car sure brought a spark in his life. You say it's broke?"
"Yeah, busted a U-joint comin' back from here last trip. Can find another nowhere's. Don't know what we'll do. Ya don't keep 1930 Willy's u-joints on hand do ya?" Ennuis said half jokingly.
"No sure don't. Granddad will be disappointed."
"Well guess I otta hit the road."
"Hey wait a minute. You said that was a Willys. Like Willys Jeep?"
"Same make as back then, they made Jeeps later Ah guess." Ennis answered.
"My cousin in Iowa is the Parts manager at a Jeep dealer, says it's the oldest dealer in the state, been in business since the teens. Says they have a lot of parts for older cars they once sold. Got as minute? Le' me call home, my wife would have their number, if his wife's home we can call."
In a matter of just a few moments Ennis was on the phone with Matthew Nelson giving a description of the car with a part number Jack gotten from one of his phone calls to the Willys parts advertisers.
"Just a second, I'll gotta check upstairs, you number is right according to my book. Can ya hang on?"
Ennis looks at Fred worried at the toll charges. Fred is nods ok.
"Sure?."
After what seems like a vary long time Matthew comes back to the phone. "Got two here in my hand. Price from the time we got them at least 40 years ago says $10.90 each. Since you're a friend of Fred's ya can have one for that. "
"I'll take 'm both!" Ennis replied.
"I can ship out to ya, but if you want to come by we have a lot parts ya might be able to use, all old stock. Stuff like tool kits, travel kits that have extra hoses, fan belt, tire covers...might be worth your while. Seein's how your in Colorado you might want me to ship it though..."
"Nah better I come an get 'm. See what else ya got." Ennis said wanting to surprise Jack. Had till end of next week till Jack was back, missed Jack when he wasn't home as much as anything. "Should be there Tuesday morning."
"Save 'm for ya. Let me get you name and number…"
Tuesday morning at 8.00 when the parts department opened Ennis found himself at Schuelke Jeep Eagle in Storm Lake, Iowa. He had driven all day Monday leaving Alma Jr.'s early that morning sleeping at the last rest stop before Sioux City.
Ennis walks in to the parts department.
"Are you Mr. Nelson?"
"Call me Matthew. You must be Ennis."
"Yes Sir!"
Ennis and Matthew Nelson shock hands warmly.
"Sure obliged you havin' these parts. your saving a trip." Ennis went on to explain about the trip to Ohio to the Willys National Meet the next month how dissapointed that it might not happen.
"Glad to be of service. Found a few other parts ya might want to have on hand, clutch plate, bearings, oil pump, carburetor kit, Axle seals, even a hubcap. Trin' to clean up the store. You can have them all of our 1940's price list. "
"Can't beat that!"
After a couple of hours going over parts, Ennis is gathering up his boxes of treasured parts.
"Thanks again Matthew. Don't know what I'dda done without ya."
"Happy to help, wish I had the time to go with you."
Ennis glances at the clock on the dash, just past 1:00 am. He has been on the road since before noon still a good 50 miles to go. He thinks back, Jack had traveled this far one way without a thought of the distance, every time they were together, all those years, always glad to see him always there when he arrived, never making him wait. A whole day in the road each way just to see him two or three times….
"Damn you Jack…, damn you Jack f….g Twist" Ennis calls out to the darkness as his tears start to flow. Ennis pulls over, his emotions taking over. "Ya got me bawling here side of the road, out here in nowhere, middle of the night 'cuz a' you Jack…..with this pickup ya brung me to get me home." After several minutes he opens his door gets out stretches walks a bit to take a piss.. As he returns to his truck, looks at it in the moonlight thinking of the first time he saw it that day Jack took him on a ruse to that steakhouse in Rawlins. He couldn't believe it when he saw it with the horse trailer, telling him it was his, then Jack running off leaving him no other way back. Still looking as new now as it did then on the lot, Ennis leans against the fender placing his hand on the hood , looks up at the moon.
At that same moment a few hundred miles away Jack, no yet able to sleep is also looking up at the moon. Up in the Colorado Rockies with his 21 year old son Bobby , image of himself a half a lifetime ago. Thinking of his life at that time, rodeo rid 'n, how much he had missed Ennis . How scared he was of contacting him, afraid he wouldn't respond to the postcard or worse, much worse writing back telling him he didn't want to ever hear from him again and to stay away. Jack knew he could not have stood that. So for four years he held on to the hope , finally working up the courage to write.
Jack looks at his son, breathing evenly a few feet away, so proud of him working for Fish and Game, glad to have this time with him on their annual fishing trips starting back when he was about eleven. And most of all he got to see his son grow from boy to man. As he walks back to his own bedroll he reaches down gently kissing him on the cheek brushing his hair away from his face much like he did when he was little. "I love you Bobby" Jack whispered.
Bobby heard his fathers voice, remaining very still, felt a tear roll down his cheek before falling into a very peaceful sleep.
Thursday, June 15th Jack comes downstairs as Ennis prepares their breakfast of pancakes placing a small square of bacon in the middle of each one of the six on the griddle. Table is fully set, large picture of fresh milk, another of orange juice, bowel of fresh strawberrys and melons purchased at a roadside fruit stand, container of heated syrup and plate with fresh butter.. At Jacks place his plate is several inches higher than the wooden table. Jack squeezes Ennis's neck running his hand down his shoulder as he sits down.
"Wha…What's this?"
Ennis looks back to Jack. "Dun no, Why don't cha see?"
Jack open the cardboard box, with W's inscribed over it, pulls out a rubber boot, strange round shaped piece of steel, several smaller parts in little bags. "What is this." Jack looks at Ennis in bewilderment.
"What's the matter with you? Don't cha know a ball and trunnion universal joint when ya see one? Huh? What 'm I gonna do with you!"
"Ennis is this…for…"
"What do ya think?"
"This will fix the…Willys?"
"Auto Club comin' in about an hour to take it to Franks garage, says he have it done by tomorrow. Supposin' ya could be packed and ready Monday, good day to start.'"Ennis busy with his plate.
"But where did ya find….I called ever where."
"I got it. There's and extra, case we ever have need for another" Ennis looks at Jack not giving away anything."That box there by the door has some other parts we might have cause ta need." Ennis tiltls his head to the door as he shovels in a huge bite of pancakes,
But where?" Wide eyed looking at the box he hadn't noticed before.
"I got it."
"But…"
"I got it."
Jack realizing he will get no further stands up pulls Ennis up in a tight bear hug, resting is head on Ennis's shoulder. Both hold each other tightly. "Thank you Ennis"
"A'int nothing."
Taking several days to go north into Banff driving in the cool of the night, enjoying a hotel pool in the heat of the day. Jack and Ennis had rented pack horses on Banff for a more 'traditional' part of their trip, exploring new private frontiers, reminder of Brokeback days. Arriving in West Lake, Ohio for the pair were greeted at the Willys National Meet with a warm welcome for Jack and Ennis as well as their car. Most of the attendees were at least a generation older, in their youth when the cars were new or at least a common sight on American roads. Many had brought their children or grandchildren, And whether the boys were fully aware or not some were together as they themselves were. Jack and Ennis met fellow Willys owners from all over the country as well as Europe and Australia, for Ennis especially this was a revelation, he had never been anywhere with so many people from different parts of the country and globe , many new friendships began, often talking of children, grandchildren. Not once did Jack or Ennis feel anything but proud and accepted. The 1930 Willys Knight model 87 was to bring home 'Most and Best Original car of Show' trophy for the show held Saturday . With the exception once refusing to start, Ennis accused Jack of flooding it, having to adjust the carburetor for altitude, and one flat tire the Willys ran without complaint the entire journey with Ennis and Jack, side by side, shoulder to shoulder , knee to knee, heart to heart.
On the return trip less than 100 miles from their home Jack already against him pushes against Ennis looks him in the eye. "So.. ah ...there cowboy. Yer never gonna tell me where ya got that...ah...u...ah...part to fix the Willys are ya?"
"Nope, don't suppose so." turns to Jack, grinning ear to ear.
Jack reaches around and tousles Ennis's hair on the back of his head then puts his arm around his left shoulder pulls even closer smiles back.
THE END