Evil Knieval & Mom

Short Story

My mom recently passed away at age 79. I had so many things to thank her for, in addition to my life itself, and I was fortunate to get to tell her this before she passed.

She loved me, (I never doubted this), cared for, believed in, and protected me. She even defended me when she knew I was wrong. I know it is shocking to hear that I was wrong sometimes, but it is true.

She wanted me to be happy.

When I was 8, I really, really wanted this Evil Knieval action figure for Christmas. It came with the rocket he sat in. The one this stunt man tried to jump the Grand Canyon with. The rocket was not closed on top, i.e. Mr. Knieval was exposed, a lot like a person in a convertible car with the top down would be.

It came with a small ramp that held the rocket so you could wind it up and release it so it would zoom across the floor.

I wrote to Santa Claus many times regarding this want, you can read need here, prayed for this every night, I know now that I should have been praying about other things, and told my mom about this incessantly. Telling her 10 to 12 times a day seems incessant now, but as an 8-year-old this seemed prudent.

I was a good kid. So I know I deserved it. For example, I always let my mom know I committed her to a school project at least one hour before it was due. Also, I brought strange kids home for lunch and thus gave her the opportunity to experience the joy of giving. I did many other wonderful and blessed things.

A challenge.

This toy was sold out everywhere and almost impossible to find. I know this now and wouldn’t even have comprehended this situation when I was 8 as I thought Santa Claus could just bring it to me.

Through some miracle, read extremely hard work from my parents, the toy was obtained, wrapped, and put under our Christmas tree. I am sure this took relentless effort and was driven by my mom.

On Christmas morning I was excited and filled with hope, read belief, that my Evil Knievil action figure with rocket would be there.

Then the moment happened.

I opened the present, and there it was.

The pure joy I felt and expressed was extraordinary.

I could see both my parents were so happy for me.

I immediately took it out of its packaging.

I wound it up.

Hit the release button.

It shot across the floor.

It speed under one of our dining room chairs.

AND …

decapitated Evil Knieval.

Needless to say, I was devastated. The injustice. The terror.