by: Essy Jane
Hours later, Jose was pacing back and forth. “Hey, dinner’s ready. Do you want to start without them?” Jo asked.
“You’re gonna have to start without me too,” Jose replied.
“Come again?”
“You need to look after the twins.”
“Jose, where are you going?”
“Don’t you feel it?”
“Feel what?”
“Worried.”
“Yeah but…”
“But what? Jo…”
“It’s Dad and Jesse, they can handle themselves.”
“It doesn’t take this long to get seed! I know. Jesse and I usually get it together.”
“They’re fine Jose.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Why what?
“Why say they’re fine when you know they’re not?”
“I hope they are.” Jose shook his head. He picked up the CB.
“This is lost sheep three calling Shepard, come in,” Jose began. There was nothing. “Lost sheep three calling Shepard come in.” Jose shook his head when he again heard nothing. “This is lost sheep three calling lost sheep two, do you got your ears on?” Jose waited again.
“Look, maybe they stopped somewhere,” Jo commented. Jose rolled his eyes.
“Lost sheep three calling manic mechanic come in,” Jose said over the CB.
“This is Manic Mechanic, what’s up Jose?” Lilly-Rose answered.
“Have you seen the Sheppard and his lost lamb come back.”
“Yeah about four hours ago heading back to base.”
“I’m heading out to look for them can you help?”
“You don’t have to ask me twice, over and gone.”
“This is Jack Rabbit calling lost sheep three are ya catching me come on,” Judd said over the CB.
“Yeah go ahead Jack Rabbit,” Jose replied.
“Messy Essy and I will help too.”
“Must obliged Jack Rabbit, 10-4 and I’m gone.” Jose grabbed his jacket and put it on. Jo grabbed his arm.
“Be careful,” Jo said.
“Awe you do care,” Jose answered. Jose slid on top of the General Lee and got in. He started up the engine. Jo Anna watched as he left.
“Please be alright,” She whispered to herself as she walked back into the farm house.
Back at the pick-up, everything became quiet. Well that is until Bo woke up. He shifted his eyes wondering where in the world he was. He looked at Jesse who was just laying there motionless. “Son?” Bo questioned softly. He stared at Jesse wondering if he would respond.
Bo was having trouble breathing. He struggled for every breath. As his eyes started to close, he forced them open. Bo couldn’t move his left arm. It hurt too much. His right arm seemed to be in much better shape.
Bo looked at his son again. Tears filled his eyes slowly. Bo knew he had to find a way to make someone find him. He grabbed the CB. “This is Shepard to lost sheep three, have you got your ears on, come back?” Bo began. There was no answer. However, Bo couldn’t give up hope. “Messy Essy, Manic Mechanic…are you out there, come back?” Again, there was no answer. He figured the antenna was bent. “Dang! JESSE, WAKE UP! Please, I don’t want to loose you.”
He saw how Jesse was sitting. Cross legged with his arms resting on his legs…a trail of metal trapped him in that position. Bo tried to rip it away but he couldn’t pull it hard enough. Besides, the pain radiated to his bad arm every time he tried.
All Bo could do was pray, pray for a miracle. He looked out the window. It was now dark. Bo couldn’t stand this. He couldn’t reach over and open his door. “This is impossible! What am I supposed to do, eat my way out?” Bo questioned. “Jesse, maybe you can—come up with a better plan then your old man. I frankly don’t know what to do,” Bo said through throbbing breaths. “Jesse, move your hand…show me you’re gonna be okay.” He watched his son carefully. But alas, all Bo could see was Jesse’s chest rise and fall. “Whelp, at least you’re breathing.”
Suddenly a very familiar sound arose in the distance. Bo knew the sound better than anything. It was an engine that Jesse had maintained. As the horn sounded, Bo became excited. He reached for his knife but couldn’t quite grab it. He saw his son’s boot sticking out of the metal. Bo shakily reached over and grabbed it. He opened it up and shoved it into the horn. The pickup horn began blaring.
“Help is coming Jesse, help is coming,” Bo said. Finally, he allowed his eyes to close. Jose heard the horn as clear as rain. He stopped the General and got out. He walked towards the sound. As it got closer, he saw that it was the family pick-up, Jose couldn’t help but run towards it. He looked at his two cousins, Jose’s heart began beating faster and faster.
He took out his cell phone and dialed the number for the ambulance. He told them where the pick-up was. After he found out help was on the way, he radioed the search party to go to the hospital and wait.