Don’t Be a Stranger

By Kate Matthews

Luke finished packing his dark brown suitcase, fastening the clasp that kept the
case from falling open. He placed the bag down on the floor, next to another, previously
packed. Before leaving, Luke took one last look around the room that he and his cousin
Bo had shared since childhood. He glanced around at the walls, filled with racing posters, a checkered flag, and photos; mostly of the boys at racing meets. Pleasant memories flooded Luke’s mind; memories of the first night he and Bo slept in this room together, through all the late nights they’d spend talking, until Jesse would come in and tell them to go to sleep. There were also times of tears, fears, and secrets that both boys would never dare tell anyone else. And of course the odd pillow fight.

Now it was time to leave. Luke was on his way to become a Smoke Jumper for the Forestry Service, it had been a decision made carefully. Though Daisy, Jesse, and Bo – especially – did not take to the idea, at first, they understood that Luke wanted to stretch his wings; so the family gave him their blessing. And today Luke Duke was leaving to start his new life. Jesse and Daisy decided to say their good-byes to Luke while still at the farm, then Bo would drive him, in the General Lee, to the Bus stop. For Jesse, saying good-bye to Luke reminded him of the day he’d seen his eldest nephew off to the Marines. Daisy felt the same way, except she wasn’t afraid this time, because Luke wasn’t going off to war.

Bo and Luke spoke very little, on the way to the Bus depot, mostly because they
had no idea of what to say to one another. Once at the depot, the boys sat in awkward
silence in the General. Luke finally said the first word. “Well, we’re here.”

Bo’s eyes went downcast for a moment, he dreaded this moment for days.”Yeah”
Bo sighed, “Looks like your bus is here to take you to Atlanta Airport.”

Luke bit his bottom lip. He too, dreaded this moment as well. “I guess I should get
a move-on. Don’t wanna miss my ride.”

Bo nodded, then both boys climbed out of the General at the same time, and
walked over to where Luke’s bus sat waiting.

“Luke,” Bo called out.

Luke hadn’t noticed that Bo had stopped walking, and turned to face his cousin.
Luke saw a loneliness in Bo’s deep blue eyes, an expression that mirrored in his own
lonliness. Except for the three years Luke served in the Marines, this would be the first
time the boys would be on their own. Around Hazzard, Bo and Luke Duke were like two
peas in a pod, and rarely was one seen without the other. The boys were close, as far as cousins go, but they were more than that, they were also brothers.

Luke slowly walked back over to his younger cousin and set his bags down for a
moment. They stood there, facing each other, knowing what the other was thinking
without saying a word. In an instant, both were locked together in a brotherly embrace.

“Take care of yourself, little cousin…” Luke whispered.

“I will…” Bo replied, letting unchecked tears slide down his face.

“You come out en’ visit some time.” Luke said, his voice beginning to falter.

“You too. You take care of your self, fightin’ them fires.” Bo said.

“You bet.” Luke let go of Bo and smiled. Luke’s eyes began to brim with tears as
he picked up his two bags and continued on his way to the bus.

“Don’t forget to write, Luke!” Bo called out, “En’ don’t forget to call, either.”

“Every day!” Luke called back “I promise!”

“I’ll hold you to that.” Bo laughed through his tears.

“Catch ya on the flip-side, cousin.” Luke said.

“Take care, Luke” Bo replied, “Don’t be a stranger.” Bo waved farewell to Luke
as he stepped up into the bus. Once Luke found his seat, he looked out his window to see Bo, and waved back.

The bus began to roll out of the depot, bound for Atlanta. Luke continued to wave
to Bo, and Bo did the same. Luke continued to look back until he could no longer see Bo, until the rolling hills of Hazzard disappeared behind him.

Bo continued to stare off in the direction Luke’s bus went, well after it had gone.
Bo stood there alone, without Luke, for the first time in over ten years; already he missed Luke dreadfully.

Finally, Bo turned around and headed back to where the General was parked. He
paused before climbing through the driver’s side window. The ride home, in the car that
he and Luke had built together, would be painfully lonely. Bo sighed, slid back into the
General, then made the journey back to the farm.

It was quiet around Hazzard, after Luke left. Rosco didn’t chase the Dukes as
much as he use to, and Boss didn’t always try to throw them in Jail, either. Bo never
drove the General as much as he use to, because it didn’t feel right with out Luke, sitting there in the passenger seat.

About three months after Luke left, Bo decided to go back into racing, full time,
on the NASCAR circuit. As always, the family supported Bo’s decision, and even Luke
gave his blessing when Bo wrote and told him.

The General Lee was put into retirement, and placed in Cooter’s care. And Boss
Hogg signed the necessary papers that allowed Bo to cross the county line, with out
violating his probation. Then Bo was on his way to Charlotte, North Carolina, to join up
with the circuit.

Bo and Luke always kept in touch, and visited each other, once in a while. Which
eased their separation a bit, but they always knew that their friendship would withstand
any amount of time and distance. And would continue to do so, for the rest of their days.

A Friend’s Betrayal: Chapter 9

by: Kristy Duke

Silence heavily engulfs within the full and stuffy cab of Jesse’s truck as Jesse stares silently ahead at the road ahead of him, Daisy looks the same way, as I stare out the passenger door at the deep ditches that fall from the side of the dirt road. Eyeing the ditches while my thoughts fall upon the past month since Shawn has returned to Hazzard, of all that has gone wrong since he has returned to Hazzard. And yet, I’ve been able to ignore the coincidences of all that has gone on since he has returned to Hazzard; the robbery at The Boar’s Nest, Bo’s attack, and now Hogg’s house being broke into.  But after thinking of the long and boring meeting we had just attended and the slim file of information that Rosco and Boss gave us, I am forced to stare the ugly facts in the face. Before he returned to Hazzard, life had been quiet and peaceful. As quiet and peaceful Hazzard can be with Rosco’s speed traps and Hogg’s greedy plans to steal as much money he can for himself. Life before Shawn had been normal. Then on the day of his surprise visit, The Boar’s Nest is robbed, a couple of days later Bo is beaten almost to death. A few weeks later, Hogg’s house was robbed.

No one at the meeting had even suggested or thought of Shawn. After all, Shawn had always treated the law and any one in authority with respect; that is unless he was caught doing something wrong. He always was there to help anyone out in need of help. Shawn always treated people with his unique charm that made most everyone want to like him. Even upon returning to Hazzard from Atlanta, he’s been helpful on the farm, helpful to people in town. He has put a face upon that he’s the same good ol’ boy that he was when he returned.

And being the likeable guy that Shawn was, everyone was eager to believe him. Including myself.

That is until I saw Shane, Shawn’s younger brother, after the meeting and had made a casual statement about how he must be thrilled to see Shawn back in Hazzard. Only to learn that Shawn has only been out to the old farm once, the day after his return, to demand half of the farm so he could sell it for money; which had started a fight between the two of them until Shane had threatened to call the Sheriff. Shawn had abruptly left after the threat to not call or show up after that. Leaving me to wonder where Shawn went when he said he went to his brother to work on his car, to get to know him again, to hang out with his kids. Where he went and why he lies to us about where he is going. Where he is now that he had claimed to be at Shane’s house to watch his kids while Shane and his wife was at the meeting. . .

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When Love Comes To Town, ch. 2

By: Brenna “Snakelady” Dawkins (Skymouth)

Ratings: R

Rosco found himself outside the Boar’s Nest with Daisy on his arm.  Upon leaving the bar, he hadn’t failed to catch Luke’s eye and knew the warning for what it was.  As if he could ever do anything to hurt Daisy!  Dusk was upon them and Rosco could tell already it would be a beautiful sunset.  Which gave him an idea.

”Daisy, ah ain’t got much money to take ya out someplace fancy… let’s face it, ah didna think ah’d win.”  His eyes looked away from her shyly.  “Um, thanks fer makin’ Boss take mah ticket.  Ah’m not sure why ya did that, but ah’m awful glad.”

Daisy smiled and leaned in a little to hug him.  “It’s okay, Sugah.  Boss needs to know you shouldn’ cheat charity none.  An’ besides, you won fair an’ square!”

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The Golden Child: Chapter 5

by: Margaret

He expected trouble. There was no avoiding it. There was no running away from it.
And as of this second, he had two choices. He could either wrap everything up, do away
with Patricia, and abandon the project all together while begging for mercy from the
Secret Society… or, he could stand firm, take the onslaught on the chin, and redouble his
efforts at making his goals come true regardless of the Society’s general dislike. It was
not a difficult decision for him to make. He was not one who begged.
The Smoking Man pulled out a carton of cigarettes and methodically made his way
through the five packs inside the box. It was the only physical sign of his well hidden
anxiety. Other than that, the emotionless features on his face and his silence portrayed the
image of a stoic man unaffected by his recent failure. He sat down in his plastic chair
behind his makeshift desk and waited for her with almost Zen-like calm. He did not have
to wait long.
The clanging heels of Madame Muriko’s Bali shoes against the warehouse’s hard, tiled
floor signaled her unmistakable arrival. He heard her flustered voice chew out several
soldiers in the hallway, and soon after that, she was at his door. She was still in her
impeccable silk suit, with her hair put up in a bun. Her dark-toned face flushed red with
dissatisfaction. She stared at the calm man in front of her with his cigarette between his
fingers and his poker-style stare.
“There are two rules in our profession, assassin,” she finally said in a low, calm voice.
“When it comes to a kill, never get personal and never get creative. Last night, you broke
both rules! Why didn’t you just have the two video men shoot Bo and Fox and throw their
bodies in the lake?”
The tone of her voice was accusatory, like a mother at an angry child. The Smoking
Man remained silent for a spell, nonchalantly sucking away at his Marlboro stick. “I had
my reasons,” he finally said with an almost robotic response. “Fox Mulder has been a
thorn in this organization’s side for over six years. I thought his death should be…
memorable.”

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Million Dollar Rose for Bo

Caitlin Rose arrives in Hazzard County in typical Hazzard fashion. Her fast car and good looks immediately get the attention of Bo and Luke and her large cash purchase of a piece of property immediately gets Boss’s attention. The transaction wouldn’t be so unusual…if not for the fact that she’s paid Boss an additional $100,000 to make sure that her new location is never disclosed to anybody….

by: Debbie

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven