by: Essy Jane

Jesse and Jose were off to Annie Larson’s office to get Jesse’s casts removed. “Time to get ready for our weddings,” Jesse commented. Jose laughed.

“What better way to do it than cut off your casts,” Jose replied. Jesse walked in. The doctor was in her waiting room pacing back and forth. She was on the phone.

“Just please don’t hurt her,” Annie commented. She hung up the phone. “Sorry guys, we’re closed today. Y’all can come back another day.” Jose and Jesse looked at each other.

“Please don’t hurt who?” Jesse asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh don’t pretend we didn’t catch the raw end of that conversation. Annie, you were there for all the major events in my life. Jose and I were there for some of yours.”

“When your daughter married Terrance Applebee,” Jose added.

Continue reading →

by: Essy Jane

Jesse was sitting in front of the Emergency room in a wheelchair. Of course he was waiting most impatiently for his ride. Nothing was worse than being in a hospital. I mean when you have company in the hospital with you like Jesse did when he got his appendix removed, he had a blast. However, this time once visiting hours were over, that was it. Jesse hated being alone and in the hospital, you can be completely surrounded by people and still feel so by yourself.

A nurse was standing beside him. Jesse was tapping his fingers to the rhythm of a song. He looked up at the nurse who was standing over him like a tree, shading him from the sunlight. Her scrubs were dark evergreen. Her hair was curly and pulled back. She sighed softly. Jesse could tell she was bored.

“Do I have to sit in this thing?” Jesse finally asked, looking up at the nurse. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Hospital policy,” the nurse replied.

“I only broke one leg.”

“I see that.”

Continue reading →

by: Essy Jane

Jose drove swiftly across the county. He was being followed by DJ Strate, Hazzard’s favorite law man. Jose Mostly they liked good ol DJ because he was Enos’ son that and he was the only real honest lawman in Hazzard. Jose went across a big jump and DJ followed.

“Oh come on Denver-Jones, you’re never going to catch me,” Jose said over the CB. DJ began to speed up. He always loved a good chase, especially with his two best friends, Jesse and Jose.

“You were speeding, I need to give you a ticket,” DJ answered him.

“You’re speeding right now.”

“That’s because I’m chasing after you.”

“So what?”

“Will you slow down?”

“Nah, then you’ll give me a ticket for speeding.”

“That’s right, that’s my job Jose.”

Continue reading →

by: Essy Jane

Annie walked into the hospital and looked at Vance. “Hi, I haven’t met you before. I am Doctor Larson,” Annie began.

“Hi, my name is Vance. I heard a lot about you Doctor Larson. You helped out both Bo and Luke many times. Bo says you’re the best doctor. By the looks of ya I think you’re good at a lot of things,” Vance answered. Annie blushed. “Oh, sorry ma’am…”

“Call me Annie.”

“Alright then, Annie. What are you here for?”

“I am going to do a test on Jesse here.”

“Brain function right?”

“How did you…?”

“I studied to be a nurse after my aunt got sick. Then I turned into a sauce hound. I did some awful things. Now, I am stuck in this chair.”

“We all make mistakes Mister Duke.”

“Call me Vance.”

“Well, I got divorced from a rotten fella. I hated him a lot.”

“It happens ma’am, not everyone should be married. Annie cleared her throat. She looked at Jesse and swallowed hard.

“Well, I’m goanna pull this off of his tracheotomy tube and we’ll wait to see if he breathes.” As they pulled the blue tubing off of Jesse’s neck. Vance watched hopefully for Jesse’s chest to rise. Sure enough, it rose on his own.

“Alright Jesse!”

“Actually, he’s breathing pretty good. The swelling is down in his throat. I think we can leave this off.” Annie wrote down the results and put the chart down. She walked out of the room.

“Hey, Jesse…did you hear how good you did? Still have an opening in your throat but at least you can breathe out of it. Now all you need to do is wake up. Your Daddy’s awake. Your cousins are off fighting another one of Hazzard’s major wars.”

Vance waited a minute, hoping for some sort of movement, nothing. All Jesse did was breathe which was better than the doctors thought he would do. Vance wanted more though. He really loved his cousin Jesse. Vance liked him because of his willingness to accept people no matter what. It reminded the aging man of his Uncle Jesse.

Jesse Vernon Duke Senior, he was a very welcoming man. He helped everyone in sight. He was definitely one of the best people around. Jesse Duke was known for how often he helped in the community. If anyone needed help, he and his Duke boys were there. Even if it meant they would have less, Jesse Duke would lend a hand to anyone in need.

Jesse Vernon Duke Junior was much the same. He knew the value of a hard day’s labor. He was good with people. Jesse wasn’t afraid to help people. He would do things for people even if it meant the lawmen were after him. Children were his specialty. He seemed to bond with them extremely well. Jesse, like his father, was good with the ladies. Especially with Laurel who was a lot like him.

“Hey, you remember that one day when you let us stay at your place? You know, I felt pretty low after what Daisy said to me. Suddenly you opened up and helped us. You didn’t ask any questions, you just did it. Jesse, that my friend shows compassion. I know right now you’re having a problem waking up but you know what? Everyone needs you right now. Jesse, your Dad wants you to wake up. Jose says he’s not goanna have his wedding until you wake up,” Vance said. There was a knock on the door.

“Hey, we’re back,” Coy announced. Vance rolled himself over to his cousin. “Are you alright?”

“I was just thinking about Uncle Jesse…and just how many qualities Jesse has.”

“You miss him?”

“Every minute of every day.”

“Me too.”

“You know, I can’t believe we didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“All because we were selfish.” Vance shook his head. “Hey, you know what? We’re here now.”

“For yet another Jesse Duke.”

“I have always wondered…what it would have been like if we were there.”

“Bo said the cancer was harsh…he told me about how he died in a happy place for him. Bo wouldn’t leave his side.”

“You know, our cousin is a good man.”

“I never thought he would grow up.”

“He hasn’t…he’s still a kid. Jo said he goes to the funnies first in the morning.” They both laughed. They looked over at Jesse.

“Does he read to his kids like Uncle Jesse used to do to us?”

“Everyday. I am telling you Vance, Jo Anna, Jose and Jesse have what we had. Bo worked very hard to teach both Jo and Jesse the finer parts of life. They learned what family was all about. When Jose came along, Bo didn’t love him any differently than he loved Jo and Jesse.”

“That would be a hard thing not to do.”

“Well, he worked at it, everyday, Bo took both Jesse and Jose in the fields to work with him. Jo Anna and Bo played a lot of checkers together.”

“You know Coy, we shouldn’t have questioned him.”

“No, he’s so much like Uncle Jesse. I guess we have just got to accept that he is a changed man.”

“He was so wild, Coy. He wouldn’t back down from a fight even if the odds were fifty to one. He would think of something.”

“Vance, you seem to forget that we were once the same way.”

“Well, I can’t believe how much he has changed. If I wasn’t in this wheel chair, I would still be out there racing cars, instead of fixing them.”

“He still is.”

“Are you sure Coy?”

“According to Daisy, he still races Jose and Jesse.”

“Bo will be a good ol boy for life huh?”

“Oh yeah, that’s why I wonder why in the world would he move to LA.”

“Beats me, he seems like he wants to stay.”

“Daisy’s up there.”

“Yeah so what? She could easily come down here and visit.”

“Do you think he wants to pass on the farm?”

“Sorry to interrupt you two but, I want to sit with my cousin,” Jose commented. Vance and Coy nodded. “Sorry…I just really…”

“We understand,” Coy said.

“Don’t even think that you’re sorry. You and Jesse have what Coy and I had,” Vance added. Coy pushed Vance and soon, they were out of sight. Jose sat down on the wooden chair. He looked at Jesse and broke into tears.

“Hey, you wake up. Jesse, I can’t stand to see you like this, I just can’t. You’re the strong one. You remember when that bear came out of nowhere? You were the one that saved me from it. I thought that you were going to flip right out. No, you were brave. Scared him away and took me to the doctors. Now all you have to do is be strong for me and wake up,” Jose mumbled. He sat there for a long while and ended up falling asleep.

When he woke up, the sun was up. He looked at his cousin and then into the hallway. Suddenly, Jose’s eyes shifted back to his cousin. Jesse’s eyes were wide open. They were staring into Jose’s eyes. Jesse looked around. His baby blue eyes widened. He pulled his arms up and saw two purple casts. Jesse shook his head softly and smiled.

“Hey are you okay?” Jose asked. Jesse tried to talk but the words wouldn’t come out. “Oh, you have a tube down your throat.”

Jesse rolled his eyes. He felt the plastic on his neck. His eyebrows rose. When he moved his left leg, he saw a tube move with it. Jesse smiled. He looked at Jose and shook his head. Jesse touched Jose’s face where a bruise had appeared. He gave his cousin two thumbs way up.

“Well you see, I had a little fight. I guess we’ll tell you all about what happened.” Jose began. As he continued to talk, you could see the picture as clean as day. As the young man continued his story, Jesse seemed to get more into it. When Jose was finished his story, Jesse was laughing. “Yep, we took them in and they were mad. Man, I wish you were beside me.” Jesse nodded. They looked at each other and smiled. “You know what? I was sure that Bo would stay in Hazzard forever.” Jesse nodded.

“I…thought…so…too,” Jesse mouthed. Jose cleared his throat.

“But, if there was anyone else to replace him here, the only one I can think of is you. You have inherited many great qualities from him. You’re a great cousin and you’ll make a great dad.”

“Thanks…coach,” Jesse mouthed again. Whelp alls well that ends well, in good old Hazzard County. What’s the next adventure? Whelp, you just need to wait for your next visit to Hazzard County.

THE END

by: Essy Jane

The babies were screaming over at the Duke farm. Judd couldn’t make them sleep. “Esmeralda was easier,” Judd commented.

“We adopted her. She was already talking when we got her. Already potty trained,” Essy laughed.

“Well I like kids that way.”

“That’s why you adopted three of them. Marney and Lynn grew up too fast.”

“They all did.”

“Bo and Nancy-Lou are so lucky, they get to take care of these three wonderful, gentle…”

“Loud!”

“They’re always loud.”

“I don’t remember them being this loud…or stinky.”

“Well, parenting comes with its perks and its drawbacks too.”

“Tell me about it. When Marney wanted the nose ring…”

“Well Judd, you should have told her when she was eighteen…”

“And have her look like a bull? Forget it.” The babies continued to whine. Judd looked at Cameron. “Hey kid, I know you’re tired and you know you’re tired. When I snap your fingers you will stop crying and you will sleep.”

“That’s never going to work.”

“One…”

“Never ever going to work…Judd Duke, you might as well quit while you’re ahead.” Judd looked up at his wife.

“How would you know Essy?”

“I used to take care of children for extra money, remember?”

“Well, at this point I’ll try anything.

“Judd, I think I have an idea.” Essy held up some sheet music. Judd grabbed it and examined it.

“What the heck is this?”

“I always hear the boys singing this to the babies.”

“You think it will work?”

“I don’t know. Put them in their cribs. I’ll grab Jo’s keyboard and you grab Bo’s guitar.”

“I play I don’t sing.”

“You want them to fall asleep don’t you?”

“More than anything.”

“Then Poof, you’re a singer.”

“Alright.” Essy plugged in the keyboard and looked at the sheet music. She started playing the notes. Judd looked at the paper as well and played the chords. They started singing the song:

Angel, my sweet angel
I can see you’re tired
I’ll lay you down to bed
Rest your head.

Angel oh my dear Angel,
It’s time to close your eyes
The stars are in the skies

I know you say you’re not tired but please try
I will go on singing this sweet lullaby.

Oh Angel my sweet angel
Tomorrow the sun will rise but
Please close your eyes.

Angel oh, oh my sweet angel
Your dreams are waiting for you
I’ll be there too.

I know you say you’re not tired but please try
I will go on singing this sweet lullaby.

Oh Angel
Oh sweet Angel
Oh my baby mine

Essy looked up from the piano. There they were laying there as quiet as can be. They snuck out of the room, leaving the instruments where they were. Judd closed the door. “It worked,” Essy whispered.

“You know, you still have the prettiest voice in the world Essy Duke,” Judd whispered back.

“So you do, Judd Duke.” They kissed each other softly.

“Hey, you think you can sing me to sleep tonight?” Essy slapped Judd playfully. “OWE!”

“Don’t be a baby.”

“Okay, then you grow up and be my wife.”

“Only if you grow up and be the husband I know that’s inside.”

“Oh, I’m immature?”

“You want to fight about it?”

“Nah, you would win.” Essy giggled softly.

“Yeah, I probably would.”

“Well because your beautiful spirit would distract me.”

“That and punching each other might make the babies wake up.” Judd nodded softly.

“We would have to thumb wrestle.”

“I have a way better idea.”

“Oh yeah, what’s that Miss Essy-Jane Duke.”

“That’s Misses Essy-Jane Duke to you buster.” They kissed again, this time, holding each other close.

Meanwhile, back at the barn, Jo and Lilly were both out of their ropes and cuffs. As Haden came in, Jo jumped right on top of him and beat him up. She put the hand cuffs on him and took his gun. “Let’s see how you like it,” Lilly laughed. Just then she heard the Dixie horn.

“And here we go,” Jo announced. You could hear an explosion from outside. “The Dukes are back!” The five remaining men went out too see what all the noise was about.

“Hello everyone, I am Jose Duke and this is my cousin Coy Duke,” Jose began. Jo walked out and looked at the five men. “Coy, this is between them and us two.”

“Are you crazy?” Coy asked.

“He’s right, this is between them and us two. Our fathers started this, we’re goanna finish it,” Jo added.

“You two are sure?”

“We’re sure.”

Back at the hospital, Bo was laying there wondering about his son. All he could think about was Jesse. That’s when Annie walked in. “Hey cowboy, you couldn’t stay out of here huh?” She said. Bo smiled as he shook his head.

“I’m just happy to be alive. How are you doing?” Bo replied.

“I want to know how you’re doing.”

“I’ll live. I am more worried about my son.”

“Yeah, I heard he was here too.”

“Well, I told him I was leaving Hazzard. He didn’t take it too well. You know, when I heard about it, I didn’t like it too much either. I have lived here my whole life. But you know, Nancy-Lou has given up so much for me. She missed her best friend, Daisy. Cooter and Beverly are living up there together. She wants to be closer to her mom.”

“You need to do things for your wife. Your son and daughter are both grown.”

“Yeah but now, I feel as though I need to stay.”

“Oh Bo, he’ll be fine.”

“I said six months but I don’t know, with the way he is right now…”

“I heard Jose cancelled the wedding.”

“Yeah…I don’t know, I think he wants us to be better.”

“Well yeah, Bo, young Jose loves you. He’s admired you since he came over to the merry ol’ County of Hazzard.” Bo smiled. He pushed himself up a little in his bed.

“You know, ever since he came into our home, he’s been nothing but wonderful. Now, he’s getting married. Luke was sure Jesse would get married before him.”

“I heard Tony’s already married.”

“Yeah, their first anniversary is tomorrow.”

“You’re worried about Jesse aren’t you?” Bo bit on his bottom lip. “You are, after all the things you went through, you’re worried that he won’t make it in married life.”

“No, that’s not it at all. I’m worried that he won’t make it. The doctors say that if he doesn’t wake up soon…well, there could be trouble. They said he might have brain damage or even worse—brain dead.” Bo’s head lowered as he tried to strangle the tears.

“They’ll test their theory.”

“How?”

“By taking him off the respirator for a few minutes and seeing if he can breathe on his own.”

“Won’t that hurt him?”

“No, Bo it won’t. You see, the body has a natural instinct to breathe. If you hold your breath long enough, you will pass out and then you will take in air. Your brain demands it. Some people, they don’t have that function.”

“What kind of people?”

“Quadriplegics…that is, people who are paralyzed from the neck down.”

“Jesse didn’t break his neck.”

“Thank your lucky stars for that one.”

“So if he doesn’t breathe…”

“He’s brain dead. Bo, it could be a factor. He was deprived of oxygen for a long time because of his neck swelling up. They got him to the hospital in time, that’s for sure.”

“I want you to do it.”

“Do what?”

“Test to see if he’s brain dead.”

“Bo…”

“Look, I would rather hear it from you than hear it from some total stranger.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” With that, Annie made her way out of the room. Bo sighed.

“Please Jesse, be okay.”

Over at the Hazzard Bank, Boss Roscoe was madder than a Britain Cow. “You three idiots screwed up. My own son couldn’t catch these morons! I bet it was them Dukes,” Boss commented.

“It was not Boss sir, there were too many for them to be Dukes,” DJ commented. Boss Roscoe rolled his eyes.

“Did I ask for your opinion, DJ?”

“No sir.”

“Sheriff Hogg, keep your deputy quiet!”

“Uh, yes sir Boss, you’ve got it. Deputy Strate, hush,” Sheriff Cletus said.

“Daddy, you know, there were six of them,” Perry mumbled.

“Are you sure son?” Boss Roscoe.

“Yes sir.”

“That’s too many to be Dukes.” Suddenly the bank door opened. The lawmen and Boss Roscoe jumped. They watched as six guys were marched in. Coy was holding the bags of money. Jo Anna was holding the guns.

“Not too many for the Dukes to catch,” Jo Anna laughed.

“Jit-jit, how did you Dukes do it?” Perry asked.

“I should have hired them Dukes as my lawmen,” Boss mumbled.

“And women,” Lilly-Rose corrected him.

“Who says I would hire you as a lawwoman?”

“I’m Boss Hogg’s niece.”

“So?”

“So there, he would want you to.”

“No he wouldn’t, he would want the patrol cars fixed more. Khee, now, git over to the jail house. Josie, get away from my prisoners.

“It’s Jose…like Hose A.”

“Whatever. Cletus, take those crooks off of your cousin’s hands.”

“Yes sir Boss Hogg—I mean Boss Roscoe,” Cletus answered.

“Oh my little fat buddy, you would be so please with me Khee…not with your cousin Cletus or your niece Lilly. No they’re too good. Kee-hee-hee.” With that, Boss made his way over to the jail cell.