By: MaryAnne

Author Note: This story takes place outside the MaryAnne series, circa 1985.

US Army Captain Ryan McCree brought down the hood of his car and sighed. The drive from Atlanta under the hot Georgia sun was apparently too much for the government issued sedan and the radiator made how it felt clearly known. The 38-year-old Army officer would have preferred the car to at least make it to town before dying on him. Instead he was in the middle of a dirt country road, in full dress uniform, on what had to be the hottest day of the year, with hardly a sign of civilization around him.

He walked back to the driver’s seat of the car and retrieved his bag, green uniform jacket and crush cap. He remembered passing a farm house about a mile or so back and set out to walking.

Friends and neighbors, finding your way to Hazzard County is easy. It’s what happens when ya get there that can become complicated. 

If you’re interested in a little Hazzard County war story and history, then settle yourselfs in for this one. Hazzard has had many war heroes over the years, fighting in every war the US has ever been involved in. Most recent was Luke Duke’s service in the Marines during Vietnam. But before that, in another war over in Asia, another Hazzard County citizen fought for his country. And not many folks know about it either. But they’re soon gonna find out. 

At the Duke farm, Daisy Duke came out of the house, wearing a flowered summer dress, carrying a full pitcher of lemonade. As she walked to the picnic table she hollered in the direction of the barn. “Hey fellas! I made some fresh lemonade!”

Daisy’s voice, like the sound of Gabriel’s trumpet, brought Bo and Luke out of the barn, where they had been working in the relative coolness of the building fixing one of the stalls. It was still hot but they weren’t working under the beating sun and they were glad for that. Shrugging into their shirts they walked across the dusty yard to the picnic table where Daisy was pouring two large glasses of lemonade with plenty of ice.

Bo drank back half his glass and then “ahh’d” loudly. “That hits the spot!”

Luke snorted at his cousin and drank his but without as excessive of fanfare. But it was just as cool and delicious.

Daisy giggled. “Bo, I should’ve just given you the whole pitcher instead of that little glass.”

“Why didn’t you?” He grinned.

She laughed and refilled his glass.

Luke looked across the yard past the barn to see a man walking up the drive. “Hey y’all…” he said to his kin. They too looked.

There was no mistaking the dark haired man wore an Army dress uniform and looked practically wilted under the beating sun. Despite that, he smiled as he made eye contact and stepped closer. “Howdy,” he said. “My car broke down about a mile down the road. Would it be possible I could use your phone?”

“Yeah, sure,” the three cousins all replied. “We’ll call Cooter, he can tow it in,” Luke added.

“I appreciate that, thank you,” Captain McCree said.

“Sugar, you look like you’re about to melt away in that uniform,” Daisy said. “C’mon inside, I’ll fix you some lemonade…” She smiled at him, definitely appreciating a man in uniform. She carried the pitcher toward the porch. As the three men followed her, Captain McCreedecided he had stopped at the right place.

“So what brings you to Hazzard? Or are you just passin’ through?” Luke asked as everyone stepped into the kitchen of the Duke farm.

“I’m on my way to Hazzard actually. I’m trying to locate someone.”

“Well, shoot, maybe we can help ya,” Bo said. “We know just about everybody around here.”

“And then some,” Luke added. “By the way, my name’s Luke Duke, this is my cousin Bo….”

“Nice to meet you, Luke….Bo…” Captain McCree said, extending a hand to each cousin. “I’m Captain Ryan McCree.”

“And this is our cousin Daisy.”

“Hi,” Daisy said with a smile and placed a cold glass of lemonade down on the kitchen table. “Nice to meet you. Why don’t you set your things down and make yourself at home?”

“Thank you,” Ryan placed his Army bag down on the floor by one of the chairs at the table and hung his uniform jacket over the back of the chair, hooking his cap to one side. He sat down at the table and took a drink of the lemonade. He then smiled at Daisy. “That’s good, ma’am, thank ya.”

“Oh you’re welcome.”

Bo and Luke exchanged amused glances at their female cousin’s obvious approval of the stranger in uniform. “Well,” Bo said, “let’s see if we can get ol’ Crazy Cooter on the horn here…” He stepped to the CB set and picked up the mike. “Lost Sheep callin’ Crazy C….”

“Breaker one, breaker one, might be crazy but I ain’t dumb, craaaazy Cooter comin’ at ya, what’s happenin’ Lost Sheep?”

Bo chuckled. “Cooter, we need you to pick up a car that’s broke down about a mile from the farm here. It’s uh…” Bo looked at Ryan. “What kind of car is it?”

“He can’t miss it. It’s a Ford Army sedan. Says US Army on the doors.”

Bo relayed the descriptive information to Cooter.

“Uncle Sam Chariot huh? There a driver?”

“Yeah, he’s here at the farm.”

“Ten-four, I’ll be out there in a little bit.”

“Thanks, Cooter.” Bo placed the mike down.

“I really appreciate this,” Ryan said.

“You’d have never made it walkin’ to town in this heat,” Daisy said.

“Well, I might have made it but I wouldn’t have had a nice glass of lemonade waiting for me when I got there,” Ryan replied.

Daisy chuckled.

“You said you were headin’ to Hazzard,” Luke said. “Who you lookin’ for?”

“Well, I’m fairly certain he’s here, because he’s the Sheriff. Rosco Coltrane?”

“Rosco?” Luke said. He then laughed. “What’s the US Army want with Rosco?”

“Maybe he’s been drafted,” Bo said.

“Bo…” Daisy said with a snort.

Captain McCree smiled. “No, no. Sheriff Coltrane already served his country, he’s not being called back. But the Army didn’t properly recognize him for something he did over 30 years ago. They’re looking to correct that oversight now.” As he spoke, Ryan noticed his audience’s expression turned stunned.

“Rosco was in the Army?” Luke asked.

“Yes. He served in the Korean Conflict.”

“He served in an actual war?” Bo said.

The Duke cousins all looked at one another. “I never knew Rosco had been in the service,” Daisy said.

“Me either,” Bo said.

“I don’t think anybody did,” Luke said. He looked at Ryan. “You sure you got the right Rosco Coltrane?”

“Oh I’m pretty sure,” Ryan replied. He then reached down to his carry bag and pulled out a file. “Of course I can’t show you everything in this file, but there’s a photograph here. Of course, it’s from over 30 years ago but I figure you should recognize him.” Ryan opened the folder and pulled out an aged black and white 5X7 and showed it to the Dukes, passing it to Bo first.

Bo chuckled with surprise. “Oh wow…”

Recognition was almost instant. There before them was a young Rosco P. Coltrane, in Army uniform with cap, his hair black as night and his eyes a bright light grey in the black and white image. He gave a closed mouth smile, which always seemed typical of military photos. Daisy used to tease Luke because his Marine photos always looked so serious. There supposed to be serious, he would tell her. I’m a Marine!

“Wow, that is Rosco…” Daisy said as she looked over the picture and then handed it to Luke.

The ex-Marine looked at the photo with acute interest. Rosco’s uniform jacket showed a few campaign ribbons, a unit citation, marksman badges for pistol and carbine, and on his sleeve, sergeant stripes. This surprised Luke. “He’s a Sergeant in this picture,” he said, turning it toward Ryan.

Captain McCree nodded. “Yes. That was taken before he was discharged in 1954.” Ryan accepted the photograph back and tucked it into the file. “Anyway, the Army has been trying to get in contact with him for a couple of months but it appears he’s either not receiving the letters or he’s ignoring them. So I was asked to drive here to Hazzard to actually locate him, or next of kin if it turned out he had passed on. Which, I was figuring he was still alive as none of the mail was returned.”

“He’s very much alive,” Bo said with a chuckle. “You’d have probably found him at one of his speed traps the closer you got to town, if ya hadn’ta broke down where ya did.”

“Yeah,” Daisy concurred. “I wonder why Rosco would ignore the letters the Army sent tho’?”

“That’s what I’m hoping to find out,” Captain McCree said.

“What kind of recognition does the Army want to give him?” Luke asked.

“He’s been awarded the Bronze Star.”

For the second time since sitting down at the Dukes kitchen table, Captain Ryan McCree had a stunned audience.

Friends and neighbors, if the Army’s lookin’ to give Rosco the Bronze Star and Rosco’s ignorin’ Uncle Sam…I get the feelin’ that fella’s gonna have his work cut out for ’em. 

Sometime later, Cooter arrived at the Duke farm with that Army fellas sedan already hooked up to his tow truck.

“Pretty bad when Uncle Sam can’t give ya good runnin’ car,” Cooter joked to Captain McCree as the two walked across the Duke yard to the tow truck.

McCree smiled. “Yeah, I should’ve known better than to picked the oldest car in the motor pool.”

“Oldest? That car’s only two years old.”

“Exactly.”

They both climbed into the tow truck and were soon on their way to town. After arriving at Cooter’s garage, the mechanic directed the Army officer to the courthouse, but warned him that Rosco may not be there.

“He’s in and out a lot. Usually at the beck and call of ol’ Boss Hogg.”

“Boss Hogg?”

“The County Commissioner.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Listen, y’all stop back here later I’ll let you know how this is comin’ along,” Cooter said, gesturing to the sedan.

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Anytime.”

Captain McCree turned and walked across the street to the courthouse. Before leaving the Duke farm he had managed to cool off and freshen up a bit and he entered the courthouse now with his dress uniform looking more neat and formal. He removed his officer’s cap from his head as he stepped inside the building.

He walked down the hall slowly, looking to the writing on the frosted glass windows of the various doors that he passed. Before too long he found the doors of the booking room clearly marked “Hazzard County Sheriff’s Office.”

He gently pushed his way inside and found the room was empty, except for an officer seated at a desk up on a riser. The young deputy looked up as the Captain approached.

“Howdy,” Ryan greeted. “I hope you can help me.”

“Yes sir!” Deputy Enos Strate scrambled to stand up and offered a salute.

Ryan returned the salute but chuckled. “At ease, Deputy. No need to be formal.”

“Oh…yes sir.” Enos disengaged his salute and smiled sheepishly. “What can I do for ya?”

“Well I was hoping you could tell me where I might find Sheriff Coltrane?”

“I’m sorry, he’s out on a patrol right now. He won’t be back for another hour or so.”

Ryan nodded. “That’s okay. Would be all right if I waited for him? It’s cooler in here than it is out there.”

Enos grinned. “Sure! Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

A few idle minutes later, the booking room doors swung open and Boss Hogg entered, fanning himself with his white Stetson hat, his eyes closed briefly. “Hoo boy, I tell you Enos, it’s a hot one out there today.”

“Yes it is,” Captain McCree answered.

Boss Hogg stopped walking and looked to see who had spoken. “Oh, hello there,” he said. “Umm…you’re not another one of them recruiters looking to set up over at the high school are ya?”

McCree smiled. “No sir. I’m here to see the Sheriff.”

“Oh.” Boss glanced at Enos, who nodded.

“Sheriff Rosco’s on patrol, but he should be back a little bit,” Enos explained.

Boss nodded and looked at Captain McCree again. “Is there something we can help with in the meantime? I’m Jefferson Davis Hogg, County Commissioner.”

Captain McCree stood up and shook hands with Boss. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hogg. I’m Captain Ryan McCree. My business with Sheriff Coltrane isn’t a police matter, unfortunately. It’s Army business.”

“Army business? Rosco’s been out of the Army for 30 years.”

“Yes I know.”

“Sheriff Rosco’s not in any kind of trouble is he?” Enos asked.

Ryan looked at the deputy and smiled. “Nothing of the sort. The Army is looking to recognize Sheriff Coltrane for something he did during his service.”

“You mean he’s getting an award?” Boss asked.

“Yes. He’s being awarded the Bronze Star.”

Captain McCree felt a sense of deja vu as he looked back and forth between the stunned looks on the deputy and county commissioner’s face.

Talk about the news of the century….

“The Bronze Star…” Enos said softly. “Possumonagumbush…”

“That’s what I was about to say,” Boss said, “more ‘r less.” He looked at Captain McCree. “You sure we’re talkin’ about the same Rosco P. Coltrane?”

“Oh I’m sure.”

“Does Rosco know about this?”

“Uh, I think he does. The Army has sent correspondence to him but he has not acknowledged, which is why I’m here. The Army wanted to verify whether he was dead or alive.”

“Well he’s very much alive,” Boss said and chuckled. “I just can’t believe it. Rosco being awarded the Bronze Star….”

“It does seem to be a startling revelation to some folks,” McCree said.

“What exactly do you have to do to get yourself a Bronze Star?” Enos asked.

“Usually it’s awarded for an act of heroism,” Boss said, before Captain McCree could answer. “Saving another soldier’s life directly or doing something that helped save soldier or civilian lives…” Boss suddenly realized the implications as it related to Rosco. “Wait a minute….are you saying Rosco saved somebody’s life?”

“Two lives,” McCree said. “And all while under enemy fire. I can’t remember all the details from the file so unfortunately I can’t tell you much more than that.”

Although Boss and Enos both were interested in hearing more, they accepted they would have to wait.

When Rosco walked through the booking room doors a little while later, he removed his black Stetson hat and was about to say something to Enos at the booking desk when he saw the Army officer sitting just below it.

Captain McCree stood up. “Sheriff Coltrane?”

Rosco sighed. “I wondered how long it would be before they sent somebody.”

“Well sir, you’ve neglected to answer our correspondence.”

“There’s a reason for that.”

Captain McCree sensed he was about to embarked on a delicate subject. He had had this feeling since he took on this assignment. Seeing the former Sergeant Coltrane now and the aloof posture, confirmed it.

“Then perhaps we should discuss this…”

“I don’t think there’s much to discuss. I think you know what my feeling is with all of this and I think you can report that back to your superiors.” Rosco started to walk to his office.

“With all due respect, Sheriff,” Captain McCree said, feeling rather offended now, “you could have saved me a trip down here from Fort McPherson if you had relayed your feelings on the subject through correspondence. But instead you ignored it. What did you think the Army was going to do? Forget about it?”

Rosco stopped at the door of his office and turned to the Army officer. “Well I’m sorry you were inconvenienced. As for the Army forgetting about the whole thing? That would probably be the best thing they could. I’ve been trying to forget about it for over 30 years….” With that, Rosco went into his office and closed the door.

Captain McCree sighed.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Enos said.

“It’s all right, deputy. I can’t say I’m too surprised by that.”

Hmm. I have a feelin’ that boy’s got his work cut out for him…

A few minutes later, Captain McCree walked back to Cooter’s garage.

“Well I got good news and bad news for ya,” Cooter said. “Good news is, I can fix it. Bad news is you need a new radiator and I don’t happen to have one for this model on hand so I had to call up to Hotlanta to order one for ya. Should be here in about a day.”

Captain McCree nodded. “Looks like I’m in town for a couple of days then.”

“Oh? I was gonna say if you need to get back to Fort McPherson I’ve got a loaner you can use.”

“I appreciate that, but no I don’t have to get back right away. If you could point me to the nearest hotel tho’…”

“Sure, it’s right across the square there.” Cooter pointed. “Mrs. Huckabee will take good care of ya.”

Ryan smiled. “Good. Thanks, Cooter.”

“Anytime.”

Cooter watched the Army officer start across the square, noticing McCree’s posture seemed a little defeated.

*** *** ***

Later at the Boar’s Nest, Bo and Luke met up with Enos, who told them what had happened with Rosco and Captain McCree.

“I just don’t understand it,” Enos said, looking at his glass of buttermilk. “If Sheriff Rosco saved two people’s lives why would he be so set against being awarded the Bronze Star?” He looked up at Bo and Luke.

“Well, it may have been a pretty harrowing experience for him,” Luke said. “Probably something he’d rather not relive and be awarded for.”

“He said he’d been trying to forget it for over 30 years.” Enos just shook his head. “But…he saved two people’s lives. Could it have been that bad?”

Luke gave Enos’s shoulder a pat, knowing the deputy, having not fought in a war, would have a hard time grasping what reasons Rosco may have had for refusing the award. “Enos, it’s quite possible Rosco went through a living hell that day and he wants nothing more than to forget about it.”

“Yeah,” Bo said. “I mean, none of us ever knew he had even been in the Army. He’s never said anything and in all the years I can remember with Memorial Day parades and the 4th of July and Veteran’s Day parades….he was there as Sheriff. He never marched with the VFW or any of that.”

“I don’t even think he’s in the VFW,” Luke said. “At least, I’ve never heard that he is.”

“Kind of strange to think about tho’,” Bo said. “Rosco in the Army? In a war? I mean, nowadays he pulls that gun out of his holster he nearly shoots himself in the foot! I can’t imagine him with a rifle in hand.”

Luke snorted. “I’ll admit the idea takes some getting used to. I still can’t get over that photograph of him in uniform.”

“Yeah that was something,” Bo said. “I wonder why all this came about now, after 30-some-odd years?”

Luke shrugged. “Any number of reasons I suppose. I’ve heard stories of guys from WWII being awarded medals and such all these years later, usually because somebody during the war didn’t make the recommendation, for whatever reason, but information surfaces years later and the recommendation is put in.”

“How could somebody overlook saving two people’s lives?” Enos asked.

“War’s very chaotic, Enos,” Luke explained. “There’s a lot of stuff going on. It’s not that what Rosco did was overlooked, it’s that somebody would have had to go through various communication channels, chains of command, and at any point the ball could’ve been dropped along the way.”

“And from what you told us, it sounds like Rosco would have preferred the ball stay dropped,” Bo said.

Enos nodded. “Sheriff Rosco was not happy at all.” He picked up his glass of buttermilk and took a sip, not seeing the exchange of glances between the Duke cousins.

Now all this talk about Rosco bein’ in the Army, got ol’ Luke thinkin’ about his own time in the service. And although the issue of Rosco and that Bronze Star was just an issue with Rosco, and had nothin’ to do with the Dukes, Luke couldn’t help his curiosity about it all. Ya might say veterans are kindred spirits and combine that with the Duke urge to want to help….well….y’all know that stranger things have happened in Hazzard. 

Of course, Luke didn’t know what kind of help exactly he could offer, but the next morning, while Bo was finishin’ up on that stall in the barn, Luke went on an errand run for Jesse….

Flying purposely past Rosco’s favorite speed trap, it wasn’t long before the General Lee had a white Plymouth coming up fast behind it. Luke pulled over to the side of the road and watched in his mirrors as Rosco walked up to the car.

“I gotcha…Khee!” Rosco stood at the window and opened his ticket book. “Awright, Luke Duke, you were speedin’ and don’t try to argue about it.”

“Okay, Rosco,” Luke said with a smile. “Ya got me.”

Rosco’s pen stopped and he looked at Luke. “Yer not gonna argue with me about it?”

“Why should I? I was speedin’. You caught me fair and square. Besides…why should I argue with a guy who was awarded the Bronze Star?”

Rosco narrowed his eyes. “How’d you find out about that? Did Enos tell ya?”

“No. The fella from the Army came to the farm when his car broke down.”

“Figures.” Rosco lowered his hand that held the ticket book and pointed his pen at Luke. “It’s just like you Dukes to bring me trouble.”

“Rosco, we don’t bring you trouble…” Luke grabbed the edge of the roof of the General and pulled himself partway out the window, sitting on the door frame. “None of us ever knew you were even in Army. Accept Jesse, and he admitted he had actually forgotten you had been.”

“It would’ve been nice if the Army itself had forgotten I had.” Rosco turned away from Luke and paced a few steps toward the front of the General.

Luke paused, waiting to see if Rosco was going to say more but the Sheriff remained quiet. “Look, Rosco, I’m not tryin’ to pry or anything but….I served in a war. And it’s hell, I know. There’s a lot of stuff I saw in Vietnam that I wish I could just forget. And I can only imagine what you’re feeling after trying to forget things after thirty years only to have it all be brought back. But Bronze Stars aren’t given out lightly.  Whatever it was that you did, somebody felt you deserved recognition for it.”

Rosco stood silent for a long moment. So long in fact, Luke was wondering if he should just leave. Although he couldn’t help but wonder the what and the why of Rosco being awarded a Bronze Star, he realized he was probably treading on some delicate ground.

With a sigh, he shifted his weight to slide back into the car. It was then Rosco turned back to Luke and spoke.

“You wanna know what I did?”

Luke paused. Yes…but… He settled back on the edge of the door but before he could answer, Rosco went ahead with his story.

“When I first went into the Army, I was in a transportation unit.” He chuckled somewhat ruefully. “I drove a truck. Anyway, we were helpin’ transport an infantry unit that was bein’ rotated out from the front for a fresh batch of guys to come in a take their place. I dunno what happened…if we got lost or were diverted on purpose or what but we crossed a bridge and suddenly had North Koreans all over the place. We managed to backtrack and clear off the bridge and take up positions but there were a couple of guys trapped on the bridge. They were wounded but still alive. Goin’ back over the bridge was practically suicide. They waved for the rest of us to just get the hell out of there but…” Rosco shook his head.

“A good soldier never leaves a buddy behind,” Luke said softly.

“Right. So between those of us drivin’ the trucks and those who were the infantry, we secured our position as best we could and then figured how to get those three guys off that bridge before they bled to death. I’d been in the Army just about six months and had been inKorea maybe a month. I hadn’t seen combat up to that point and honestly figured I wouldn’t.” Rosco paused for a long moment, the memories of a young soldier coming back as intensely as the day they were experienced. “I was scared to death….but I couldn’t just stand there. I had to do something. I couldn’t just cower down behind something, shooting at an enemy I couldn’t see and get killed for it. If I was gonna die right then and there….I was gonna die doing something worthwhile.

“Some of the guys near me were talkin’ about sending somebody out onto the bridge to carry the wounded back while everyone provided cover. Before I realized what came out of my mouth I…I had volunteered.”

Rosco paused, swallowing hard. “I thought that a little more cover could be provided if I took one of the trucks back out on the bridge and put it between our guys who were wounded and the North Koreans on the other side of the bridge. I got the truck out there….Korean’s shot it to hell first but I got it out there and I turned it sideways around the three wounded. I picked up the first guy got him over my shoulder and carried him back to the end of the bridge, all the while I had bullets flyin’ around me, comin’ from both directions. I went back for the second guy and got him…..” Rosco paused, his blue eyes distant as he was absorbed into the memory. When he continued speaking his voice was soft. “I never made it back for the third….”

Luke found himself holding his breath. He could picture everything in his mind as Rosco described things, he could even hear the gunfire and the whizzing and pinging of bullets. As Rosco paused, Luke felt a terrible dread. Whatever it was that stopped Rosco from going back out on that bridge was the single most terrible thing Rosco had experienced during that whole ordeal. It was the one thing Rosco wanted more than anything to forget.

It took Rosco a minute to continue. “The North Koreans they….they realized what we were doing….so they targeted the truck…” He stopped again, completely lost in the memory. He was back there, one foot on the bridge and in the sky ahead of him was the smoky streak of the artillery shell slamming directly into the one-ton truck he had parked on the bridge. The force of the explosion had knocked the young Private Coltrane to the ground. Rosco closed his eyes and turned away from Luke.

Luke slid out of the window of the General and stepped up quietly beside Rosco. He didn’t see the bumbling Sheriff at that moment. He saw a veteran like himself, one who had fought proudly for his country and then spent the ensuing years coping with the horrors of war. Maybe it was why Rosco was the bumbling, giggling Sheriff. He had seen so much of the dark that he had made it a point to try with all his might to hang on to the light.

Luke put a hand on Rosco’s shoulder, a gesture of understanding and sympathy spoken beyond words. Rosco opened his eyes and turned his head slightly in Luke’s direction with acknowledgement.

“His name was Aaron Davis,” Rosco continued, when Luke removed his hand. “I didn’t know him, I learned of his name later. He was one of the infantry guys. It’s possible he was already dead when the truck blew. The only thing that’s allowed me to be somewhat at peace with what happened was that he had been terribly wounded and even if I had gotten him off that bridge, he may have not survived. But still…I put that truck there. I felt responsible for a long time. In a way, I still feel responsible.” Rosco snorted softly and shook his head.”Bronze Star. Who the hell thought it would be such a great idea to award me the Bronze Star after all these years and for that?”

“I dunno, Rosco,” Luke said softly. “I reckon Captain McCree would have the answer to that.”

Rosco nodded. “S’pose I can’t blame him. He’s only followin’ his orders. I guess I shouldn’t have been so rude to ’em.”

“According to Cooter, he’s stayin’ in town. Cooter has to fix the radiator on the staff car.”

“He stayin’ at the hotel?”

“Apparently.”

Rosco sighed. “I ain’t sure I can face all that again….but I suppose I should apologize. The notation’s gonna be part of my Army record whether I want it there or not. But I’d really rather not have any presentation or any of that. They can note my file and just…leave me the hell alone.” Rosco looked at his ticket book and tore off the ticket he had started to write for Luke. He crumpled it up in his hand. “Listen, I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone what I told ya about what happened. I’m sure folks is curious and all but I just don’t need everyone knowin’, ok?”

Luke nodded. “Sure, Rosco. But listen…don’t be so hard on yourself. Every man that puts on a uniform knows the risks he’s taking when he does. You knew. I knew. And Aaron Davis knew. Thing is Rosco, you risked a lot to try to save all of those men and I’m willing to bet that, up there,” Luke briefly looked skyward, “Davis knows that. And he appreciates what you did.”

Rosco didn’t seem all that convinced, but he gave Luke a nod to acknowledge the sentiment. “Maybe,” he said. He then turned and walked back to his patrol car.

*** *** ***

When Rosco got back to town he parked his patrol car and started to walk over to the Hazzard Hotel. It was then he noticed that Captain McCree was sitting on one of the benches in the square with a Styrofoam cup of coffee in hand. He looked a little out of place sitting there, in his green dress uniform. His cap was on the bench beside him and he sipped thoughtfully at his coffee, looking around watching the early morning bustle of the town square.

Rosco debated turning around and going back to the courthouse. But he didn’t and continued on walking in Captain McCree’s direction.

Captain McCree looked over as Rosco approached. His expression stayed neutral but he nodded to Rosco in greeting. “Good morning, Sheriff.”

“Mornin’.” Rosco stopped before the young Captain. “Mind if I join you?”

“Please do.” McCree removed his hat from the bench, placing it on the other side of him. Rosco sat down.

McCree sipped his coffee before speaking. “Right pretty little town you’ve got here.”

“Thanks.” Rosco looked around himself. Hazzard was nice and he wouldn’t trade it for anything. “Listen, uh…I wanna apologize for yesterday. Although I still feel the same way about this Bronze Star, I didn’t need to be so rude to ya.”

McCree nodded. “That’s awright, Sheriff. I was re-reading the file last night. I can understand perhaps the way you feel about this.”

Rosco paused. “That file of yours. Does it say anything about how all this came about after all these years?”

“It does.”

Rosco waited. “Well?”

“Tell ya what, Sheriff. I’ll go get my file and I’ll meet you at your office at the courthouse there.”

“Fair ’nuff.”

Several minutes later, Captain McCree entered Rosco’s office and gently shut the door. Neither Boss nor Enos knew this meeting was taking place, as Boss was over at the bank and Enos was out on patrol. The booking room had been empty when McCree had come in.

He sat down in front of Rosco’s desk and placed his attaché on it. Rosco watched the young officer, thinking how four years of his life was wrapped up in the manila folder Captain McCree pulled out. Four years that had changed him, dramatically. It hadn’t all been bad. He eventually transferred out of the transportation unit after a year and into the military police. A decision that had proved wise and helped him focus on a career path for after the war.

Although the incident on the bridge had been the most profound experience and was a huge influence on Rosco’s decision to make little or no reference to his service record, Rosco really wasn’t all that much different than a lot of Korean War vets. Like the veterans of WWII, the soldiers simply came home and quietly resumed their lives as best they could. Little, if anything, was spoken about their time fighting. But unlike their WWII counterparts, Korean War veterans didn’t come home to a ticker tape parade and celebrations. Koreanever ended in decisive victory or defeat for either side. It ended in an impasse at the 38th parallel. In fact, North and South Korea were still technically in a state of war, but had enjoyed a thirty -plus year cease fire.

There were times when Rosco bemoaned having been too young for WWII. Those guys had won their war, clear and decisively and had received the accolades and gratitude of their country. His war had ended in a stalemate and he often felt a collective disappointment. It seemed as though since the surrender of Japan in August of 1945, the US couldn’t catch a break on winning another war.

Like Vietnam, Rosco thought, thinking of his conversation with Luke that morning. Them boys came home and were spit on! What the heck’s happened to this country?

Before his thoughts on war and history went too far, Rosco saw Captain McCree open the folder. The 5×7 photograph of himself as a Sergeant was paper clipped to the inside front cover. A smile briefly twitched at the corner of Rosco’s mouth. How long had it been since he’d seen that picture?

“Apparently,” McCree began, flipping some pages, “your commanding officer had begun to write up a recommendation for the Bronze Star a couple of weeks after what happened at the bridge. For whatever reason, he never completed it. After a search we found he was transferred to another transportation unit about four months later and unfortunately was killed in combat sometime there after. His write up was in with some personal papers that ended up back with his widow. They were boxed away for all these years until she passed on about a year and half ago. The family found the write up and contacted us, curious to know if their father had had the chance to award the Bronze Star to someone. Regrettably, we had to tell them that he had not.”

McCree glanced up at the Sheriff and Rosco’s face held hardly any expression. The former Army Sergeant just stared at the folder. Part of Rosco wished that paper had never been found.

“You understand, Sheriff, that the Army is not in the business of drudging up bad memories. Since it appeared that that officer was intent on recommending you for the Bronze Star, the Army felt it should look into what happened and complete the recommendation, if possible.”

Rosco nodded. “So that’s it? Some little piece of paper that got tucked away 30 some odd years ago and was found is gonna make y’all award me the Bronze Star now?”

“Well, not exactly. See I thought that too, until I was reading through this last night. I wasn’t the officer in charge of the research on this, that was someone else at McPherson. I was simply assigned to look for you. Anyway, your former commanding officer’s little piece of paper wasn’t the only thing that was tucked away all these years.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No.” McCree paused, meeting the blue eyed gaze of the Sheriff straight on. “There were three men on that bridge weren’t there?”

Rosco looked away. “Yeah…”

“I’m sorry, Sheriff. I understand now why this is sensitive for you. You don’t understand how the Army can award you the Bronze Star for saving two soldier’s lives when you weren’t able to help that third soldier.”

“It doesn’t seem fair. I don’t think I deserve any such recognition.”

McCree nodded as he slipped another piece of paper from the folder. “Well not only does the Army think you deserve such recognition, the family of Aaron Davis thought so too…” Captain McCree took the paper and turned it across the desk to Rosco. It was a photocopy of a letter written in February of 1951.

Rosco wasn’t sure he heard McCree right. “What?”

“Aaron Davis’s commanding officer wrote a personal note to Davis’s mother after it was announced he had been killed. In the note, he explained what happened including what you had tried to do. Mrs. Davis wrote a letter back to Colonel Myers.” McCree pointed to the paper on the desk.

Rosco avoided looking at it. There was no way he could look at the words of a grieving mother.

“Please, Sheriff. Read it.”

Rosco refused a moment longer and then finally steeled himself and forced himself to look at the feminine flowing handwriting….

Dear Colonel Myers,

Thank you for your kind letter about Aaron. My son was proud to serve in the Army and during this difficult time I can at least take some comfort in knowing he served with other proud and honorable soldiers such as yourself, and also the young man you wrote about. 

It never ceases to amaze me the stories of courage and heroism that come from such terrible matters like war. It was only just a few short years ago when the entire world seemed to be going mad, yet hope shined through in some of the incredible stories I read and heard about. It seems that this hasn’t changed. For that young soldier to risk his life to try to save not just one fellow soldier, but three….I can only hope that somebody somewhere recognizes this young man. If there is any way you can you can let him or his commanding officer know, despite my Aaron not making it, the fact that he tried to save my son is appreciated. 

Thank you and God bless,

Louise Davis

When he finished he pushed the letter back across the desk at McCree and then leaned back in his chair, running a hand over his face. His eyes were misty as he gazed off to the side. He swallowed back some of his emotion and looked across the desk at the letter that lay there.

“I would have liked to have met her,” he said, his voice choking with emotion.

“I wish you could have at least known of this 30 years ago, Sheriff. It might have eased a little of the burden you’ve been carrying all these years.” McCree picked up the letter and placed it in the folder. He put the folder back in his attaché and then removed a dark blue velvet covered box and a dark blue certificate folder with the US Army emblem on the front of it.

“Sheriff, I understand you don’t want this to be any big to-do, and there doesn’t need to be any fancy ceremony. But I would be honored to present you with the Bronze Star right now.”

Rosco looked at the velvet box and then slowly nodded. He couldn’t change the past and he would always regret what had happened, but somehow now he could accept it and move on. There were a lot of things he wished he had known all those years ago but he knew now that what he had done and tried to do had been a good thing. A grieving mother at the least knew that her son had not been left behind. An effort had been made to try to save his life.

Captain McCree stood up and opened the certificate folder. He read the citation first, a short description of the events for which Rosco P. Coltrane was being recognized for.

“For heroic achievement in combat operations against the enemy…” it began, and described Rosco’s rank and job at the time. It then told of the convoy being diverted and coming under enemy fire at a bridge.

” …despite the enemy fire, Sergeant (then PFC) Coltrane risked his life to return to the middle of the bridge in order to help the wounded soldiers to safety….”

The citation concluded with “…By his courage, resolve and inspiring example under fire, Sergeant Coltrane upheld the highest traditions of the United States Army.”

Captain McCree placed the folder down and picked up the velvet box, opening it. The Bronze Star medal lay inside of it. He held it out to Rosco.

“Sergeant Coltrane….Sheriff Coltrane…I’m honored today to present you the Bronze Star.”

Rosco accepted the box and then Captain McCree shook the Sheriff’s hand.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, AUGUST 24, 1962
HAS AWARDED

THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL

TO

Sergeant Rosco P. Coltrane, 6545874, Transportation

FOR

MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT IN GROUND OPERATIONS AGAINST THE ENEMY

Korea,  4 February 1951 – 15 March 1952

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON

THIS 23 rd  DAY OF July  1985

By: Deathangel_Tori

See Rosco.

See The Dukes.

See The Dukes run.

See Rosco Run.

Run Dukes Run!

Run Rosco Run!

See Bo slide across the hood.

See Rosco try the same and land on his butt.

OW! Poor Rosco!

See The General Drive.

See Rosco In Hot Pursuit.

I Love it

I Love it.

See the boys make a turn.

See Rosco not make the turn and end up in the pond.

Aww poor Rosco.

Here’s a towel.

by: Jax

 

“Hazzard County Commissioner’s office, this is Min how may I help you?” Min Duke stated as she held the phone. Her desk sat in the booking room right in front of the office formally occupied by Boss Hogg. The frosted glass pane now bore the name Cooter Davenport County Commissioner of Hazzard County in bold black letters.

“Oh yes Ms. Davies, I was about to have Cooter check over the list of the volunteers. Yes, let me have him review everything and I’ll call you back within an hour. Okay, thank you, talk to you soon.” Hanging up the black phone, Min slid her brown leather office chair back from her desk and stood up. She picked up a clipboard and flipped up the top page.

“Hmmmm might be a little short in that department.” She muttered to herself as she rounded her desk and knocked on the doorframe than opened the door.

“Cooter?” She asked as she poked her head into the office.

Sitting behind the huge oak desk, Cooter Davenport gazed up from his papers and smiled.

“Hey Min, what’s up?” He asked as he sat up then leaned back in his chair.

“I just got off the phone with Ms. Davies; she wants to know if you’ve had a chance to go over the final list of volunteers for the joint Easter and Civil War Day celebration.”

“Oh right, I did tell her we’d have it done by today. “ He glanced at the clipboard in her hands. “So is that it?”

“Yeah… I was just going over it.” Min said as she flipped up the top page again and gazed at the papers. “Looks like we got mostly everything covered. We have all the volunteers for the Civil War celebration taken care of, including my brother as General Robert E. Lee.” She stated with a small smile.

Cooter chuckled at that and shook his head. “Oh I just bet ol’ Bo Duke is more than happy to be General Lee.”

“He is, he’s going to be good.”

“I bet Luke is green with envy, what General is he going to play?” Cooter began tapping his pen on the desk.

“Actually Luke isn’t playing a General. I’ve been nagging a whole week for Luke to volunteer like he promised but he’s been up to his neck in getting more business for the shop. Bo told me yesterday that Luke told him to just put him down for whatever’s left.”

“All right, so where do we still need volunteers?”

“Uh….” Min began going through the pages again. “Okay the museum pieces are covered, the concessions, fliers being passed out, posters hung, the generals…” She got to the last page and stopped, her dark eyes growing round.

“Uh oh.”

Cooter saw her expression and his brow creased. “You okay?”

The question made her raise her gaze and she nodded. “Yeah I just found the one place we’re lacking a volunteer.” Her mouth twitched as she spoke and she cleared her throat.

“Take a look for yourself. “ She passed the clipboard to Cooter who read down the list. He gazed up at Min in disbelief.

“You think he’d do it?”

“I think he doesn’t have much of a choice. Luke said whatever we needed him to do, he’d do. Besides it serves him right, I tried for awhile to get in touch with Luke.  If I had been able to he wouldn’t be stuck with the bottom of the barrel.” Min leaned over the desk and brought up the last page.
“There’s also another supply order for the Boars Nest I need you to sign.”

“Another one?” Cooter reached out to take a pen from a Confederate coffee mug that sat on the corner of his desk and signed the bottom of the page.

“That place sure goes through stuff fast.”

“Come on Cooter ever since you and Daisy bought it and fixed it up its pretty popular.” She took the clipboard back and gave Cooter a smile.

“The new dance floor, the stage, the expanded menu…The Boars Nest is quite a hot spot now. I’ve been in there on a Monday night and it’s packed.”

“Yeah that was a smart move and Daisy’s a heckuva manager.” Cooter tipped his chair back further and tucked his arms behind his head.

“You bet she is which is why I invested while I could.” Min grinned. “I know a golden chance when I see one.” She watched the elected official and shook her head as he rocked the chair.

“Some days I walk in here and expect to see Boss behind the desk.”

“Yeah ol’ JD sure had a way of running things didn’t he?”

“But so do you, and you’ve done a lot for Hazzard Cooter.”

The compliment made Cooter grin as he set the chair back on all fours.

“You really think so?”

“I do…” She nodded then a smile tugged back the corners of her mouth.

“One of these mornings I’m going to get to work and you’re going to be sporting a white suit, a big white hat and smoking a big cigar.”

The idea of wearing one of Boss Hogg’s suits made Cooter laugh. “Me in that white suit? Nuh uh! No way!”

“But that’s what County Commissioners wear!” Min teased.

Cooter checked his clothes, because of meeting with other county officials he had dressed up in khaki pants, a blue shirt with a tan vest over it.  He shrugged at his choice of attire then motioned to the dark haired woman.

“Yeah well don’t assistants dress in little business suits and wear their hair up in a tight bun and have little glasses on the end of their noses?”

“Power suit?” Min gazed down a moment at her blue jeans and button down red shirt.

“Think of this as the Hazzard version.”

Cooter laughed again then shook his head. “Ain’t nothing wrong with that Min.”

“You’re right; I better give Ms. Davies a call and tell her the volunteers are taken care of.”

“And what about Luke? You going to tell him what he volunteered for?” Cooter stood up and moved out from behind his desk.

“Actually after I leave here I’m having dinner with Bo. I also have to give him his General Lee costume and Luke’s too.”

“I need to stop by the shop one day and give Bo and Luke a hard time.” Cooter walked with Min to the door and opened it for her.

“They’ve really been supportive of me ever since I got elected. In fact, I wouldn’t be here it not for them, Uncle Jesse, Daisy.” A smile came to Cooter’s face.

“And you too Min, you being my assistant has really made this job a lot easier for me.”

Min stepped through the door then turned to face Cooter as he closed and locked his office.

“Hazzard’s been my home and I love it here. I wanted to give something back and I figured helping you would be the best way to do it.” Min set the clipboard down and picked up the phone.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” She said with a smile as she began dialing.

“Take ‘er easy Min.” Cooter grinned as he headed out of the booking room, disappearing through the swinging doors.

 

 

Carrying two black garment bags over her arm, Min locked the entrance door to the  county building behind her then carefully made her way down the cement steps. With it now being quitting time, Hazzard Square had tons of people lining the sidewalks and cars moved in and out of it in two long lines. The warm afternoon wind blew back the ends of her long brunette hair and she sighed at the comfort it brought. The light scent of blooming flowers filled the air as she walked across the street towards the garage.

The bay doors wide open, Min saw a pair of long legs sticking out from beneath her red Mustang.

Giggling, Min stopped right beside the long legs and knocked on the roof.

“Knock knock!” She said gazing down at the legs.

“Funny Min, very funny.” A voice said from beneath the car. Bo Duke rolled out then stared up at his sister, a grease smudge on his cheek and in various places down the front of his blue jumpsuit.

“Oh so my car isn’t eating you! What a relief!” Min said with a smile.

Bo scoffed at her as he sat up then slowly rose to his feet. “Had a lot of work today so I’m not done, can you leave Darlin’ here for one more day?”

“As long as you can give me a ride back to the farm, you know Daisy is still out of town with Enos.” Min reached out and wiped the stain from Bo’s face.

“Or you can just stay with me in the apartment; Luke won’t be back from Atlanta till tomorrow.” He pulled a red rag from his back pocket and wiped his face and hands.

Nodding Min gave her brother a gentle smile. “Yeah I’ll stay Bo. I don’t think either one of us wants to be alone.”

Relieved, Bo smiled then put his arm around Min’s neck and kissed the top of her head.

“I seem to recall I promised you dinner.”

“Yeah you did.” She leaned briefly into him then back of seeing all the grease.

“But I think you need to clean up first.”

Bo chuckled then brought his hand up to the zipper and tugged it down. He had a blue t-shirt and jeans underneath it and began to shimmy his way out of the jumpsuit then reached down and picked it up as he stepped out of it.

“There! Instantly clean Duke!” He turned and tossed the jumpsuit into the garage and closed the bay doors. He plucked the chain and padlock from the door frame and neatly chained them up.

“So what did you want to do? Eat at your apartment? Or how about we skip cooking and just go to the Busy Bee for supper?” Min asked as she watched Bo lock up the doors then went to the left hand side to the office door.

“What you got there Sis?” Bo asked as he took a set of keys out of his pocket and began to secure the door. He stuck a key in the knob then another in the deadbolt above it.

“Oh!” Min had forgotten about the garment bags and held up her arm.

“Your costume General Lee.”

“All locked up.” Bo gave the knob a jiggle then looked at the bags. “Both of those are my costume?”

“Uhhh….” She gazed down at the second bag and cleared her throat.

“No, that one belongs to Luke.”

“Tell me he’s General Grant? That way we can be rivals, the North versus the South.” Bo replied with a grin as he tucked his keys into his pocket then put his arm around Min’s waist. The two siblings began to walk down the sidewalk, heading in the direction of the Busy Bee Café.

“Not exactly Bo.” Min said with a sigh. “Luke isn’t going to be a general.”

“He’s not?” Bo smiled as they passed shop after shop. He took in a lungful of the spring air and let it out with a sigh.

“I love this time of year.” He whispered. “Grass is green, trees got their leaves back, and Hazzard Pond is so full of fish they’re practically jumping into your boat.”

“And when was the last time you went fishing?”

“Oh Luke and me went in the fall before it got too cold.” Bo moved away from Min just as the siblings made it to the Busy Bee Café.  He pulled back the glass door for his sister and gave a bow.

“After you.”

“Thank you.” Min stepped up into the café and looked around. The red booths were mostly empty as were the stools at the long white counter. A young woman with short blond hair and a pink waitress uniform with a white apron and matching paper hat grinned when she saw the Dukes.

“Hey Bo! Hey Min!”

“Hey Becky.” Bo raised his hand to her. “How’s business?”

“Fine Bo, just fine, can’t complain.” Becky picked two menus and walked along the length of the counter then emerged from behind it.

“Got your usual booth ready.” She went down to the far corner of the café to the last booth and set the menus on the table/

“Thank you Becky.” Min draped the garment bags over the end of the booth then slid in.

“Can I have an ice tea?”

“You sure can, you want a Pepsi Bo?”

“Please.”

“Coming right up.” Becky walked away to go get their drinks while the menus were picked up and opened.

“You still didn’t answer the question Min. Did you forget or are you just not answering it?” Bo gazed over the top of the menu at his sister. Min sighed and closed her eyes.

“I’m not forgetting its just…”

“What is Luke going to be?” The tone said it all and Min gave a sheepish grin.

“Ummm….” She curled her finger at Bo and he leaned over the table. Cupping her hand around his ear she whispered into it.

Bo’s dark blue eyes grew to the size of headlights and his mouth dropped open.

“Are you kidding?” He said as Min went back down in her seat.

“No I’m not. Luke said wherever we were coming up short he’d volunteer.”

“Yeah but…” Bo leaned back in the booth and his grin spread wide over his features.

“Sunday is going to be a day to remember!”

 

 

 

Lounging on the tan plushy couch in nothing but blue striped pajama bottoms, Bo held his remote control in his hand. He flipped through the channels trying to find a decent TV show that would help him relax enough to finally go to bed. He always had trouble sleeping when Luke had a business trip and even the presence of Min asleep in the guest bedroom didn’t put him quite at ease.

The door suddenly opened and Bo nearly fell off the couch with his astonishment. He saw Luke come in and drop a brown suitcase on the floor by his feet.

“Luke Duke are you trying to kill me?”  Bo shut off the television and set the remote on the coffee table.

“Sorry Bo, didn’t know you were still up.”

“I wouldn’t have been for long with you coming in like a bull in a cow pasture.” He got up and went to the door, closing it behind his cousin.

“Thought you weren’t coming home till tomorrow?”

“Yeah but I decided to cut my trip short.” Luke shrugged off his jean jacket then hung it on the coat rack by the door. He ran his hand through the hair and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Got any coffee?”

“No but won’t take much to brew a pot.” Bo went into the kitchen and took the decanter off the coffee machine.

“Things go all right?”

“Yeah they did, got a few boys in Tennessee that might be interested in the General’s little brother.”

Bo poured the water into the top of the coffeemaker, then put the decanter back in the bottom of it and flipped the switch. The machine began to bubble and make hissing noises as it started to brew. Getting two blue mugs out of the drain board, Bo set them on the counter.

“Luke that engine isn’t anywhere near ready; we ain’t even tested it yet.”

“I know, but our reputation from being in NASCAR precedes us. If we can get this engine in the next big race around here or the next few and win with it, we’ll have a lot of people wanting to buy it.”

“Well the next race isn’t until the Hazzard May Day, I think this year it’s May 5^th.” Bo glanced at the coffeemaker watching as the pot began to fill with coffee.

“So we got almost a month to do some road testing here.”

The thought of racing around Hazzard testing out that engine made Bo smile.

“You know me Cousin; I’d be more than happy to put that engine to the test.”

“Yeah that’s what I’m afraid of.” Luke rubbed the back of his neck again. After such a long trip he was glad to be home.

“I’m going to get changed.” Luke turned to leave then began to tug his white shirt out of his jeans. Suddenly remembering about Min, Bo followed him out of the kitchen.

“Take it easy Luke, Min is in the other room.”

“Min? How come?” Luke looked down the hall to the other room then flipped on the bedroom light.

“Daisy’s still out of town and since I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow, I asked her to stay.”

“You never did do well on your own did you?” Luke popped the snaps on his shirt in one quick tug then wadded up the white shirt and tossed it at the hamper.

Bo shrugged as he stood in the doorway then leaned against the frame. “Just because you prefer to be alone doesn’t mean I like to.”

“Sometimes circumstances end up turning out that way Bo.” Luke sat on the edge of his bed and pulled off his boots then set them down at the foot of it. He stood up to take off his jeans then paused when he saw the pair of black garment bags that hung up on the back of the door.

“Now what in the world is that?” Luke motioned to the back of the door as he tugged down his jeans then pushed them down his legs.

“What’s what?” Bo glanced around the open door then tugged it closer to him and felt the cold plastic then held it out so he could see what it was.

“Oh that, its our costumes for the weekend.”

“Yeah that Civil War and Easter deal.” Now clad only in white boxers, Luke went to his dresser and got out some grey pajama bottoms.

“So who did I end up playing? Grant? Jackson?” He slipped into his pants then pulled them up and tightened the string around his waist.

“Uh, not exactly Cousin.” Bo grinned sheepishly; the last thing he wanted at that moment was for Luke to find out who he had volunteered to play.

“I wouldn’t worry about that right now Cousin, why don’t we go see if the coffee’s ready?”

“Yeah I could really use a cup.” Luke head out the door and Bo patted his bare back as he passed him. Closing his eyes in relief, Bo sighed then raised his gaze heavenward as he followed his cousin to the kitchen.

 

 

 

“Thanks for letting me spend the night Bo; it really helped me sleep better staying in the apartment.” Min and Bo had left the apartment and walked down the sidewalk that led into Hazzard Square. Having kept a few spare clothes in the dresser of the guest room, Min had on a pair of grey jeans and a white sleeveless shirt.

“You’re welcome, but it wasn’t just you and me. Luke came back around midnight.”

“He’s back?” Min asked, her eyebrows going up. She then gave her brother a sidelong glance. “He doesn’t know about… does he?”

“Nah, I was able to distract him with coffee,” Bo had his hands tucked into the back of his black jeans then moved them around his front and ran them down his orange shirt that had Dukes Custom Racing splashed across his chest.

“Good thing, I don’t even want to be there when he looks in that garment bag.”

Bo made a face at his sister. “Yeah I get to be, thanks a lot. I have to keep him from opening that garment bag until tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry Bo.” They passed the ice cream parlor than stopped in front of the new coffee shop. Min looked up at the huge white cup that read Pot-Holes.

“Say how about I make it up to you, buy you a cup?”

“It’d take more than a cup Min but all right.” Bo smiled then put his arm around his sister’s neck as they pulled back the door and went inside.

The door above the glass door chimed their entrance and the smell of baked goods and coffee quickly made itself known.

Bo breathed in the scented air deeply and smiled. “Mmmmm smells good in here.”

Behind the huge glass display case that had been lined from top to bottom with donuts, croissants, muffins and browns, an older woman with salt and pepper red hair, a blue apron that read the name of the shop and a smile greeted them.

“Good Morning welcome to Pot-Holes, what can I get for you all this morning.” The woman recognized Min and her smile widened.

“Min Duke its good to see you, you ready for tomorrow?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Min stepped up to the case and peered into it a moment before she straightened back up.

“Ms. Williams this is Bo Duke my brother.”

Bo smiled and politely offered his hand. “Pleasure to meet you Ma’am.”

“Oh yes you and your cousin own the garage don’t you? It’s nice to meet you and since this is our first meeting, coffee’s on the house.”

“Well all right!” Bo glanced up at the menu. “Let me have just a large cup of coffee and two sugar cookies please.”

“Now Ms. Williams we do appreciate that but a new coffeehouse can’t afford to be giving stuff away.” Min elbowed her brother lightly at his enthusiastic response to free coffee. “New businesses have a tough enough time, right Bo?”

Clearing his throat, Bo nodded. He remembered how things had been that first year the garage had been open. Despite being the only garage in town, things were pretty slow at first once Cooter had retired.

“Right…thank you kindly though but we’ll pay for the coffee.”

“I’ll have the same as my brother Ms. Williams but I’ll have a banana muffin instead of the cookies.”

“Coming right up.” Ms. Williams went to get their order and Min turned back to the door and peered out of it at the town square. Even though it was barely after seven, some orange trucks and men in white coveralls began to fill the square.

“Right on time, looks like the crew is about to start decorating things for tomorrow.” Min’s tone got Bo’s attention and he came up behind his sister. He recognized the worry in her voice and put his arm around her.

“It’ll be all right Min, you’ll see. Things will go off without a hitch tomorrow.”

“I hope so, Cooter and I have put a lot of time and work into this.” Min said over her shoulder with an affectionate smile.

“And thanks Bo for helping out, you volunteering to be General Lee got the rest of the town to start volunteering too.”

“You know me and Luke had to help Min, Cooter’s helped us more times when we can count.” Bo drew his sister closer and touched his head to hers. “And besides, you know I’m kinda partial to General Lee.”

Min started laughing at that and shook her head. “Gee you are? I really have no idea why you would be.” She teased then sighed, visibly relaxing. Her brother’s reassurance made her feel somewhat better and the tension left the back of her neck and shoulders. Maybe things were going to go all right after all and she smiled gratefully at her brother.

“Thanks Bo.” She said sincerely.

“Anytime.” He said with a wink.

“Your coffee’s ready.” Ms. Williams’ announcement made the two siblings part as they went back up to the counter to get their coffee and pastry.

 

 

 

“Luke Duke what in the world is taking you so long!” Bo called out from the spare room. Dressed as General Lee he wore a long gray double breasted coat that hung to his knees. Below the coat he wore tall black leather thigh high boots that mostly covered his grey pants. There were two rows of heavy buttons that shone with a dull gold luster that went down his chest all the way to his waist. He had a black belt around his midsection and a single strip of black leather went diagonally across his chest to his right hip to a black holster that contained his prop gun. Tucked into the belt, Bo had a pair of light grey Calvary gloves and on the other side he had the sheath for the sword he carried in his hand along with his grey slouch hat. The leather creaked with each step Bo took as he went to the bedroom door and knocked on it.

“Luke it’s almost 15 till 8 you know we have to be there right at 8!” He sighed audibly when he heard no reply. Finally he reached down and gave the knob a turn and pushed open the door.

“Luke we got no time for this!” He said as he walked in then literally stopped right in his tracks. The sight before him made him pause and draw in a deep breath.

“I swear Cousin if you say one word…You’ll be meeting General Lee for real.” Luke’s voice had an edge and it took every ounce of self control Bo Duke could muster for him not to burst out laughing.

Before him stood a six foot rabbit, the costume covered every inch of Luke Duke in white fur and had a pair of blue jean overalls over it. Turning slowly around, even Luke’s face was obscured by the big head that contained a pink nose, and large blue eyes. Atop the bunny’s head was a straw hat complete with ear holes and blue ribbon around it that matched the overalls and multicolored flowers around the brim.

Bo cleared his throat as he gazed at his cousin from head to toe. A large smiling daisy had been sewn into the center pocket of the overalls and the flowers around the brim of the hat also matched the flowers on the side of the large basket filled with plastic eggs.

“So…”  Bo’s voice quivered and he cleared his throat again. “So that’s what was in the box Min left.” He looked into the big blue eyes of the rabbit, grateful he couldn’t see his cousin’s face. He imagined Luke’s angry scowl beneath the costume’s head.

“Easter Bunnies need baskets of goodies, don’t they?”

“Bo…” Despite Luke’s low and deep tone, Bo began to shake as his resistance slowly started to crumble.

“I’m trying Cousin, I’m really trying.”

“You best try harder.” Luke stated and Bo wiped his hand back and forth across his mouth.

“10…9…..8…” Bo began to count backwards and squeezed his eyes shut.

“7…6…5…” Right when he got to four the blond man burst out laughing. He laughed so hard he doubled over, holding his stomach.
“Here comes Luke Duke Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail!” He managed to sputter out.

Luke strode angrily over to his cousin and whacked him with his basket, all the bright colored plastic eggs flying out of it and landing onto the floor.

“Oh no! Bunny Foo Foo dropped his eggs!” Bo only laughed harder and Luke whapped him again. Finally dropping onto his knees, Bo managed to get a hold of himself and began to gather up the fallen eggs.

“Are you happy now Bo? Did you get it out of your system?” Luke’s muffled voice rang out from the big bunny head.

“Mostly Cousin…” He said shakily, his grin still wide as he took the basket from Luke and put the eggs back in it. Finally as this last of his laughter died away and he could breathe again, Bo stood up and presented Luke with the refilled basket.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you!” Luke said sarcastically as he practically snatched the basket out of Bo’s hands.

“Hey now Cousin, who’s fault is it they ended up being the Easter Bunny? Didn’t Min try to call you for a solid week to see what you wanted to volunteer for? And who was it that told her to just put you down for whatever was left?”

“Yeah I know Bo all right? It’s all my fault I’m dressed like this!” Luke went out of the room and into the bathroom. He gazed in the mirror and sighed.

“I look like a fool.”

“No you don’t, you really got a swelled head now!” Bo said with a grin, then patted Luke on the back.

“Seriously Cousin, no one’s going to know its you unless you tell them.”

“I ain’t saying a word!”

Bo reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out his watch and looked at it.

“We have to go Luke, Min and Cooter are going to meet us in front of the courthouse.”

Luke sighed heavily. The last thing he wanted to do was go out in public like this. The one consolation he had being the fact that the costume did obscure his face. He also realized that Min and Cooter were counting on him to help make the celebration a success and their disappointment would be great if he left his pride get in the way.

“We best go Bo.” He said quietly.

Bo slung his arm around Luke’s furry shoulders. “Besides Luke, you’re the star of the show. Who’s going to get the kids attention better? A bunch of dead generals or the Easter Bunny bearing plastic eggs filled with candy?”

“Guess I never thought of it like that.” Luke patted Bo in the stomach.

“Come on General Lee.”

“10-4!” Bo tucked his sword into the sheath then put his light grey slouch hat over his head then adjusted it.

“Do I look like a proper general?”

“Don’t forget your gloves.” Luke motioned with his basket to Bo’s belt and he plucked the Calvary gloves from them and slipped them on, then tugged on the bottom of each one as he flexed his fingers.

“All right, let’s go.” Bo said as he touched the brim of his hat.

 

 

 

The gazebo in Hazzard Square had been decorated with bright red, white and blue banners running all around its top and bottom. It had also been equipped for a brief speech that the county commissioner of Hazzard wanted to make; a microphone stood right near the black railing. At exactly 8 o’clock on the nose, Cooter dressed like Abraham Lincoln with his long black coat, dark beard and black top hat, went up the steps and stood in front of the mike.

“Four score and seven years ago…” He began then grinned. “Just kidding y’all!”

The crowd burst into laughter and Cooter raised his arms to silence them.

“Seriously folks, I want to welcome you all to Hazzard’s Easter and Civil War celebration. If you notice there are booths all around the square for various items of interest, exhibits, food, games and in the very center of town is a tent for the Easter Bunny. For a one dollar donation to the Hazzard Orphanage you can take your picture with him.” Cooter started to speak then closed his mouth briefly.

“Am I missing anything?” He said over his shoulder and Min stepped out. She had dressed for the occasion in an off the shoulder hoop dress. The pattern of the material was silk organza, the pattern had bouquets of flowers covering it and there were ruffles going along the arms and across her chest and a thick velvet belt around her waist.

“Don’t forget later on in the day, our Civil War generals will tell you a little about themselves and we will have the famous Battle of Hazzard reenactment.” She spotted Bo and Luke just behind the crowd and smiled at them. Bo touched the brim of his hat and Luke waved to her; Min felt her cheeks grow hot as they returned her smile.

“Thank you Min.” Cooter said as he once more faced the crowd.

“Well that’s all folks, enjoy the celebration and have a Happy Easter!” Cooter said as the crowd began to clap and cheer. Once the applause died down and the crowd dispersed, Min touched Cooter on the arm.

“Wow I don’t know how those women did it back then. This thing weighs a ton!”

“And I feel like I’m stiff as a board in this thing.” Cooter tugged on the lapels of his coat.

“But we all gotta do what we gotta do. I’m going to check with everyone and you best go check on those cousins of yours.”

“I will, thanks Cooter.”

Min watched Cooter head down the steps and she followed. She got to the edge of them and lifted up the bottom of her dress then carefully stepped down them. Crossing the street, she stepped up onto the grassy area and made her way across it to the large white tent in the center.

“Bo? Luke?” She said as she entered the tent, a fancy gold and red velvet throne had been set up in the center surrounded by large wooden tulips covered a white picket fence. Bo and Luke were just inside the fenced in area.

“Bo you look great!” She smiled as she looked at his costume.

“Thanks Min, so do you!” Bo kissed her cheek.

“Yeah you look like Scarlet O’Hara.” Luke commented then set his basket down and opened his arms.

“Aww the Easter Bunny wants a hug.” Min teased as she stepped into his arms and gave him a hug. “Thanks for doing this Luke I know you’re embarrassed but we really needed someone to volunteer. Without you there’d be no Easter celebration.” She kissed his large pink nose.

Bo smiled at the appreciation Min showed then looked at Luke. “She’s right Cousin, and you know how much that orphanage really needs money.”

“I know. Well I’m here aren’t I? So embarrassed or not I gave my word.”

Luke picked up his basket and sat down in his throne. He placed the basket down beside him and sighed.

“So let’s get hopping.”

 

 

 

By the time the sun had set, the crowd had begun to empty out of Hazzard Square. When the last of the cars disappeared from sight, Cooter took off his coat and his hat and ran his hand through his hair.

“Man what a day!” He said as he climbed up the gazebo steps.

“You can say that again.” Luke sat in one of the chairs that had been placed there, his costume head sat on the concrete beside him. All day being in that large head, his cheeks were branded red and his damp hair stuck to the sides of his face.

“And again.” Bo unbuttoned his coat and left it hanging open, then pulled off his hat and gloves setting them in the empty chair next to him.

“Long but good.” Min reached around her and unbuttoned her hoop skirt and shimmied out of it; beneath the skirt she had on pink cotton shorts and folded up the skirt then draped it over the railing.

“I think it was a real success.”

“We won’t know it’s a success for sure till this time tomorrow Min. It’s a two day celebration remember?” Cooter plunked down in one of the white folded up chairs.

“I know but if the crowd was this good today I’m sure it’ll be even better tomorrow.” Min sat down finally and crossed her legs; she leaned over and began to unlace her boots.

The night began to settle in, the sky now a navy blue color as twilight dissipated and the darkness took over. The sounds of crickets began to drift lazily through the air and with it came a gentle cool breeze.

“That helps cool things down.” Luke stated as he finger combed his wet hair.

“Yeah it does, these uniforms sure are stuffy.” Bo turned to the side and put his feet up on a vacant chair.

“I really do want to thank you all for helping me out with this.”

“Aw come on Cooter, you’ve helped Luke and me a thousand times.” Bo picked up his hat and swatted Cooter in the arm.

“Bo’s right it’s the least we can do.” Luke felt a little bad for his earlier complaining then turned to look at his cousin and gave him a wink.

“I thought you made a fine General Lee Bo.”

“And you were pretty popular as the Easter Bunny, your line was the longest and it never let up.”

“I bet you raised all kinds of money for those kids.” Min reached down to rub at her tired feet.

“And tomorrow being Easter, the crowd will be twice as long.” Cooter pointed out and Luke shrugged.

“That’s all right, I’m sure I can handle it and if I can’t I can always call in the Calvary.” He turned again to look at Bo. “Literally.”

That made Bo laugh and he drew his sword. “I’ll battle them back for you Cousin”

“Save it for the reenactment General Lee.” Cooter picked up his hat and coat and slowly stood up. “I don’t know about y’all but I’m plum wore out. I’m going to go back to my place and crash.”

“Yeah I’m tired too.” Min got to her feet then got her skirt and draped it over her arm.

“You’re welcome to stay with us again Cousin.” Luke collected his bunny head and then bent over and picked up Min’s shoes by the laces handing them to her.

“Thanks Luke, I’d really like that.”

Bo gathered up the pieces of his costume.  “It’d also be easier to stay with us since we live right here in the square.”

“You do live close but not close enough.” Min put her arms around both of her kin.

“Okay so which one of you is going to carry me to the apartment?”

“Neither.” Luke scoffed. “You got legs, use them.”

“Luke! Hey as the Easter Bunny I thought you were supposed to be nice!”

“Easter ain’t till tomorrow Min.”

Cooter listened to the banter as the three Dukes headed down the steps and in the direction of the apartment building. He shook his head as they went on and on then looked up at the dark night sky. He thought of Jesse Duke and a smile came to his face as he slowly walked down the gazebo steps and over to his car.

 

END.

 

 

by: BoJamesDuke

Jesse knocked softly on the door of the room, but after getting no response, gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. He sighed as he saw the curtains were still shut and everything in the room looked exactly the same as it had a week ago….including the young still figure lying face down on the bed.

He crossed gently over to the bed, sitting down on the mattress beside the young man and putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. He gave it a small shake, softly calling.

“Bo….Bo come on now, I need ta talk ta ya. I know you’s awake ‘cause you ain’t snoring….”

Hesitantly, Bo drew his face away from the pillow and turned onto his back to look at Uncle Jesse. Jesse bit gently on his bottom lip as he saw the state his youngest was in. His eyes were red raw from nearly constant crying, his face so white it almost looked see through and dark rings underneath those eyes that reflected the lack of sleep that Jesse knew about.

He had tried to catch this early on; he had tried to snap Bo from his grief as soon as he heard the fatal words that night….but it had been an impossible task. The boy was so overcome that he had fainted in the spot he had stood in by the door and it had been all Jesse could do to stop Bo hitting the floor. He had carried him straight to his and Luke’s shared room and put him to bed, intending to have a long talk with him as soon as he woke…but his and Daisy’s own grief had consumed them and instead they had spent hours talking and flicking through the old memory books, albums of photographs.

Daisy had gone to see if Bo wanted to come join them, but she had found him to be sleeping. She had looked sadly over the room as Bo slept, silent tears of grief running down her cheeks for her fallen older cousin. Everything reminded her of him, the memories of events and plans that would never happen again, the memory of his cheerful face and kind words proving all too much as she crossed over to Bo’s bed and lay down next to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and sobbing into his shoulder, not at all surprised to find him do the same a moment later.

Jesse slipped his hand into Bo’s and grasped it tightly, smiling gently at him.

“Yer finals are comin’ up next week….”

Bo shrugged and turned back onto his front, burying his face back into his arms. He hadn’t slept a great deal since the news had been delivered about Luke, he hadn’t wanted to. Everytime he closed his eyes, all he could see was him and feel the nagging reminder that he was never coming back.

Luke had only been declared MIA for a week, but to Bo, as soon as he received that news, Luke was as good as dead. There were many young men from across Hazzard that had been reported MIA, and although everyone always prayed for their safe return to the families who were waiting for them, thus far not one of them had made it back….alive.

After that his life just lost all meaning. Uncle Jesse had given him the weekend to recover from the shock of the news and had then determinedly told him to go to school on the Monday, stating that things needed to remain as normal as possible, that Bo needed to pass his exams to graduate from high school.

But now Jesse sat here after receiving the news….Bo’s grades had slipped. Unless he pulled out all the stops over the next few days….he wouldn’t graduate along with his classmates.

“Bo….I know this has been rough on ya….but you can’t let this put an end to yer life….ya know Luke wouldn’t want that…”

Bo shifted and Jesse had to fight back tears as he saw his young shoulder’s shaking, his body wracked with sobs. Bo sat up and wrapped his arms round Jesse’s waist, leaning his head on his Uncle’s strong shoulder and sobbing harder as the loving arm wrapped round his own shoulder’s squeezing them for comfort, pulling him in closer to the embrace.

“Uncle Jesse…..I can’t….I can’t go on without him….I need him Uncle Jesse….I can’t…..”

Tears slid down Jesse’s old, weary cheeks and into the soft curls of Bo’s blonde hair as he heard the heart breaking words coming from his youngest nephew. They should not be words coming from one so young, not from one who had once been the most lively and care free spirit but a couple of weeks ago.

“Bo now you know that ain’t so….I know how much this is hurtin’ you right now but….but you can’t give up Bo….you just can’t give up….”

Bo looked up at him, the tears in his sad, lost puppy dog eyes tearing and tugging at Jesse’s heartstrings.

“He promised me….he promised me he’d come back….why did he lie to me Uncle Jesse? Why did he break his promise?”

Jesse didn’t have an answer. All he could do was hold Bo as he crumbled into tears and collapsed into his arms again.

“Don’t….don’t give up hope Bo. They don’t know fer sure that Luke’s….passed on yet. All they know is that he’s missin’…..he’s a Duke Bo, he ain’t gonna give up that easily.”

Bo’s voice was barley a whisper when he answered.

“I wanted him ta be here when I graduated….I wrote him and asked him if he could come home. He said he was gonna….he said he was proud of me and wanted ta see me graduate…..”

Jesse took Bo by the shoulders and made him look into his eyes, both pairs shining with tears.

“He will be Bo….no matter where he is he will be there with you. So long as you have him right here…”

He laid his hand gently on Bo’s chest, over his heart.

“If you keep his memory alive right here, there ain’t nothin’ ta stop him bein’ with ya on that day….he believed in you Bo, I believe in you. You can graduate….make him proud son…”

Bo closed his eyes as the tears fell in torrents down his cheeks, sobs breaking from his throat as he nodded and fell forward into Jesse’s embrace, the two of them just sitting there, holding each other as they cried….grieving the loss they had encountered, but finally being able to move on.

*****2 months later*****

Daisy and Jesse sat proudly in the audience, looking up to the stage as seventeen year old after seventeen year old walked across it, receiving their diplomas. Jesse looked around and noticed just how many families were here, many of them already weeping, proud of the people that made that walk, even if they weren’t related.

Things had been tough for the people of Hazzard as report after report came in of their youngest recruits being missing or killed in action. As the war developed, less and less letters were sent back and soon everyone truly learnt what family meant, what appreciating what you had while you still had it truly meant.

His eyes quickly darted back to the front however; as he heard the name of his youngest charge being called and he saw the young man start his walk to the middle of the stage. His stride now had the trace of a spring in his step that used to be there, his posture a lot more aloof than it had been. Jesse and Daisy were both immensely proud of him.

Since the talk, Bo had been cracking the books, keeping a photo of Luke beside him when he sat at the kitchen table, glancing at it when he was frustrated or felt like it wasn’t worth the effort. He even looked back at all the letters Luke had sent with their comforting words and loving, gentle advice on all aspects of life. How to kiss a girl properly, how do you know when you’re in love….how do you deal with losing the one you love?

Luke had been there for him, even when he was away. His sound advice was still as useful as ever in the paper and ink memories, and were made even more so because Bo could remember them. He had read and re-read them so many times over the past four years that it had almost become common practise. If he needed his help with something, he would first write a letter to Luke and then talk about it with Uncle Jesse or Daisy or his friends….but he always made sure the letter was sent off first.

And now he was here, standing on the stage and shaking the principles hand, smiling a small smile as the paper touched his hand and he was released. He had survived it, he had survived High School and graduated just like he had promised Luke so many times he would. He reached the other side of the stage and joined his friends, shaking their hands and hugging some of the girls silently as the remainder of the students graduated.

They each took a seat on the stage as the principle stood up to the lectern, clearing his throat as all the students fell silent to give his final speech. Bo looked around the crowd that sat before him, smiling as he saw Jesse gazing up proudly at him, nodding his head in approval, and laughing slightly as he saw Daisy dabbing at her cheeks and underneath her eyes, trying to stop her make up running. Then he looked at the empty seat beside Daisy, the one that should have been filled by his grinning, laid-back older cou….brother and felt the warm tears pricking at his eyes.

He forced himself to look away from the chair and straight out over the crowd of people sitting in front of him. Scanning it he saw many families with loved ones missing, each one of those missing people making up the numbers that would most likely never return to Hazzard. He hated the war and the government with a vengeance then, and silently swore to the heaven’s above, to Luke, that he would spend the rest of his life fighting the system that had taken Luke away so early.

But as he scanned the crowd, something caught his eye. He rubbed the tears from his eyes to try and get the shadowy figure leant against the giant oak tree at the back of the crowd into focus. The first thing he saw was the relaxed way the person held itself, and he could imagine a smile easily on the face. But then, as he squinted more against the sun and put a hand above his eyes, he could make out the military uniform….then the duffel bag at his side…..and jet black hair cut short to a military crop.

He whispered, not being heard by anyone around him.

“Luke….”

He couldn’t be sure, but he could swear the guy at the back was looking directly at him. There was only one way to be sure…he gently lifted his hand and pressed it palm out against his chest, over where his heart was positioned, revealing a very very faint scar across his palm, where he and Luke had become blood brothers.

He waited with bated breath…..and let it all out sharply as the man repeated the gesture….but with his other hand, nodding gently at him. Bo’s breath caught in his throat and he looked over to his friend who elbowed him in the side and gave him a questioning look. All he could do was stammer out his name.

“L….Luke….Luke……LUKE!”

He jumped to his feet and pushed his way through the crowd of chairs and people, not caring that everyone was now looking at him, not caring that the principle was glaring disapprovingly. He tore off the stage and down the gangway, being intercepted by Uncle Jesse half way down, but never tearing his gaze away from the man at the back.

“Bo….Bo what’s the matter you look like you’ve seen a ghost!”

“I think I have Uncle Jesse.”

And that was all Jesse could get out of him as Bo tore away from his grip and pelted towards the back, heart thumping widely, his eyes swimming with tears as he got closer and closer, seeing again the wide grin of his best friend, his cousin, his older brother…..Lukas Kevin Duke.

Luke opened his arms wide as Bo hurtled towards him and was barley able to remain standing as the 6 foot 2 seventeen year old collided with him and enveloped him in a fierce hug, sobbing into his shoulder and holding onto him like Luke would suddenly disappear if he was to let go.

Luke immediately wrapped his arms around his younger cousin’s shaking shoulders, clinging to him, suddenly very much aware of just how much he had missed his baby cousin, holding back his own tears as best he could. He ran his hand up and down Bo’s back soothingly as the younger man sobbed his name into his shoulder, smiling as Daisy and Jesse ran up and soon joined in the hug, crushing Luke and Bo together even more. However, they neither cared nor really even noticed.

“God…I thought you weren’t coming back Luke….I thought you’d gone, I thought you’d left me…”

“Shhhhh, s’alright now Bo….s’alright Bo….Look at me cousin…”

Bo pulled away from Luke’s shoulder hesitantly still keeping his arms locked around his cousin’s waist. He choked as he finally got to look into his deep blue eyes again, even if they were outlined with dark black circles that seemed to age him further than the four years Bo had missed him for. The sparkle was still there, the loving gaze Luke had never wavered, never changed.

“Bo…I ain’t never broken a promise to ya before….I sure as hell wasn’t about to start now….”

Luke smiled and laughed gently, although there wasn’t a great deal of humour behind what he was saying next.

“It takes more than a few bombs and bullets to keep me away from ya Bo…”

Bo’s bottom lip trembled and Luke pulled him quickly back into the hug, not wanting to see the shine of years of pain in the young blue eyes, wanting only to wrap his arms round Bo and keep him safe for the rest of his life. What he had seen in war had changed him in ways that he didn’t think anyone would ever be able to understand. He didn’t want Bo to have to go through what he did just to learn the lessons he had though….he wanted to teach Bo himself, he wanted to stay right by his baby cousin’s side and never let him go again.

“God Bo….I’m back Cousin….I’m really here and I ain’t goin’ ever again….shhh Bo it’s alright…I’m…”

Luke choked as his tears flew like waterfalls down his cheeks. He wrapped both his arms tighter around Bo, realising exactly what these next words would mean, the end to everything he had been through the past 4 years, the return to the life he had left behind, the return of his family to him.

“Bo….I’m home.”

by: i1976

Night
Driving in Hazzard streets, last night I was very
angry. Why Bo and Luke are so annoying sometimes? I’m
not a child; I’m a woman and they have to treat me
like a woman. I’m able to take care of myself. They
can’t come to Boars Nest and punch a boy only because
he made me a compliment; it was a rough compliment,
and I decided to discharge the beer on his head before
they punched him. I’m able to take care of myself. I
know they are protective, but sometimes they become
overprotective. So annoying.
In the evening, at the farm, I had a fight with Bo and
Luke; I’m too emotional, I know.
After the fight and after my ride in Hazzard streets,
when I realized where I was, I was there, in Enos
apartment. Enos heard everything I was saying
silently; he said something from time to time, and his
words calmed me down.
I was so embarrassed; I awoke him in the middle of the
night, while he was sleeping.
It was 02:00 o’clock. He was embarrassed while he was
telling me to sleep in his bed, and he would have
slept in the living room’s couch.
In his bed, I was still awake when I heard him phoning
to the farm to inform Uncle Jesse that I was there.
Enos style, but I wasn’t angry with him. However, his
sweet scent that filled his bed calmed me down, so I
fell asleep.

Morning
When I woke up in the morning, he wasn’t there. I left
his apartment; that day was my free day, so I decided
pay a visit to Lulu, and to go shopping with her. I
like talk to Lulu Hogg; she’s very smart. I told Lulu
everything; when I told her that I went to Enos
apartment, she laughed. “So, you went to Enos
apartment in the middle of the night? Poor boy”
I don’t understand why Lulu is always so allusive
‘bout my relationship with Enos; she talks always like
she knows something about me and Enos, something that
she knows but I don’t know.
Anyway, I like to go shopping with Lulu. It’ very
funny and it relaxes me.
Meanwhile we were walking near Hazzard Bank, I saw
Enos. He was talking with a young woman, and he was
smiling. I know that girl; she works in Hazzard Bank,
and I know that she’s engaged with another bank clerk,
but somehow, when I see Enos smiling to another woman,
it bothers me.
Enos, when you smile, is it innocence or deceit?
Probably, did you never realize it, right? But every
your smile stirs my heart, and you have to smile only
at me.
Lulu looked at Enos and the girl, then she looked at
me, laughing when she saw my face. “Are you jealous,
Daisy?” Not. I’m not jealous at all. Enos is only a
friend, right? My best friend, but only a friend,
right?

Evening
It was time to return to the farm. Bo and Luke didn’t
search me; they know that when I’m angry it’s better
to stay away from me. I was quiet, so I could come
back home, in order to talk with my cousins and Uncle
Jesse, and apologize.
Suddenly, I saw Enos patrol car.
I decided to stop; I wanted to thank him for last
night. I stopped my car, and I approached his patrol
car. When I reached it, I saw him sleeping. Enos is
able to sleep everywhere, also hanging on the wall. I
decided not to awake him; it was also my fault he was
so tired. I opened his patrol car’s door and I kissed
him gently on lips. He didn’t wake up, but he smiled.
Sometimes I wonder what he’s thinking, or what he’s
dreaming. Maybe I’ll ask him. Not today.