by: Fang B. Strate

Yellow eyes glow in the dark at the cowering mouse in the corner.

“Ssssay, yer prayers, rodent! Yer mine now and ssssoon you will be lunch!” A nasally voice with a bit of a lisp came from the glowing yellow eyes.

“Please, please, Mr. Fang, sir. Don’t eat me. I’ve evaded you this far. Let’s call this hot pursuit a draw. Or you could tell all your friends you ate me and let me go instead.” The little brown mouse with soft tiny brown eyes pleaded.

The snake snorted in response, “All my friends are humansss and they don’t sssspeak ssssnake very wells. Besssidesss, Harry if I lets you go and that Ssssherriff fellow spotted you! He’d tell the Game Warden I wasss neglecting my dutiesss!”

Harry blinked in response, “Oh but Mr. Fang, sir. I wouldn’t go to the courthouse anymore.”

“Ha! You’ve ssstolen cheese from the Sssherriffss sandwich for the last time! Yer going down Harry,” The yellow eyes crept closer to the mouse, “Down my esophagusssss!”

The little mouse thief gulped as he stared at the yellow eyes. Then suddenly he jumped up poked his paws into the two yellow eyes and skittered past.

“Yeeeowww!” Fang yelped in pain, “Get back here yousss!”

“I’m sorry Mr. Fang! Not today.” Harry yelled back to the snake as he ran down the metal walls.

“Harry! Harry gets back here!” Fang yelled back as he recovered from the attack to his eyes. The snake then made a turn and slithered down the metal hallway, “Dang thisss air conditioning duct iss cold. Brrr.”

* * * * * *

Meanwhile in the lobby of the Hazzard County Bank…

Enos stood next to Daisy as she held a white sack. Bandit stood next to the deputy sheriff as Enos held the leash to the German Shepard.

“Sure is nice of MaryAnne to allow Bandit to do arm guard duty with you Enos, while she’s away on business.” Daisy replied, “I sure feel safe getting this money from the Boar’s Nest to the Bank now. Especially with that serial bank robber on the lose. Why who knows what could happen.”

“Well it’s actually a trip Daisy. She won an all expense get away weekend down at Disneyland in Florida on one of those scratch off thingys on those foam coffee cups at the Café. She was tickled to death about the trip but she didn’t want to leave Hazzard defenseless. But Sheriff Rosco he made her go. He said nuttin’ was gonna happen on his watch while she was gone.”

“Well, she should go. She deserves a weekend off. Boss had been workin’ her heavy shifts before she was leavin’.” Daisy replied as they waited in line to get to the teller.

The German Shepard stood keenly by. His ears flicked as he heard a noise coming from the air conditioning ducts in the bank. The noise was too silent for the humans to hear but he definitely heard it. It sounded like talking and scurrying in the metal ducting. Somehow the police dog recognized the voice but didn’t pay much attention to it. Simply because it wasn’t a threat to the current situation and would most likely distract him from his duty. Plus, it didn’t concern him.

“Harry! Get back here, now!” 

“Sorry, can’t do that.” 

“Oh yeah?”

 “Yeah, come and get me!” 

“I’ll come and get you! Come and get you for my lunch. Hold ssstill dang it!” 

As all this was going on, the German Shepard then noticed a woman come into the bank. The woman wore dark pants and a dark long sleeve shirt. Covering her face was a black ski mask and she had a funny smell to her. Fact she had a slight sent of gun powder on her. The dog recognized this woman was packing heat. The posture of the German Shepard became alert and tense as she approached the line.

Enos felt the tug on Bandit’s leash and looked up to see the person all clothed in black whip out a pistol. He held tightly on Bandit’s leash as the canine snarled and stood his ground.

“Don’t anyone move. This is a stick up.” The person in black replied as they held the gun trained on the small crowd of people but mainly on the sheriff deputy and the dog that was with him.

Enos was going to put his hands up. Then realized if he let go of Bandit they could have more trouble on their hands. The large police dog was at full alert.

“Put all your money into this sack, wallets, jewelry, and cash.” The criminal threw one bag at the tiny crowd of people. Then she tossed another to the bank teller and snarled, “Fill it up”

Bandit growled at the woman and lunged on his leash toward her, but Enos held the dog at bay. She glared at the dog and officer. She clicked the hammer on the gun back and pointed it directly at Bandit.

Bandit continued to growl and bark at the thief. He wished so much his master was holding the other end of the leash. He knew she would come up with a plan but the German Shepard had no clue as to how this other officer operated.

If I just knew what he wants me to do, we could nail this woman to the wall and put her under the jail! The large dog snarled at the woman. He wanted so bad to tear that gun out of her hand and tackle her to the floor. Oh just let me at her! But she has a gun and she’ll shoot… Rats! How can I get that gun away from her and get these people to safety! As Bandit is pondering all this and standing his ground, the show down in the air ducts seemed to be heating up.

The cold boa was forcing himself to go down the chilly air duct after the warm blooded mammal and finding he was slowing down in pace. This started to give Fang some doubt as to whether or not he’d catch the little fur ball. Fang frowned in disappointment as he moved down the narrowing metal duct. His smooth belly slid across the cool metal like a hockey puck across ice.

“Bbbrrr, Haaarrry! You better st-st-stop now…” Fang now chattered as he crept forward but noticed there was light coming from end of the tunnel and the little mouse was slowing down.

“Harry!” Fang called again. The mouse was silent as he crept to the light. The snake couldn’t understand what was so fascinating about the light. Then Fang heard voices the emanated from below.

“Don’t anyone move. This is a stick up.” 

Then a few barks and yells from Bandit are heard, “Alright lady.. Drop it! Drop it now!” 

The snake slinked forward more to the light to see what the fuss was about. The narrow diamond shaped head slinked up by the little brown mouse that was perched over the air vent that the light was streaming from.

“What isss it Harry?” The shivering snake asked as he looked down to see the commotion below.

“Not sure… but Bandit sounds like he’s in trouble.” Harry stated as he looked down between the vents.

Bandit of course was still growling at the armed robber and held at bay from lunging at her. He bared his pearly white canines at the robber and grumbled some words in his dog language at her, “Listen you mangy greyhound of a woman, you drop that gun or you’re gunna wish you were at the pound with a pack of rabid Doberman pinchers after I get through with you…”

The German Shepard was tugging harder against Enos’s grip but the Deputy had a firm hold on him, “Bandit, down boy! Heel!”

“I’ll shoot that dog if you don’t get him to shut up. What’s taking so long with my money and your wallets! Hurry up! I don’t have all day… I may get trigger happy and shoot one of you if I don’t have my cash now!” The thin woman demanded waving the gun. Then glanced at Daisy, “You look like someone that would make a nice target, and give me that cash bag, nice and slow…”

“Listen, lady… I don’t know your game but…” Daisy answered as she started to hand over the bag of money.

“Shut up!” The lady barked then pointed the gun at Daisy and yanked away the cash bag, “NOW Hurry up!”

As the robbery was starting to come to a close, Fang looked to Harry, “We have to do something’s”

“But what can we do Mr. Fang? We don’t have any guns?” Harry shrugged, “We’re just a mouse and a snake.”

That’s when Fang got an idea, “We maybe just’ a sssnake and mouse but we’re a sssnake and mouse…”

Harry looked back oddly at Fang and scratched his head, “Hun?”

“Just follow me”

“Uh… Ok.”

Fang then moved over the slotted air vent and coiled himself up. He then made what sounded like a loud hiss to human ears but to any animal it was a distress call, “Bandit! It’sss Fang! Get the robber to ssstep under the air vent!”

Bandit’s ears perked up from their folded aggressive position to hear the message that was called down to him, “Fang?! What in blue blazes are you doing out of your cage! The Game Warden will have a fit!”

“I wasss in hot pur-sssuit of a cheese thief! I’ll explain more later… just get the chick to move under the air vent!” Fang called down.

“I would but the dipstick Deputy won’t let me go a bit. I want to subdue her but my leash is too short!” Bandit barked back.

“Turn on Enosss!”

“WHAT! You crazy?”

“Just do it!”

“I’m suppose to protect not go A-wall!”

“Bandit do it!”

“Fine!” the German Shepard barked back then turned around and lunged at his handler.

Enos yelped in fright at Bandit’s sudden movement and dropped the leash to his canine partner, “AAahhh!”

Bandit then quickly turned back to the woman who was now about to fire but was stepping back as well. She backed up two feet almost under the air vent.

“NOW! HARRY JUMP!” Fang yelled as he heaved his heavy coiled body up then down against the vent at the same time his mouse pursuitee jumped down against the cover as well. The force and weight of the two animals popped the screws to the vent cover and sent them down on top of the lady bank robber. She waved her hands in fright from the four foot boa landing on top of her and the mouse that landed in her hair and ran down the back of her shirt, “AAAAAAHHH!”

The gun then clambered to the floor and Bandit seen his moment, he tackled the woman to the ground and pinned her to the floor. The lady bank robber was now in the custody of the three animals of the courthouse.

“Let me go… Get these creatures off of me! AAAAhhhhh! Help!” She screamed.

Enos pulled out his handcuffs and came over to the woman and took her hand to pull her up and cuff her. Bandit backed off so Enos could do his job but Fang curled up on top of the lady’s head like a turban. Enos cringed as he watched the snake but forced himself to be close to the animal as the quivering in fear robber was being hand cuffed. Once Enos had the cuffs on Fang slinked down off the now cringing woman’s head and down her back to the floor where Harry was now waiting.

“Ma’am you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney…” Enos went on with the Miranda rights as the bank tellers were now calling the Sheriff. Soon Rosco arrived and took the robber away, Fang was taken back to his cage, and all order was restored to the bank.

* * * * *

The next day…

“I’m tellin’ ya Val. It’s like they all knew what to do!” Enos explained to his Game Warden sister in the booking room, “Bandit lunged at me but he was trying to get me to let go of his leash so he could get her under the vent then out of no where Fang and what looks like mouse just dropped from the ding danged vent! I ain’t ever seen anything like in my whole life!”

“Is that a fact?” Val chuckled not really buying her brother’s entire story as she held her pet snake in her arms. Fang was her partner in some ways. He had a job with the wildlife department as an educational example of snakes, but he was no trained guard snake or anything. How the heck could Fang know that lady was a bank robber? He’s just a snake that’s ridiculous! The boa just slithered around over Valerie’s shoulders and arms.

Bandit lay in the corner with his paws crossed over one another and resting his chin on them, just listening to the deputy speak.

“I swear! It was like they were talkin’ to one another and had a plan going Val. What if animals really can talk to one another, we just can’t hear’em!” Enos argued.

“Enos… I have a bachelor’s degree in biology, been a park ranger for thirteen years, and a game warden for almost three years now. I’ve never seen or heard animals talk to one another. Your notion is preposterous.” Val answered her brother, “Now, my dear brother if you’ll excuse me and Fang we have lunch to eat in my office.”

“What’d ya get?” Enos asked.

“Same thing Rosco got today. Cheese sandwich and tomato soup.” Val answered, “Cletus picked it up for us just and dropped it off just before you came in and he left for patrol.”

“Oh… Ok… Well, enjoy it. I got lunch before I came in.” Enos answered as he shuffled some papers on the desk.

“Good, because we don’t want you to go hungry.” Valerie answered as she left the booking room and headed to her office to put Fang away then wash up and eat.

Enos watched his sister go then sighed and fumbled with the papers. He looked over at Bandit then shook his head, “I don’t know how you knew what to do when you did it but you sure got me convinced ya’ll had a plan goin’…”

The German Shepard just glanced back at Enos without moving giving the deputy innocent puppy like eyes.

Enos sighed then shook his head and mumbled, “If Val doesn’t believe me… I sure bet MaryAnne and the Sheriff ain’t gonna believe me.”

Again Bandit just looked blankly back at Enos, but then he lifted his head and yawned slightly then lowered it back down on his crossed paws. A moment later Rosco came out of his office and Val came into the booking room, both holding two slices of bread in their hands.

“Hey did you get any cheese in your cheese sandwich, Rosco?” Val asked holding her clump of bread in her hands.

“Jit jit…Well Jumpin’ jehosphats! No, that’s the third time this week, I’ve ordered from the Busy Bee a cheese sandwich and the cheese is missin’!” Rosco protested, “You know I could swear there’s a cheese thief somewhere around this courthouse!”

“Must have a mice problem. I’ll set some traps.” Val answered.

“Dang mice… Stealin’ my cheese! Jit, jit! We’ll fix their wagons!” Rosco then grumbled and headed back into his office.

Yep I think things in the Hazzard courthouse are going back to what could be considered normal. Don’t you? 

Author’s Notes: 

Thisss is my first story. I know ya seen many of my mistress’s fiction but I felt it time to issue some of my own. I don’t know if I’m going to write another. I just would like to thank MaryAnne for allowing Bandit to appear in this short with me. 

If I do decide to write another story, I am having Harry type next time. This one key at a time thing really puts a kink in the tail. 

Ssssincerely yourssss,

Fang B. Strate

 

by: Chet Duke

*Inspired by the song “Alyssa Lies” by: Jason Michael Carroll.*

*2007*

“Bye mamma!” June Duke called out to her mother from the drive way, as her and her two brothers ran to catch the school bus.

The big yellow bus stopped at the end of the drive and the three Duke children bounded up the steps and quickly took there seats. Amanda Duke waved to her children on the bus as the big yellow vehicle pulled away. The young Duke mother smiled to herself and returned inside the ranch house.

Dozens of children came off the school buses and filed into Hazzard Counties one and only school. Each child or teen went to there designated class room for the day and settled down at there desk to learn.

A little later in the day the lunch bell rang, dismissing everyone to the cafeteria. June Duke laughed and giggled at her older brother Johnny’s silly remarks. The brother and sister were soon joined by a kindergartner. A little black haired boy, a shear fire image of his and their father, Chet Duke, John Wesley, known to his family and friends as Wes, climbed up onto the bench beside his sister and opened his lunch pail.

“What are you giggling about June?” He asked unfolding the plastic wrap from around his sandwich.

“Johnny’s being silly.” June replied smiling at her younger brother.

Johnny smiled as he munched on his own lunch. Once the three children finished there meals they each ventured out on the play ground to play. All of them going in a separate direction, Johnny trotted off to catch a foot ball with some of the other young fellas. Wes bounded up the latter to take a slip down the slide.

June mingled over to the swings, past the huge tires and sat down on a swing seat. She swayed back and forth a little feeling bored and alone. Another little girl came over and sat down in the swing seat beside hers.

“Hello…” The younger girl said.

The Duke girl looked at her and smiled. “Howdy. I’m June Duke, what’s your name?”

The light browned haired little girl smiled softly in return, her small green eyes danced brightly at the prospect of making a new friend.

“My name is Alyssa.”

“Its nice to meet you Alyssa” June answered.

The two young girls laughed and talked back and forth for the rest of the recess. Each planning to meet at that same exact spot the next day. They smiled and waved as they parted to return to there classes for the rest of the day. That afternoon June sprang from the steps of the school bus and made her way down the drive way at home.

“You seem exceptionally happy June, what’s up?” Johnny asked looking at his younger sister then exchanging looks with Wes. The little boy shrugged.

The family dogs, two mutts, one lab hound mix and a funny brown colored dog barked and yapped as the children came upon the front porch of the farm house.

“I made a new friend at school today, her name is Alyssa and she seems really nice. Can she sit with us tomorrow? She said she sits alone.”

“You know your friends are our friends June.” Johnny nodded. “Of course she can sit with us.”

June smiled. “Thank you.”

The next day, as promised June and Alyssa met at the swings. The two friends swung beside each other, chanting and giggling so hard there faces turned red.

“I’ve never had this much fun!” Alyssa smiled.

June laughed happily and jumped off the swing, tagging her new friend on the shoulder. “Your it! Catch me if you can.” She ran out into the big lawn near the slide.

Alyssa chased after her, the thin little girl running fast as her small frame could to catch her new friend. The two girls collided in a fit of laughing and giggling. As they sat down on the ground, Alyssa’s left pant leg slide up and beneath a large bruise was revealed.

June noticed immediately and her blue eyes widened in shock and surprise. “Where did you get that bruise Alyssa? It looks bad.”

The little girls face flushed and she quickly pushed her pant leg back down to cover it. “It’s nothing…” She frowned and looked at the Duke girl, she gazed softly at June, her heart a sea of butterflies and her eyes burning in early essence of faint tears.

June gazed back, seeing the fear and worry in her friends eyes and the expression on her face. She placed her hand on Alyssa’s shoulder, comfortingly.

“Can you keep a secret June?”

The blonde haired Duke girl looked around and then stood and offered to help her friend up. Alyssa took her hand and let her help her up, together they walked to the other side of the play ground and sat down behind the tires.

“Yes Alyssa, I can keep a secret.” June looked at the younger girl.

Alyssa bowed her head and sighed feeling ashamed. “My daddy… he gave me that bruise. I spilled a glass of milk in the living room and he hit me.”

June swallowed hard and her eyes widened. She had heard about child abuse at the orphanage before she came to live with her new mommy and daddy. Even at that time she knew that it wasn’t right for any adult to hit a child for any reason. Now she new even better.

“Alyssa… you should tell someone.”

Alyssa shook her heah quickly. “No…no please. He’ll hurt me again. Promise you wont tell anyone.”

June frowned and nodded, she could see the terror in her friends eyes. Just then the bell rang and both girls ran for the school to go back to class. June returned to class and sat down in her seat, she couldn’t help but think about what Alyssa had told her. Feeling tears of sadness burn her eyes she asked to be excused to the restroom.

As she walked down the hall on her way to the bathroom she paused hearing her new friends voice speaking to someone one hallway over. June tip toed up to the corner and peeked around it to see what was going on. There on the hall way a teacher stood outside a closed class room door speaking to Alyssa.

The young Duke girl stood quietly listening to what her friend and the teacher was saying. Each time the teacher asked, Alyssa simply replied that she had fallen down the front steps at home. Denying that the bruises had been intentionally made. She lied to the teacher, June could see even as she reentered the class room that she shook her head…lying to the class room.

June continued to the restroom, there she stayed for a few minutes, deciding what she had to do when she got home. Although she knew she’d made a promise to her friend, she feared for the younger girl. The bruise she’d seen on her leg was bad and there was no telling what other bruises she might have.

***************************************

“Daddy?” June spoke softly as she entered the barn.

Her father Chet stood in the isle way, brushing a beautiful long legged Ovaro colt that he had named Drifter. He glanced side long at his young daughter, his half blind mismatched eyes danced softly as he looked at her fondly.

“What is it Juney?” He asked smiling softly and returning to his task, plucking burdocks from the young horses coat.

June came forward and scratched Drifters nose and leaned her cheek against his velvety muzzle. The young horse sensed the young girls sadness and nuzzled her face gently. June could feel the tears beginning to burn her eyes, remembering everything she had seen.

“Daddy… if you made a promise to someone not to tell anyone else what this person told you…but… but you really needed to tell. What would you do?”

Chet glanced at her again. “Hmmm… if its really important I would probably tell an adult.” He looked at her again, seeing the tears in her eyes. ” Honey… you can tell me anything.” Her daddy said, not knowing that he was nowhere close to being prepared for what she was about to say.

“Daddy… Alyssa lies. My new friend at school, that I told you and mommy about at supper last night… she lies to the teacher… and everyone else. She’s trying to cover up the bruises, I saw them on her leg daddy. Alyssa lies… she’s afraid he’ll hurt her again.”

“Awe June, I’m sure she’ll be ok.” Chet paused as he ran the comb through the colts mane. “Why don’t you go help your mother with supper, I’ll be in soon.”

June’s lower lip pouted out and she looked at her daddy, she hoped that he was right. The little Duke girl nodded and turned away to go back in the house as he had asked.

“Ok…daddy…”

June ate her supper in silence that evening, then rushed through her homework and curled up on her bed with her orange tabby cat. She couldn’t help but worry even though her daddy said everything would be ok. How could anyone hurt a nice little girl like Alyssa. June’s eyes filled with tears again and she laid her head done on her pillow not sure what she could do.

Chet came in to tuck her in, sitting down on her bed side and ruffling the cats fur beside her. “Have a good night my Juney… sleep well.” He smiled at her and kissed her forehead, then made sure as he stood up that she was well covered up.

June kissed her daddies cheek and hugged him softly. “Good night daddy.”

“G’nyte June.” Chet walked out of the room and turned the light out. But as he left the door way he paused, hearing his daughter whisper softly in prayer. He stopped and listened just outside her door.

“Please Lord, God bless my mom, dad, Johnny, Wes, Carra and little Trace.” She paused then and swallowed. “And if you will… God bless my new friend Alyssa… please.. Help her she really needs you.” She became quiet for a long moment. “Amen.”

June rolled over and went to sleep the best she could. Not knowing that her daddy had listened to everything she said. Her words had caused Chet’s naturally firm brow, to melt into worry. He hadn’t realized how hurt his little girl had been and he wished he’d paid more attention.

Chet made his way to his own bed to lay down with his wife, he felt saddened now as he lay down and pondered everything June had said. Amanda lay beside him, dozing softly until she felt her husband toss one way and turn the other.

“What is it Chet?” She asked rubbing his shoulder softly.

He didn’t answer right away, he just lay staring into the darkness. A flutter in his gut caused him to take a deep breath and sigh.

“I need to take June to school on Monday…” Chet whispered.

Amanda opened her eyes from dozing, her husband worked long hard hours and it wasn’t like him to take any of the children to school.

“Any particular reason darling?” She asked looking over his shoulder at his face.

“Just a feeling. June’s upset about something and I wanna make sure everythings ok.” Chet relaxed into the water bed.

“Ok…” Amanda replied and closed her eyes, returning to her gentle sleep.

But Chet couldn’t seem to lay still, his mind continued to ponder and worry over what his daughter had said. So many what ifs, and so many answers turned up that made him mad. Of all people the 22 year old cowboy understood what it was like to be beaten and abused. He also knew how dangerous the abuse could become over a certain period of time.

It wasn’t so long ago when he had lived on the ranch in New York that he himself had been hurt many times as a young boy. Punished viciously for simply being a child, those years were quickly stolen away as he was forced to learn to survive under such abuse. But the feeling that this little girl couldn’t possibly do that deeply troubled Chet.

The next morning June came out of her bed room with her book bag in hand to sit down at the kitchen table to have breakfast before school. Just like she did every morning, but she paused and stared, surprised to see her daddy sitting at the table nursing a cup of steaming hot coffee. She was surprised to see him still home, usually he was gone off to work by now and didn’t get home until just before dinner.

Chet felt her eyes on him and he looked over his shoulder at her and smiled. “Good morning Juney, come have some breakfast.”

Her three brothers and baby sister sat up at the table already eating here breakfast. She joined them, starting in on the pancakes that Amanda was quickly filling all there plates with. She paused and looked back at her dad.

“What are you still doing home daddy?”

Chet looked at her in return over the top of his news paper. “I’m gonna take ya’ll to school this morning, maybe you can introduce me to your new friend.” He looked into her blue eyes, his own conveying that he had gotten her message.

A smile came to June’s lips and she quickly got up and gave him a hug. ” Thank you…” She whispered to him.

*************************************

June looked up at her daddy feeling so full of pride as they walked down the hallway in the Hazzard school. Chet glanced down at his daughter and smiled a little, but as he looked up his smile faded quickly. Teachers stood gathered around the main office of the old school and three or four children stood with there faces berried against there parents in tears.

“Daddy…”

Chet’s brow furrowed and his steps quickened as he approached the scene. Phones in the office rang, parents and teachers wiped tears from there faces. He left June near the door way for a few moments and went inside the office.

“What’s happened?” Chet asked one of the teachers quietly.

The graying haired teacher turned to him and sniffled. “One of our students has passed away, a little girl named Alyssa Monroe. Police found her, there not releasing anymore information.”

The Duke mans face paled and his eyes widened. He couldn’t believe that the little girl was dead. Quickly he turned away from the teacher and returned to were June was standing hoping that no one had yet told her that her friend was gone. Chet scooped her up into his arms, his brow creased in concern.

“Daddy….what’s wrong? Why does everyone look so sad?” June asked putting her arms around her daddies neck. She’d rarely ever seen tears in the tough ol’ cowboys eyes.

The Duke man hugged her and sighed, swallowing the thick not in his throat that seemed to be growing.

“Juney…honey… Alyssa won’t be at school today. I think… you should come home with me June.”

The little Duke girls eyes widened in worry and tears turned up there. “But why daddy… why daddy? Why…”

“June…” Chet’s voice caught in his throat.

“Oh please daddy, tell me why….” She pleaded as he carried her towards the school entrance, her two brothers fallowing behind.

“Honey….Alyssa doesn’t lie anymore…” He swallowed as they approached there truck. “She lies with Jesus…”

The little Duke girl’s eyes bubbled with tears and she burst into sobs, understanding very clearly what her daddy meant. Chet carried her out to the truck and took her and his other children home to be with there mother. His mine wandered as he sat at home with his family, doing the best he knew how to help them with there grief. But he couldn’t help the natural urge to seek out more information about the little girls death.

Later that night when his children and wife had settled down to sleep or just lay awake and rest after such a horrible day. Chet pulled his jacket on and grabbed his keys to his Dodge Charger. Amanda stopped him in the door way of the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” She asked, her face still red from crying much of the day.

“I’ve got to make sure….make sure that the law has handled everything Amanda.” He responded giving his wife and knowing look.

She looked into his eyes reading them like a cover of a book, the young Duke women could only hope that her husband would abide by the law. Amanda nodded understanding and he turned away and left the house, driving towards town. There he parked the white Charger in front of the courthouse and went inside. He needed to find as much information as he could about Alyssa’s death before taking any extreme measures.

“ENOS!” Chet Said sharply to get the deputies attention.

The dozing deputy snapped awake and stood at attention. “Oh….possum on a gumbush Chet, you startled me. What can I do for you?”

“Plenty…. tell me everything you know about that Hazzard school girls death yesterday.”

“I’m sorry I can’t do that, that’s confidential information.” Enos replied.

Chet’s mismatched eyes narrowed and he took and few steps closer to the deputies desk. The eyes of the cowboy drilled deep into Enos’s, causing the older man to shiver at the rattle snake like gaze. The Duke man leaned on the desk a little threateningly.

“Ok!” Enos wiped a few drops of sweat from his brow. “State police received a call from the next door neighbor, said they heard some screaming. By the time they got there they found the little girl laying at the bottom of the seller stairs. She’d already passed away from head trauma, they assumed its from the fall. But there still investigating.” The deputy watched Chet waiting to see his reaction.

Chet nodded taking in the info without a change in his expression. “The fall didn’t kill her Enos. Get me the parents home address and then call the state police and have them meet me out there in an hour and a half.”

The older deputy did as he was asked, writing the information that Chet requested down on a small piece of paper and handing it over. His brow creased in worry for the Duke.

“Chet… what are you gonna do?”

Chet tucked the paper into his pocket and turned away. “Im gonna make sure justice is served Enos…. that little girl was my daughters friend. She told her that her daddy had been beating her and she saw the bruises. I’ll prove that sonofabitch killed her and make sure he goes up the river for the rest of his life.” He left the court house and drove quickly towards the address on the paper that Enos had given him.

Enos quickly made a call to the State Police, then to Rosco on the CB, requesting that the Sheriff return to base so that he could go on his lunch break. The Sheriff agreed and soon after Enos drove away from the courthouse, he too headed for the Monroe residence.

Chet parked his car one block over from the residence and opened the trunk to get out some supplies he would need. The first thing he dug up out of his duffle bag was a hand held cassette recorder, which he tucked into his coat pocket so that it could be easily accessed. He then grabbed his lariat and a roll of duck tape. Closing the trunk he silently made his way through neighbors back yards, as sleek as a cat and as cunning as a fox.

He closed in on the Monroe home, pausing to watch the back door for a few moments. Not seeing anyone but hearing voices from within he moved in stepping softly up onto the back porch. Chet peeked in the window on the back door and watched a man and women arguing back and forth with raised voices.

Gracefully Chet moved around the side of the house approaching the front door and loosening his lariat into a long near perfect loop. He waited until the voices paused then knocked three times firmly on the door. Quickly he ran down the side of the porch and jumped off waiting for and hoping the father would answer the door and step outside.

Indeed the father answered the door with a sharp voice. “Hello?!” He snapped looking out into the front yard.

Chet ducked lower, holding the loop in his hand and waiting. Not seeing anyone the man stepped outside and off the porch looking around. The Duke man waited patiently until the father cleared the steps, then he let the loop fly catching the man around his chest. He yanked hard and threw him to the ground. In an instant Chet pounced on him and thoroughly hogg tied him.

“Awright bastard!!!” Chet snarled standing over the hogg tied man, his eyes glaring with fierceness. He quickly hit the record button on the tape recorder in his pocket and grabbed the man by his shirt collar roughly. “You killed that little girl! Didnt ya?!”

“Go to hell, I didn’t touch her. She fell down the st—.” The fathers words never made it from his mouth as he was quickly rewarded with a grueling punch in the face from Chet.

“Strike one!” Chet snarled. “What did you do to that little girl?! You killed her…. admit it or I’ll kill you!” Chet threatened, holding the biggest bluff with all the aces.

“Let me go boy… or you’ll be next, mark my words.” The father spat and was quickly rewarded with two punches to his face. Chet’s fists drew blood from the fathers nose and mouth this time as the older man yelped. The yelp brought Mrs. Monroe to the porch to see what was going on, she was not shocked to find her husband getting exactly what he deserved.

“Last chance….admit you killed that little girl… I know you did it… my daughter saw the bruises. She said Alyssa told her that you beat her…. and my June don’t lie. Admit you killed her….and I’ll let you live the rest of your life in a state pen.” Chet snarled once again and drew his fist back, prepared to feed the bully his last round.

The former fathers eyes grew wide seeing Chet draw his fist back and the fire in the cowboys eyes. Sirens began to blare in the distance and he knew the young man was not kidding, he could kill him and run like hell and get away with it.

“I did it! I killed Alyssa!” He gasped his face wrinkling in fear. “I hit her with a 2×4 in the head… then threw her down the stairs!!!” His eyes stayed wide.

Chet nodded in approval and with drew the recorder form his pocket. He could hear the sirens growing closer. Quickly he taped the mans mouth shut and then securely fastened the recorder down to his forehead with the duck tape. He replaced the rope around the man with duck tape and quickly made an exit. Disappearing into the night as quickly and silently as he had appeared.

When police arrived they could not believe the sight before them. They played the recorded tape, initialing all the evidence in that very tape that was needed to put the murdering father away for life. The mother would also be jailed for harboring evidence and with holding a killer. Enos arrived with the state police, but he wasn’t at all shocked at the scene. He had suspected that the Duke man would do something of this nature. The former LAPD law officer couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, someone had done the right thing above all doubt and suspicion.

***TWO DAYS LATER.***

The entire Duke family and friends stood around the grave of Alyssa Monroe, accompanied by teachers and young students that had been her friends. A gentle prayer was said for the innocent young victim as she was lay to rest within angels hands.

But as all the people turned to leave, returning to there cars, Chet stood alone at the grave looking down at the head stone. He kneeled and gave a heart deep sigh, he could feel tears burn his eyes.

“Im sorry…. I didn’t listen sooner….” Chet sniffled. “But….I….I made sure they could never hurt anyone again.” He reached into his pocket and with drew a piece of paper and unfolded it, placing it against the head stone. “I wrote this for you…. I hope that other children that are in the situation you were in can hear it and know….. there not alone.” He placed the song lyrics beside the grave and bowed his head in a quick prayer.

Then feeling the not still in his throat, he rose and rejoined his family. Most folks made there way to the Boars Nest for the wake. Drinks were on the house and as things wound down, Chet picked up his old guitar and stepped up onto the make shift stage.

“Ladies and Gentlemen….could I have your ut most attention if you please.” He spoke into the microphone.

All the people in the room turned to face him, voices hushed and the lights dimmed in the room a little. Chet cleared his throat and strapped his guitar on as he began to speak.

“Loosing a child is like losing an angel. They never come back and we loose something so dear and precious to us all. I hope that we can all open our hearts and hear when an angel cries, maybe someday this old world can see past all its anger and hate. I wrote a little song for Alyssa, in her memory.”

Chet lowered his eyes to his guitar and began to play and sing the words he’d composed.

“My little met a new friend just the other day….
On the play ground at school, between the tires and the swing.
But she came home with tear filled eyes….And she said to me…”Daddy…Alyssa Lies”

Well I just brushed it off at first …Cause I didn’t know how much my little girl had been hurt
Or the things that she had seen….I wasn’t ready when I said you can tell me and she said….

Alyssa lies to the classroom……Alyssa lies everyday at school
Alyssa lies to the teachers…..As she tries to cover every bruise

My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep….
As I stepped out of the room I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet
God bless my mom and my dad…..
And my new friend Alyssa, I know she needs you bad because

Alyssa lies to the classroom…..Alyssa lies everyday at school
Alyssa lies to the teachers…..As she tries to cover every bruise

I had the worst night of sleep in years…..As I tried to think of a way to calm her fears
I knew just what it was I had to do…..But when we got to school on Monday
I heard the news

My little girl asked me why everybody looked so sad
The lump in my throat grew bigger…..With every question that she asked
Until I felt the tears run down my face….And I told her that Alyssa wouldn’t be at school today

Cause she doesn’t lie, in the classroom….She doesn’t lie, anymore at school
Alyssa lies with Jesus….Because there’s nothing anyone would do.

Tears filled my eyes
When my little girl asked me why
Alyssa lies
Daddy tell me why
Alyssa lies ………[written and sung by: Jason Micheal Carroll.]

Chet held the key, long and easy with grace. Then the room erupted with clapping and he set his guitar down as June came to him and put her arms around his neck.

“I love you daddy…”

He hugged her and his entire family. “I love all of you so much…”

THEE END

by: Jax

“Hey Luke, you know what day’s coming up next week?” Bo Duke asked as he brought his hands up and out of the sink full of dirty dishes and glasses. He shook his hands out and then carefully rolled up the sleeves on his hunter green shirt higher, trying to keep them from getting wet. He turned and looked over his shoulder at his cousin sitting at the small table reading a newspaper.

“Luke?”

Both cousins had been living in their own apartment now for over a year. Since the death of their beloved uncle and the subsequent purchase of Cooter’s garage; the Duke boys were doing what they did best…building, fixing and racing cars.

“Hmm?” Luke grunted in reply as he lowered the paper and carefully turned a page.

“What’d you say Bo?” He asked as he met his cousin’s gaze.

“I said do you know what important day it is next week? And you best have the right answer Luke or you’ll be in the doghouse plenty with Donna.”

Both of Luke Duke’s dark eyebrows went up in contemplation then he shrugged.

“Not really. Something I should know about?”

“Luke!” Bo shook his head exasperatedly and grabbed a dishtowel, he threw it at his sitting cousin; the white and blue stripped towel landing on his grey button down shirt.

“What? I’m not a walking calendar Bo!” Luke wadded the cloth back up and returned fire at Bo, who caught it and set it back on the counter.

“Luke Duke I don’t know what Donna sees in you!”

“So are you going to tell me what day it is or not?” Luke folded the paper back up neatly and set it on the table’s smooth surface.

“Valentine’s Day–” Bo motioned with his chin to the calendar tacked to the wall, the day in question framed buy a large red circle. The calendar’s picture bore Cooter’s garage; though the building remained relatively the same, there was one noticeable difference, instead of Hazzard Garage over the door the sign read, Dukes Custom Racing. Parts-Motors-Rebuilds.

“Oh–” Luke gave a shrug then got up from his chair. His white coffee mug sat in front of him and he picked it up.

“You’re asking if I’ve got any plans?” He went to the coffee maker and lifted the decanter, pouring himself another cup.

Bo scoffed at his cousin’s lack of interest and shook his head. “I wouldn’t let Donna hear you say that.” He went back to his dish washing.

“Why not?”

“Because most women expect something on Valentine’s Day, flowers, candy, jewelry, going out to dinner…”

Replacing the decanter, Luke took a sip of the black coffee then turned and leaned his back to the counter, watching Bo washing dishes.

“What about you and Michelle?”

“Don’t know yet, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about, see if you had any suggestions.” Bo washed and rinsed the last dish then stacked it in the drain board. He pulled the plug from the drain, rinsed his hands then picked up the dishtowel and began to dry them.

“But you’re no help seeings how you don’t have any idea either.”

“Guess I better get one fast if I want to keep Donna happy.” Luke turned around and got a mug from the cabinet and poured his cousin a cup of coffee then handed it to him.

“Here you Bo.”

“Thanks–” Bo went over to the fridge and opened it; he got out the container of milk and poured some into it.

“If neither of us have a plan, we best come up with something.” Luke sat down once again, his elbows resting on the table. He stared down at the surface of the table in contemplation.

Grabbing a spoon from the drain board, Bo sat down across the table from his cousin and added two spoonfuls of sugar to his coffee.

“This ain’t our first Valentine’s Day Luke; it shouldn’t be too tough to come up with something.”

“No its not our first Valentine’s Day Bo, but it is the first with someone that we were both pretty serious about.”

Bo nodded as his expression grew solemn. “Michelle is the first person I’ve gotten close to since…” His words trailed off, unable to say talk about the death of Uncle Jesse.

Luke saw his cousin’s face and nodded. “Yeah, me too.” He said low then sighed sipping his coffee again.

“Well I suppose we can always get it straight from the horse’s mouth.”

“Luke Duke are you crazy?” Bo said in astonishment.

“If we ask the girls what they want they’re going to know we ain’t got no ideas and skin us!”

“It was just a thought Bo.”

“Well keep thinking Cousin.” Bo scoffed, shaking his head. “I’d rather face a grizzly bear then Michelle when she’s angry.”

Luke looked at his cousin in surprise. “Michelle’s got a temper?”

“Don’t know but I don’t mean to find out, don’t forget she’s armed.”

“Wouldn’t be much of a Revenuer if she didn’t have a gun Bo, it’d make her job a whole lot tougher.” Luke got up to put his cup in the sink; he put his hands on the edges of it and leaned over still trying to think about what he and Bo could do for the upcoming special occasion. A sudden thought made his spine straighten and he raised his dark head then turned around to face Bo.

Bo saw the look on his cousin’s features; his mouth opened slightly then closed as he exhaled through his nose.

“I know that look.”

Having not heard Bo’s words, or pretending not to, Luke nodded to himself then shifted his attention to Bo. “You and Michelle got a date tonight don’t you?”

“We’re going juking over in Chickasaw.” Bo’s brow creased as he watched Luke.

“What if I was to tell you that we were going to give Donna and Michelle the best Valentine’s Day ever?” Luke put one hand on Bo’s shoulder then braced the other on the table.

“How are we going to do that?” Bo glanced skeptically at his cousin; both boys weren’t exactly romantics, Luke least of all.

“I’m going to need a little time with that Cousin; you just meet up with Michelle and leave the rest to me.” Luke gave Bo’s shoulder a pat then straightened up.

“Well, all right. I best get changed.” Bo scooted his chair back and stood up.

“You be careful out there in Chickasaw, off probation or not we’re still number one on Sheriff Little’s most wanted list.”

“He ain’t the forgiving type is he?” Bo chuckled as he headed out of the kitchen.

 

***********       *****************

 

“I want you to want me…I need you to need me…”

Michelle Greenwood wandered from room to room as the CD player in her living room atop her mantle blasting Cheap Trick. The willowy young woman wiggled and shook her hips from side to side. Preparing for her date, she slipped into a pair of black jeans and a maroon long sleeved shirt. She snagged her blue brush and fixed her straight blond hair, cropped to just below her ears, as best she could.

“I love you to love me…I’m begging you to beg me… Bo Duke!” Michelle added then snickered to herself. The two of them had been dating for almost six months; the unlikely pair had tongues wagging all over Hazzard, the ex- moonshiner and the Revenuer agent.

“We sure showed them, didn’t we Bo?” She said to herself as she set down her brush and picked up a small bottle of perfume and lightly sprayed her neck. Just the thought of seeing Bo mad her pulse jump and she couldn’t help but smile.

“I think it’s safe to say you’re in love Michelle.”

 

Bo closed the door to his apartment; locking it he buttoned the sleeves on his teal green chambray shirt. His boots thudded as he walked down the single strip of tan carpeting that ran down the middle of the parquet floor.

His mind still raced from his conversation with Luke, trying to think of what he could possibly come up with for Valentine’s Day. Stopping in front of Michelle’s door, he raised his hand to knock when the rock music reached his ears. Creasing his brow he lowered his hand and pressed his left ear to the wood. His confusion melted into a grin as he recognized Michelle intermixed with the lead singer of Cheap Trick.

Chuckling to himself he reached down and tried the knob, it turned in his hand and he gave the door a light push as he entered the apartment.

The modest space draped in varying shades of blue, Bo quietly closed the door. Tiptoeing past a variegated blue couch, he continued down the hall and carefully peered around the bathroom doorframe.

Standing in front of the round mirror, Michelle ran her hand down her shirt then unbuckled her belt and tucked the ends of her shirt in. Fixing her belt again she turned from one side, then the other making sure she looked just right.

“I want you to want me…I need you to need me… I love you to love me…” Michelle sang again and the grin on Bo’s face only broadened. Finally unable to contain himself anymore he called out.

“And I do!” Then quickly ducked back behind the wall.

Michelle gasped, startled at the additional voice added to the song. She could feel her face flood with heat, embarrassed at having been caught.

“Bo Duke are you spying on me?” She asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, her hands on her hips as her blue eyes gazed at him.

His back to the wall, the blond man only shrugged.

“I was just answering your question Darling.” He said as he took her hand and tugged her up against him, then wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

“You’re wearing my favorite perfume.” His voice muffled as he pressed his face into the side of her neck.

Acting indignant she simply stood there, but the warm press of Bo’s form weakened her resistance and she smiled as she entwined her arms around Bo’s neck.

“I know that’s why I wore it Bo, but you’re still a brat for scaring me.”

“I would have knocked but you’ve got your music on.” Bo inhaled her perfume deeply then nuzzled at her neck.

“You do have a point.” Michelle kissed Bo’s cheek then pulled back to see his face.

“So are we ready to go?”

“Yeah…” Bo held Michelle’s waist then gazed into her eyes. Again he thought of what he and Luke talked about and he opened his mouth then closed it and exhaled through his nose.

“Michelle you know what next week is right?”

“Next week?” She thought a moment then finally nodded.

“It’s Valentine’s Day.” Michelle’s fingers played with the back of Bo’s hair. She saw the questioning in his eyes and shrugged.

“I’m sure it’ll be a special night for us both.” She kissed his lips gently then smiled.

“We should go, you know how crowded Buck Nekked’s gets when its dollar beer night.”

She said as she took Bo by the hand and tugged him away from the wall.

 

 

***********       *****************

 

 

Luke stood in the window of the kitchen and watched as the General Lee shrunk to the size of a matchbox car. Turning away he dumped his now cold coffee into the sink and rinsed out his mug. Setting the blue mug upside down in the drain board he sighed and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Got to be something special we can do.” He said to himself then raised his chin.

“How would Uncle Jesse have handled this?” Turning around Luke leaned back against the counter crossing his arms over his chest as he began to think. He gazed shifted to stare down at the pale kitchen tile, his dark head bowing slightly.

Finally after a few moments of quiet contemplation Luke’s head rose up and the edge of his mouth quirked up in a half smile; his cool blue ice reflected determination as he marched across the tile floor through the kitchen and into the living room. He snagged his denim jacket off the back of the tan plushy couch as he exited the apartment, the door slamming behind him.

 

The Hazzard Heights apartment complex had been built just outside of Hazzard Square. Within walking distance to all the shops, the red brick and glass building with its sculpted lawn and neatly trimmed bushes had been the first of many changes that the small Georgia town had gone though. With Boss Hogg having passed on, the spot of County Commissioner had been up for grabs, after much discussion and debate Cooter Davenport had been chosen as a candidate and had won the election thereafter by a landslide.

With the job of County Commissioner too hectic, Cooter had decided to close his garage and had offered it to Bo and Luke at a fair price.

The boys had accepted and the garage with hard work and a few changes had turned into a success and had even grown beyond the limits of Hazzard.

Luke walked down the sidewalk that ran in front of the building, his thumbs tucked into the belt loops of his jeans. Heading into the back end of the town square, Luke paused a moment before he stepped down onto the asphalt.

“So many changes…” Luke whispered as he walked up the sidewalk heading for the Hazzard Emporium. The empty shop beside one of the oldest stores in Hazzard read, Coffeehouse coming soon….

The sign made Luke stop and he nodded, impressed.

“Cooter you have been busy.”

Continuing down the sidewalk Luke passed the movie theater, the sound of construction from inside it as it got updated into six new screens and amphitheater seating. Finally coming to the end of the block, one last sign made him smile.

Long, D.S. DVM.

Recognizing the older blue truck parked in the alley, Luke’s simple grin bloomed into a look of affection and admiration.

“The doctor is in.” Walking down the garbage-can strewn alley, Luke went into beige backdoor and came face to face with Hazzard’s one and only veterinarian.

Donna Sue Long stood at a tan counter, decked out in her green scrubs she wore her dark chestnut hair up in a small bun. Leaning over, she jotted down notes mumbling to herself as she wrote.

“Recommendations are for extensive treatment for skin problem and regular allergy medication.”

Grinning in admiration, Luke quietly walked up to the petite woman. Too busy concentrating on her clipboard, she didn’t notice the man coming up behind her and gasped loudly when a pair of hands slid along the tops of her shoulders.

“Oh my God Luke Duke! Are you trying to kill me?” Donna said over her shoulder as she gazed into the cool blue eyes of her boyfriend.

“Sorry Honey, didn’t mean to scare you.” He replied as he gazed into her hazel eyes and a smile came to her full lips.

“I’m sure you didn’t.” She leaned forward and gave him a light peck on the lips.

“What brings you here? I thought we were going to meet at the Busy Bee after work?”

“We are, just thought I’d come say hello first.” Luke studied Donna’s little button nose and the slope of her face.

“Well hello then Mr. Duke.” Donna gave Luke another kiss then stepped away from him and closed her clipboard. She watched him a moment then an eyebrow arched high.

“You sure there isn’t something else on your mind?”

Luke sighed and shook his head. “You do know me pretty well don’t you?”

“After being together for almost six months Luke you’re surprised?”

Shrugging Luke closed the distance between them, his hands tucking into his back pockets.

“I wanted to talk to you about Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh!” Donna nodded. “Well it’s next week.” She saw the look on Luke’s face and her brow creased.

“Are we doing something special that night?”

“That’s kind of what I wanted to ask you.” Luke said feeling rather awkward and he shifted his stance.

Donna set her clipboard down on the counter and ran her hands up the back of her head fixing her bun.

“I don’t know Luke; I can’t really say I’m expecting you to go to a lot of trouble. But I’m sure we can do something that night.”  Bringing her hands back down, Donna checked her watch.

“I better go; I have a few patients before the office closes.” She walked up to the counter and touched Luke on the shoulders and kissed him gently.

“I’ll see you at dinner.” Picking up her clipboard again, Donna smiled gently at Luke before she opened the door that led to the rest of the clinic, stepped through it and closed it behind her.

 

 

***********       *****************

 

 

The doorknob to the small apartment jiggled before it turned and the door swung back on its hinges. Way past midnight, Bo stuck his head in and looked left and right as he quietly came into the darkened apartment. Seeing nothing but darkness he sighed audibly, grinned then quietly closed the door.

“Bo?” A voice answered from the bedroom as a light came on and there in the doorway stood the silhouette of Luke in his light blue pajama bottoms.

Groaning, Bo nodded and brushed his hand across his mouth. He wanted to come in quietly and avoid waking his cousin.

“Sorry Luke, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Nah its okay, I was kind of waiting for you to get home.  How was Buck Nekked’s?”

“Good, Michelle loves to dance.”

“Yeah, why don’t we get something to drink?” Luke headed for the kitchen and flipped on the light as he went to the fridge and got out the brown pitcher of milk.

Bo followed and snagged two glasses from the drain board and set them on the table.

“Thanks Cousin.” He pulled out his chair and sat down, then had a long pull on his milk.

“Sure…” Luke put the milk back then took the big glass cookie jar and set it in the middle of the table.

Lowering the glass back to the table, Bo took off the lid to the jar and stuck his hand in retrieving two cookies.

“What about you? You and Donna have dinner?”

“Yeah after her last patient.” Luke had a sip of his milk watching his cousin. He then a quiet smile came to his face.

“How many nights did we stay up like this after a date? Just talking?”

Grinning Bo nodded. “More times then I can count Cousin.”

Luke nodded then sighed as he took a hold of the jar and tipped it forward, then reached in and got a handful of chocolate chip cookies.

“I think I might know what we can do for Donna and Michelle, Bo.”

“You do?” Bo sighed in relief and raised his gaze heavenward for a moment.

“Luke you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.”

Chuckling, Luke shook his head at his cousin’s reaction. “I only came up with a present for the girls Bo, I didn’t solve world hunger.”

“Either one will make people happy.” Bo grinned then took a bite of his cookie.

Luke snorted and shook his head. “Well I didn’t solve the great mystery of life but I think in order to make the women in our lives happy, we have to give them something straight from the heart.”

Bo stopped chewing and looked at his cousin with confusion. Finally swallowing down his bite of cookie, he washed it down with milk then cleared his throat.

“Straight from the heart? What does that mean Luke?”

“Well…do you remember that story that Uncle Jesse told us about the first Valentine’s Day with Aunt Livinia? How he didn’t have any money and he wanted to come up with something special?”

Leaning back, Bo’s wooden chair protested as he braced his weight against its back. He had remembered the story well and gave a solemn nod as Uncle Jesse had talked about the best gifts were one that came from the heart.

Bo nodded, his gaze becoming far away as he remembered sitting around the table drinking milk and eating chocolate cake, listening as Uncle Jesse wove his tale like a tapestry.

“Yeah…I remember Luke.”

Seeing the look in his cousin’s eyes Luke nodded. “So do I Bo, which got me thinking about what Uncle Jesse did.”

Hearing Luke snapped Bo out of his stupor and he felt his face flush. He tried to shrug it off as he had another bite of cookie and washed it down with some milk.

“I figured we can do the same thing, course I think we should do it someplace special.”

Finally finished with his snack, Bo got up and put his glass in the sink.  He turned around and leaned on it, bracing his hands on either side of it as he watched his cousin.

“What do you have in mind cousin?”

A grin came to Luke’s face as he leaned back in his chair.

“You’ll see cousin, you’ll see.”

Picking up his glass, Luke drained the last of the milk. He stood up then and replaced the lid on the cookie jar.

“We just need to pick up a few things before that day and arrange to have that day off from the shop.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem.” Bo picked up the massive glass jar and set it back on the counter.

“I’m sure Mike and Stan will cover things for us.”

“Yeah, they can handle things for one day.” Standing up Luke stretched his bare torso, the muscles rippling and flexing as he raised his arms over his head then rubbed the back of his neck.

“Man I’m tired.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you; I was trying to be sneaky.” Bo said as he tugged the end of his shirt out of his jeans. The two cousins headed for their bedroom and Luke shrugged.

“Nah it’s all right Bo, I was waiting for you. You know I can’t really sleep till you get here.”

Bo grinned at his cousin’s concerned. “I’m the same way cousin. The nights you and Donna go out I start watching the clock.”

The bedroom door already open, Luke stepped in first and flicked on the light. The medium size room had two twin size beds in the center, a pair of tan dressers at the foot of the beds, and a single ancient looking beige nightstand between them. The walls were painted gray and posters of cars, racing flags and banners from previous races hovered around the sleeping areas.

Luke sat on the edge of his mattress and rubbed his hand back and forth across his mouth.

“What time is it?”

“Almost half past midnight.” Bo parted the ends of his shirt and slid it down his arms. He tossed it towards a wicker basket in the corner of the room and got a pair of dark blue pajama bottoms out of his dresser.

“When are we going to shop for Valentine’s Day?”

“Probably on Monday, in case we run into problems.” Luke said as he turned and laid back on his bed, pulling his covers up to his waist.

Finally dressed for sleep, Bo tossed his jeans and socks in the hamper then peeled back his bed. He climbed into it with a sigh, the long night of dancing finally catching up with him.

“Night Cousin.”

“Night Bo.” Luke murmured as he settled into sleep.

Turning towards the edge of his bed, Bo reached out and flicked off the lamp.  As darkness enveloped the room the sound of Luke’s deep even breathing made Bo smile as he too closed his eyes and settled down for the night.

 

 

***********       *****************

 

 

“God I’m so not ready for this!”  Michelle mumbled as she parked her white Monte Carlo along the sidewalk in front of the Drug City store. Silently kicking herself for waiting until almost the last minute to go shopping, she got out and walked around the hood then stepped up onto the sidewalk. Putting the keys to the car in her jean pocket, she pulled the sunglasses off of her face and tucked them into the front of the blue plaid shirt she wore.

With things at the ATF being hectic and a major bust looming on the horizon, the Revenuer had forgotten all about Valentine’s Day. Now with the holiday only two days away, Michelle rushed up the walkway and practically ran through the automatic door.

Excusing herself as she weaved through the aisles, she finally found the seasonal section and stopped dead in her tracks.

“Oh no.” She muttered as she saw the high shelves on both sides of the aisle lined from top to bottom with cards, candy hearts and brightly colored stuffed animals.

“How the heck am I going to make up my mind?”

“Overwhelming, isn’t it?” A voice asked from behind Michelle’s left shoulder. Turning around, Michelle saw a brunette woman in blue scrub pants and a white shirt with dogs and cats covering the surface of them. At first Michelle creased her brow, not recognizing who it was but then realization dawned on her and she smiled.

“Hi Donna, been a while.”

Donna smiled as she took the shades from the top of her head and slipped them in the tan hand bag that dangled from her arm.

“Yeah sorry about that, I’ve been flooded with patients now that Dr. Kendall has retired.”

“Getting all the patients from him?”

“All his Capitol City patients plus Sweetwater, Chickasaw and of course Hazzard.”

Michelle nodded then glanced back at the Valentine covered aisle. “Let me guess, you’re here for Luke’s gift?”

“And you’re here for Bo’s.” Michelle then gazed down the aisle and shook her head.

“What do you think? Any ideas?”

“I just got here so I haven’t had a chance to look.” Her expression brightened and Michelle touched Donna’s arm.

“Since we’re both in the same boat, let’s see if we can figure out what to get the boys together.”

Donna’s eyebrows went up and she smiled. “I really like that idea Michelle.”

Walking together, the two girls started at the display of cards.  Donna picked up one that had a brown gorilla on it and read it. She wrinkled her nose at the words.

“What is it?” Michelle asked as she saw the face Donna made. She took plucked a card from the display and glanced at the inside text.

“Too mushy, Luke isn’t a mushy kind of guy.” She replaced one card then picked up another.

“Bo is, he tends to be very romantic.” Michelle read another card then replaced it then finally shook her head.

“None of these are right, it’s either too smart assed or dripping with oatmeal.”

“You’re right.” Donna put her card back and sighed.

“Maybe a card just isn’t the right gift. Let’s see what else we can find.”

“All right.”

Going further down the tall shelves, Donna came to the beginning of where the candy began. From the bottom up there were bags of foiled covered candy and conversational hearts then the candy filled hearts began, some were the size of saucers and then progressively got bigger. The ones that were at the girls’ eyelevel were the size of dinner plates and the ones above them were as big as manhole covers.

“Wow, talk about sugar heaven!” Shaking her head Michelle looked at all the variety of candy; some were chocolate covered cherries, chocolate coated nut clusters, coconuts, caramels, toffee and dark chocolates and even chocolate covered mints shaped like little hearts. She reached out and snagged a red velvet heart filled with a sampler box.

“Bo likes candy, I wonder if he would like something like this.”

“Luke isn’t a big candy eater, just an occasional candy bar. I think I’ve seen him eat cookies or cake before chocolates.” Donna glanced up at the bigger hearts and shook her head at one in particular that boasted five pounds of pralines.

“I can’t imagine eating that much candy.”

Michelle replaced the heart then touched Donna on the arm to get her attention.

“You said that Luke likes baked stuff? Well maybe we can go to a bakery and order a special cake or something.” She paused a moment then shrugged at Donna’s puzzled gaze.

“Bo isn’t a bon-bon kind of guy either.”

“All right so maybe a special dessert, what else?”

“Umm well let’s see what else they have.”

The girls then moved towards another further down the aisle; towards the middle section were animals of every shape and size. Some of the stuffed creatures held hearts, candy or sang songs and danced when their paws were pressed. Donna picked up a small furry gorilla with a heart in his arms and she shook her head.

“You drive me bananas, Valentine.” She read the word embroidered on the heart in the center of the gorilla’s chest.

“You drive me bananas?” Michelle repeated then wrinkled her nose. She spotted a Bassett hound with floppy ears, a red heart attached to its collar.

“Valentine, you make me howl.”

Donna rolled her eyes at the white words on the heart and put the gorilla back on the shelf.

“That’s it, I think we need to think about what we’re gong to get them Michelle. Everything we’ve seen so far is cheesy, mushy or overloaded with calories! Nothing I’ve seen is good enough for them.”

Michelle nodded. “I love Bo Donna; I want a way to show him that doesn’t involve silly animals or diabetes in a box.” She said as she put the hound dog down.

“I know how you feel, I’m absolutely crazy in love with Luke and this is our first Valentine’s Day together. I really want it to be memorable.” Donna crossed her arms over chest as she looked at all the merchandise; her face reflecting disappointment.

“I don’t think we’re going to find what we want here.”

“Probably not, but it’s not the only place here in Capitol City we can go.” Michelle walked to the end of the aisle; she stared out of the front doors seeing the other stores the shopping center had to offer. She saw something else and a smile came to her face.

“Donna, I think I know what we can do.” Turning back to the brunette veterinarian, she curled her finger at her.

Puzzled, Donna joined Michelle then looked at where she pointed. A grin lit up her features as well and she nodded.

“I see where you’re going with this and I think its perfect!”

“Yeah we better hurry; Valentine’s Day is the day after tomorrow. Let’s just hope something is still available.”

Both women quickly walked to the exit of the store and headed across the street.

 

 

***********       *****************

 

Bo gazed in the bathroom mirror as he wiped off water from his face and chest. Having just freshly shaved, he dabbed at his cheeks with a towel then picked up a dark blue bottle from the edge of the white sink.

“Luke, you almost ready?” He called out as he poured some aftershave in the palm of his hands, rubbed them together and patted his face. The slight burn of the alcohol on the skin made him hiss through his teeth.

“Yeah just give me a minute!” Luke answered back from the bedroom.

“A minute’s all you got Cousin!” Bo said as he picked up the towel and wiped his hands. He draped the towel over the grey shower curtain. A maroon shirt hung from the doorknob; Bo turned around and took the shirt and shrugged it on then began to button it.

“We have to pick up the girls in fifteen minutes.”

“I hear ya.” Luke stood in the doorway; the brunette man in a black shirt and a brand new pair of dark blue jeans.

“So what do you think? Think Donna will approve?”

“Yeah, you look good Cousin.” Bo then spread his arms. Along with the maroon shirt that made his blond hair stand out, he had decided on black jeans.

“And me?”

“You stud you.” Luke chuckled at the face Bo made then patted his back.

“We best go Bo, the girls are waiting.”

Smiling appreciatively, he nodded. “Can’t wait to see how they like our gift.”

“Me either.” Luke walked out of the bathroom with Bo following.

“Course they might find it strange we’re going to Hazzard Pond.”

“They might, but I’m sure they’ll catch on when they see what we got planned.” Luke plucked the keys to the General Lee from the hook by the door and tossed them to his cousin.

“Here you go.”

Bo caught the keys then glanced down at them. “You got everything loaded in the back?”

“All set.” Luke checked his watch and opened the door.

“I just hope that it’s not too cold out there or we’ll have to build a fire.”

“That’s not a problem; we’ve been camping plenty of times.” Bo waited till Luke stepped out of the apartment before he closed and locked the door behind him.

“Yeah we’ve been camping Bo but not with the girls.”

They headed down the hall towards the elevator when Bo stopped.

“There’s always a first time Cousin.”

Luke scoffed at Bo and shook his head as the elevator dinged and the wood paneled doors parted.

 

 

***********       *****************

 

The General Lee’s headlights splashed across the open field. Taking an unpaved country road, the big stock car jostled lightly as the tires went over the rough ground. The boys had gone and picked up the girls; both of them had dressed up for the occasion, Michelle in a knee length red dress with a light sweater over it, while Donna had chosen a red silk shirt and matching skirt. To keep the element of surprise, each woman had been blindfolded.

“So what are we doing here?” Michelle asked from the backseat as a rough spot and got thrown a little forward. Beside her in the backseat Donna shrugged; she took recognized that they were out in the middle of nowhere.

The boys turned and looked at each other, exchanging a knowing grin. They drove further on until finally a familiar spot came into view.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” Bo said as he brought the General Lee to a stop then leaned to one side and gripped the roof as he climbed out. He took Michelle by the hand and grasped her waist, lifting her out of the passenger window.

“Bo, what’s going on?” Michelle took his hand and gave it a squeeze.

Luke helped Donna out and put his arm around her waist.

“I really don’t like this Luke; you two are being way too quiet.”

“You’ll get those blindfolds off in a minute.”

Exchanging glances again, Bo looked pointedly at her cousin.

“Now Luke?
“Now Bo.”

The blindfolds were taken off and after a few moments of adjusting eyesight, both Michelle and Donna gasped.

The boys had driven to Hazzard Pond; beside the body of water a large white tent had been set up, the ends of it pinned back with a pair of tiki torches set up to offer light. Inside the tent sat a single table with two red roses, two chairs and a bottle of white whine chilling in a silver bucket.

“Now before you two think this is your gifts, there’s more.” Luke said as he and Bo walked the girl into the tent, then pulled out their chairs for them.

“You both have a seat and have a sip of wine.” Bo picked up the bottle, the cork had already been removed and he poured them each a glass.

Donna picked up the rose and sniffed it, then smile at Luke as he pushed in her chair.

“Thank you.” She said to Luke and then to Bo as he handed her a glass.

“Give us a moment.” Luke rounded the table and motioned with his chin for Bo to join him outside of the tent.

“What do you suppose they’re up to?” Michelle asked her companion; she picked up the glass and sipped the wine.

“Not sure, you never know with those two.”

“You got the–”

“Oh yes.” Donna smiled then she tried her wine.

Part of the tent rustled and got moved aside as Bo and Luke came back in. Both men had smiles on their faces; each one carrying a beige guitar.

Now it was Donna and Michelle’s turn to trade glances, both of them puzzled. They watched as the boys brought two stools from outside and set them down near the table. Sitting down, Bo and Luke each set their guitars in their laps and their fingers danced along the taut strings as they began to play. The dual guitars formed a sweet yet haunting melody.

Bo glanced down at his guitar a moment, he played a little clumsily at first but then began to relax and get into the music. He glanced at Luke once, who gave a nod.

Facing forward again, Bo took in a deep breath and together, the Duke boys began to sing…

 

Born together,

Drifted apart,

The two remained joined,

At the heart,

Separate lives,

Separate dreams,

Not meant to reunite,

It seems…

 

And then one day,

Destiny stepped in,

And revealed to them both,

They had a twin,

Closing a hole,

Ending the pain,

 

 

Born together,

Drifted apart,

The two remained joined,

At the heart,

Separate lives,

Separate dreams,

Not meant to reunite,

It seems…

 

The two have joined formed a bond,

That will forever remain,

And now my Darling,

I want you to know,

Our love means everything,

And it will only grow,

You are my love,

My life, through and through,

You are the best,

And I am so blessed, to have you……

 

The boys stopped playing, the notes from the guitar still hung in the air when they both gazed at the two women that sat at the table.

Donna and Michelle had tears rolling down their faces, but amongst them were smiles.

“Bo that was beautiful–” Michelle wiped her cheeks as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Bo whispered in her ear as he held her close.

Donna watched Michelle and Bo then looked at Luke. He had a small sheepish grin on his face.

“What did you think?”  He asked almost shyly.

Curling her finger at him, a smile came to Donna’s face. “Come on over here Duke and you’ll find out!”

Luke walked around the table and Donna put her hands on his shoulders and drew him into a hug.

“Let me show you what I thought of it Luke.” She whispered as she pressed her lips to his in a slow, gentle kiss.

“We weren’t sure what to get you,” Bo said as he gazed in Michelle’s face, his arms around her waist.

“Funny because Donna and I had the same problem.” Michelle stared into the dark blue eyes. “But it was beautiful Bo, I’ve never had anyone ever serenade me before.”

The kiss finally broken, Luke took in a deep breath. “We thought this would be the best gift to give you, something that Bo and I wrote together.”

“It was special and I’ll never forget it Luke.” Donna touched his cheek gently then gave him another kiss.

“Didn’t want to get you just anything.” Bo added. “We remembered a story Uncle Jesse told us about his first Valentine’s Day with our aunt and he did something like this for her.”

“Michelle and I went shopping together for gifts for you both but we couldn’t find anything we like.” Donna looked at Michelle who nodded in agreement.

“Unless you wanted a heart-bearing gorilla and five pounds of pralines.”

Bo cringed at the thought then shook his head. “Luke and me don’t need anything really, long as we have the two of you.”

Donna heard that then suddenly grinned. “Oh so we can take your gifts back?”

“Gifts?” Luke piped up and she nodded as she raised a hand and combed her fingers through Luke’s dark hair.

“Yeah that’s what I said…gifts.”

“Oh you didn’t have to get us anything.” Bo gazed down at Michelle who only shrugged.

“We wanted to.”

“We did, and we thought about something that would really make you two happy.” Donna said then stepped away from Luke. She went over to the table and picked up her small red handbag.

“Now its you and Luke’s turn to close your eyes.”

“Come on, we let you two blindfold us.” Michelle said when she saw the boys’ expressions turn skeptical.

Glancing at Luke, who shrugged, Bo reluctantly closed his eyes. Luke did the same and Michelle stepped close to each one and waved her hand in front of their faces.

“Okay Donna, they can’t see.”

Opening the purse, Donna pulled out two envelopes and gently pressed into each one of the Duke boys’ hands.

“Go ahead, open them.” Michelle stood by Donna waiting to see their reactions.

“You go first Bo.” Luke said as he held his envelope but didn’t dare open it just yet.

“Chicken–” Bo tore open and end and reached inside.  He pulled out a folded piece of paper, opened it and read what it said.

“This entitles you Bo Duke to a romantic week of fun in the beautiful hills of Tennessee–” He stopped then read the rest silently. Gazing over the letter at Michelle, he scooped her up in a hug.

“Aw Sweetheart! Thank you!”

“Tennessee?” Luke said, a tinge of excitement in his voice as he tore open his envelope and read the letter.

“Holy Smokes! A week in Nashville!”

Donna started to open her mouth then gasped when Luke lifted her off the ground in a hug

“Ah! Luke!” She laughed as she put her arms around his neck

“Man I’ve been wanting to go! I just ain’t had the time!”

“I know that’s why Michelle and I did it, that way we can have a nice vacation.”

“So when do we leave?” Bo asked again then looked at the letter.

“Next week.” Michelle answered then showed him where it mentioned the flight.

“We fly out of Atlanta in the morning and get to Tennessee in time for lunch.”

“The itinerary is there somewhere.” Donna looked through the papers then found it and showed it to Luke.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, we can get the boys to cover us.” Luke sighed then tucked the papers back in the envelope. He gazed at Donna and his expression softened.

“Thank you.” He whispered then kissed her softly.

Bo nodded as he gathered Michelle in another hug. “You didn’t have to do this, but thank you for it Michelle.”

Michelle sighed as she hugged Bo, leaning her head on his shoulder. “We’re going to have so much fun, I can’t wait to go. I can’t wait to see Nashville together.” Michelle whispered and Bo nodded.

“It’s going to be great.”

Luke kissed Donna again and went to the table. He got the bottle of wine and poured another glass.

“Well let’s celebrate!” He said as he handed one glass to Bo and got another for himself.

“Now you’re talking Cousin!” Bo took the glass and sipped the wine then smiled.

“Well it ain’t Uncle Jesse’s shine but…”

“Oh it ain’t so bad Bo.” Luke held his glass up.

“To Uncle Jesse, who made this a special Valentine’s Day.”

“To Uncle Jesse!” They all touched glasses then had a sip of their wine.

Everyone drank, the two couples staring at one other. The love and affection they held clear in their gaze.

 

END.

 

 

 

by: Chet Duke

**Sometime in the summer of 2004.**

Lights shown brightly over the Hazzard County fair grounds, trucks and horse trailers surrounded the make shift rodeo arena. The entire grounds buzzed with laughter and cheers from both the high grand stands and behind the scenes. Young and old cowboys from all over had turned up to try there luck at the local first annual Hazzard Rodeo.

The event was proving worth its while to the aging Boss and Sheriff, Rosco P. Coltrane. He stood watching from the side of the fence as a young man climbed onto the back of a fierce looking black saddle bronc horse and readied himself. As the gate flew open only moments later, the young rider was thrown air born and dropped in the mud.

Rosco laughed softly and sputtered his approval, but his enjoyment was about to be short lived. His deep blue eyes raised as he caught the glint of light off a shiny belt buckle, the buckle being worn by another young man. This one with dark features, his Stetson jet black, matching his hair, jeans and boots. His chaps a deep chocolate color with long swaying fringe. The old sheriff blinked his eyes and hurried towards the bucking chute, there was the very man he’d been seeking to arrest.

Nineteen year old Chet Duke climbed into the bucking chute, where the fierce black horse had been herded back into for his try at the unridable horse flesh. Fearlessly he measured out the broncs halter rope and settled himself in the hornless saddle. Just as the sheriff rounded the corner of the chutes the gate swung open the mighty horse sky rocketed out of there like hell on wheels.

The wild horse sprang and kicked its large hooves into the sky, twisting and turning in angered bucking. The young outlawed Duke boy swayed in the saddle, taking the outlawed horse as a well matched challenge to his own tainted outlaw blood. The crowd stood and a roaring cheer went over the entire arena, they knew the cowboy was about to make the buzzer. Chet rode out the bronc until the buzzer sounded and a pick up man on a bay horse galloped up beside him. He quickly grabbed onto the pickup man and dismounted the bucking outlaw.

Rosco jogged hurriedly to meet the young Duke at the alley gate, stopping and standing a couple feet back from the fence. He watched as Chet slide from his hold on the pick up man and received a firm pat on the shoulder from the older cowboy. Casually he made his way towards the alley gate, pausing to untie his glove then moving forward once again.

Suddenly a fine wave of warning rushed through him to the bone and he looked up. His mismatched eyes met by the deep, intense blue eyes of the sheriff, each man looking through the fence at each other. Both gazed, the cowboys eyes cold and as mean and fierce as the black bucking horse. Chet stood entirely still frozen in his steps, his brow furrowed and his teeth gritted. The Sheriff watched him with keen eyes, the young man was intimidating to say the least.

Tall and well muscled, his dark blue wrangler shirt dusty from his ride, carefully defining the tenseness in his body. They glared at each other, like a man watching a killer 2,000 pound bull with nothing but a fence standing between life and death. Chet snorted a goading breath through his nostrils, daring the older man to come and get him.

Chet’s heart raced in his chest and with a sharp turn from the fence he began running for the end of the arena. On the other side of the fence the Sheriff lit out in the same direction that the outlaw was running, watching him through the fence. The cowboy climbed up on the end of the fence and leapt on his waiting horses back and tor away from the make shift area.

The long red chestnuts Thoroughbreds body stretched out in a long hard gallop understanding ever command that his master asked of him. Rosco ran up to one of the pick up me and grabbed the reins of his horse.

“Im Roscoooo P. Coltrane and Im commandeering this horse!! Khee! Git. Move! Get off!” Rosco sputter and the pick up man disappointed and was replaced by the old Sheriff.

Kicking his heals to the stocky quarter horses sides the Sheriff urged the pick up horse into a run towards the woods, pursuing the cowboy. Deep into the woods the two riders dangerously galloped on horse back.

Although the quarter horse proved to be more sure footed the Thoroughbred moved more agilely over the terrain that he’d been trained to move over. Chet glanced over his shoulder looking to see if he was being chased. His brow raised in surprise as he spotted the Sheriff in the distance moving in on the horse he’d borrowed.

“Your getting smarter old man…” Chet muttered to himself as he came out of the woods and onto a dirt road. He turned his horse onto the road and galloped him over the bridge and down the road for 30 or 40 yards. Then he turned him off onto the grass on the edge of the road and back tracked.

Carefully he steered Red down into the creek bed and wadded him out into the knee high water. With gentle guidance he turned the tall horse under the bridge and backed him up against the concrete walls beneath the bridge. Chet and his horse stood quietly, listening for the Sheriff.

In a few moments the rumble of the quarter horses hooves came closer and soon right over the bridge above Chet’s head. He waited patiently listening as the clopping hooves mellowed out, growing further away as the Sheriff fallowed the road and disappeared around the bend.

Once Chet was convinced that the Sheriff had ridden far enough away he guided his horse out from under the bridge and loped him up the bank. The cowboy chuckled to himself and turned to the west and disappeared into the deep dense forest. He would return to his hide out in the abandoned ghost town known as the Sleepy City and keep clear of town for a few days.

*Two Days Later.*

“Awwwwww right, ya were going 41 in a 40 mile zone. Leme see your license and registration buddy.” Rosco said standing at the window of an old Buick.

The driver mumbled something and handed the sheriff his license and registration as he was asked to do so. The Sheriff checked the information over and abruptly wrote the driver a ticket and handed him back his belongings.

“Khee, don’t let me catch ya speeding again. Kheee, git!” The Sheriff walked back toward his cruiser and the ticketed driver pulled away.

As he approached the patrol car another car pulled up and skidded to a stop directly behind the vehicle. Four men got out of the car and hurried over to the Sheriff grabbing him roughly by his arms and pinning him against the side of the patrol car.

“Cooo! Jit! Let me go I say!” Rosco sputtered in alarm.

One of the bigger of the four drew back his fist while his comrades held the Sheriff pinned down and punched him in the face.

“Ooo! That smarts.” Rosco grimaced and muttered.

The attacker drew back to hit him again, but the Sheriff titled to one side and the mans fist shattered through the window of the car. The sound of the glass shattering echoed over the hay fields.

Both Chet and his horse looked up from resting near a fence in a field a quarter of a mile from the road that Rosco was on. Closely fallowing the sound came a pained yelp and Chet creased his brow.

“That don’t sound good.” He gathered his reins and mounted his horse, turning the tall animal towards the road.

Chet cantered the long legged Thoroughbred up onto the top of the hill and looked down. From there he could see the road and the Sheriff being attacked. His brow furrowed, he couldn’t stand to see the older man beaten to death. Although he was often his very own enemy he was a senior Hazzardite who didn’t deserve such treatment from anyone.

Chet squeezed his legs around his horse, Red burst into a thundering canter down the slope and into the neighboring field picking up speed as the ground leveled out. The well trained equine sprinted gallantly even as they approached the heavy patch of forest that led up onto the road.

Chet leaned over the horses neck, ducking tree branches and hugging the horse with his legs. The scene came into view between the trees as they neared, the old Sheriff doing his best to fight back against steep odds and floundering under a rein of fists.

The horse and rider burst from the trees, leaping over the ditch on the side of the road. Chet leaned to the side and lunged from his saddle tackling two of the four men to the ground. He lit into them with his fists immediately, going for there face in a raging attempt to knock them senseless.

Rosco also quickly took advantage of the men that had been tackled, he began to fight back harder against the two men that still attacked him. The odds more in his favor, he punched one of the men knocking him back towards Chet’s horse. The horses ears laid back and his lip wrinkled in anger. The 1200 pound animal lowered its head bitting the man and striking him fiercely with a front hoof.

Chet plundered the attackers, the man on his right fell unconscious under the rein of blows. But the other slipped away and managed a hard kick to Chet’s ribs rolling the Duke boy over. He got up as quickly as possible with the wind knocked out of him he gasped for air.

Quickly he snapped a hard kick to the mans mid section and he folded. Chet swung a double fisted blow nailing the assaulter square in the face and knocking him onto his back unconscious and out for the count.

Rosco nailed his second attacker causing him to stumble back where Chet caught him and slammed him head long into the side of the patrol car. The ugly man staggered and the Sheriff finished him with one punch. Rosco straitened from landing the punch, his chest heaving in exertion he came face to face with the one man he’d been trying to catch for so many months. Chet Duke.

Chet breathed deeply through his nose, coming down from the adrenalin he’d been spurred on to fight. His mismatched eyes met the deep blue icy eyes the Sheriff, his own nemesis standing only a few short feet in front of him. The cowboys brow creased expecting to have hand cuffs slapped on his wrists at any moment. Anger shielded the fear in his eyes and he swallowed hard.

Rosco gazed into Chet’s eyes in return trying to understand the young mans thoughts and sensing the shields going up hiding….hiding something he thought. He watched him, waiting to find what it was the younger man was feeling. His body seemed so tense, so apprehensive in his presence. The sheriff blinked seeing for a moment beneath the anger and darkness in the Dukes eyes. Fear…had he really just seen fear in this creature, a man known to be so hardened and vile…was afraid. Rosco let his shoulders sag and relax, relieved to be alive and breathing.

Chet’s brow drifted up and he stepped back noting the sag in Rosco’s shoulders, it was obvious he had seen something in his deep intent stare. His conscious mind began screaming for him to turn and get on his horse and run for all he was worth. But it was no use, even that old man could grab him before he could get in the saddle. Chet’s own shoulders sagged in deep dreadful defeat, he was caught right in the laws shadow.

His head bowed in surrender and he slowly held out his wrists awaiting the cold hard steel bands of confinement. All those years of running, escaping and running again were about to come to a end. A honorable end, he thought, he’d saved the Sheriffs life, or at least saved him from certain terrible pain.

Rosco’s brow raised as he notice the sag in the young mans shoulders and the bow in his head. The look of defeat and the dreary thoughts of confinement showing so plainly in his eyes and expression. The old Sheriff glanced down at the beaten men on the ground, he’d known the moment they’d attacked that his chances of walking away or surviving had just been washed out like a bridge in a flood.

This young man in his very presence, a rogue, a outlaw so thickly despised had showed up in just the nick of time. Rosco swallowed looking down at Chet’s offered wrists and open hands of surrender. He was responsible for his very life…. there’ll be other days to chase him, but today it seemed like the right thing to do to just look the other way. Without a second thought or pause for judgement Rosco placed his hand into Chet’s open palm, closing his fingers in a hand shake.

Chet looked up shocked to see the offering of thanks, he shook the older mans hand in return. There grips firm and without words, they were not needed to say what the hand shake meant.

After a few long moments, Rosco released the younger mans hand, clearing his throat as he turned back to his patrol car to use the CB.

“Go on…. get outta here…” He muttered sitting down in the seat.

A side ways grin pulled at Chet’s lips and he turned on his heal and vaulted onto his horses back. Quickly he gathered his reins and kneed the equine into a gallop to the edge of the rode. The horse leapt over the ditch and galloped into the dense forest, bending around trees and brush they disappeared.

“Enos, get out here to Pine Tree Road.” Rosco came over the CB.

“Yes Sheriff, everything ok?” Enos scrambled to start his patrol car and pealed out driving like mad to get to where the Sheriff was.

“Yes you dipstick, now get over here!”

As the sheriff set the mic down the other patrol car slide up to the front of Rosco’s and the middle aged deputy got out. His eyes widened seeing the four men laying on the ground.

“Possum-on-a-gumbush sheriff… did you fight all them yourself?”

“Khee…khee you bet I did.” The Sheriff raised his fists. “Well I did have a little help. Khee-git. I’ll tell you about it later. Cuff em’ and stuff em’ Khee.”

Chet galloped his horse back up onto the hill that he’d witnessed the attack upon the sheriff from. He slowed his horse and drew him to a stop at the peak of the hill turning around to look back again. He could see Enos pull up and help the Sheriff load the four men into the patrol cars and he couldn’t help but grin in a warm sense of pride. The Duke boy kneed his horse gently and trotted down the slope riding away, free to run another day.

THE END [Written January 2007]

by: LostSheep3

An orange stock car rounded the bend in the road, a sign reading “Hazzard” becoming visible in the encroaching twilight. The blond driver pulled the car to the side of the road, regarding the sign for a long minute.

He had been gone so long that being back seemed almost unreal. Five years is a long time to be away from home, when home is the only place you’d ever known. But being gone hadn’t been right, he wondered if being back would be. He hoped it would.

The blonde’s roots ran deep in this land. His family had lived here for over 200 years, farming and making moonshine. They’d always lived off the land, and now that land was in danger of being taken away, once and for all.

Bo thought back to the day he received the letter in the mail from his older cousin. The letter shocked him, learning that the farm, which had been mortgaged and paid off more times than Bo could remember, was now really and truly in danger of being taken for good. A loan had been taken out for a new tractor – the old one just wasn’t able to do the job any longer. Unfortunately, due to unusually heavy rains, the crop had failed. That was all Luke had said…just that, and asking Bo to come home, if he could.

Now Bo was here…and he wasn’t sure he could continue. The farm, the only true home he’d ever known, lay just a few miles east of where he sat, but it may as well have been hundreds. Coming back after so long was proving to be harder than Bo had ever thought it would be. His family didn’t know he was coming, he could turn around and leave now, and no one would ever be the wiser…but he couldn’t do it. Dukes didn’t run from their problems, they faced them. So putting the car into gear once more, Bo headed for home.

Luke Duke was in the barn, finishing up evening chores…and worrying over the problem with the mortgage, when he heard the roar of a familiar engine heading in his direction. He wiped a hand over his brow, shaking his head, thinking he was hearing things. The General had been gone so long that he figured he was going crazy.

Putting away the grain bucket that he was carrying, Luke started for the house, jumping back in surprise when the General pulled to a stop across his path. “Bo?” Luke was sure his eyes were deceiving him.

Bo Duke slid out of the driver’s side of the orange car, landing on the ground easily with his years of practice. “Hey, Luke.” His voice was hesitant, almost shy.

“I don’t believe it….” Luke stared at the blond, noting changes in his cousin, the older look of him from the young man who’d left. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

“I almost didn’t,” Bo answered honestly.

The screen door squeaked on it’s hinges as it opened, a tall, thin brunette rushing out, calling out to her cousin “BO!!!!!!” Running forward, Daisy Duke jumped into her cousin’s arms, Bo catching her almost by accident in his surprise.

“Daisy….” Bo whispered, hugging his cousin tightly.

“God, it’s good to see you. Where have you been?” Daisy greeted, holding her cousin in a bear hug.

“I’d like to know that too…” said the older gentleman in overalls and a red cap as he joined the rest of the family.

“Uncle Jesse…” Bo said, disentangling himself from Daisy’s hold, but keeping one arm around her as he turned to face his uncle – the head of the family.

“Where have you been? Hardly a word from you in years…and here you are.” Jesse’s face registered his surprise…and an honest bit of anger that his youngest had seemed to abandon the family.

“Uncle Jesse…I’m sorry. I promise – I won’t do that again…please let me come home.” The blonde’s deep blue eyes reflected his pain and sorrow at causing his family worry…and anger.

In answer Jesse nodded once. “Dinner’s almost ready, you kids best get washed up,” he said, turning to go into the house.

“Come on, Bo, it’ll be okay,” Luke said, patting Bo on the back, then leading the “kids” into the two-story white farmhouse.

After dinner Luke found Bo out by the pasture, leaning against the fence and watching the old mule graze on her evening hay ration. Bo turned as he heard footsteps approaching.

“Why, Bo?”

“I told you in my letters, Luke,” Bo answered, turning back toward the pasture.

“You said you felt restless. On edge. You wanted to race, to enjoy life.”

“I did.”

“And yet you always made sure I knew where you were – even if it was just a postcard.”

“I did.”

“I don’t understand, Bo.”

Bo remained silent, looking into the field for several more long minutes before he started speaking. “I left because I felt smothered. Here I was always Jesse Duke’s nephew…Luke Duke’s cousin. I wasn’t Bo Duke…and I started losing my grasp on who Bo Duke was. I needed to find out who I was…and where I belonged…and I thought the only way to do that was to leave.”

“Why for so long? Why didn’t you come back sooner?”

“At first I never intended to stay gone so long. I wanted to come back. But the longer I stayed gone, the harder it was to come back. At first, I was just going to stay gone for one more race, then one more week…one more month. After a year, then two, it just started to get harder and harder to turn the car toward Hazzard.” Bo paused, looking over the pasture, lost in thought. “Yet I wanted to be here. I missed my family, my home…but the longer I stayed gone, the more I feared returning.”

“Then why now? Why this time?”

“Because it was time, and I could help. I hardly spent a penny that I’ve made over the past few years. I spent so much time on the racin’ circuit. Meals, lodging, everything was paid for except the maintenance and gas for General. I saved everything else…It should be more than enough to cover the cost of the mortgage.”

“And?” Luke asked, not believing that that was the only reason.

“I was pursuing what I thought was a dream…and I was miserable. I missed this place…my home, my family…and my best friend.” Bo turned to look at Luke. “Racin’ was our dream…together. Without my best friend…it just wasn’t right.”

“Are you home to stay? Nothing much has changed, the farm is still the farm…and you’ll still be Jesse’s nephew and my cousin.”

“Yeah, I am, if you’ll have me. I’ll still be Jesse’s nephew and you’re cousin…but now I know who Bo Duke is…and where he belongs,” Bo answered with a small smile.

Luke finally returned Bo’s smile and held out his hand to Bo. “Welcome home, Cousin.”

Bo shook Luke’s hand, then found himself tugged into a bear hug. “Thanks, Cousin….it’s good to be home.”