Critical Decisions, ch. 5

by: Marty Chrisman

Jesse was in the barn taking care of the goat when he glanced up and saw Kelly come into the barn. Daisy was at work and the boys were out in one of the fields fixing a fence that needed mending.

“Morning, Honey.” He said, as Kelly sat down on a bale of hay beside the goat. Jesse could tell that she had something on her mind, something important from the expression on her face. He waited patiently for her to tell him what was she wanted to talk about. Pulling up the old wooden stool, he sat down and started milking the goat.

Finally, Kelly said “Uncle Jesse, I need to tell Luke something but I don’t know how to do it.”

“Is it something important? Something he needs to know about?”

“Yeah,” Kelly admitted “But I’m scared to tell him. I’ve already told him so many secrets he didn’t know about that I’m not sure if he can handle another one.”

“Well,” Jesse said thoughtfully “If it’s that serious and Luke really needs to know about it, then I reckon you’ll find a way to tell him when the time is right.” He looked at her closely, then asked in a concerned voice “Is it something that could cause trouble between you and Luke?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Kelly said, rising to her feet “At least I hope not.” She sighed softly, almost wistfully “But it is gonna hurt him and I’ve already hurt him enough since I’ve been back.” As she started to leave the barn, Jesse said over his shoulder

“Luke loves you. Just remember that. No matter what, that boy loves you.”

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Drifting Home, ch. 5

by: Chet Duke

Another Day

It had been a long two weeks of healing, but finally the young outlaw Duke boys strength had begun to return with brute force. He was now practically 10 pounds heavier then he had been when he’d returned to Hazzard, an more healthy then he could ever remember being. Even as his body often reminded him of the beating, an his skin scabbed over an had begun to scar.

The last two weeks hadn’t been an entire waist of time, he’d made a trip to Atlanta, first to the impound yard to survey the goods. Eight impounded Mercedes, an two brand new Hummers would be his comrades first strike. Then he had stopped at the DMV an purchased a list of three locally owned 2005 Mustangs. Everything was turning up perfectly, if all went as he planned he’d be right in step with his Squad.

That Friday afternoon, he found himself dressed, fully prepared as he had been trained to be an ready to face up with Monty. Cooter returned to the garage after going to a tow job to find his young friend dressed in fresh clothes, that series, alert stiffness in his spine. Chet had told him that he would not be staying in Hazzard, that it was important that he return to New York with his squad.

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Critical Decisions, ch. 4

by: Marty Chrisman

Uncle Jesse, Daisy and Bo were all as excited as could be when Kelly and Luke got back to the farm and Luke told them that he had asked Kelly to marry him. Kelly couldn’t help but laugh as Daisy immediately started making plans, talking about the church, the cake, and other details.

“Whoa, Daisy” Luke told her with a laugh, holding up his hand to stop her “We haven’t even set a date yet.”

“I don’t care.” Daisy said, her eyes sparkling with joy. “A wedding takes a lot of time to plan so I just figured we might as well get started, that’s all.”

“Now, Daisy” Jesse said with a fond smile at his niece “Give Luke and Kelly some time to catch their breath. There’s gonna be time enough for all that.”

“Yee Haw!!” Bo said with a huge grin “Who gits to be your best man? Me or Cooter?”

“You of course.” Luke told him with a grin “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“And Uncle Jesse’s gonna give me away.” Kelly said “Aren’t you, Uncle Jesse?”

“I’d be proud to, child.” Jesse said

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Drifting Home, ch. 4

by: Chet Duke

Hide n’ Seek

The break of dawn came, bringing Cooter Davenport to the garage with the roosters crow. His rickety old tow truck clattered into the garages lot an came to an easy halt. Rubbing his eyes an yawning Cooter opened the trucks heavy old door an slid down from the truck as his eyes glanced over his garage. Suddenly he paused an his heart skipped a beat in his chest as his kind old eyes landed on the grill of the orange Dodge Charger parked beside the garage.

Right away he knew it wasn’t Bo’s General Lee, the grill spelt 1970 Dodge Charger, the same glassy orange Charger that he’d gone with Chet to fetch the night before. An the same Charger that Chet had driven away in, why was it hear now. With his brow creased in worry Cooter slammed the door on the old toe truck an started towards the orange car. Nearly jogging up to the car he quickly looked inside of it an glanced over the drivers side of the car with his back to the side of the garage.

Blankly he glanced up towards the rear of the car an froze in his tacks, his eyes spotting the black steal toed bull hide boots attached to the legs of a body laying behind the back of the car. A ragged looking sheet lay half torn an wrapped around the part of the bodies legs that Cooter could see. His breath caught in his throat in fear, his mind playing over gruesome scenes that he could imagine he was about to see.

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Critical Decisions, ch. 3

by: Marty Chrisman

Jesse was as concerned as Luke when he found out what had happened. He assured Kelly that she was welcome to stay at the farm as long as she wanted to. After supper that evening, Kelly and Luke went for a walk. Although Kelly loved being at the farm, it would make it more difficult for her and Luke to find time to be alone. Uncle Jesse might be all for their relationship but he would never let them sleep together in his house without being married. He was more open minded than most adults of his generation but not that open minded.

“Maybe Roscoe’s right,” Luke said as they walked along a path that led towards the back pasture. “Maybe it was just a bunch of kids that got into their daddy’s shine or something.” From the tone of his voice, Kelly knew that Luke didn’t believe that any more then she did. He was just trying to keep her from worrying.

“You don’t really believe that and neither do I.” Kelly said, stating the obvious.

“But I haven’t been back in town long enough to make anybody mad….at least not yet.”

“Well, you’re here now.” Luke said, slipping a protective arm around her waist “And I’m not about to let anything else happen.”

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