by: Essy Jane

Jo walked as fast as she could towards her family. She put the breaks on the stroller. Everyone was sitting there looking at each other. “How are they?” Jo asked Jose. The young man bit on his bottom lip.

“They were in the car for hours loosing blood. I can’t lie…Jesse and Bo didn’t look too good,” Jose mumbled.

“Oh my gosh, how did this happen? How? Why would anyone do this?” Jose swallowed hard. He turned away from Jo Anna. “You know something.”

“Jo, this isn’t the place to say this.”

“Jose, please.”

“There were two sets of tire marks besides the pick-up. There was evidence of a steam roller in front of the road. No constructions signs were around.”

“What?”

“Whoever did this, did it on purpose.”

“Who would want to run a farmer and his son off the road?” Judd asked.

“Anyone that knew what Dukes were capable of,” Lilly-Rose mumbled. Jo nodded her head softly. She looked at her cousin.

“That’s dead on,” Jo answered.

“I don’t know how many stories Bo told me about them being tied up or knocked off the road. The stories are endless,” Jose commented. Essy nodded.

“Whoever did this wants us out of the way,” Essy assumed.

“Now how do we explain that to Bo and Jesse?” One of the two surgeons came out. The family all stood up.

“I am Doctor Michaels I worked on Beauregard Duke,” The Doctor began.

“Umm, call him Bo okay?” Jose cut in.

“Okay, Bo is in pretty critical condition. He tore the muscle in his left shoulder. We repaired some of the muscle but it will be a good while before he can move it again. He hit his head pretty good. There was bruising of the brain. We had to go in and drain the blood. He had a collapsed lung. He’s in a comma and we won’t know much about his condition until he wakes up.”

Jo fell to her knees and broke down crying. Jose had never seen Jo cry like she was now. He went down to her side and held her. Jo wiped the tears out of her eyes.

“Can I see him, doctor?” Jo asked.

“Yes but only one in there at a time,” Doctor Michaels replied.

“Alright.”

“Okay, I’ll show you where his room is.” Jo walked into the room. Bo’s hair had been shaved right off. There was an IV in his left hand. He had all sorts of wires monitoring his brain waves. There was a tube going into his chest. “A nurse will come by and see you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” The doctor walked out of the room. There was a giant window on the other side of Bo’s bed. All the nurses were working from that side. Jo Anna paid no attention to the fish bowl her father had been put in. All she wanted was him to wake up.

“Daddy, you know, I never thought about you leaving me until today. What the world would be like if there was no Bo Duke. You know what? I don’t want to think of it. You’re too kind and too wonderful. Even the thought of you moving hundreds of miles away doesn’t compare to the thought of you dying right now,” Jo Anna cried.

She pushed away her tears. Jo wanted to be brave for her father. She always tried to put on a face for him. Jo loved her Dad more than anything. Bo took his kids everywhere he went. Nancy would do the same thing. The family was so tightly knitted together that to picture of them apart was unimaginable. Even if their dad lived in LA, they would see him just as much if not more than they saw Luke…that is if Bo got through this.

“Oh Dad, please open your eyes. I have three great reasons why you should. Cameron, Cal and Cara…they’re all waiting for you. You showed us a life of adventure. They need the same chance—even if LA is the place to do it,” Jo mumbled. Jose knocked on the door.

“Ah…I’m sorry to interrupt you but…” Jose began.

“Jesse’s out of surgery, thanks cousin.” Jo got up and looked at Jose. She smiled weakly. “Hey, sit with him for me? I wouldn’t want anyone else to be with my brother and Dad than you.”

“It would be an honor.” Jo Anna walked out and Jose sat down. He looked at all the tubing and such. “Man Bo, you got yourself into a real mess. I don’t know what to do. Everyone’s a real mess and it always seems they come to you whenever they’re in trouble. It’s funny—even though you’re younger than Dad, he came to you for advice. I couldn’t understand why. That is until I got here.”

Jose shook his head. He grabbed onto Bo’s hand and held it tight. Jose didn’t want to cry but the tears kept jumping up to the surface. Bo had been like a second father to him. Jose wanted him to be okay.

“Dad told me all these stories about your wild side. How you used to get him into trouble. There was one story in particular that I found funny…reminded me of Jesse. You two were trying to hide from this guy that was after you and all. You ended up sneezing and the guys showed up with a gun in your face. Dad said something like, ‘four against two.’ And you had to say, ‘I like those odds.’ You kicked the gun out of his hand. Dad made the first punch. You were fighting one of them and Dad had two holding him and one punching him. Well, you knocked your guy out and asked Dad if he need help. He said, ‘Come on Bo, anytime now.’ You hit one guy in the back of the head with a brick and kicked another one off of Dad,” Jose commented.

He watched Bo, hoping for some kind of reaction. Anything to prove he was going to be alright. Jose wanted Bo to open his eyes. Nothing seemed to happen.

“Bo, I’m more stubborn than you are. I’ll talk all month to you if I have to. Let’s see Bo, what’s another one of your many accomplishments? You were able to turn me around. Dad sure couldn’t—I don’t know why I didn’t listen to him. I guess it was because he was my father. Don’t get me wrong, Dad’s a great person but he didn’t have what I needed in New York,” Jose began. There was a knock on the door.

“Hey, sorry to bug you Jose,” Jo began.

“What is Jesse awake?”

“No he’s not…umm Lilly-Rose and I are leaving. Judd is gonna sit with Dad for a while and I need you to be with Jesse.”

“Where are you two going?”

“You know how they were knocked off the road?”

“Yeah?”

“Well I think that someone knew we would all rush to the hospital.”

“So what if we did? Our kin is hurt ain’t they?” Jose laughed. “I’m really starting to sound like Jesse.”

“I think they’re gonna try to rob The Hazzard Bank. Lilly-Rose maybe part Hogg but she’s got a lot of Duke in her. We can stop this.”

“You’re gonna go after these crooks while your Dad and brother lie in the hospital?”

“I am going because this is what my Dad would want me to do. I ain’t doing it because I am selfish.”

“Seems like you want revenge, Jo, and that is selfish. No, you should be here with your family. They are people that love you and care about you not to mention they need you.”

“I need to go.”

“Let Perry and Cletus worry about the bank.”

“I can’t believe you’re saying that. They won’t catch them and you know it.”

“Then at least let me go.”

“Bo and Jesse need someone who is important in their life and that’s you.”

“You’re a sister and a daughter to them. I’m a cousin. Now tell me, which one do they need more? Obviously not me, they need you.”

“How many times does Dad have to say you’re like a son to him?”

“Yeah well, you’re real. That’s what matters. You have been with Jesse since birth.”

“You are the only one that can make Jesse wake up.”

“Jesse’s not awake?”

“He’s in the same boat as Dad. Like father like son injuries.”

“His lung…”

“No, he had some glass in his throat, it swelled up. They couldn’t get a tube down his throat. They had to cut a hole in his neck.” Jose banged down hard.

“Man, why did this have to happen?”

“I don’t know but I’m going to find out.”

“No, you should stay.”

“You know, he’s got two broken arms.”

“Jesse broke both his arms.” Jo nodded softly. She shook her head.

“Don’t you see, he needs you.”

“Oh no, poor Jesse, man alive this is horrible.”

“Yeah it is and I can’t just sit here and let Cletus Hogg and Perry Coltrane mess this up.”

“Jo…”

“Oh don’t you Jo me.”

“Hey, be careful alright?”

“I sure will.”

“What about the triplets?”

“Essy’s taking them back to the farm. Judd’ll head there after a bit.”

“Jo, good luck.”

“I’m gonna need it.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. Look, I already have two cousins in the hospital…I don’t need two more.”

“Oh come on, you think I am gonna end up like this?”

“Look what they did to your Dad. Without any feeling, they hit his truck. Now what kind of people would do that?”

“Money hungry.”

“That’s right and those people care for nothing else.”

“Jose?”

“Yeah?”

“I am gonna miss you when you leave…so is Jesse. He looks like he’s already lost you.”

“He’ll never loose me.”

“That’s what they all say.”

“Well I hope he knows how much I care about him.” Jo nodded. “He does know?”

“No but you can tell him how much you care about him. Jesse always wants people to love him. If nothing else, tell him that he is loved. That no matted where you go, he will always be your brother.”

“But he’s not.”

“Oh he is.”

“Jo Anna?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m gonna miss you too.”

“At least someone will.” With that she ran out. Jose sighed as he looked at Bo.

“Man alive, she’s such a Duke.” With that, Jose walked out of Bo’s room and went into Jesse’s to switch with Judd. He wanted to make sure at least one of them woke up.

by: Essy Jane

Hours later, Jose was pacing back and forth. “Hey, dinner’s ready. Do you want to start without them?” Jo asked.

“You’re gonna have to start without me too,” Jose replied.

“Come again?”

“You need to look after the twins.”

“Jose, where are you going?”

“Don’t you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“Worried.”

“Yeah but…”

“But what? Jo…”

“It’s Dad and Jesse, they can handle themselves.”

“It doesn’t take this long to get seed! I know. Jesse and I usually get it together.”

“They’re fine Jose.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“Why what?

“Why say they’re fine when you know they’re not?”

“I hope they are.” Jose shook his head. He picked up the CB.

“This is lost sheep three calling Shepard, come in,” Jose began. There was nothing. “Lost sheep three calling Shepard come in.” Jose shook his head when he again heard nothing. “This is lost sheep three calling lost sheep two, do you got your ears on?” Jose waited again.

“Look, maybe they stopped somewhere,” Jo commented. Jose rolled his eyes.

“Lost sheep three calling manic mechanic come in,” Jose said over the CB.

“This is Manic Mechanic, what’s up Jose?” Lilly-Rose answered.

“Have you seen the Sheppard and his lost lamb come back.”

“Yeah about four hours ago heading back to base.”

“I’m heading out to look for them can you help?”

“You don’t have to ask me twice, over and gone.”

“This is Jack Rabbit calling lost sheep three are ya catching me come on,” Judd said over the CB.

“Yeah go ahead Jack Rabbit,” Jose replied.

“Messy Essy and I will help too.”

“Must obliged Jack Rabbit, 10-4 and I’m gone.” Jose grabbed his jacket and put it on. Jo grabbed his arm.

“Be careful,” Jo said.

“Awe you do care,” Jose answered. Jose slid on top of the General Lee and got in. He started up the engine. Jo Anna watched as he left.

“Please be alright,” She whispered to herself as she walked back into the farm house.

Back at the pick-up, everything became quiet. Well that is until Bo woke up. He shifted his eyes wondering where in the world he was. He looked at Jesse who was just laying there motionless. “Son?” Bo questioned softly. He stared at Jesse wondering if he would respond.

Bo was having trouble breathing. He struggled for every breath. As his eyes started to close, he forced them open. Bo couldn’t move his left arm. It hurt too much. His right arm seemed to be in much better shape.

Bo looked at his son again. Tears filled his eyes slowly. Bo knew he had to find a way to make someone find him. He grabbed the CB. “This is Shepard to lost sheep three, have you got your ears on, come back?” Bo began. There was no answer. However, Bo couldn’t give up hope. “Messy Essy, Manic Mechanic…are you out there, come back?” Again, there was no answer. He figured the antenna was bent. “Dang! JESSE, WAKE UP! Please, I don’t want to loose you.”

He saw how Jesse was sitting. Cross legged with his arms resting on his legs…a trail of metal trapped him in that position. Bo tried to rip it away but he couldn’t pull it hard enough. Besides, the pain radiated to his bad arm every time he tried.

All Bo could do was pray, pray for a miracle. He looked out the window. It was now dark. Bo couldn’t stand this. He couldn’t reach over and open his door. “This is impossible! What am I supposed to do, eat my way out?” Bo questioned. “Jesse, maybe you can—come up with a better plan then your old man. I frankly don’t know what to do,” Bo said through throbbing breaths. “Jesse, move your hand…show me you’re gonna be okay.” He watched his son carefully. But alas, all Bo could see was Jesse’s chest rise and fall. “Whelp, at least you’re breathing.”

Suddenly a very familiar sound arose in the distance. Bo knew the sound better than anything. It was an engine that Jesse had maintained. As the horn sounded, Bo became excited. He reached for his knife but couldn’t quite grab it. He saw his son’s boot sticking out of the metal. Bo shakily reached over and grabbed it. He opened it up and shoved it into the horn. The pickup horn began blaring.

“Help is coming Jesse, help is coming,” Bo said. Finally, he allowed his eyes to close. Jose heard the horn as clear as rain. He stopped the General and got out. He walked towards the sound. As it got closer, he saw that it was the family pick-up, Jose couldn’t help but run towards it. He looked at his two cousins, Jose’s heart began beating faster and faster.

He took out his cell phone and dialed the number for the ambulance. He told them where the pick-up was. After he found out help was on the way, he radioed the search party to go to the hospital and wait.

by: Essy Jane

Jesse and Bo were driving down the road in the pick-up. They had music playing in the background. Jesse reached over and turned it off. Bo gave him a sour look. It was his favorite song. Bo shrugged it off knowing that Jesse was upset about something.

“So you’re gonna take the SUV and leave me both Generals and the truck?” Jesse asked. Bo nodded.

“The General Lees belong to Hazzard County…not to me. The truck is for farming. Besides, you’re gonna have kids. They’re gonna drive the General,” Bo replied.

“Are you sure about this? I made General two for you.”

“Jesse, I have a lot of memories with both General Lees. You still have yet to find many. Now how are my Grandsons going to race with you if you don’t have a proper car.”

“I don’t have a clue.”

“You see, I’m right.”

“Yeah…I just feel bad.”

“You have no reason to feel bad about this.”

“Yes I do, you’re my father. You’re leaving something I made for you for me. Now what part of that is supposed to not make me feel bad?”

“Jesse, you don’t understand do you? I want you to have something of mine to remember me by.”

“How could I ever forget you? You’re my father. Not to mention you’re a legend in this town.”

“Well thanks for that, son.”

“Dad?”

“Yeah?”

“Tell me that guy’s not been trailing us since we left the store.”

“You noticed that too?”

“I’m slow I ain’t dumb.”

“You’re neither.” Jesse turned the corner. The strange truck stayed behind them. As they continued to drive, a car rolled up beside them and started hitting the truck. “What in the world is going on?” Bo swerved the car into them and hit back. The car went back and the truck moved up beside them on the other side.

“Something tells me these two are working together. Dad, can you speed up?”

“Way ahead of you, son.” Bo started swerving back and forth. He sped up as fast as he could go. The truck kept up with them, hitting Bo every time.

“Uh Dad…”

“Wait a minute son.”

“Dad.”

“Jesse, I’m trying to save this truck.”

“DAD! LOOK OUT!” Bo looked towards the front. There was a giant steam roller in the middle of the road. As Bo swerved to miss it, both the truck and the car hit sending Bo’s pick-up rolling down a large hill. Now friends, this doesn’t look good.

Back at the farm, Jose and Jo had diaper duty. “You stick the diaper under, you take the stickies off. You pull the dirty diaper off and you throw it in the pail. You put the baby powder on to keep the wetness out, that’s what it’s all about,” Jose sang in the tune of the Hokey Pokey.

“You are so weird,” Jo mumbled.

“Well, how else would you suggest making it fun. Besides, Cara likes the song.”

“Cammy doesn’t.”

“Yuck! Why do you insist on calling him that? Cammy is pathetic nickname, no child should be subjected to that. Cammy makes my little fourth cousin sound like a wimp. Cam is cool.”

“Cammy!”

“Cam!”

“Cammy!”

“Cam!” Suddenly Cal started crying.

“Look what you did?” Jo and Jose said at the same time.

“Me? Look what you did?” Jose grumbled.

“Why would I wake up my own brother?” Jo asked.

“Who cares? In any case, I changed two, you have to change Cal.”

“Why don’t you want to change him?”

“Because I got to rock with my gal Cara.”

“You are so weird.”

“Nah, Cal just made a stinky.”

“Why do I always have to change those diapers?”

“Because you’re a girl and I am training you to be a wife.”

“I’m not getting married, I would rather be a nun than marry someone like you.”

“Well Sister Mary Jo Anna, change him.”

“You are so cruel.

Jose sat down with Cara. “Angel, oh my Angel the stars have gone to bed so why don’t you rest your head?” Jose sang. He continued humming the song.

“She really likes you.”

“Yeah, I’m going to miss her when I’m gone.”

“I wish Jesse was here, he and Cal bonded really well. When Jesse isn’t here, Cal cries.”

“Yeah, that’s because Jesse knows how to hold him and you don’t.”

“I KNOW HOW TO HOLD A BABY!” All three babies began to cry. “Oh shoot! Here, hold Cammy.”

“You mean Cam.”

“Can you just hold him?” Jose began to sing the song again. Cam began to relax but Cal wasn’t.

“See I told you.”

“You’re not funny, Jose.”

“I’m not trying to be. You don’t know how to hold Cal and that all there is to it.” Jo sighed. “Come to think of it, Jesse’s good with all three of them.”

“Isn’t that the truth. My brother is gonna make a good father someday.” They continued rocking the babies softly. “Jose, I think you will too.”

“I better, Paige wants to have nine kids.”

“Nine? That’s crazy.”

“Hey Jo?”

“Yeah?”

“I think you’ll make a good…”

“Mother?”

“I thought you said you were becoming a nun.” Jo smiled and began to laugh.

“You really test my patience you know that? But you know what?”

“What?”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“Jo, that’s sweet, I’m going to miss you too. I don’t know how I am going to sleep without your rhythmic snoring patterns.” Jose giggled.

“That’s not funny.”

“What? Jesse and you snore. You snore louder though.”

“You would say that.”

“Only because it’s true.”

“Here I am trying to be nice and all you can do is tease me.”

“Oh come on, have a sense of humor.”

“Never.”

“Why? You can’t take a joke?”

“Nope.” With that, the two cousins smiled and got back to tending to the babies.

Back in the pick-up, Bo and Jesse were left hanging in the vehicle upside down. The pick up looked like an accordion. The windows had been smashed in. Jesse’s eyes fluttered open. His breathing was heavy. There was a really bad bump on his head. He could feel the blood rolling down into his eye. Jesse closed it almost immediately.

“Dad?” He whispered. Jesse moved his eyes around, afraid to move his head. He didn’t know what the injuries were. He was suddenly quiet. He wanted to hear if his Dad was breathing. Sure enough, Jesse heard his Dad struggling to breathe. Jesse shook his head. He didn’t know what to do.

The most damage was done to the passenger’s side of the truck. The front had been shoved towards the inside. The air bags were deployed. The front of the truck trapped Jesse’s hands, he couldn’t move them…not even to get into his pocket.

“Dad, are you okay?” Jesse said, a little bit louder. Bo didn’t answer. Jesse swallowed hard. All he wanted was for his Dad to respond. “Dad, come on…wake up. We need to get out of here. I can’t reach my phone or the CB. Dad?” Jesse tried to move his arms but a red haze engulfed him and he went unconscious once again.

by: Essy Jane

Laurel and Jesse sat together that day catching fish. She seemed determined to catch at least one. Laurel was different than most girls. She had a lot of Jo Anna in her. Adventure was definitely her middle name. Laurel had been Jo’s best friend since she was old enough to say hi. That’s a long time.

Considering Jesse had his father’s tastes, the youthful gal wasn’t too bad at all. She had chocolate colored curls that waved down to her back. Laurel had sapphire eyes like Daisy. Laurel was 5’6, just short enough for Jesse’s liking. She was most kind and wonderful. Jesse did love her and Bo was right, this was the longest he had dated anyone.

Laurel Rhuebottom was always pleased to have Jesse around. She loved the whole Duke family. She was in the same class as Jesse ever since before he could remember. The thing Laurel loved most about the young man was his love for life. She was willing to follow him anywhere because of it.

“Laurel, I have something to ask you,” Jesse began.

“Jess, you know you can ask me anything you want to,” Laurel said.

“Look, you are beautiful and wonderful.”

“Thanks Jesse, are you asking me to go to the beauty pageant with you?”

“Well, umm…”

“You already know it is a yes.”

“I know but…”

“I can fix an engine with my eyes closed.”

“Yeah but…”

“I can be Miss Tri-County easily.” Jesse blushed.

“No, that isn’t it.”

“Well spit it out Jess.” Jesse swallowed hard. He felt the ring in his pocket and wondered if there was a more romantic way of doing this. “Oh Jesse come on, there’s something in that mind of yours and I want to know what it is.”

“Well…” Laurel’s line was being tugged.

“Alright! A fish!” She began reeling it in. “Go ahead Jesse, I’m still listening.”

“Well I think that you’re…” Laurel reeled the fish in. She pulled it off the hook and laughed hard. “I think you’re…”

“I got you!”

“Are you listening?”

“Sorry Jesse, I am listening.”

“You’re a wonderful gal.”

“Thank you Jesse, we got to gut this guy. You want me to start a fire? We could eat them right here.”

“Uh yeah, that would be nice.” Jesse took the fish and gutted them. He watched Laurel as she chopped wood. Jesse smiled—he couldn’t help but to do so. She was so special…his kind of woman. Laurel knew how to please him and how to make him feel happy. She always seemed to carry this special shine.

Meanwhile, in another part of Hazzard, six men were sitting around a campfire doing their own planning. Kay, the father of the five men, glared at his boys. They were being impatient as usual. “You said this would be an easy job,” Haden said.

“Yeah, so far all we have done was sitting here and waiting…for what I don’t know. I thought we’d get the cash from the bank and get out of here,” Eddy mumbled.

“Seems you boys don’t understand what Hazzard is like. Bumbly law men who sure, have their arrests but couldn’t find pros like us,” Kay announced.

“Yeah so let’s go rob the bank then,” Farley commented.

“There is one factor that doesn’t allow us to, Farley. This is what you boys don’t understand.”

“Oh, those dreaded Dukes you keep talking about? Oh Dad, we can whoop them.”

“Farley, I said the same thing. They whooped me. A long time back, when Bo and Luke still drove the General Lee. Now it’s Bo and Luke’s sons…still as witty as their fathers.”

“Oh yeah? Well bring it on! I could take them down with two hands tied behind my back,” Beck cut in.

“No, you must understand, we need to take this slowly. I have an idea. It’s the beginning of the crop season. Bo and his son, Jesse, are gonna pick up some seed at the local store,” Kay commented.

“So what?”

“So, we hit them where it hurts.”

“I still don’t get what you want to do, Pa,” Haden mumbled.

“Don’t you get it? You go against a Duke they bring in the whole shooting match. If you hurt a Duke, they all go to their side and nurse them back to health. So, we get rid of two Dukes and they’re occupied,” Kay enlightened his kids.

“We’ll run them off the road,” Ole declared.

“Ah, I knew you were always the smart one. Okay, here’s how we do it…” Uh huh, these guys are up to no good. I wonder how the Dukes are gonna get out of this one.

Back at the fishing hole, Jesse was still working up the strength to tell Laurel. She had already beaten him out of two times of saying it. Laurel loved to talk. She loved to talk to Jesse most of all because he was really good at listening. “So Mama told me to work at the store next Wednesday and I told her I needed to check my schedule. Then I remembered the farmers came in to get their seed on that day and that you were going to be there so I thought…” Laurel began.

“Marry me,” Jesse cut in. Laurel’s eyes widened as Jesse pulled out the ring. “Laurel Lee Rhuebottom, I had you in my sight since we were in kindergarten. I don’t want to waste another minute without knowing you’ll be the one holding my hand…showing me life’s adventures.”

“Oh Jesse.”

“Will you be my wife?”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” They kissed each other. Jesse leaned in to hold onto her back and ended up burning his hand on one of the rocks. He jumped almost immediately.

“Owe!” Laurel giggled. She looked at Jesse’s hand.

“Don’t be such a baby, Jess. You’re supposed to be romantic here. You just proposed.”

“I sure did.”

Over in the swamp, Paige and Jose were sitting there staring at the stars. They held hands in the moonlight. Jose sighed as he gazed into his fiancée’s navy eyes. Her brown hair fluttered in the wind. “You know, Jesse is probably proposing right now,” Jose mumbled.

“I can’t believe he wants to marry my sister. Laurel is—not like most gals. She is adventurous and fast. She always has her head in the clouds. All that girl ever wants to do is write.”

“And go out with Jesse.”

“Yeah that too. Besides Jose, won’t you find it a little weird that your third cousin is going to be your brother in law?” Jose shrugged. He sighed and leaned back onto the blanket.

“I think it would be neat…kind of weird I suppose. You know, he already feels like a brother. Now it will just be more official.”

“When’s your Dad coming down?”

“In six weeks that is if all goes well.”

“There just won’t be enough time for the honeymoon if they’re gonna get married.”

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

“I want to have a honeymoon.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“I know you do but sometimes things change.”

“Change? That’s the last word I need to hear. I want time with you, my new husband. Not have to come back here in the middle of all our plans just to…” Jose kissed Paige.

“Maybe we’ll do a duel wedding.” Now Miss Paige Rhuebottom kissed Jose. The young man smiled.

“I like that idea.”

“Maybe that’s too soon though.”

“What do you mean too soon?”

“Bo told me they were moving. He’s giving the Duke farm to Jesse. I guess sort of passing on the family heritage. Bo would rather die then see the farm sold off to a stranger. At least with his son running it he can come back.”

“Y’all have a ton of roots here.”

“You better believe it.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Of what?”

“Leaving here?”

“No, I am doing it with you Paige and you are the best person to do it with. If I was doing it alone, I would be.”

“Oh Jose…”

“You know Paige, I didn’t like leaving New York.”

“It must have been hard to leave your home and not know anyone.”

“Yeah but Bo and Jesse got me through it. Not to mention Jo Anna.” Paige smiled.

“With Laurel then too because as you said, they were joined at the hip.”

“They sure were.”

“Hazzard has been even more of a home to me. You know everyone in this town and it feels like they all care about you more.”

“That’s what makes it harder for me to leave. All I know is here.”

“I am sure that Kansas will be a good place to live too.”

“Yeah, if we don’t get sucked up by a Tornado.”

“Oh relax, where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I guess I’ll find it everyday when I am with you.” They grasped each others hands once again and laid in complete silence. The wind rolled over them softly.

When Jesse and Jose got home that night, Nancy-Lou was jumping up and down in excitement. “You didn’t even tell her yet,” Jose commented.

“Didn’t have to she reads minds,” Jesse answered.

“Jesse, I won,” Nancy screamed.

“What?”

“A trip to Europe, all expenses paid for me and three friends. I have invited Daisy, Lauren and Paige! Oh this is gonna be great. I already told your father. We’re going for two months.”

“Nancy, what about the wedding plans?” Jose asked.

“Oh…I forgot. Well, Essy’s still going to be here. Paige and Essy have very similar tastes. We’re leaving in a week. Don’t worry, I trust you three completely with the babies. I need to get to know my new daughter in law and cousin.”

“Well this is a good way,” Jesse announced.

“She told me she said yes. Lauren and you will make one handsome couple.” The family all laughed. Nancy went in her room and packed after that.

by: Essy Jane

Now welcome back to Hazzard, you haven’t been here for a spell have you? Well then, come on over and watch a fun race between father and son. Jesse Duke was as excited as ever racing his Daddy. Bo was known as the best driver in all of Hazzard. Everyone recognized his style and his orange car. Bo would take that car everywhere…well except when he was farming or taking the triplets somewhere.

Now if you know anything about the Dukes, racing is always the first and last thing on their mind. That has been the way it has been since the beginning of time. For a long time, they ran races to see who the best was. Back in the old west, they raced horses over in Hazzard. Yep, the Dukes lived here for a long time.

Jesse was winning at first but ol’ Bo had something on his son, experience. Bo had been driving much longer than Jesse and that was fact. Bo had gone through the NASCAR races and much more. Jesse didn’t want to go and race on the big circuit. It suited him fine being here in Hazzard and racing the locals, some of the best drivers in the world. After all, this was Hazzard County.

The big ravine came up and both Bo and Jesse jumped it, clearing it. “Daddy, you’ll never beat me, you’re too old. Besides, I have got the better General,” Jesse boasted over the CB. He sounded the horn. Bo shook his head and chuckled at his son’s comment.

“You may be younger but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Bo replied as he revved up his engine. He sped ahead of Jesse and of course won the race. Lilly-Rose was the one judging the race. Last time Jesse thought he won and Bo was sure he had. This time judge Lilly made it clear as rain. She looked at the two and laughed.

“You two are hilarious,” Lilly commented.

“Ah only on good days,” Bo replied.

“You were good but next time…” Jesse began.

“Next time I’ll beat you twice.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, I know it.”

“Why?”

“I’m your father, I am supposed to know it.” Jesse rolled his eyes. Both men were still in their cars.

“You want to go again?”

“A second race? Nah, not now.”

“You’re old.”

“Nope, just not willing to press my luck.”

“You guys really take the cake. I needed some cheering up. You know, I have been pretty down since Mom moved to LA. I thought she would stay in Hazzard County forever,” Lilly commented. Bo pulled himself out of his mustang General and laughed.

“Oh Lilly, your Mom loves Hazzard but sometimes it doesn’t exactly seem like the land of opportunity,” Bo answered.

“Well, I would have thought Mama would have at least stayed for me.”

“Oh Lilly-Rose, you know as well as I do your mama loves you dearly.”

“Not enough to stay here.”

“They offered her a great job in LA. One she couldn’t refuse.”

“She shouldn’t have left. All my brothers moved with her. Now I am the only Hogg in Hazzard.”

“You still have Cletus.”

“Yes, I do have Cletus.” Lilly sighed.

“Daisy still calls you every night doesn’t she?” Lilly nodded softly.

“Dad, would you be upset if I moved away?” Jesse asked.

“Ah, probably but Jess, you couldn’t stay away from Hazzard even if you wanted to,” Bo announced.

“Oh you think I couldn’t make it?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“You think that I wouldn’t be able to get away from this town?”

“Nope.”

“What then?”

“The General stays in Hazzard.”

“Okay, you do know.”

“Besides, I see your eye has fallen on Laurel. You two have been dating for two years now…steady I might add. Jesse, you never date anyone steady.” Jesse laughed. He looked his father in the eye.

“Well I thought it was about time I did. I was thinking about getting married.”

“Oh come on, just because Jose’s engaged, doesn’t mean you have to go off and do it.”

“What?”

“You two are unbelievable. Y’all have been competing since Jose got here. He was the first to want to get married to Paige and now you’re doing it because…”

“I love her, okay?”

“I know you love her.”

“Is that a problem?”

“I know you love her. I was just teasing.”

“Well, Jose has bought a piece of farm property over in Kansas thanks to me helping him make furniture for people.”

“He had enough for the land?”

“No, he had enough for the down payment, Daddy.”

“Well you know, that was nice of you.”

“NICE? Uh huh, that wasn’t nice of me! “He’s getting married in three months and moving away. You know, it’s not fair! He’ll be so far away.”

“Oh Jesse, you’re over reacting,” Lilly said.

“Over reacting, I am not over reacting!”

“You told me I was over reacting.”

“Oh that’s different. I am gonna loose my best friend.”

“I lost mine too.”

“Okay, maybe it’s not different.”

“You know what Jesse?”

“What?”

“He’s always going to be your best friend, no matter what you do.”

“Yeah right, Lilly he’s just gonna magically hop over here when he has bills to pay and things to do. It makes total nonsense to me.”

“Jesse…”

“All my adventures are going to end all because he wants to go and get married.”

“Shepard, this is lost sheep three calling, you got your ears on?” Jose said from the CB in the house. Bo picked up the receiver.

“Yeah this is Shepard, come in,” Bo answered.

“The babies are whining, I need our two guitar players to come home so we can calm them down.”

“Ah, no problem we’ll be over there in a jiffy. This is Shepard, over and out.” Bo put down the CB.

“Guess you guys are gonna git going huh?” Lilly asked.

“Yeah, that song is the only thing that calms them down,” Jesse answered.

“You guys did a really good job writing it.”

“Well, I was playing around on the guitar and Jo started humming a tune. Jesse came in and wrote the words.”

“I wish my brothers and I could do something like that. I tell ya, you have all the creative genes on your side.”

“Nah, we just have most of it.”

“You were supposed to disagree with me.”

“What’s the point? You would say you were right anyway.”

“Lilly, you wanna drive General Lee Two home? I need to have a talk with my son,” Bo cut in.

“Yes sir, no problem,” Lilly answered. She got into the General and started it. Bo climbed into the original General Lee and smiled.

“Man I have missed this car.” He revved up the engine and away he went. “Jesse, remember that letter that looked official?” Jesse nodded softly. Bo swallowed hard. “Well, that was Nancy-Lou’s grandmamma, your Great Grammy. She passed away. Anyway, she acquired a small fortune and left it all to Nancy-Lou. A big house and a lot of money, all left to your mama.”

“Is there some sort of point to this?” Jesse asked.

“Son, Nancy’s Granny left me the business…and wants me to run it. Now, I know I wouldn’t usually…”

“You’re leaving Hazzard?”

“Jesse…it’s a good opportunity. I can make some good money for these younger kids and help them out.” Jesse shook his head.

“So everyone’s leaving me?” Jesse slammed on the dash board. “I can’t believe this! You guys are all leaving me. This is like torture.”

“Son, I’m not trying to do this to hurt you or anything…”

“Dad, why? Jo and me, we’s did real well here. Now you’re telling me you’re gonna move those kids all the way over to a strange place?”

“Jesse, it’s not like we’re trying to hurt you or the kids. I have been farming since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It’s all I know. I love Hazzard County.”

“Then why do you want to leave?”

“It’s complicated.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your mom wants to live closer to Daisy and your Grandpa.”

“And you accepted! Dad, this isn’t fair! We have lived on this land for generations. Now you want to throw it all away?”

“No I don’t.”

“I don’t wanna loose you.”

“Son, you’ll never loose me.”

“You’re gonna be in LA.”

“I will still be a father to you and to Jo.”

“Yeah and we have to pick up and move over there with you? I don’t want to leave my home!”

“Jesse, I want to leave you the farm.” Jesse’s eyes widened. He stared at his father. Bo couldn’t help but smile. Jesse shrugged and shook his head. “Look, I know you think this a lot of responsibility…”

“Yeah it is and I can’t BELIEVE you would put us through it. I am not ready to run a farm on my own.”

“I know you can do it. Marry Laurel, bring her here…raise family. You know you’re right, this is the best place to raise a family.”

“Then why are you leaving? You have three new babies.”

“You know, your mother doesn’t want to leave but she also does. It’s a chance to be close to her other relatives they all live out west.”

“I know.”

“I have never wanted to stay more than I do now but I brought your mom here…I worked with her every day. I love her a lot. She wants to try this out. If it doesn’t work, your mama and I will buy a new set of land.”

“Daddy…”

“You’re my son Jesse, you are an amazing person. You’re gonna pull through this. Besides, we’re not leaving for six months.” Jesse sighed.

“I do want the farm.”

“Great! I’ll transfer the money I have in this account to yours. That way you’ll have something to start with. I want you to know all the best. Ask Laurel…ask her.” Jesse smiled as they stopped at the farm.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” Jesse had his Dad in a big bear hug. Bo grinned as the tears rolled down his face. He tried to push them away but he didn’t know how. The hardest thing he would ever have to do would be to leave Hazzard. As he looked out at the farm, he remembered the grass he had planted. Bo remembered Nancy-Lou planting her flowers in the front yard. He could almost see Jesse and Jo taking their first steps again like it was for the first time.

Bo could see Jesse, on the front porch with a party hat on. He of course was more excited than Jesse was…considering it was his first birthday. Jo kept ripping off her hat. She didn’t like things like that. Bo could remember Lilly-Rose dancing with the chickens when she was three years old. He had to laugh at that one.

Bo thought further back. He could see himself and Luke running across the dirt. He thought about Uncle Jesse screaming for them to slow down. Luke and Bo always did everything together. They played basketball with their Uncle. Bo was a bad player at first but his Uncle worked with him.

Bo remembered when Daisy came to live with them. He recalled every detail, including the color of the ribbon in Daisy’s hair. Bo locked her in the closet the first day. She screamed for ten minutes. Luke let her out and was kind, he didn’t tell Uncle Jesse. Bo didn’t like her at all in the very beginning.

Daisy was a cute little thing and of course no one could deny that. Uncle Jesse and Aunt Livonia always seemed to spend more time with her…well at least that’s what Bo thought. Soon, Bo got used to her and ever liked her. Luke always seemed to have a spot for Daisy.

They became joined at the hip those three. Daisy, Bo and Luke did everything together. When Daisy lost her first tooth, Bo and Luke were the ones that helped her pull it out. When Bo learned to drive, it was Luke and Daisy who were brave enough to get in the car with him. Uncle Jesse always did tell Bo that he was a natural.

Now, Bo was going to leave. How could he even think of such a thing? Leaving a place that he had been a part of his whole life. Sure, he pursued a singing career but he ended up back here. When Bo and Luke went into the NASCAR circuit, they had a lot of fun but missed Hazzard more than anything.

Bo would just have to accept it, he guessed. “Dad, your squishing me,” Jesse said. Bo let go of his son.

“I’m sorry,” Bo mumbled.

“What were you thinking about? Just now, you went into outer space. Are you okay?” Bo sighed.

“Well Jesse, I was thinking about your first party.”

“When Jo hit me?” Bo tried to hold in his laughter but it seemed to come right out. “It’s not funny, Dad.”

“Oh she was always a wild child.”

“She threw cake at the clown.” Bo laughed away. Jesse smiled as he shook his head. He ran his fingers through his hair. “That was the last time I had a clown at my birthday parties.”

“Well, I am going to miss this place.”

“It’ll always be here if you want a visit down memory lane.” Bo began to cry again. He shook his head.

“I’m a dang fool!”

“Dad, a few tears ain’t goanna change how I see you.”

“Son, you’re a wiser man than me.”

“Am not.”

“You are too.”

“Not a chance.”

“No really, I have always tried to teach you three good values but in the end, you were always the ones teaching me.” Bo swallowed hard. He looked up at his son. “Jesse, I wasn’t even gonna have kids, I really wasn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I didn’t think I would be a good father.”

“Well let me tell you, Bo Duke, you are the best father anyone could have ever had.” Now it was Jesse’s turn to cry. “You know, all my life I have had love and adventure. I had peace and war. You know who was there through it all? You, you were the one constant person in my life and that will never change.”

“Make me a promise Jesse?”

“Anything Dad.”

“If anything happens to me or your mother…”

“I will, I promise you I will take care of them.”

“No matter what?”

“Of course Dad, no matter what.”

“Thank you son, now lets go make some babies stop crying.”

“You’ve got it.”

“You know, how you and Jose do it, I’ll never know.”

“It takes a special touch.”

“I’m going to miss you two.”

“I’ll miss you too, Dad.” With that, they made their way into the house. Well, let’s see how this one turns out.