by: Essy Jane

Jesse looked at Bo sitting there reading the paper, the funnies of course. He was laughing away as he drank his coffee. Bo always did love a little humor in the morning. As he saw Jesse, he handed him the paper and pointed to the one he liked the most. Jesse chuckled with him.

“Hey Jesse, are you nervous yet?” Bo asked his son. Jesse shook his head. He sat down to breakfast with his father. This would be the last time they would have breakfast together in a long time. Pretty sad ain’t it? Think about a Hazzard without a Bo.

When Luke left, Bo thought Hazzard wouldn’t be the same. Hazzard to him was Luke and his many adventures. When Bo got the farm, he was surprised. How could he even amount to his Uncle Jesse? The man was wise and kind. He wasn’t half as reckless as Bo felt. But sure enough, Bo lived up to his promise with his Uncle Jesse. He would become a stronger man and control his temper. Bo would look for the right things to say.

Daisy and Luke were calling their younger cousin for advice. Bo always got a kick out of it but he stayed serious…as much as he could that is. Daisy would race him all the time. They still had fun together. Luke couldn’t visit a lot at first but soon he was around pretty often.

When Bo got married, life wasn’t dull. Nancy-Lou had the adventures with her husband. Sure, they didn’t have as much time to stop all of the schemes riding out in Hazzard but they sure tried. There were all sorts of things to do for Hazzard County and the farm. Nancy and Bo worked hard to make their sweet precious land, which had held so many memories, their own beautiful farm. They kept the land marks.

Bo had children and soon, every day was an adventure. When Jesse and Jo took their first car ride, Bo knew Hazzard’s legendary Duke boys (and girls) were still around. He was pleased when Jose came. Everything was beautiful, everything was back to normal. He saw the boys making mistakes, going through things he went through. This was more important to him than anything.

Now, Bo has three triplets and one heck of a long journey to go. All this wedding planning was coming to an end today. Everything had been set up. All the guests had RSVPed and now, there was nothing left for Bo but the wedding itself.

Jesse looked at his Dad. Bo smiled softly as he put his paper down. He put his feet up on the chair and looked up at his son. “Jesse, the man that was like my father in more ways than one couldn’t be at my wedding in body. Son, I am happy I am here for you,” Bo began.

“Dad, I’m happy I can be here for you as well. I know it is hard for you to leave. I know that you thought you would be here until your white hairs had white hairs. You know what? Where ever there’s family there is a home. No matter where you are, you are always welcome to come back. I am very proud of you for making this move,” Jesse replied. Bo laughed.

“Here I am trying to talk to my son and you sound like you have more knowledge than me.”

“I try.”

“Anyway, I want to give you some advice, make her laugh. No matter what mood you’re in, there’s nothing better than a laugh.”

“That is good advice. Now I have advice for you, stop stomping around. Mom knows you don’t want to go, you don’t have to tell her that way.” Bo smiled.

“Got it.” They hugged. “Boy Jesse, I’m goanna miss you when I go.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Haven’t you heard of modern technology?”

“Yeah but…”

“I’m only a phone call away Dad.”

“I know but…”

“It’s not the same?”

“Yeah…I guess. You know, when you’re a parent, all you want to do is be near your children…even if it means giving up everything to be with them. When Nancy talked about this—I don’t know, all I could think of was you, Jo and Jose. I didn’t want to be without you.”

“When you brought it up I was angry. I thought, why would Dad want to move?”

“Nancy says it gives the kids more options. I say I don’t like that idea.”

“Hazzard may be a good place to race kids but…”

“Working in an office—I like being my own boss.” Jesse smiled and began laughing. “What?”

“Dad, you’ll be head of the company…you will be your own boss.”

“Yeah but it isn’t Hazzard.”

“That’s why you come back and visit. Look, unless there is some sort of earthquake that sends Hazzard into the sea, it will always be here.”

“But you won’t always be with us. I can’t just walk up to your room and watch you sleep.” Jesse was shocked by what his father had said. He looked Bo straight in the eyes.

“You watch me sleep?”

“Every night I watched you sleep from the time you were born. When you boys were gone that while, I watched your beds. I always wondered why God blessed me with such wonderful children.”

“Dad, I’m not that wonderful.”

“Hey, you save Hazzard County. You worked hard in school and you said the most wonderful words, I love you.”

“Just when I want you to stay…”

“Isn’t that how it goes?”

“Yeah, I guess it is. You never really know what you have until it is gone. Funny, I never really thought about that sentence until now…I guess I didn’t have a reason to use it.”

“Me neither.”

“Oh well I suppose.”

“Hey, I love you a lot.”

“I love you Dad.”

“You’re a wonderful kid Jesse.”

“I’m goanna miss you.”

“Thanks son, you know, that means a lot to me.”

“Anytime, just promise me one thing.”

“Sure Jesse…anything for you.”

“Visit me.” Bo smiled and nodded his head softly. “Oh, and race me as much as possible when you come down. Nothing is better than racing with you.”

“You have got yourself a promise, Jesse.” Now, they hugged once again. What a great moment between father and son. Nancy-Lou walked in. She looked at Bo.

“It was weird to sleep on foamies,” Nancy commented. Bo almost total shut off, remembering that moving day was today.

“Uh huh,” Bo mumbled. He didn’t like the fact that he had to move still.

“Honey, if you don’t want to leave…”

“Nanc…I made a commitment and now I’m going to keep it.” Nancy kissed her husband softly.

“Hey, I love you but I have never seen you so unhappy in all of your life.”

“Don’t worry about it, home is wherever we go.”

“Honey…”

“I know I feel upset Nancy. It is kind of hard to leave your home. I always thought you loved Hazzard.”

“I do…I just want to be closer to Mom and Dad. You know, I loved them so much and now they’re so far away. They’re together. Daisy’s up in LA to and…”

“Yeah I know, you want to be closer to them. Nancy-Lou, it’s okay. I don’t mind moving.”

“You obviously do.”

“Nah, I’m just goanna miss the memories.” Nancy kissed Bo again. “I know we’ll make new ones.”

“Lots of new ones, we do have three kids you know.” They kissed again. Jesse smiled as they hugged one another. He loved his parents so much. Nancy suddenly turned her attention to her son. “Hey Jess, you ready for your big day?”

“Yep, more ready than I have ever been in my life,” Jesse answered.

“He’s the calm one.”

“Sure am.”

“Jose’s talking to himself upstairs in front of his mirror, ‘I do.’…that’s all he keeps saying.” Jesse started to laugh.

“I’m going to have to get him through this somehow.” With that, the Dukes all sat down to breakfast. Jo sat down. Bo was still moping behind his paper. Jose finally got downstairs. The triplets had food all over their faces from feeding themselves.