by: Marty Chrisman

Bo picked at the tray in front of him without much interest. He hated hospital food. He was feeling a lot better even though his chest was still heavily taped and he still had to take it easy. He was doing so well that the doctor had told him that morning that he might be able to go home that weekend, even earlier than he’d anticipated. He sure hoped so because the first thing he was going to do was go and see Luke.

It had been almost a week since Jesse told him about Luke’s stroke and about the doctors putting him in a medically induced coma.  And during that entire time, Bo hadn’t been able to feel the connection with Luke that he was so familiar with. And he’d had the same dream almost every night. The dream where Luke told him he was too tired and in too much pain to keep his promise about sticking around. Bo had an uneasy feeling that the dream was some kind of warning or premonition. He had to see Luke and he had to see him as soon as possible. Bo honestly believed that if he could just be with Luke, then he could give Luke the strength he needed to pull through this.

Daisy and Jesse were still going to Atlanta every other day to see Luke. They told Bo that there was no noticeable change in Luke’s condition but that the doctor felt that he was starting to get a little stronger. But Bo wasn’t so sure about that. He was still worried about his reoccurring dream.

He looked up and grinned as the door to his room opened and Cooter came in.

“Hey, Buddyro..” Cooter said with a grin “You’re looking pretty good today…”

“I feel pretty good. I just wish they’d let me outta this dang place.”

“Now, don’t go gitting in too big of a hurry. You were hurt pretty bad too in that accident.”

“But not as bad as Luke.”

“Yeah….I know I was there. I watched ‘em cut the two of you out of the General.”

“How bad did I mess up the General?”

“Bad enough but not so bad that we can’t fix ‘em up again when you get outta here. I took him out to my place.”

“No,” Bo said shaking his head “Not until I know if Luke’s gonna make it. If he dies…I never wanna see the General again.”

“Now you don’t mean that…”

“Yes, I do.” Bo said in a determined voice “If Luke dies…I could never get in the

General again…..cause every time I did….I’d see Luke sitting there beside me…”

“Well, I’ll just hang onto the General for now…until we know.”

“I gotta get outta here, Cooter.” Bo said in a frustrated voice “I gotta see Luke.”

“You will…just give it a little more time till the Doctor says you can get outta here.”

“By then I’m afraid it’ll be too late.”

“Look I just talked to Uncle Jesse and he said Luke was still holding his own.”

“Yeah, but for how long?” Bo said in a broken voice “He’s hurt so bad, Cooter and it’s all my fault.”

“It ain’t your fault. It ain’t nobody’s fault.”

“Maybe not but I still feel like it is. And I have to see Luke before he dies.”

“Well, I don’t think he’s gonna die….he couldn’t go through all he’s been through so far and die now….wouldn’t seem right somehow.”

“Cooter, I can’t feel Luke anymore…..ya know?”

“Yea, I know.” Cooter said. Like anyone who was close to the boys Cooter was well aware of the bond they shared and the unique closeness between them. “But maybe that’s just cause of all drugs they got him pumped full of.”

“I hope that’s all it is, Cooter…” Bo said “But I need to see Luke so I can be sure.”

“You will.” Cooter said trying to reassure him. “Look I gotta get back to the garage. I’ll see you tomorrow, ya hear?”

“Yeah…” Bo said “I’ll see ya tomorrow.”

Bo pushed aside his tray and laid his head back on the pillow. Soon he was sleeping. And dreaming again. Only this time the dream was different:

            He was with Luke and they were in their room at the farm house. Luke was lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling. Turning to look at Bo who was sitting on the other bed, he said “You need to hurry up, Bo. I can’t stick around much longer. I need you, cousin.”

            “I’m trying, Luke….I really am.” Bo replied “I just can’t get to you yet.”

            “I’m scared, Bo….I don’t wanna leave….not yet….but it’s getting harder and harder to stay…”

            “You have to stay….just a few more days….I promise. I’ll be there.”

            “Alright….” Luke said with a deep sigh “A few more days…..”