by: Marty Chrisman
Luke struggled to fight his way out of the cobwebs that seemed to be clouding his mind. But as he got closer to the surface of consciousness, he remembered the horror of finding Kelly’s parents. Gratefully, he let himself slip quietly back into the drugged sleep that he had been in for almost three days. He had no way of knowing that Jesse had spent most of those three days (and nights) sitting beside his oldest nephew’s side, watching him twist and turn restlessly, even in his sedated state. At times Jesse would reach out to put a comforting hand on the Luke’s shoulder or arm, his touch and the soothing sound of his voice calming him. He knew that Luke would wake up soon and he was worried about how Luke would deal with the news that Jesse had to tell him.
Roscoe had organized a search party and they had searched for miles around the Dalton shack, but they had found no sign of Kelly. Roscoe told Jesse that from the evidence at the scene, Kelly’s father had killed his wife, then several hours later, killed himself. More than enough time for him to have killed Kelly too and hidden her body somewhere where it would never be found. (Truth be told, there were a couple of bodies in Hazzard County already that had never been found) They did find some of Kelly’s blood in the house, near the front door. Quite a bit of blood to be exact but no other signs of Kelly. She had simply disappeared, like a ghost in the night.
Daisy seemed to handling the situation fairly well. She was pretty upset because her and Kelly were as close as sisters, but Jesse knew that Daisy would be alright in time. It was Luke he was really worried about. He knew that Kelly and Luke had grown close over the years, and even closer over the past few months. They didn’t think Jesse knew but he did. He’d seen the look in Luke’s eyes whenever he looked at Kelly when he thought nobody was watching. He was in love with that girl, hopelessly completely head over heels in love, with all the passion and desire of a young man’s first real love.
That was why Jesse was so worried. Luke had never been one to share his feelings or reveal his emotions as easily as his two cousins. He was more of a thinker, pondering over a problem and working things out as best he could by himself before talking about it with anyone. And he hated to show any sign of weakness. When he was hurt or upset, he tended to keep it to himself, not sharing his feelings with anyone. The only thing he didn’t hesitate about showing was his temper, the same quick volatile temper that ran in all the Duke men. Jesse had learned to keep his temper in check over the years, but Luke was still young and he was still learning.
Jesse leaned forward in his chair as Luke’s eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. Luke stared at Jesse blankly, then started to close his eyes again. “Luke Duke, you stay awake now.” Jesse ordered in a quiet but firm voice. At the sound of Jesse’s voice, Luke reluctantly opened his eyes again. Instantly they filled with the pain of a wounded animal caught in a trap, a look Jesse had seen more times then he cared to remember over the years. But, until now, a look he had rarely seen in Luke’s eyes.
“Jesse,” Luke said in a barely audible voice. He cleared his throat and tried again “Uncle Jesse” his voice came out a little stronger but not much.
Jesse poured a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on the nightstand between the two beds. Gently, he slipped his arm behind Luke’s shoulders to help him sit up in the bed. Holding the glass to Luke’s lips, he encouraged him to take a few sips to moisten his dry mouth and throat.
“Kelly……” Luke said, looking deeply into Jesse eyes for an answer to the question he was too afraid to ask.
Jesse shook his head sadly. There was no easy way to say what he knew he had to say, so he just came out and said it “There’s no sign of her. Roscoe’s had folks searching for three days.”
Luke closed his eyes and took a deep shuddering breath. Only the slight trembling of his arm beneath Jesse’s hand betrayed the emotion he was fighting. Luke exhaled slowly and opened his eyes. “How long have I been asleep?” he asked
“Three days.” Jesse told him “Doc Applebee gave you something to make you sleep. You were in pretty bad shape after what happened.” Jesse patted the back of Luke’s hand gently, sensing that he needed to be alone for awhile. “I’ll be downstairs if you need me. You can get out of bed whenever you feel up to it, but Doc wants you to take it easy for a few days.”
As Jesse left the room, Luke swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump that seemed to be stuck in his throat. His chest constricted with pain and he blinked back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. Luke shoved himself up onto the side of the bed. He sat there for several seconds waiting for the room to stop spinning around before slowly standing up. He was still dizzy and lightheaded but the feeling quickly passed. Luke pulled on a pair of jeans and a shirt and then went across the hall to the bathroom. He used the bathroom, then splashed some cold water on his face and washed his hands.
Slowly, he made his way downstairs. Jesse smiled broadly when Luke walked into the kitchen. “Think you can eat something?” he asked “You must be hungry”
“Not right now.” Luke said, shaking his head. “I’d like to get a little fresh air first.”
Jesse nodded as Luke went out the back door. Through the kitchen window, Jesse saw him walk across the barnyard and disappear into the barn. Jesse sighed. He knew that was one of the places where Luke always went when he wanted to be alone. Jesse felt Luke’s pain keenly but he knew there wasn’t much he could do to help him unless Luke wanted his help.
In the barn, Luke slowly climbed the ladder to the loft and went to the hidden spot where he and Kelly had spent so much time together. Sitting down on the blanket, he wrapped his arms around his knees and lowered his head, letting the tears come at last. He cried for a long time, overwhelmed with guilt. He felt guilty because he hadn’t stopped her from leaving that night. And an overwhelming grief, far more bitter than any he had ever known. He had cried and grieved deeply when Aunt Martha died, but this was different. This was Kelly and Luke knew that a part of him had died too.
Jesse was starting to get worried because Luke had been gone for so long, then he saw him come out of the barn, walking slowly back to the house. From the slump of his shoulders and the slowness in his step, Jesse knew that he was hurting and hurting badly. Jesse always felt those young’uns pain as if it were his own and this time it was no different. Luke didn’t say anything when he came back into the house. He simply went back upstairs to his room and closed the door.
Bo and Daisy came home from school shortly after that. Bo was happy and excited when he found out that Luke was finally awake. He went upstairs but came down a few minutes later, disappointed because Luke didn’t seem to want any company. Not used to being rejected by his older cousin, Bo’s feelings were hurt. Jesse did his best to try and make Bo understand that Luke just needed to be alone for a little while but Bo was still upset. Daisy distracted him by getting him to help her make supper. Luke stayed in his room all night, refusing the supper that Daisy took up to him.
After Daisy and Bo went to bed, Luke finally came downstairs and went into the kitchen to get a glass of milk. Jesse was sitting in his favorite chair beside the fireplace in the living room. He glanced at Luke as he came out of the kitchen and said softly, “Sit down for a minute, Luke.”
Luke did as Jesse said, sitting on the far end of the sofa. There was still a listless, vacant look in his eyes. “I know you’re hurting, we all are.” Jesse told him “And I know you’re hurtin’ the most. But don’t let that hurt eat you alive cause it will if you’re not careful.” Jesse sighed “I know cause I felt the same way after your Aunt Martha died. Just remember, you still got us and we all love you.”
“Good night, sir.” Luke said in a flat, listless voice. He finished his milk and took the glass back into the kitchen, putting it in the sink. Without another word, he went back upstairs to his bedroom.