by: Essy Jane

This plane ride was time-consuming. I wonder if Daddy got my message. After all, he was busy that day and someone else answered the phone. I extended my hand as one of the passengers assisted me while I walked down the steep stairs of the airplane. Of course I thanked the tender stranger. As we got outside of the undersized air hanger, I looked around for my father. He was a tall jagged man. Daddy had a breathtaking personality which had me in stitches last time I came to this modest county.

I hadn’t visited Daddy in a while. It had been excessively long. I would have come here sooner but, I had my fair share of work to do over at the college. I marked paper after paper and finally I was done. At last, I was able to go and see my wonderful father who had waited so long just to see my face. I was happy for the time we spent together, just talking.

I wondered realistically if he had become angered. After all, I was his only child. Perhaps Daddy was so upset that he didn’t want to pick me up. I had to collect myself by some means. I took a deep breath and continued to look for the tow truck. I seemed to be spinning in circles, failing at each attempt to find my father. He wasn’t very hard to recognize. My dad, Cooter Davenport, was not exactly a person you could loose in a crowd. His murky yellow and white hat always climbed on his head each morning. Dad wore a tan tattered shirt with a pair of blue jeans.

All I could see was Bo Duke. No, Luke wasn’t with him. It was just Bo leaning on the General Lee, impatiently waiting for me. I looked at him, as rugged as he was, in an open position, gazing out into the horizon. Bo’s eyes seemed to speak to the temperate winds heaving briskly from the sky. He marveled at the birds flying overhead, listening blissfully to their song.

Bo hadn’t shaved in a day or so. His trousers were tattered at the knees. Bo Duke’s shirt was golden and he had it rolled to his elbows. You could see the stubble on his face. His curls resembled flaxseeds. The color was in fact so powerfully blonde that it nearly blinded me. Then again, mine wasn’t about to become a natural dark blonde either. He gazed at me wholeheartedly investigating my attire. I hadn’t been here for a while…I guess that was what he was gawking at.

“Well hello there Nancy,” Bo commented. I shook my head ever so delicately as he stood up straight immediately. He seemed to feel uneasy when he was around me, if truth were told I really did not know why. His eyes were like sunbeams dancing on the waves of the billowing clouds.

“Your childish manipulations will not win me over, Bo Duke. You know as well as I do I am a lady of high standards. You assume that I, Nancy-Lou, will take to your degrading hand and allow you to accompany me until the end of the world,” I answered. Now Bo was bewildered beyond comprehension.

“All I said to you Miss Nancy was hello. I wasn’t asking for your hand in marriage.” He crossed his arms and turned from me immediately following his sentence. I put a hand on his broad shoulder.

“Bo, I apologize, I sincerely didn’t mean to offend you.” Bo turned around, smiling confidently at me. I couldn’t help but sneer at him. He had deceived me.

“Nancy, I may be an immature young man but I am not one to have the wool pulled over my eyes.” Now I was the one who was puzzled, I didn’t know what Bo meant. I wasn’t attempting to deceive him nor could I possibly have a desire to do so.

“Now what do you mean by that, Bo Duke?”

“I understand you don’t want to date me but that doesn’t mean you have to be improper.” This country boy was dazzling me with his words. Bo appeared to be outmaneuvering me with every sentence. I had to strike back.

“You, young man, assume too much.”

“Maybe…but then again Nancy-Lou, judging by your face, maybe not.” Now Bo’s smile flourished like a blossom thrives with miracle grow. I didn’t want to look at him at first. Bo’s face made me question his thoughts. Knowing him, I would be standing on the sidelines in a matter of minutes, not even knowing I was put there in the first place. Bo wouldn’t let me get away with turning from him. He kept pulling my head back up.”

“Now what is brewing in that head of yours, Bo Duke?”

“So, Nancy-Lou, you do want to date me?”

“That is outrageous, I would never date you. Not even if you were the last standing soul on this planet.”

“For a woman with such sky-scraping principles, you have lost your head and forgotten your manners.” I chuckled in pure amusement as my face became warm from embarrassment. I could not believe how awful this man’s ego was. “May I help you into my car?” I nodded my head. I wasn’t going to allow him to continue making a fool out of me in public. Bo grabbed me, cradling me in his arms. I was stunned by how muscular he was. He pushed me into the car slowly so he wouldn’t hurt me. Bo would never even think of it. His uncle wouldn’t be impressed. Bo really cared what his uncle thought about him.

We drove down the long stretch of filthy dirt road. The grimy dust engulfed their car which they called so affectionately, “The General Lee”. Ridiculous I thought to spend so much time admiring an inanimate object. Bo and Luke tenderly call this machine, a part of their family, the Duke family. How can you possibly have this much approbation about a car? Something that man made was so significant to them.

Bo began to slow down, which was of course easier said than done, for him that is. I watched as the dust appeared to fade away. The terrain which was once indistinguishable seemed to come together. The trees and the rich soils were so stunning…it was hard to illustrate the very essence of their beauty. I could gaze into this storybook scene all day, which was exactly how Hazzard County looked to me.

How could anything be richer than the very land in which we had the privilege of being upon? I knew not any greater joy than this. I thrived knowing I would come here. This place was warmer than the midday sun. It was a joyful place, and the only constituency I could think of, in which people could raise an influential and longstanding family.

I was pleased to see the life in this land, the love that was put into it. Farmers had labored away in their fields to make such rich foods. They worked carefully through flood and famine. They strived while the world threw them into the great depression. These farmers worked away through it all and gained so much from it. So how then could anyone deny them of triumphantly rejoicing over their land?

I could not refuse to come here. I personally could not leave this territory without casting my eyes upon its wonderment. I knew I was back in my father’s eyes once again, about to listen to the many stories of Hazzard County. I would become astonished, marveling more with every single word that came out of his mouth.

This place was full of mystification, something that I could never have fulfilled anywhere else. I loved Hazzard and Hazzard loved me. This country has seemed to bond to be wonderful with all of its inhabitants and even the people who were just passing through. Hazzard’s wonderment has an everlasting relationship that excels out through the trees and has permanently left its mark upon us. Like it or not, that power drags us back to it time after time.

We were not heading in the customary direction. Generally, when the Duke family picks me up, we head over to Dad’s garage. As a replacement for dreary garage, I saw a brilliant scene set before me, The Duke Farm. We pulled into the dusty place. Luke was in the front, fixing his Uncle’s truck. He wasn’t wearing his shirt. As Bo walked over to him, Luke scolded his cousin concerning jeans he had been wearing. I agreed with Luke. Why would he wear such horrible looking things?

Bo disagreed with his cousin. He was determined to outwit Luke. Bo’s cousin had quite the intellect to back him up. Luke confronted Bo all the time. The younger cousin was not incredibly quick to jump on Luke even though I knew Bo could beat him in an argument any day of the week. In the end, the older of the two won, only because that young gun let him do so. I wondered about Bo. Why was he so eager to let Luke win?

As Luke went back to help his Uncle, I asked Bo about it. All he could tell me was how much admiration he had for his cousin. Luke was overconfident sometimes. I liked Luke but you know he has this undying personality. A quality that rather testifies about why we’re friends. Luke is smart and witty but he’s quiet and hard to pick apart. He wants to be heard but sometimes just doesn’t have the words. Luke is also very good with cars and plays guitar like every other Duke. He’s too patient for me. I don’t get into fights or debates with Luke half as much as Bo. Maybe I would like someone in between. Not so Bo with a little Luke.

Bo had good qualities too though. I can’t say I didn’t notice them. If I did, I would be disgracing my mother by lying and I could never do that do her. One of Bo’s many wonderful attributes included how he was willing to help anyone. I guess Luke had that one too. Bo seemed to show more joy when he helped people. For instance, Bo appeared to allow his cousin to take the reigns at any given moment. I believe this young character finds adventure in letting Luke control situations. Then again, I don’t know the two as well as I let on to.

I walked to the back of the house slowly, listening for the blustering sounds of my father. Instead, all I could manage to do was entertain myself with the buoyant fragrance in the air. All the many foods which were accustomed to this area were sitting on a picnic table that had been spread out before me.

I marveled at the sign saying: “Welcome Nancy-Lou Davenport” I smiled. Jesse Duke threw his arms around me, the greatest feeling besides having my own father’s arms around me. There stood Enos, Cletus and the Duke family. They all were always friendly and fantastic when I came to see them. In fact, everyone in this town was.

“Your Daddy had to go off and get something for Essy and Judd’s wedding,” Uncle Jesse explained. I was confused, who was this Essy? I am more than sure I haven’t heard Daddy talk about her. Then again, I haven’t been here for a while and talking to him was hard considering I was in England. “Uncle Jesse now Nancy-Lou ain’t been in Hazzard County for a long time. She has never met Miss Essy-Jane,” Luke commented.

“Essy is Miss Tizdale’s niece,” Bo explained.

“She’s going to marry Judd?” I asked. Bo nodded. I shook my head again. Bo looked at me. “I went up to visit him like—a year ago. I didn’t even know he was going to get married.”

“Yeah well things change Nancy-Lou.” Bo sat down at the picnic table and sighed.

“Why didn’t my father mention her?”

“Essy has to be experienced not told.” Luke started laughing. Bo growled at his cousin, almost as if he could read his cousin’s thoughts. Luke didn’t notice that look in Bo’s eyes. “What?”

“That was really a mouthful, cousin,” Luke teased.

“Awe Luke quick bein’ so mean. You know she ain’t seen Essy yet.”

“You’re still in love with her ain’t ya?” Bo shook his head no. Inside, I could see him squirm. I wondered what was wrong. He seemed so cool on the outside yet inside, he was screaming.

“Nope, we are good friends is all, Luke.”

“Yeah right, I know you better…you will never get over loosing that girl, least of all to your own cousin.”

“Take that back, Luke.”

“Why should I?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Bo pulled away and walked towards the house. I ran after him. I turned him around with one hand, looking into his face. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Nancy-Lou.”

“Shh,” I mumbled softly. I don’t know why but I was able to read him like a book. It wasn’t like most men where I had to dig deep with a sledge hammer just to get through the brick wall their hearts were hiding. All I had to do was pull Bo up from the ground where he was perched like a bird softly clinging to a wire. “You know, Luke doesn’t mean what he said.” Bo trembles with anger. I try to comfort him but he won’t let me come near.

“You know, Luke is my hero but when he cuts me down…”

“Bo, the war can do terrible things to people. Sometimes Luke just says what’s on his mind. He looks out into the horizon and sees different things than you do.”

“Yeah I guess.”

“What do you see in him?”

“I see a young man who longs to find his mate but is frustrated when he can’t find her. Luke wants to clinch onto the joys of life but he’s so far down in chains because of his probation. Once it’s gone though…”

“He’s gone.”

“Exactly so most of the time…”

“You let him have the fun and you relish in seeing him so happy.”

“Exactly, Nancy-Lou, you know exactly what I mean. Sometimes, I just want to do the things he’s done, see the things he’s seen but I never will.” Bo sat down on the dirt. He put a hand down for me. I sat beside him. Bo took his boots off and his socks. Ordinary country boy, the young man did what came natural. He rolled his feet through the dirt. I took off my sandals and did the same.

“Isn’t it funny how many grains are in the dirt and sand?”

“It doesn’t seem funny to me.” I slapped his shoulder lightly in fun. I stood up and pushed the dirt off me.

“Millions upon millions rolling through our toes it’s amazing.” Now it was Bo’s turn to laugh. The young man stood up. “They are all working together to…” He rubbed his two fingers over my lips.

“You know what the trouble with you is, Miss Nancy-Lou?”

“What?”

“You think too much, why don’t you let your other senses be your eyes?” I was puzzled by his response. “You don’t know what I mean this time? I have you in stitches do I?” Bo pulled out a red hanky and placed it gently on his lap. He took the corner and folded it tightly, over and over. I smiled as I watched the concentration in his eyes. “Don’t worry, it hasn’t been used.”

“I’m not worried.” He placed it over my eyes. My world had been filled with total darkness. Bo slid his hand on the bottom of my arm until he reached my hand. His other hand went onto my waist.

“Now walk forward, trust me.”

“What makes you think I don’t?”

“Nancy, listen to the sounds all around you, don’t talk.” I closed my mouth and opened my ears. I could hear the gentle breeze run through the sky. We walked for a long period of time. I could feel the dirt squish between my toes.

I could feel Bo’s strong working hand rub against mine as he redirected me. I could hear critters rustling on the ground. Bo’s hand that was once on my waist now was gone. I wanted to say something but I didn’t want to spoil his fun. Suddenly a new sound filled the air, it sounded like a bird’s wings fluttering.

Now, Bo let go of my other hand, he put them together. I wondered what he was going to do. When this young man put something into my hand, I used the other to feel it. It cooed in my hands. I could feel cool feathers. I knew what it was. Bo took the hanky off my eyes. The sun rippled into my face. I looked at the sky, the clouds had changed. We were standing at the fence and I had a beautiful dove in my hand.

“Let it go Nancy, he’ll come back sooner or later,” Bo commented. I smiled as I threw my hands in the air. “Now Nancy-Lou, tell me if you can dance even if you have lost your hearing.” I nodded gracefully because I knew I was up to the challenge. “Well then, put out your hand.”

Bo pulled me into his strong arms and began to dance with me. I could almost hear the music as I was pulled deeper into this trance. It was like the scene had changed as he closed my eyes. I was frightened at first but then remembered what he just did. “You are so…” I began.

“We’re like two young birds, flapping through the clouds. Neither one of us has a care in the world. You see all of the pretty stars coming closer to you. One is brighter than all the rest. I try to grab it for you but it is out of reach because it is too wild.”

I was really there. We were dancing on a cloud. The stars shinning all around us…I didn’t want to let go of Bo. All I could think of was the mystical dance we were doing. The joy I felt in his arms as we continued to dance. We seemed to be one in spirit. I was enjoying myself when suddenly, the dinner bell rang. My eyes opened. We were back on the farm. The light brown fence stood beside us. Bo and I were barefoot.

Bo bent down and picked up my shoes. He handed them to me just as my father arrived. You could see the dust from his tow truck. Daddy stopped the car immediately. I just got my second sandal on when he came out and gave me a hug. Bo had already made his way to the dinner table. “Hey my little Pumpkin! How was your flight?” Daddy asked. Just as I was about to say something, a black charger rolled in. Judd and the person I assumed to be Essy. “Hey Judd, Ess, good of ya to have made it.”

“Well traffic was awful, I’m surprised we made it at all. Old Roscoe tried to give me a ticket again,” Essy laughed.

“Oh, excuse my manners, this is my daughter Nancy-Lou,” Daddy announced. Essy put out a hand. I examined her. Long red hair, striking blue eyes. I wondered what was under that exterior.

“Hi Nancy.”

“Hello Essy, I hear you’re going to marry Judd Kane,” I finally said.

“No Nancy-Lou, I changed my name to Duke,” Judd added.

“You didn’t tell me you were planning that.” Essy smiled as she elbowed Judd. She leaned in for a kiss. You could see just how in love they truly were. “Judd Duke…sounds good but you can’t be the killer anymore.”

“We’re moving to Hazzard and I am becoming a lawyer here. No more fighting in the ring…except on special occasions. Essy’s gonna help her Auntie with the mail and of course she’ll help run the community center.”

“Sounds like a plan. I wish I would have heard about all of this earlier.”

“Sorry Nancy, I didn’t know your new address.”

“Ah it’s in the past.” We all sat down to a great meal and as dessert arrived on the table, Jesse looked around.

“Well, we have lots of news for everyone. Number one, Bo, Luke has a surprise for you,” Jesse commented.

“Our probation has been lifted,” Luke announced. The table was filled with cheers, and mumbles that soon ceased. “After Essy and Judd’s wedding, I am going to go and try to be a singer.”

“Well, if you can try, I guess I will to. That is now that I can do it,” Bo mumbled. He sighed. “Someone’s got to stay with Uncle Jesse. Who’s gonna help with the farm?”

“I ain’t some old fuddy duddy! I still got lots of beans left in me. You boys need to fulfill your dreams, not sit around the farm and dream up new ones. Okay, who is next?” Jesse finished.

“You know how I have wanted to work on cars for the big times?” Daddy began.

“Yeah?”

“Well, I have been offered a job for a year for the NASCAR racers. While I’m gone for two years, LB is gonna be taking over shop.”

“YAHOO!” Bo exclaimed. Daisy laughed.

“That’s Bo talk for, good for you,” She said. “Alright, I have been accepted to an LA dance school. Can you imagine? I thought I would never get it!” Everyone again was mumbling and cheering.

“I’m coming back to Hazzard to stay. Mama doesn’t agree but I don’t care, as soon as I am done the year I’m moving into the boarding house,” I cut in. Everyone’s eyes widened.

“Nonsense, you’re staying with me Nancy-Lou,” Daddy said.

“I can’t always be taken care of by you Daddy,” I retorted.

“Nancy, you’re my daughter.”

“Yeah I know, but you have a life and so do I. I am gonna teach at the local school and live in Hazzard. You know, every time I come here all I can see is its beauty. I know this is where I belong.”

“Then you will stay with me. If you think it is wrong, think again. You can even pay me rent if it will make your conscience feel at ease,” Uncle Jesse interrupted.

“Are you sure?”

“I am positive.”

“Jesse, that’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.” I got up and gave him a hug. All I could see was the gentle smile on his face. Essy-Jane held Judd’s hand close and kidded it. I was ready to growl.