by: Essy Jane

At the Duke farm, the morning came swiftly. Everyone was out of bed before their alarms hit. Now, Bo and Luke were out doing their chores faster than a hunter chasing after a boar. “I can’t wait to go with Daisy!” Bo exclaimed. He smiled as he spread the seed for the chickens.

“Bo, slow down, you’re gonna end up milking the chickens and trying to get eggs from our goat,” Luke joked. He began to chop some wood as Bo got the hay.

“Oh that was a quick one Luke. What are you planning to do with Essy?”

“I want to race her in that car of hers.”

“You like her.”

“I do not.”

“Admit it, you were just trying to tell me to ask her out so I would think she was too good for me so you could ask her out.”

“You sound crazy.”

“Maybe I am, maybe you do just love her car.”

“Maybe it jumps like the General.”

“You want to see another car fly? That’s why you want to go out with her? That’s pretty bad.”

“Okay, I admit it, she’s cute but…”

“But what? Not good enough for you?”

“Bo! Come on, get real.”

“I will when you do.”

“I do want to race her and that’s real.”

“You’ll have to wait until she’s off duty…”

“She’ll be off at four Beauregard.”

“Yeah I know that Lukas…don’t call me by that name, my name is Bo.”

“Okay BO.”

“You like her a lot but then why would you let me take her to the dance?”

“I wanted to give you a fair chance.”

“Luke, I don’t need a fair chance or any free bees. I need you to let me do this by myself.”

“Yeah, if you can ever get the words out.”

“Today will be the day.”

“Yeah, right.” Bo continued speeding through his work like there was no tomorrow. They literally began to beg Daisy to go with her. Daisy couldn’t believe her ears. Bo and Luke wanted to go shopping…that was like an episode of the twilight zone.

“Boys, this must mean you want to see something more than me try on dresses. I know you boys, you must have another motive. I am grocery shopping and picking up the mail,” Daisy commented. Bo and Luke looked at each other. They smiled at each other and knew what they were getting into. Now friends, this is a case of puppy love. Bo and Luke would do anything to see Essy-Jane.

Can you imagine it? It was 9’o clock in the morning and people were actually standing in line for their mail. Most people are too busy farming. Word spreads around fast in a small place like Hazzard. Essy’s arrival was known about before she even went to see Miss Tizdale. Bo and Luke had to take a number this time for sure.

Cletus was in front of them holding his number diligently. He wanted to see this young flower. Bo and Luke thought maybe they could snooker Cletus to give up his space in line. You have never met someone so persistent to see someone. “Now come on Cletus, I really want my mail,” Bo commented.

“Bo, I was always taught one thing in school, never cut in line,” Cletus smartly replied.

“Now Cletus, Daisy needs to get her dress for Saturday.”

“So? I need to go out and catch bad guys and I am in this line. Now you hold up and wait a few minutes will ya?” Bo looked at Luke. Luke was the one who usually had all the good ideas. After last night’s conversation, Bo thought he would even up the score. He was going to prove once and for all he too was smart.

“Hold the place in line Luke…I have to do something quick.”

“Okay cousin but I don’t get you one bit,” Luke replied.

“Oh you will Luke, believe me you will.” Luke wondered where in the world Bo was going. As he saw him talking to Rosco, Luke started laughing. There was a knock on the window from Rosco and one heck of an angry face.

“Buzzards on a buzz saw! I gotta get out of here Luke,” Cletus said. He walked out and was hit on the back of the head by Rosco just as Bo walked back in.

“Since when have you been coming up with plans?” Luke questioned.

“I am smart and I will come up with all the plans from now on if that’s what you want. You could take a break for a while and I will be the genius,” Bo mumbled.

“Fine by me Beauregard, I would rather sleep anyway; you can drive and do all the thinking.”

“Number 35,” Essy commented.

“BINGO! I mean…hey, that’s us!” Bo exclaimed. He walked a little too fast considering the counter was a half a foot away from him. Bo bumped into it. Essy giggled lightly. “Sorry ma’am.”

“Oh it’s you, Nephew of Jesse. Bo Duke, good to see you again.”

“Ah, good to see you too.”

“Well, I am in the presence of a movie star.”

“Who told you that?”

“You did yesterday.”

“Oh…right.” Luke elbowed Bo into hurrying this up. “I think my cousin’s trying to tell me to get the mail. Either that or he’s having a spasm.” Luke elbowed Bo again. “OW! Okay, geeze. Maybe he wants to say something too.”

“First we need to deal with the mail. Can I see some ID cowboys?”

“Sure can ma’am,” Luke remarked. He looked outside at Uncle Sam and wondered if it was a good time to ask about a race. Bo handed Essy the ID and got a big stack of mail. Luke suddenly came out of his gaze and looked at Essy. “How long did it take you?”

“Sorting mail is my business or are you taking about my car?”

“Car.”

“I built him from the frame up…it took me about a year. The sheet metal was great to work with. I had to find the right engine, colors, you know, the whole big engine. I get new parts whenever I can.”

“Do you wanna race with me? I mean after work that is?”

“Ain’t there a law against racing?”

“I suppose so, that don’t change the fun you’ll have when doing it.”

“I guess not.”

“Besides, the day the law catches me is the day I hang meatballs around my neck and jump off a bridge.” Essy shook her head. She couldn’t believe this guy. Luke hadn’t changed much. Though somehow he had a little bit of Bo tied into him today; Luke was acting like Bo in one way, he wanted to show off his wheels. Tell me folks, don’t most men wanna show off their stuff?

“Well then, it’s a date. If I make a date with one I should make one with the other, what do you think Bo?” Bo was staring into her eyes not even paying attention to what she was saying.

“Bo? Hello this is earth calling Bo, are you out there space cadet?” Luke questioned. Essy smiled.

“Do you want to throw the General into the lake?” Essy asked.

“Huh?” Bo said blankly. Luke laughed as snapped his fingers and he finally came out of it. Essy chuckled as she put the mail directly in Bo’s hand. She looked him in the eyes and could see the same thing she saw two years ago. She wasn’t about to tell him what was going on. The young woman loved the excitement of it all. She loved keeping the boys in suspense. It was like magic the way she could keep them on their toes.

“Luke, I will see you after work…but we’ll only race around for two hours. Bo, I will do something else with you.”

“Do you want to go Horse back biting…I mean back riding houses…I mean horse tack lighting.” Luke laughed for a minute. Bo went red in the face. He turned away and tried to get a hold on things.

“Nah, I don’t like those things but how does horseback riding sound?” Luke bit on his bottom lip. He didn’t want to make Bo go red anymore. Bo nodded. He was speechless. Luke elbowed him and Bo cleared his throat.

“Yeah, sounds good,” Bo commented.

“See you later cowboys.” They both walked out of the post office.

“Horse back biting? Oh I must have sounded like such an idiot,” Bo commented.

“Smooth move Bo, real smooth,” Luke commented.

“How can I pull off a date with Essy if I can’t even speak to her?”

“There’s always body language.”

“You’re not helping Luke.”

“Sorry.”

“Maybe if I talked slower.”

“Nah that would be too weird. She would think you were stupider than you are.”

“You really aren’t helping Luke!” Bo didn’t like this feeling. There aren’t many girls he becomes speechless around.

“I don’t know what to do.” Essy was different from the others he had dated. She was the only one that didn’t fall for his lines or his acting. She knew him very well and he couldn’t figure out how to beat her.

They walked out of the post office. Luke was grinning like a chessy cat. He was going to show her what country driving was all about. Bo and Luke walked into the store and saw Daisy with a blue dress on. She shook her head and went back into the change room and got into her regular clothes.

“I like this one but I was set on a white one,” Daisy commented. Luke pulled out a dress. It was black with daisy flowers on it.

“How about this one?” Luke asked.

“Oh, come on, name is Daisy. Wouldn’t it look weird if I wore a dress with daisy flowers on it?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“What to wear?”

“Beats me, I ain’t good at this stuff.” Bo rolled his eyes. He went into the middle of the rack and pulled out a beautiful white dress with sleeves that waved out like a fan. It was silky soft and what was best about it was that Daisy was crazy about it. “Bo, you’re remarkable.”

“It depends on the day,” Bo mumbled. He sighed. Bo sounded like he was lower than a chainsaw without fuel. Now friends, you know with Bo that can only mean two things, one he’s frustrated or two he’s upset. Sometimes it’s a bit of both. Today Bo was frustrated. “Today I can pick a dress, tomorrow I still won’t be able to take to Essy without freezing up or something.”

“Oh, that’s why you boys wanted to go into town. To see that girl you was ranting and raving about huh?” Bo rolled his eyes.

“I wasn’t rantin’ and I certainly wasn’t ravin’.”

“Bo, I was only teasing…”

“Well I have had just about enough of everyone making fun of me!”

“I wasn’t trying to make fun of you.” Bo pulled away.

“No matter what I do I’m known as Bo the screw up. Bo was too dumb to go to college.”

“Bo…”

“Well you want to know what happened, Daisy? He couldn’t afford to send me.”

“I know that.”

“That’s right, he couldn’t afford it at all. So I am not as dumb as you think I am. I didn’t want him to feel bad so I acted dumb.”

“Bo, I didn’t say that you were dumb!”

“Yes you did! First Luke makes fun of me and now you!”

“Bo…”

“Don’t Bo me Daisy Duke! I don’t need this anymore.” Luke grabbed Bo in his arms and held him. “Let me go!”

“Don’t fight with Daisy when you’re frustrated, it ain’t gonna make anything better!” Luke exclaimed. Bo’s shoulders slouched once again into their old position. He looked at his cousins. Bo’s face became warm.

“Dang I can’t believe that I…Oh gee,” Bo mumbled.

“Bo, it’s okay now. She didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I’m such a moron.” He walked away from his family, completely embarrassed. Luke tried to catch him but when he tried, Bo ran.

“Bo, come back!” Now friends, when you try to catch a person who was number one in the state track match you’re not gonna get very far.

“Man, I hope he’s okay,” Daisy said.

“Me too,” Luke mumbled. They both stood there watching as Bo got smaller and smaller. Now friends, this doesn’t look very good for the Duke boys. They’re usually such good friends but right now, Bo is pretty upset.

by: Essy Jane

Over at Emma Tizdale’s place, Essy was pulling the covers up to her Aunt’s chin. She kissed her Aunt on the forehead and held her hand. Miss Tizdale was running a fever. “Auntie Emma, you would think those boys would remember me. They didn’t,” Essy commented. Emma began to cough. She sat up a little on her pillows.

“Last time you came was two years ago. Your hair was shorter than it is now…it was dyed as I recall.”

“Deep ebony, yes I remember.”

“You also went by a different name, though I can’t see why. Diana Grayson…wasn’t a good name for you child. Your mom named you after her and me. Also you grew a little,” Emma replied. She looked at her niece.

“I was stupid…sixteen years old…Mom and Dad just died.”

“You were pretending to be older…those boys thought they were dating someone way out their league.”

“Well I am talented. I made them think I was like twenty…Bo was 18 years old at the time. Man…that was some summer.”

“That was some year honey.”

“You’re telling me…that year was one of the hardest years of my life. Megan went on a rampage and did stupid things that landed her in jail. So much has changed.”

“Yes…for the better, your mother would be proud of you.”

“How is my name connected to you two? Her name was Sybil.”

“Sybil Jane Richmond.”

“Well I see how the Jane works in but what about the rest?”

“The E is from my name…the S and the Y is from your mother’s name.” Emma began to cough again.

“I am keeping you up, you need your rest. Don’t worry about the mail. I have been carrying the family business since I got out of school.”

“You should be in college instead of delivering mail.” Essy hated this topic. She wasn’t about to give up a passion she loved. “You could have been so much.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be a lawyer or a doctor.”

“What do you want to be Essy? You have got to choose something. You can’t stick to the family business. Mail may be an important subject in people’s lives but…” She began to have these hacking coughs. Emma was too involved in the word for a woman her age. She caught pneumonia to win a bet.

“Auntie Emma, I should go.”

“No child…I want you to hear my piece.”

“Okay, but I don’t want you getting anymore sick than you already are.”

“I won’t.”

“You’re so stubborn.”

“Not stubborn, just persistent.” Essy giggled. “Mail is important for people and I know that.”

“Then you understand why I like to do it so much. Auntie, you don’t know how many interesting people I have had the privilege of meeting.”

“That’s because they think you’re pretty.”

“Auntie!”

“Well, that’s part of the reason.”

“Auntie, I love my job. I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it. I like being here. I like showing people just how smart I really am.”

“You need something better than me and your Aunts have.”

“What could possibly be better than what you have? You have friends and family with a job to boot.”

“I never married. I was too stubborn. I wanted Jesse but he and his wife were already together. I couldn’t settle for anyone else so, I am alone.”

“You have me.”

“Not all the time baby.”

“If you want me to move back to Hazzard for good I…”

“Child, that ain’t what I want.” Emma sighed. She looked at her niece with pride. After all Essy had been through, Emma knew she stayed a good girl. “I want you to go somewhere and be somebody. Not how Megan thought she could make a name for herself.”

“I am not my sister.”

“That’s not what I meant. What I mean is, I want you to be someone special Essy.”

“I am someone special Aunt Emma, I am a Tizdale. That’s the greatest gift of all.” Emma smiled and gave her niece a hug. “Now, you get some rest. I promise I will think about what I want in life.” They released from the hug and looked at each other.

“That’s my girl. I don’t know how Jesse does it.”

“Does what?”

“Keeps his sweet boys in check.”

“He’s good, I’ll admit that. Boy Luke and Bo can be a handful, I believe that.”

“Well, that Jesse, when I see him…Oooo.” Emma cleared her throat. I mean, he’s one sweet man.”

“You love him still, oh Auntie.”

“Once you fall in love with a Duke, it is hard to break the habit.”

“I should let you go to bed.”

“Which one do you like?”

“I don’t know…I don’t see myself marrying a Duke.”

“You never know kid, you just never know.”

“Anyway, goodnight Auntie Emma.”

“Goodnight child and may all your greatest dreams come true.”

“The same goes to you.” With that Essy went out of the room and like she said, she would think about her life. Essy got into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She knelt beside her bed and said her prayers as she did every night. Essy blessed everyone in the world and thanked you know who for the life she had.

A land rich with opportunity…that’s America for you, Essy thought to herself. She wondered if she could be something more. Essy wanted to be a writer more than anything in the world. She wanted to write for people all day long and have them open her books and feel joy. It would be a career to want to come home to.

Essy knew that writing may not pay as much as most jobs she could have. Sorting mail would give her the chance she needed to write. No one in Essy’s family liked what she chose. The young woman could be so much more.

Essy didn’t want to sit there and be something she wasn’t. She wanted to go out into the world and explore…become the first person to live under the sea…anything to be different. There were so many things Essy wanted to do and so little time to do it all in. This isn’t the time to be thinking of this, Essy thought, I need some sleep.

She got into her soft covers and pulled them up to her chin. Essy rolled onto her side. In spite of it being an odd place, she was asleep before she knew it. Hazzard was quiet…too quiet. Everyone who was anyone was in bed. The dogs wailed but soon were quieted by the sweet wind whispering sweet melodies across the starlit sky.

by: Essy Jane

As Bo walked into the house he had a giant grin on his face. He looked at Daisy and placed her hand in his. Bo spun Daisy around the room just to see how fast he could do it. He stopped and released his hand from hers and walked out of the room. “What’s with him?” Daisy asked.

“He’s got the love bug,” Uncle Jesse replied.

“Who is it this time?”

“Her name is Essy.”

“Essy who?”

“I ain’t saying anything.”

“Why not, Uncle Jesse.”

“Well A, I think the boys have to work for this one and B, because it will keep them quiet for a while.” Daisy laughed. Uncle Jesse always knew what he was doing. Those boys needed some quiet time. They had been saving Hazzard all week. It was about time they got a break.

“You know, Bo looks like a feather floating in the wind.”

“I can believe that.”

Later that night…

Bo flipped through the old photo albums anxiously. He had no patience for anything. He had as much patience as a rattle snake around its prey. Finding out who Essy was or where her family line was located was the most important thing right now.

Finally there was a picture. It was Uncle Jesse and a girl on his shoulders. Her smile was just as beautiful as Essy’s. Her hair was fluttering in the wind as the picture was taken. Bo wiped the finger print off of the album with his shirt. He tapped the picture a few times and smiled. Yep, he knew this was the one. Uncle Jesse hovered over his nephew.

“Who is this Uncle Jesse?” Bo questioned.

Uncle Jesse blushed at sight of the picture. He didn’t think Bo would figure it out so fast. Jesse held up the picture and smiled. It had been a long time since he had seen that one. He touched the girl’s hair and wiped a tear from his aged eyes.

“This is a picture of someone dear to my heart. Emma, you’re so young here,” Jesse replied. He took a deep breath and let it out slow. Bo stared at his uncle as a smile became plastered on his face.

“No way…Emma Tisdale? She’s so…” Bo began.

“Radiant? Sweet looking?”

“Yeah how did you…?”

“I had the same fascination with her as you do with Essy.”

“You? No way, you always seem to avoid Miss Tizdale.”

“Well that’s because she gives me too much attention.”

“You, shy of women?”

“Ever since your Aunt died I have been. Bo, your Aunt has always been a special lady to me.”

“She always will be too.”

“Anyway, Emma was way shorter than Essy-Jane though. Essy’s got her father’s genes.”

“That can’t be Emma…she’s so—“

“Young?”

“That’s not what I meant. I can’t keep my eyes off of her.”

“Emma is one of those you can’t forget. I loved her a lot but even more so I loved your Aunt. Choosing between them was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

“I bet.”

“Essy is gonna have some problems with you two. Bo’s in love with her and Luke’s in love with the car.” Uncle Jesse grinned.

“Essy-Jane Tizdale…That name is like magic.”

“Essy-Jane Anne Tizdale.”

“Man, what a long name,” Luke said.

“Don’t make fun of it. She may be my wife one day,” Bo grumbled.

“You have more of a chance being married to a Davenport then marrying a Tizdale.”

“Don’t be so sure, Emma is still hung up on me,” Uncle Jesse cut in. He laughed a little bit and looked at his boys. This was going to be an interesting moment. Luke and Bo both looking at the same girl for the same reason; this could be trouble y’all. It was nightfall and there was no way Bo or Luke would be doing any girl huntin’ tonight. Bo and Luke got into their pyjama bottoms. They both lay down just thinking.

“So what’s tomorrow gonna be like for us?” Luke asked softly. He yawned and rolled onto his side looking at Bo.

“It’s Hazzard, why ask? I know one thing…I am picking up the mail tomorrow,” Bo replied.

“That’ll mean we’ll have to go shopping with Daisy…she wanted us to help her pick out a dress for the big dance in two weeks…you know, the spring fling?”

“If I didn’t know about that I wouldn’t be in Hazzard.”

“So have you asked anyone?”

“Nope.” Luke was shocked. Usually he had a date three weeks in advance.

“No? How can you not have a date?”

“Hard to choose.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nine girls have asked me.”

“Nine! Bo, you have got to bring one girl not nine.” Bo thought for a moment. He liked a lot of girls but he like didn’t know how to choose. He really liked a lot of them they were the same country girls he had always known. He wanted someone tall with red hair. Someone with a new personality, someone like…Essy. However, Miss Tizdale wasn’t exactly keen on her girl going out to a place with a lot of boys knowingly.

“I don’t know Luke…who would you choose?”

“I ain’t your keeper Bo, you need to learn how to find your own gals.”

“It’s so hard to choose. Put a man in front of beautiful women and you can’t seem to say no to any of them.”

“What did you do, put them on a waiting list?”

“No, they would have been mad.”

“What did you say then?”

“I told them to let me think about it.” Luke rolled his eyes. He looked at his cousin. “Well what would have you done?”

“Gone out with one.”

“Which one would you go with, Luke? A soaring blonde, a sturdy brunette…”

“How about Essy-Jane, you could take her couldn’t you Bo?”

“I would be afraid to ask. She seems so…so…”

“Independent, yeah I see that in her face.”

“She seems wise.”

“Essy is an intelligent woman and I could see how that would intimidate you to have someone at a higher intellectual level than you.”

“Just what are you implying?”

“Well, you don’t have all the brains she does. Essy is pretty witty and you are like cranberry jelly around her. I can understand why you ain’t able to communicate. You don’t want to sound like an idiot.” Bo snarled at his cousin. He wasn’t stupid. She was smart, just as smart as Bo, that’s what scared him.

You see, Bo tried to hide his smarts to avoid being sent to college. He knew that his dear Uncle couldn’t afford it. Besides that, half the jobs he could get with his knowledge weren’t available due to his record. Essy had a chance that Bo would never and that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

“Luke…I wish you wouldn’t assume things. I am smart,” Growled Bo.

“Yeah I know you are smart, just not in the way I am smart. You have talents too,” Luke commented. Bo knew this wasn’t gonna go where he wanted it to. He decided to end the conversation by rolling over. Luke knew that he had upset his cousin. “Bo, for what it is worth you’re an amazing person.”

“Go to sleep Luke…the more you say the worse I feel.”

“Okay Bo, I am sorry.”

“Yeah and sometimes sorry don’t cut it.”

“Now just a minute Bo, I didn’t mean anything by it at all.”

“Well let’s see, you basically said I was too stupid for her is that it? Just because I don’t think of all the plans or work on everything you want me to doesn’t mean that I ain’t smart. End of discussion, goodnight.”

“Bo…”

“I said goodnight, Luke.”

by: Essy Jane

Welcome to Hazzard, home of good values and trying times. Don’t take my word for it though. We got every type of man from the dirty Sheriff Roscoe to Enos “the oldest virgin in Hazzard County” Strait. Uh huh, that’s diversity for ya. Yep, the best shindigs around trust me, you ain’t ever been to a party until you’ve been to a barn dance with Boss Hogg usually dipping into the cookie jar.

We also got Bo and Luke Duke, they’re cousins. Almost like brothers those two, they live on what’s been famously called the Duke farm. When the Duke boys aren’t farming or chasing after women, they can be found fighting the system. They’re thicker than molasses those two.

Over at the Boar’s Nest we got a very wonderful attraction and I don’t mean the peanuts, Daisy Duke, one of the toughest gals you will ever lay your eyes on. Shoots like the best cowboys around and wrestles pretty darn well too. Don’t get in her way though, Daisy may look pretty but she has a temper.

Don’t forget Jesse Duke, he may look like an old timer but watch out now, because he’s still got some tricks up his sleeves. Jesse is the patriarch of the family. He watches over the boys like they was his own. His boys were given probation in exchange for Jesse not making any more corn whiskey, better known in these parts as moonshine. Now, the shine business had been going on for generations. Sure made ol’ Jesse sad to give it up but he would do anything for those boys.

Now, it may look like a sleepy little County but a lot goes on here. You would have never guessed it in a place like Hazzard. If you look in the sleepy town you see most of the same rituals. Cooter Davenport is usually fiddling with cars. Mr. Rhuebottom cleans up his store and sells the goods. Maybelle is the town operator. They’s all doing their jobs but you can see differences.

First off, there usually is a white haired woman delivering mail, Emma Tizdale. Have you ever seen a motorcycle derby? Well folks, you could count on Miss Tizdale beating the pants off every person that is in her way. Yep, Hazzard County was different.

Bo and Luke Duke weren’t to be seen on the roads of Hazzard as they usually were. They were off helping a family with their roof. The boys always did odd jobs for neighbours in need. Bo was working on one side of the roof and Luke the other. “I’m beating you out of the water Bo,” Luke commented as he put his last nail in. Bo laughed.

“For once, you’re in a hurry and I’m taking my time. I guess I should be giving you one of those famous lectures you give me. Let’s see if I can do it right,” Bo began. He cleared his throat and straightened up.

“Bo, don’t you dare.”

“Now Luke, quit fooling around, I ain’t about to have the roof leak because you wanna speed through.” Bo’s shoulders drooped. “How was that?” Luke shook his head and started laughing.

“Why are you taking your sweet time Bo?”

“Mrs. Carmichael needs this roof done right like I said.”

“Oh come on Bo, I know you better than that.”

“Linda doesn’t need her pretty little head rained on. How would she feel if she had drenched hair all the time?”

“Ah, Linda you say?”

“Yeah.”

“Another one of your perspective candidates?”

“Oh yeah.” The boys got off the roof finally and told Mrs. Carmichael they were done. She offered them a glass of water which they took as payment.

“You boys are heroes,” she said softly.

“No problem,” Luke replied. Soon the boys were on their way home to help their Uncle Jesse with the chores.

For Uncle Jesse and the boys, an adventure was about to begin. You see, there was something different going on here, something real different. An engine, now you might not think that’s all that different but in Hazzard but a new-fangled engine means fresh blood. Not to mention all the attention in Hazzard County.

This particular piece of work roared across the roads of Hazzard County. Man, I wish I was in that vehicle right this very second. The engine was really built for speed. The person behind the wheel of this particular vehicle was about to go on the greatest adventure of all. After all folks you have to remember, this isn’t like any other county I’ve been to.

The white pickup, know to all folks in Hazzard, swerved out of control. Nope, those boys ain’t in sight this time. Sure they’d be here soon but probably not in time. You see their Uncle Jesse was inside and yes, he was having problems. It wasn’t usual for him to have problems. Think about it, he’d been driving since he was eight.

The race car turned sharply from side to side…almost in the same rhythm as the pickup. The daring driver had a mission, to save this man. Now let me tell you friends, this wasn’t any Duke boy I knew. It wasn’t the common General Lee that was usually set in the streets of Hazzard.

The car was a Charger that was full of life like the General but you couldn’t miss that wonderful car for all the soda pop in the world. Uh huh, an Orange car with a confederate flag on the top, well let’s just say you ain’t gonna camouflage it with the road.

The driver seemed to know what he or she was doing. When watching this stranger drive, you would almost think he was native to Hazzard County. With his or her sharp turns and fun personality. The driver wasn’t all that familiar to all Hazzard County folk. It had been so long since this person had been back there.

A black cowgirl hat flipped off and wild hair shot out of it like snakes trapping their prey. She let out a wild yahoo. She was a stranger among many people. The young woman worked her magic as she tapped the breaks. The truck was slowed down. He sat for a moment, catching his breath. The whole experience of a car being out of control wasn’t new to him. However, Jesse like any normal person had a normal reaction, relief.

“Thank you ma’am,” Jesse said as he got out of his truck.

“Let’s see what’s wrong with your truck shall we,” The girl replied. She got under the truck and looked around.

“Honey, I could have done that.”

“It’s no problem, really.”

“You’re Aunt would be proud of you. You know that Miss Essy?”

“How’d you recognize me, Jesse?”

“Oh come on Essy, you look just like your Aunt did at this age.” The young woman pushed herself up from under the car and smiled at him. Jesse went red in the face thinking of her Aunt and what she would say with this incident. Essy winked at the aging bearded man.

“You’re a wonderful man Jesse and I am surprised I bumped into you.” She climbed back under that truck of his. Essy looked around.

“Well young lady, thank you for your help.”

“Jesse, if I didn’t help you, my Auntie would tan my hide.”

“No she wouldn’t.”

“Oh yes she would. You’re her favourite after all.”

“You think so?”

“Oh Honey, I know so.”

“Thank you for being so kind to an old man. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.”

Bo and Luke were driving down the same road that their Uncle Jesse was speeding down. Both boys glared over just as Essy got up from under the pickup truck. “Hey, Uncle Jesse has his hood up,” Luke noted. Bo nodded.

“I wonder if something’s wrong,” Bo replied. They finally saw the young lady talking with their Uncle Jesse. Now friends, you can imagine a reaction from a couple of country boys, yep they liked her.

There was only one catch, she was no one Bo and Luke had ever laid their eyes on before. It was like something out of a romance novel. She was gorgeous and helping their loved one. That red hair blew softly in the wind and those blue eyes pierced both Bo and Luke’s hearts.

Her skin was fair and light. She wore brown tinted lipstick and had a smile that would tame the most wretched beast. Now I tell you one thing, if I were Bo and Luke I would be snagging up that girl before you could say Sandra Sander’s simple Sunday scissors slice slimly slippery slugs.

I could just see that look in Bo’s eyes. He could detect a good girl from a mile away…call it Bo radar if you will. He seemed to be straighten up as we speak. Ready to roll on the famous Duke charm. His Bo radar was going strong. “Who in the world is that?” Bo questioned. Y’see, he’s using it already.

“I don’t know…I ain’t ever seen her before in my life,” Luke replied blankly.

“I wonder if she’s staying here for a spell.”

“Probably not…a girl like that?” Luke stared at her face for a second. “Hey, I know her from somewhere.”

“No you don’t, I don’t think she’s ever been here before.” He couldn’t put the face to a name but somehow she seemed familiar. It was in the eyes. Luke sometimes had problems with names but could never forget a face.

Bo pulled off onto the side of the road as if under hypnosis. He wanted to meet this mystery girl. Now friends, nothing comes between a boy and his heart. Young people have this true love with everyone. Not because they want to but because every young person don’t know what true love is.

Luke and Bo got out of the General Lee and looked over at the black Charger. Luke was more interested in the car instead of the girl but that was only because of how similar it was to the General. Sure, the car had some differences but what were they? Luke wanted a better look at this engine.

“Woe, Uncle Jesse. You’re here. I mean umm…what are you doing here Uncle Jesse? No that’s not it…what I mean is what are you doing in the middle of the road with a younger lady Uncle Jesse?” Bo questioned. Now I am glad Bo stopped when he did…that boy could’ve gotten himself into a whole mess of trouble if he kept his lips moving.

“You boy, are a bit nutty. I tell ya kid…keep your mind on the important things instead of the stuff that doesn’t matter. If you must know, I was spinning out of control until this young lady saved me,” Uncle Jesse commented.

“Yeah Uncle Jesse…that’s what they all say, I bet you planned this. I think you wanted me to settle down.” The young woman laughed. She patted Bo on the head and got back under the truck.

“I wouldn’t do that for you Bo, I told you before if you want something, earn it.”

“Yes sir.”

“If you want a relationship boy, you have to get it yourself.”

“I can do that.”

“I ain’t about to go out and lasso you a lady friend.”

“So she really did save your life?”

“You bet your boots she did. I am mighty grateful too ma’am.”

“It was no trouble at all. I don’t even see why you’re mentioning it. I was glad to be there for someone like you Jesse Duke. You know my Auntie tells me stories all the time about you,” she replied.

“Is that so? Well our Uncle Jesse is famous around these parts. He is the shine king. I mean—was the shine king,” Bo said.

“I am still the shine king. I just ain’t allowed to make it is all,” Uncle Jesse snuffed.

“Sorry Uncle Jesse.”

“Apology accepted.” Essy jumped up with a tube in her hand.

“Here’s your problem Jesse, your break line was ripped open. It doesn’t look like it has been cut purposely though,” Essy commented.

“Land sakes, if it weren’t for you, I would have been dead. You know, it must have been that shortcut I took. Dang!” Uncle Jesse grumbled. Now Bo was about to use his charm.

“I hope you know to be with a Duke is like being with a movie star,” Bo mumbled.

“Ma’am, do you mind if I look under your hood?” Luke asked. The girl smiled. She loved when people would admire her 1969 charger. The girl popped the hood and Luke marvelled at the engine. He couldn’t believe how similar the General Lee and this car called…Uncle Sam really was.

“Do you like it?” The girl asked.

“Yeah, where’d you get the idea from?”

“My Aunt wrote me about a bright orange car with a 01 painted on the door. I wanted to see if I could reconstruct that car as you boys did. I didn’t want to copy y’all. I mean it wouldn’t be right.”

“Thank goodness for your sense of right and wrong ma’am.”

“I did my own colour scheme to make it somewhat different. I also wanted to make my patriotism known. This car had to show the country and not just the south. I wanted it to mark all of United States. Uncle Sam was the only name I could come up with. I figured if you were 01 then I would be 13.”

“Ah…makes sense. Meaning the beginning of the United States right?”

“You’re a clever man Luke.”

“Thank you.”

“They started with 13 colonies and ended up with a great nation. One in which we can practice rights that some people only dream of. A country that has grown over the years…she’s our country.” Luke stared at the American flag painted on the top with an eagle painted on the trunk.

“What’s your name?”

“Essy-Jane, all my friends call me Essy and that’s all you need to know. You will see me again boys and I guarantee it.”

“Don’t leave now; you have to—tell me more about yourself!” Bo exclaimed. Essy giggled. She kissed Bo on the forehead and did the same to Luke. Essy climbed into Sam and drove off. Bo was drooling over her like a hound dog over a bone. Uncle Jesse snapped his fingers a few times to get Bo out of his trance.

“You are girl crazy you know that?” Uncle Jesse commented.

“I can’t disagree with you there Uncle Jesse. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t be Bo Duke,” Bo replied with a big smile on your face.

“True. Your first kiss was when you were four. I remember what you did too. You fixed the girl’s doll and she gave you a kiss. It was funny to watch.”

“I can’t help if girls like me.”

“Would you tie your ego down for just a minute? Now Cooter is coming to get the pickup. If you weren’t so busy drooling over Essy you would have heard me call Cooter.”

“I wasn’t drooling.”

“Yeah and that’s why there’s a puddle at your feet.” Bo looked down and then up again. Uncle Jesse began to laugh. Uncle Jesse does have a sense of humour. “Made ya look.”

“That wasn’t funny.”

“Sure looked funny to me.”

“I don’t drool over girls.”

“Boy, if you could see the look on your face every time you see a girl.”

“That’s because I haven’t found a steady girl yet.”

“With the way you’re looking, you won’t ever find a steady girl.” Luke began to laugh. Bo glared at him.

“Not funny Luke.”

“Sure it is,” Luke answered.

“You ain’t likely of settling down either. You would have to find some woman who is as wild as you.”

“Look whose talking? You’re more likely to settle down with a pig than a woman.”

“A pig…why I outta…”

“Find a Hog.”

“Now just wait a minute, I ain’t gonna date no Hogg. Then again, if we made Boss mad…”

“Bo, you got Boss Hogg on the brain. I meant a good swine.”

“Be quiet Lukas.”

“In your dreams Beauregard!”

“My name’s Bo, Lukas.”

“Boys, simmer down. I don’t want to hear you two whimpering over who is gonna marry a pig. Outta all three of ya, I bet Daisy will get married first. So, no more of this nonsense,” Uncle Jesse cut in.

“Yes sir,” Luke said.

“Yes sir,” Bo growled.

“So will you boys give me a ride home?”

“Sure that’s not a problem Uncle Jesse on one condition.”

“You’re making conditions with me? After all I have done for you? I have raised you, I fed you, kept a roof over your head…”

“Okay, I’m sorry, I won’t ask for conditions just please tell me who her kin is I just know her from some where.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

“If you already know her then why can’t you just tell me?”

“Well Bo, it’s more fun this way. Search through my albums and you’ll find out who she is.”

“Oh come on Uncle Jesse!”

“Remember, nothing is for free around here. Always remember that.”

“Yes sir.” Luke slapped his cousin in the back of the head before Bo got into the driver’s seat.

“What’d you go and do that for Luke?”

“To make sure you were awake,” Luke answered.

“Well I am so thanks for the gesture.”

“Anytime cousin.” Bo started up the engine of his car and drove on. Our poor Bo just couldn’t keep her off his mind. Essy’s beauty radiated through his heart. In fact with all the love going through the air, Bo forgot all about the little siren that was behind him. “Bo is you alive or do you want me to show Rosco who is boss from the passenger’s seat?”

Bo finally realized what Luke was talking about. He put the gas to the floor and sped away. Uncle Jesse wondered what got into that boy. He wouldn’t ask because Bo still was going through it.