Written: Winter/Spring 2002 by the following contributing authors: Essy Jane and Kristy Duke.
Edited by: Essy Jane
CHAPTER THREE
Two weeks later, we were still here. I didn't want
to go back. I felt
ashamed now instead of the un-redeeming pride I had in my heart. I
worked by
butt off in school and at work. I took on any extra shifts they had.
I had
earned enough money to do something special with Bo.
I blind folded him that day and took him on a wild
goose chase on the bus. I
took the blind fold off and there he was in the middle of a baseball
game.
For the first time in weeks he smiled.
It was amazing. More so than anything miracle I
had ever witnessed. His face
lit up like a child playing football with a hero in his life. Bo was
cheering the whole time and even explained some of the game to me.
I
pretended as if I didn't know anything about Baseball just for the
pleasure
of his face as he explained the game.
"How'd you afford tickets so close?" Bo questioned.
"I worked very hard," I replied.
"These are 100 dollar tickets. You must've
worked very hard." Bo hugged me.
As the night passed, Bo fell asleep on my shoulder. It was the most
wonderful feeling. Bo finally got some rest.
I watch my cousin sleep upon his bed, of which
he was against doing since he
had to call off work. But I told him he hadn't had a choice, he needed
the
time off to regroup, to sort things out for himself. Watching him sleep
I am
thankful that I worked so hard to get those tickets.
He loves baseball as much as racing and of all
teams he had picked as a
child to like in baseball, it was the Chicago cubs. He never got to
see a
game in person, but a few on TV over at Cooter's where he has cable
television. If only he picked the Braves, he most likely could have
gotten
hold of cheap tickets to see them, but he despises the Braves and refuses
to
go see them. I made him so happy for the first time in months and that
is a
good feeling. Though looking at him, I know what would make him even
happier
if I would give into my selfish pride and return to Hazzard once and
for
all.
I sigh thinking of Luke and all that we had said
on the phone the other day
to Jesse who will be released from the hospital on Monday. Being home
would
feel so good, where I should have been from the start. Though I refuse
to go
home due to guilty feeling and pride that swells in my heart. Though
of all
who is suffering due to my guilt and pride Bo is suffering the most.
He has
now regained his second job to pay off medical bills, the apartment,
my
schooling, and for food. He sure did need a break and the Cubs game
was what
he needed. He always talked about it since we arrived in Chicago, but
knew
it wouldn't happen due to financial problems.
Slowly I walk out of his room to sit down at the
table and begin to thumb
through an old sports magazine that he brought from home. I jump as
the door
bell rings loudly outside and I wonder who it could be at this time
of
night.
Gradually I approach the door, my heart pounding
in fear of who it could be
and what they want. Approaching the door I look through the peep hole
to
find a Luke standing there, holding flowers in one hand and large model
Jeff
Gordon car in the next. My heart beats excitedly and in disappointment
to
see Luke Duke standing at our door step, disappointed to what he may
be
doing here. Slowly I open the door and let my older cousin walk into
the
room who hugs me tightly before giving me the large bundle of beautiful
smelling flowers.
My heart almost melted and my lit up with tears.
The sight of him amazed me.
I knew that he must've done something to get over here but what? I
had him
in a half hug and wouldn't let him go. I must've been turning him all
sorts
of shades of colours. My goodness, he seemed shorter than when I last
had
seen him. I guess sometimes when you haven't seen people in a long
time they
look different.
Luke's hair had been cut really short. How many
times did he tell me that he
wanted to keep it longer than long? Well it was just starting to grow
out.
He was slouched over enough. Luke just had his old habits back again.
"It's
okay Daisy, I'm glad to see you too," He laughed.
"Bo will be happy to see you. I took him to
a baseball game and he was so
happy. But this will be the better surprise for him. This is the best
thing
you've ever done for me," I remarked. I looked at his big blue
eyes. They're
piercing like Bo's. Those eyes can see right into people. I mean honestly.
How many people have you seen that are that good at seeing into your
heart?
"You know, I wish that I could get this much
surprise when I walked through
the doors of Marines." I bit my lip, I remembered him going into
the
service. I was so angry with him. I didn't know why either. Maybe it
was
because he was gone. Or maybe it was because I didn't want him to get
hurt.
For what ever matter it was I was angry and not
just a little bit. I wanted
my cousin back. Not just a little bit, I wanted Luke back bad. He wasn't
meant to be there. He was meant to be teasing Bo about how he was out
of
school. Luke was meant to help me in the evening with homework. He
didn't
have any reason of going out there.
Bo stayed in his room for a week when Luke got
the telegram. He didn't want
to look at anyone or even speak to anyone. Luke was important to him.
More
than others, Bo had a special bond with his cousin. He was disabled
by to
accounts of what had happened.
Uncle Jesse sobbed for a week. He was the one that
first got Luke's
telegram. That's the worst of all. Uncle Jesse has been more of a father
to
us than anything. At that point it was like he was loosing his son.
Luke was
a special person in his heart. He did amazing things in his youth and
was
always aching for more. Everyone missed Luke Duke. Most people took
an
immediate liking to the young fellow.
Well when he was back...I don't know Bo's face
lit up again. They worked on
that car of theirs and finally finished it. Bo missed Luke more than
anything. You could not only tell it in his eyes but also by the way
he
acted when Luke came home.
Luke had changed too. He had a different perspective
on life. Maybe that's
why Luke was so worried about me dating. I guess also it had to have
been my
ability to handle myself. I suppose everyone's there for me. Not just
Bo but
all of my family.
A lot of Luke's friends looked out for me when
he was out there. I guess it
was a favour to my cousin. A lot of them asked me on dates too though.
But
if they didn't treat me right, one of Luke's friends who's name is
Jerry
would beat them up. It didn't matter what they did to miss treat me
there he
was.
I finally stepped out of my fantasy land and closed
the apartment door. Luke
handed me a roll full of crisp 100 dollar bills. "This is from
Uncle Jesse
with love," Luke commented as he sat down on the couch.
"Why aren't you with him?" I questioned
un-jealously. I did want Luke to be
here but why wasn't he there with my Uncle? He needed him right now.
If I
were there I would be at his side always. I would have to get the nurses
to
take me out.
"He told me to come to see you Daisy. He told
me that I needed to see you.
Uncle Jesse knows us better than we know ourselves. I guess he's had
a lot
of training between you and Bo and I. Look at how we turned out. You
and Bo
can actually live on your own. He must've done something right."
It was
true. We had turned out very well considering that we didn't have our
parents on our side.
I didn't really hate my parents for the decision
that they made when they
dropped me off here. If you think about it, this was for my better
health.
We were living in a one room apartment; my Dad could barely support
my mom
let alone me. My mom was sick a lot. I didn't ever know why she had
multiple
sclerosis. It was an over demanding job to take care of her.
When he sent me to live with Uncle Jesse, the first
thing he did was sat
those boys down. He told them I was different from a boy and I needed
to be
treated different. Uncle Jesse was always the best.
"Bo's working two jobs and I am working part time," I replied.
"Bo is working two jobs? That's not good for
him. Oh well you do what you
have to do I suppose."
"He seems to enjoy both but..."
"What? Does he get over tired? Bo does stuff
like this all the time Daisy.
He took on two jobs before in Hazzard." This was news to me. I
never heard
of him taking another job before.
"He never told me anything about that."
"Last year. He wrote me about it. That's why
Bo had to take summer classes
the year before. He wanted to help around the house more by helping
with
money. It was the only way he could finish school and still get a job."
"That's insanity!"
"That's true love. Bo does his best Daisy
and that's all you can possibly
expect from him."
"I know, it's just strange." I heard
something hit the floor. I rolled my
eyes as usual. I knew that noise well. It meant Bo was getting dressed
in
the dark again.
"What in the world was that?"
"Bo just put his pants on."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh yeah. He loves to see how long it takes
to find his clothes in the dark
and makes a game of it. Weird but interesting if I say so myself."
I opened the door to Bo's room and turned on the
light. He just stared at me
red faced. "You should knock upon entry," Bo mumbled.
"Well you have pants on," Daisy replied.
"Yeah I guess so." Bo stood up. He had a tape wrapped around his ribs.
"You sure those don't hurt?"
"Oh no, that new job of mine just keeps me
entertained. You know how it is,
sometimes these fights go overboard."
"You want to talk to Luke?"
"Oh he's on the phone?"
"No, and he’s here."
"You mean here? In this apartment here?"
"Yes, right here in this place." Bo looked
at me and jumped up and down like
a little child. He was so happy it made me even happier. He ran out
the door
and banged into a wall without even thinking about where the door was.
Luke hissed with laughter as he saw his cousin
slide down the floor. The two
embraced and didn't seem like they were going to let go. They were
together
again. I loved to see that sight. But I am late for work. I slipped
out of
the door.
It was a cold brisk morning as I walked to the
bus stop. I rubbed my arms as
people walked by. Some jogged and some tarried behind. There were many
people down here on the streets and some weren't as happy as others.
As I
made it there, this man kept on staring at me. I didn't understand
why. He
made it known to me as he grabbed me.
I can't believe how dirty some men can be. I clubbed
him in the face with my
elbow hard as the bus finally arrived. I leaped onto it. I was scared
of men
like that. And you wouldn't believe what he did next, the man laughed
and
waved bye to me.
The bus ride seemed to go on forever. I guess on
Sunday it would. I had no
time to go to church on Sundays because making income was all I could
do for
the family. Though it was sad, that's life.
It isn't the easiest thing in the world to do this
job today. Everyone's
surrounding us; this being no holiday but rather a birthday celebration.
Nine tables had been put together with over excited little kids running
around. I split orange juice all over myself due to one of them pushing
me.
These kids are monsters. I finally made it over
to the booth. I didn't
really look up from my pad of paper. "Hi, welcome to Music Man
family
restaurant. You y'all ready to order?" I asked in my usual voice.
I kind of
peered up and saw a black crew cut. It was Luke. I knew that hair from
anywhere. "Well?" I continued. I didn't look up once.
"I'd like two breakfast specials and a hug
from my cousin to my cousin and
myself if that's professional," Bo joked.
"A hug is fine." They both jumped up
and hugged me. But the stain of the
juice wasn't quiet finished setting in. It kind of went on both shoulders.
So well my cousins got a little damp; it wasn't my fault. You know
how girls
are.
"I would hope that this juice all over you
hasn't set into my clothes," Luke
mumbled.
"Me too Daisy girl; Luke promised to leave
you a big tip," Bo added. They
were my best customers all day. The most behaved anyway.
It was fun to watch those two guys laugh as the
ankle bitters lived up to
their name. What a zoo. I don't see why anyone would have a birthday
breakfast with lost of kids.
Finally I return from work around two thirty, my
normal time on a Sunday.
Slowly I make my way to my small bed room in the back; I had allowed
Bo to
have the bigger of the two since he was doing so much for him and because
he
never had a room to himself before, but shared it with Luke. Even if
Luke
was gone, his bed was still there for him to stare at it as if he expected
it to move. I sigh wearily as I notice how quiet it is throughout the
whole
apartment, too quiet for it to hold Bo and Luke; they are never quiet
when
they are around each other. Though before I do anything else I enter
my bed
room and drop off my old purse and re-comb my hair as well as change
into
more comfortable clothes.
Walking out of my room I sigh angrily at my cousin,
Bo; thinking he had
taken off to work. He promised me and Luke that he would take the day
off
from both jobs, but then again that never stopped him before. Ever
since we
came to Chicago he tried to stay busy as if not wanting to stop to
think,
afraid of what will happen. Slowly I make my way to his room, thinking
that
by chance Luke went and took a nap since Bo left.
I pause before knocking to just open the door to
find the large room empty
of either Bo or Luke. I sigh confusedly as I step in farther, the sun
piercing in through his closed window. I run over to the other side
of the
wall as I see the car Luke had brought down lying in the box on the
floor. I
bend down to look at it, the plastic is torn from pressure and the
box is
dented; showing that it was thrown against the wall. Who would do that?
Bo
would never throw anything that Luke gave to him even if they got into
an
argument. Did they have a fight that got out of control? If so, what
was it
all about?
Hurriedly I race into the kitchen hoping to find
a note of some sort that
will explain where both of them are at. If they did get into a fight,
Bo is
at work; not wanting to think about what happened, but then where would
Luke
be? I sigh hoping that perhaps they both went out to do stuff together
since
they have been alone for so long.
At the table I find a pocket sized notepad open,
picking it up I read:
Daisy, Bo went to work for a while and I just went out for a bit to
look
around, I will give you a call later. Love Luke.
I sigh wondering what the fight was about and why
Luke said he will call
instead of just coming to the apartment. Couldn't he just say he was
out and
will be back later? The letter is in a secret message of some sort,
that
there is something missing that I don't know about and that he doesn't
want
me to know about. It is obvious that the boys had a fight, but what
about?
Or why Luke will call instead of just showing up.
I throw the notepad down, wanting to shove it behind
me, though my mind
still wonders what else Luke is trying to tell me. Slowly I grab a
glass out
of the cupboard to get myself some orange juice that Bo made the other
day
when the phone rings, startled by the loud ringing in the quiet apartment
I
drop the glass that shatters upon the counter. The phone continues
to ring
as I stare at the cup that I pulled out without thinking, it was Bo's
favourite cup of which Jesse had given to him for Christmas a few years
ago;
a rare cup that is found no where else.
A cup of Richard Petty, of which through known
people of Jesse and Richard
had it autographed. It wasn't even suppose to be up there, but I placed
it
up there the other night when I found it on his dresser thinking it
was cup
he brought there dirty and was too tired to look at it so I just placed
it
in the cupboard when I noticed it wasn't used.
Getting angry at myself I rush over to the phone
that quits ringing when I
get to it. I let a yell out in frustration of what has happened since
I have
come home to the phone call. Thinking of the phone ringing I realize
that it
was most likely Luke thinking I was home from work already. "I'm
home Luke,
call!" I yell at the phone as if he could hear me.
Hesitantly I move back to the kitchen to clean
the shattered glass, thinking
of how angry Bo will be when he comes home to find it broken. He will
be
angry enough from the fight he had with Luke this morning whether it
was a
big or small fight. Finishing up with cleaning the mess I had made
the phone
begins to ring again.
This time I rush to answer it, answering it on
the fourth ring. "Hi," I
answer breathlessly, "this is Daisy Duke."
"It is about time you got home," Luke
says in no joking matter, his voice is
full of anger, fear, and sadness. I feel my body go limp at what is
wrong
that is making him feel this strong about, "Why didn't you tell
me that his
job was a jail guard in the penitentiary? You do know that the one
he is
working in is known as the worst jail in the US?"
I shake my head in fear trying to read his mind
on the other end. Bo never
really told me where he worked, other than he was a guard at a jail,
but I
figured it was up front or something. "No…he never talks
about it. He just
told me he was a guard at the jail and that nothing could happen, because
he
was up front," I answer him, "Why what is it? What happened,
Luke?"
"Well he is a guard all right, in the prison
with the hardened criminals!"
he yells testily and I know that something has happened to Bo other
wise he
wouldn't be so testy, "Fine…we got into a fight this morning
and he stormed
off, saying he was going to work and that he will talk to me when he
gets
home."
"What happened to him Luke? Is he Ok?"
I ask sitting down, not strong enough
to stand on my own, thinking of what could have happened. Anger rushes
in at
Bo for not telling me the truth about his job, if he had I would never
have
allowed it; I would have given in to him and returned before I would
stand
to have him work where Luke says he was working at or is working at.
"There was a fight amongst the prisoners when
a hardened criminal known to
kill anyone he wishes to escaped out of his cell due to another guard
not
locking it as he thought he had. Escaping the guy stole the guard’s
gun and
killed him with it for his keys where he unlocked his buddies and they
all
went on a spree to seek revenge toward the guards and other prisoners
they
didn't care for too much," Luke pauses as my heart leaps in fear
for my
cousin, "They killed a lot of people, Daisy."
"Bo?" I ask in fear, finding my voice through the lump in my throat.
"No not yet. Bo stopped them from killing
a lot others by thinking and
calling for the police and for them to shut the lights off and lock
the unit
they were kept in," he answers, "but in doing so the original
escapee
located him to kill him, finding him out of bullets he beat Bo pretty
bad;
him and a couple of others with anything they could find from metal
chair
legs that they tore out or what not to steal his weapon. They would
have
shot him if it wasn't for the police showing up, shooting him in the
back
before he could shoot Bo."
"How is he?" I question, "Is he going to be okay?"
"He is at the Chicago Memorial Hospital, your
neighbour agreed to take you
whenever you are ready," he answers instead; "He broke a
lot of bones,
shattering his right arm with a severe concussion. Though I think it
is best
that you come have a look-see for yourself."
My heart was pounding, just throbbing within my
chest as I think of what he
just informed me of. I heard something of the sort at work, but thought
nothing of it; thinking it was not where he worked at. "Okay Luke,"
I sob
hanging up on my cousin.
Slowly I grab my coat and purse off my bed as my
mind rushes from thought to
thought. If only I had stayed back in Hazzard this wouldn't have happened
to
my cousin and we would be right back home with Jesse who needs us very
much
at the moment. Locking the door behind me I begin to wonder how bad
he is
off and I pray silently that he will be okay. After my short prayer
I
promise Bo that if he ever walks out of the hospital we all are going
back
to Hazzard.
How could he do this to me? He mentioned on getting
a new job. He must've
lied about his age to get in there. That swine! How could he do this?
I mean
he knew the trouble he'd receive. I wondered why we were getting extra
money. He was earning for a higher job. I don't understand why he would
do
this to us. It's heartless and inhuman.
I finished picking up my shattered heart off the
floor. I wondered what in
the world was going through Luke's head. He seemed to be upset by far.
I
know how much he loves Bo. I mean the two are practically joined at
the hip.
The neighbour drove me. I remained silent through
the whole trip. I knew
what had to do. Though something inside me made me not want to do so.
I
didn't even want to look at Luke right now. I don't know why but his
face
would make me change my thoughts. I had to do this for the good of
everyone.
This would be hard on Luke but I wasn't going to
let him sit through this.
Luke was going home and this time I meant it. I was going to put on
the
sourest look on my face and tell him to leave. He wouldn't be hurt
like Bo.
I wasn't going to let him. I'm pure poison. Everyone that comes around
me is
automatically hurt. It's not going to happen anymore. Not to Bo and
not
Luke. I won't let it happen anymore.
There was Luke sitting in the hallway waiting for
me. I must've practiced
this speech over and over in my head. "Luke I talked to the doctor
and I am
having Bo air lifted out of here. They're sending him back to Hazzard.
I
want you to go home and stay out of my life. I don't want to even remember
your name!" I yelled.
"Daisy...was it because of the model car and the cup?" Luke asked.
"No! Get out of my life Lukas! Stay out forever.
I don't even want to
remember that I am a part of this family." Luke winced; the pain
inside him
was that great. I was ready to cry but held back the tears.
I walked into Bo's room. There was a speech for
him too but I just couldn't
say it. I didn't know why. I guess maybe Luke had been gone for so
long it
was easier.
Bo had big gashes on his face and a bandage around
his head. My tears poured
out more than any I'd ever seen. "Daisy, I'm glad you came,"
Bo softly
remarked.
"Are you in much pain?" I whispered.
Bo tried to sit up but ended up falling
right back down.
"They've got me on some good stuff. I don't
feel too much. This thing around
my arm is called a back slab. They have pins in there to keep the bone
in
place. And now they also put tensor bandages on it. I'll be fine."
"I'm leaving again. Don't tell Luke why. I
know he'll follow me to the ends
of the earth and I just don't want him to." Bo shook his head.
I think he
wondered if I had learned anything. I did though. I learned a lot about
patience and understanding. I learned about taking the time to work
hard.
But there was something I had to do. I had to see this through.
It wasn't Luke I was mad at. I was mad at myself.
I wanted freedom and when
I experienced it, I found it was too much. I had to go somewhere in
which I
could get some answers. I wondered if he would open the doors for me.
That's
why I came here.
This was the last known place where my parents
wrote me a letter. I never
did tell Luke but I showed Bo the letter. He knew somewhat of why I
came
here. I just didn't want Luke to know.
My family had moved. Mom and Dad were always on
the move. But this time I
knew where they were going. California. I wasn't going alone, just
not with
Luke.
I was meeting Coy there. I had just phoned him
last night. he was going to
meet me at the airport. I just wanted someone who wasn't as involved
with me
to go. So that's the person I choose.
"You won't stay with me?" Bo questioned.
"I'll be back at home soon. I just have to
deal with some things," I
replied. Bo frowned.
"Read it to me again. Please Daisy." I took out the letter from my pocket.
"Dear Daisy, we love you and hope you are
doing well. I can understand why
you couldn’t go with us. Your father always did say you needed
a stable
home. I understand why he gave you to your Uncle. You look happier
as a farm
girl than you ever would as a city girl. We wanted to take you back
so many
times; our little angel. Love, Mom and Dad."
"Daisy, they do love you."
"I know, I know that I'm lucky to still have
my parents. I know that and
they should feel lucky to have me as a daughter."
"Daisy, if my parents were still alive, I
know that they would say the same
thing about me as yours would about you if they knew you. I wish that
your
parents knew you Daisy. I know that's what you're trying to find out
there."
He was right, Bo was always right. He knew how
I felt about my parents. I
even had lost feelings towards them. If they just settled down it would
have
been better for all of us. How awesome it would have been to have that
family once again? I had a family though but there were still thoughts
in my
mind about how it would have been. I knew my mother wasn’t sick,
it was an
act.
I would probably have nine sisters. They would
all be around me. I would
fight like Bo and Luke do sometimes most likely because I am worried
about
them. I could see all of them having their hair all done up in pigtails.
Oh
how wonderful this life would be. If even for a split second I could
look
into their faces and tell them how wonderful they were. I guess some
things
don’t happen that way. I will always dream about it though. I
will keep my
thoughts open and my heart clear. For I know that sometimes dreams
do come
true.
I guess we were a family; the best of them all.
Uncle Jesse would braid my
hair everyday until he got it. It took him a long time to do so. My
Uncle
got it though. I mean he really got it. He was trying new styles ever
day. I
actually have brothers. Not like those ones that are just there to
pick on
you. Ones that are with you no matter what; I am happy I have them.
Bo and
Luke are amazing and I will never doubt them. But still I had to do
this. If
not for myself but also for my parents; I have to see if they love
me.
"You will tell Uncle Jesse I love him won't you?" I asked.
"Yeah, I will tell him that and more. You've
been brave out here Daisy. I
love you and know that you have to discover yourself. But remember
what
you've learned."
With that I walked away. There was nothing else
to say but goodbye. I had my
plane ticket in hand and knew my parents would buy a way back for me.
~End Chapter Three~