When the Sun Runs Away

(A Dukes of Hazzard Round Robin Story)

Written: Winter/Spring 2002 by the following contributing authors: Essy Jane and Kristy Duke.

Edited by: Essy Jane

CHAPTER FOUR

A week later...

I finally got up the guts to go to my parent's mansion. I couldn't believe
how large it is. The home reaches the sky almost and above it. "Are you sure
you want to do this?" Coy asked.

"Yeah," I mumbled. Coy always asked stupid questions. That's the one thing I
hated about the guy. He would ask the dumbest things. Coy was a little bit
older than Bo but had the sense of a donkey when he didn't pay attention to
things.

A young person opened the door. She was about five years younger than me by
the looks of things. "Can I help you?" she questioned in a snobby voice.

"I must have the wrong address. Is this the household of Patricia and Andrew
Duke?" I asked.

"It is and what are you trailer trash?" She examined my clothes as if they
were nothing. I guess the young lady thought they weren't fit for anyone to
wear. I don't know why but she kept giving me funny looks.

"What's your name young lady?"

"Mora, Mora Duke."

"Are you visiting from somewhere?"

"Oh don't make me laugh! These old stiffs are my parents." I gagged. I
couldn't believe it! They had another child after me? I wondered about this
and thought about it with much concern. Mora had the family blue eyes and
Bo's blonde hair. It ran soft down to her shoulders. She had Uncle Jesse's
smile as well. But she did not have the Duke charm.

There was something about her. I would call it spoiled rotten. Spoiled to
the core more likely; maybe Mom and Dad had gone power driven and half
crazy. Well what ever it was I certainly didn't like it. There was hardness
towards this place. It wasn't my family home and it wasn't our apartment. It
was a house filled with possessions and frills. I liked it, but not as much
as the rest of the world.

My sister Mora invited me in. She sat me on the couch and ordered a butler
to go get Mom and Dad. The way he was downsized, I wanted to smack the
little cretin. She needed to learn some respect. He's a worker in her home.
Not a prisoner.

Mom and Dad came down the stairs. One look at my face and Dad came running.
Mom just walked down the stairs slowly. Dad gave me an oversized hug. "I
missed you my girl!" Dad screamed. Coy sneered at Mora. He didn't seem to
like her.

"Hi darling," Mom stated in a snobby voice. It wasn't the sweet voice I
remember when I was three. I didn't understand. What had changed her?

They finally take a seat in the large living room as Mora ranted on how they
would allow someone like me into their place. It was so disrespectful and
all I could think of is Jesse. How did his brother become like this when
their whole family is dirt poor and appreciate the simple things in life?
Sure there has been one or two that had more money, but they didn't shove it
in others faces or take it for granted. I look at them as mom just nods in
agree toward Mora.

"It has been so long since we seen you last, honey," she forces a smile and
hatred and anger burn in my heart though it doesn't stay long thanks to
Uncle Jesse and his teaching,

"How about Tina takes you out shopping, get you out of those baggy clothes.
Is that what Jesse has you wearing?"

"No I dress myself perfectly, I am not helpless as y'all seem to be!" I yell
not able to suck in much longer, besides Coy just grins, biting his tongue
from laughing, "And no I don't need your maid or whoever Tina is to take me
shopping, my clothes are perfect the way they are!"

"Calm down honey," my dad says smiling his charmed smile, "it was only an
offer."

"Not in this house it isn't, it's a strong request if you want to stay
here," my mother scolds at me, "you'll just bring us back down to Jesse's
level, it ain't happening."
I look around in disbelief at everyone at how much different they are. "Fine
I will be happy to leave, I knew I shouldn't have come!" I yell holding back
tears of anger and hatred, "Oh before I go, I want to thank y'all," I say
meaningfully as my mom cringes at the accent, "for the one thing you did
right. That was by dropping me off with Uncle Jesse where I turned and will
turn out better than your spoiled brat daughter! I sure wouldn't want to
turn out as spoiled as she is, she'll have it real rough when she makes it
out to the real world; thanks to you!"

"She is your sister," my mom calls out after me.

"So? My real family is back in Hazzard, where I should be now!" I exclaim to
feel my dad's hand on my shoulder.” Don’t touch me! You could have stopped
it as much!"

"I'm sorry," he shrugs not knowing what to say and I know who runs the
house, mom runs the house and her daughter, "It wasn't my choice to make,
but hers. I wanted to go back and at the time we weren't ready to have
children and when we were-"

"I wasn't going to have a farm girl living with me, I can't believe I
married a farm boy for that!" she says taking Mora's hand, them both giving
me dirty looks.
"Fine dad, if you want to visit come to the farm to visit and forget them at
home," I say turning to Coy, "Let's go Coy, I wanna go home."

Dad grabbed onto my shoulder and handed me something. It was a locket. A
gold locket with tiny diamonds placed all around the heart shape. "This was
your Grandmother's. She gave it to Patti on her birthday," He told me. I was
shocked to see the workmanship that was done on it.

"This wasn't to Grandma; this was to great, great Grandma Duke. Uncle Jesse
told me the story behind it. Great, Great Grandfather made it for her. It
was gold that his brother brought down. Imagine shaping it yourself; placing
each and every demand in. There are 26 diamonds in there," I replied.

It suddenly struck me. I had come here for a reason; to change my family's
perspective. My mom didn't know the meaning of love anymore. It was like it
had left her heart. The words she first said to my father. And then they
manage to dump me over at Uncle Jesse's house? He has taken such good care
of me. Now I will put my Uncle's values on Mora.

That night I talked to my Dad about all the stuff he'd missed in my life.
Everything even about the time Bo and I stole Chickasaw’s mascot. We offered
a ransomed for it too.

As I got to what happened real recently, Dad cried. I mean cried. "I think
Mora needs some of those memories. I still have them but your mother
doesn't. Your sister doesn't understand either. She's been served her whole
life. Your mom expects it. I don't like where this is heading," Dad said.

"She'll die unless she knows about the real world."

"Daisy, spend six months with us. We'll then send Patricia on her shopping
spree and Mora will be yours to mould." I looked up at him wondering how
serious he was. I get to have a chance to mould that spoiled little brat of
a younger sister? The person who left to seek chances? I would love to! I
would love to teach her the real meaning of life.

"I will do it."

Six months later...

Well I finished high school in six months thanks to a really good private
professor. That's the only luxury I'd ask for from my dad.

Coy was being a regular guy. He was chasing women and telling them how nice
their legs were. Who cares! Honestly that boy is crazier about woman than
Bo! That's insanity, and this is coming for a man who proposed to his second
grade teacher because he liked her black and red dress. Bo was still like
that but not as bad as this.

Coy keeps sticking his nose into girl's hair; sniffing the aroma of the
shampoo. Boy, now I wish I would have brought Vance. At least the guy
behaves.

Anyway, my birthday passed. What did I get? A roadster this was going to be
that very brand new car to call my own. I couldn't believe it. Well I guess
it wasn't a good idea to except it but Dad said, "Think of it for re-payment
of what you're going to do for me."

Mom went to China on for her vacation. Well not really China but...all of
Asia. She had really changed. Not for the better either. I guess when people
change they do it dramatically. Not many people would understand what I
mean. I guess I would have to explain it to someone.

Take her closet for instance. It is the size of my bedroom at home. Now I
didn’t think anyone needed that much closet space ever. Well that is until I
opened it. You wouldn’t believe what was in that thing. I mean honestly, how
many pink dresses do you need? I mean she has light pint, dark pink, corral
pink, hot pink, shocking pink, blush pink bashful pink, shell pink, pink
salmon and any other shade you can possibly think of. I'm not even going to
get into the blues. I preferred plaid clothes myself; less to choose from
than all those pinks. Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop but that was
ridiculous.

As she left it seemed as if the maids and butlers had a party. I hung out
with them a lot because...well they had the same humour as I. I would help
the gardener and teach the chiefs new recipes. Surprisingly, Mora loved the
dishes we made and commanded the poor chiefs to cook more.

But now it was my turn. Coy was bouncing around like a bunny and saying over
and over again, "We're going on a road trip!" I was ready to club him in the
head.

We must've covered the top with all her suitcases she was going to bring to
Hazzard. I swept them off as she got in and grabbed the one I had packed for
her. We waved goodbye and poor Mora mourned for the clothes she had left
behind.

It was going to be one long road trip; especially with Mora saying goodbye
to every street and fine food restaurant. I thought the morning over her
clothes were bad. That was the most mistaken moment I've ever had.

Coy was just screaming at all the girls, "You're cute call me." He had about
ten pounds of tiny strips of paper when he left and everyone had his number
on it. He's an odd creature but we can't throw away everything we don't
like.

Well Mora complained about everything. It was worse as we entered the grand
canyon. Dad gave us enough money to live in motels for a year. Mora wanted
to blow it. But we needed gas and also the best living conditions possible.

"Are we there yet?" She questioned as we pulled up to a motel. I growled. It
was as if she thought we lived in a motel.

"No, this is a motel, haven't you ever been to one?" I inquired.

"No, I've seen them and always wondered how many dirty people have been
there.

"Are you calling me dirty? I lived in a motel for three weeks."

"Well you said it, I didn't. It took us three weeks to get there but we
finally made it.

"What is this place the slums?" Mora asked.

"This is my home. It's called a farm if you don't remember what it is!" I
hissed.

"Well I've read about them." Bo was chopping up wood when he heard an
unfamiliar car engine. Bo looked up upon first sound and saw me in the car.
His eyes widened as I got out along with Coy and Mora.

Bo smacked his head. "Did you have to bring him back? He steals practically
every girl friend I get," Bo complained.

"There's Cindy who was ravishing; Linda who shined with glory. I can't
forget Marry-Sue; Or Sandra the one with the gap in between her teeth.
Aurora, Destiny, Alana, Shelly; Kendra, Betty Lou, Cassia, Audrey, Barbara,
Shelby, Joan, Sue Anne and hundreds more that I could never ever name," Coy
stated.

"I can't hear you!" Bo ran into the house.

"But there are so many more!" Coy chased after him. I laughed hard at that
one. I couldn't understand why those two were so alike and yet so totally
different.

Uncle Jesse came out at the sight of those two hooligans and stopped. He
looked at me. My once dark hair had lightened to a light golden brown. Uncle
Jesse grabbed me in his arms and swung me around like I was six again. Mora
gave this cold stare to me.

"You're just as pretty and probably more," Uncle Jesse exclaimed as he put
me down.

"Aww thank you Uncle Jesse. Bo looks better than the last time I saw him," I
answered.

"He does, doesn’t he? I hadn't seen him in so long when first came back. It
was strange."

"Yeah I believe it! Where's Luke?"

"Ploughin', that's all he does now a days. He helps me farm all day long.
Luke's lost interest in most of his friends. I guess it is the war."

"No, it's what I said to him. I didn't want him to know what I was up to all
the time and I led him to believe..." Suddenly the door swung open.

"Coy your head is as thick as a bowling ball," Bo yelled.

"Just as hard as one too," Coy joked back. Uncle Jesse gave Coy one stern
look. "I'll be good.

"Bo, if you boys start those things you did when you were kids I will beat
you so hard you'll forget your name." Uncle Jesse exclaimed. Coy was
mimicking Uncle Jesse behind his back. An Uncle Jesse turned around Coy
stopped. "And as for you young man, you're disrespectful and full of dirt.
You look like you haven't had a shower in months. But ladies first." I
pushed Mora over towards the house, Coy showed her to the showers. I began
to laugh at the boys and walked out towards the fields.

I watch as Mora snoopily steps away from Jesse as he tries to hug or shake
her hand. Slowly I try to explain all that has happened in the past while I
was in California and why she is the way she is. "Well we'll have that taken
care of in no time," Jesse smiles, "’cause we treat our kin folk with
respect, now Daisy go help her clean up and unpack she can help you cook
dinner and clean up. A young lady like that needs manners."

Mora complains out loud and as Jesse gives her a stern look I hurdle her in
through the old farm house. Memories collide within me as we walk through to
my old room. I stand still remembering so much that happened before I left
and what happened since I left. The flash backs of BO so hurt stay clear in
my head, all that to support me. I couldn't believe that he loves me that
much to risk his own life but he did and almost lost it.

"Daisy!" she yells as if yelling at a servant, "unpack these."

"Nope you heard Uncle Jesse, it is time you do things your self," I answer
showing the doors she can use with her clothes and which are mine.

Outside I hear Bo moan in pain as they got Luke in their little game of
chase, all acting like two year olds. I grin at the friendship that has
re-grew between Luke and Bo. Bo looks so much better, though deep scars
clearly show on his right arm; few distant ones on his face remain to show
what he has been through. So much and all for me.

"There's daisy," I hear Luke say behind us in the open door, "and her little
girl friend, I hope she don't run away either."

I look at him at his remark and I can see the pain I had caused him of what
he said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't ha-"

"You ran away?" Mora asks with admiration for the first time.

"Yeah and would've been killed if it weren't for Bo there," I say nodding
toward him, facing Luke, "I'm sorry, it was a mistake. I just wanted to
learn more where I came from and I knew you would stop me. Bo under-"

He shrugs before cutting me off. "Bo already explained, you think you can
keep him quiet that long?" Bo disappears, "Well not right away they had
difficulties bringing him here from Chicago and he was in a coma for a
couple of months, but he seems to be fine."

"A coma?" I ask him, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"How? You think we were psychic?" he asks sarcastically, "I sure ain't. We
spent it over him in the hospital and taking odd jobs to pay his bill as
well as others chipping in. We didn't have time to run all over America as
Bo did to follow you to Chicago. He has more patience with that stuff than I
do."

My heart pounds as I realize that he is right, they didn't know where I was.
"Yeah, I didn't think of that…he is Ok though?" I question and he nods. It
goes quiet before I turn to Mora and instruct her to get busy with her
unpacking that we have a lot of boys to feed who eat a lot.

"And I do not eat a lot,” Luke teases before he leaves the room to find Bo,
just like it was before he left for war. Always him and Bo.

As we cooked in the kitchen, Mora dropped a whole pot of spaghetti sauce all
over the floor. I was angry to the point of wanting to slap her. But Uncle
Jesse poked his head in at the right moment. He gave me one of those 'try
and you succeed' stares. I took a deep breath and picked up the pot.

"Okay, so maybe your thing isn't cooking. How about you try mopping?" I
calmly.

"Oh Frank usually does that," Mora remarked. Frank shouldn't have to do it
all alone. Especially when that young lady tracks mud through the house.
What a pre-teen. She only ever thinks about herself.

"Well why don't you try it?"

"How’ bout no!"

"You're being a baby."

"Mom says I don't have to do house work. Mom has enough money to last me the
rest of my natural life. I will be frozen with I hit thirty to keep me from
aging."

"When pigs fly!"

"They can on an airplane. It's quite simple really. Put the little cute pink
pig on the plane and there he goes." I rolled my eyes. What a blonde! It was
so extremely annoying. Suddenly I didn't want a sister anymore.

"Well what I mean is you will never be frozen in time."

"But I want to look forever young. I don't want to look like you old Uncle
over there." That's when I got mad.

"My Uncle Jesse is distinguished! You have no idea what real beauty is."

"I don't need to. That's why they invented cosmetic surgery for the face."
What a dimwitted half brained...lunatic. I hated her. I didn't just slightly
hate her I really hated her. It became a passion. Mora sat down and pushed
her long hair back.

Bo walked in and looked at the floor. "Hey woman," Bo said as he pointed to
Mora, "You made the mess you clean the mess."

"But I don't clean," Mora replied.

"Nor do I. I was taught to clean though so now I do clean. And if I can do
it obviously you can too." Bo pulled the chair from under her as he picked
her up. "You will clean this mess or you won't eat."

Mora crossed her arms. She was extremely mad. "I'd rather starve than clean
a room."

"Oh well, more food for me." Bo took her to her new living quarter which was
unfortunately with me. I didn't like it one bit. Mora didn't earn the right
to be in this house like us.

Bo walked back in and helped me clean the kitchen. "What was the point of
that?" I asked.

"She won't help tonight but she will help tomorrow," Bo replied.

"How would you know?" Bo thought for a moment. He knew something that I
didn't. It was amazing to see. I wondered what he was trying to tell me.

"Well...when I ran away at fourteen...you do remember that right?"

"Yeah, I was scared for you like you wouldn't believe. You were gone for
three months. Luke would just talk about you all the time."

"He did? Now there's something he didn't tell me."

"Yeah, all the time. He would never stop. It was Bo this and Bo that. I
guess when I ran off he...well thought the worst."

"Oh he did. I caught the next bus after you. I figured I might get there
faster if I hitched though. That's what I did. But anyway, that young lady
is awful. She needs a good shot of reality and fast. I see a beggar on the
street coming out of her."

"I believe that because so do I." Bo looked at my face. He touched my
forehead. "What is it?"

"There's a little mark on your forehead, a scar I haven't seen before."

"I was working in California and this gang had a fight in the middle of the
fast food joint and...?"

"You're never leaving home again."

"Not for a while anyway."

He shrugs slightly before walking away tiredly and stiffly. I watch as he
walks away and I wonder what that was all about. From outside Luke walks in,
leaving Coy outside talking to him self about some girl he must have saw
drive by. Now I know why I didn't miss him as I should have. "What a mess
you made…looks like you need someone to clean up," he says taking out a
broom and a mop to clean it up.

"Mora's mess," I answer him, "Bo tried to make her clean it up, but she
refused and he placed her in my room. I can't stand her Luke!"

"She'll warm up to you, trust me. I didn't care much about having you around
at first either, hated the idea in fact," he says serious, "I grew up to
warm up to you so therefore you will too. She is just so far away and is use
to how she lived back home, give her time and she will love it here."

"Perhaps," I sigh, "What is going on with Bo?"

"Who knows, he hasn't come around to himself yet. He should be wearing his
brace, but he is too hard headed for that," he pauses, "Give her a week or
so and she will start to come around."

I nod as I watch him follow his cousin's trail to his room. My mind wonders
on all that I could do to help Mora to get situated, perhaps show her around
to things that I loved doing when she was her age. Luke is right, I should
give her a chance she did make a big jump and she has to adjust as I had
done in the apartment and mansion.

Mora has been at the farm for a week and a half now. I smile at the
improvement that she has shown over the past week; after we got her situated
in, found her school and she met a lot of new friends that welcomed her in
instantly. I was surprised on how welcoming they were of her, seeing how
snobby she was, showing them all she has and disrespecting their life and
all.

I watch as she sweeps the floor which is almost habitual for her after the
past week, with no complaining. I wonder how it must have been to switch
from a big mansion to the farm. She seems to warming up to everyone, she
enjoys talking to Jess, holding his hand and reading her school books to
him. She plays teasingly along with Luke and BO as they pick on each other
of their everyday life and they pick back on her just as if she was parts of
the family their whole life. The only one that doesn't much interact with
her much is Bo, he will pick on her for a couple of seconds when she jumps
into their rough housing playing around, but then climbs out.

I sigh and turn around with more of my own chores to work on. My mind
wonders on how Bo really feels of Mora and why he seems to distant himself
from her, he has always been real good with kids of all ages. He just seems
to have nothing to do with her.
Putting aside my chores I try to look for my cousin, hoping he didn't go to
town with Jesse as he has been doing. He has been staying close to him ever
since she has came, either Jesse or Luke if Mora isn't with him. Though he
will stick by Jesse no matter, just more quiet when she is around. Bo can be
real odd at times, as mysterious as he is being now.

Instead I find him in his room a lone sitting on his bed, facing opposite of
the door. "Don't you know how to knock?" he asks testily seeing who it was.
I shrug walking into the room more and as I go to hug him he slides farther
away from me. "What is wrong BO?" I finally ask him, "Why don't you like
Mora? She has changed a lot…Luke seems to like her."

"That is him, not me," he responds, "I want to be left alone."

"Not until you answer me Bo Duke! I have all the right to be upset with you
. . .you taking that job and lying to me about it! Look what that brought
you? You don't need me to explain any farther on that…and now how you are
acting toward my sister, your cousin!" I yell heatedly.

His face lights up in anger at my remarks. "I don't want to talk about why I
taken up that job and not tell your or anything about Chicago. The only
thing good that happened up there was the Cubs game and Luke coming home!"
he yells back, "I thought I was helping and all it did was make you mad at
me for looking out for you or what not. I am sorry that I am not good enough
for you!"

"I didn't say that Beauregard Alan Duke and you know it! You aren't even
giving my sister a chance and why not?" I ask him, "She has been changing,
slowly, but she is just like you changed to adjust to Chicago. Give her a
chance, she needs all the love here that she can get!"

"Well fine then, go find Coy, you seemed fond of him!" he snaps at me and I
wonder what has gotten into him, "I am sorry that I am not over there
hugging onto her, but I'm not going to give out false emotions just because
it is what they need! Not her anyway!"

"I knew I shouldn't have trusted you as I did in Chicago…you lied and look
what happened that bump on the head caused permanent brain damage, huh Bo?"
I snap at him, "It is quite apparent to me what that knock on the head did
to you! You weren't like this before!"

"No one was taking Luke from me before!" he snaps at me and for the first
time I know what is bugging him to why he has been acting toward her, "I
want to be alone, so leave Daisy!"

"Taking Luke away from you? She isn't doing that at all," I say though as I
say that my mind recalls all the times he has spent with Mora compared to
Bo.

"That is why he is now with her to go shopping with her when he promised to
work on The General with me, he hates shopping and yet he would rather go
with her than to work with me. . .you want me to go on?" he questions
sarcastically, "I can and the only chances he spends with me she has to cut
in and he ends up paying more attention to her and not me. I am sorry Daisy
if you are mad at me for not hugging her or taking her around, but she stole
Luke from me; he was my best friend and now he is too busy with her to even
talk to me or look at me for that matter!"

My mind flashes from thought to thought of what to say. "She doesn't mean to
and I am sure Luke doesn't know what he is doing," I say to him and as I
step closer he slides farther away, "They don't mean to, how about when they
get back we all sit down for a talk?"

"Won't help…try that but he won't listen and when he does she walks in and
won't leave us alone. Luke use to always listen to people no matter what and
now he would rather listen to her and not me," he says fighting back tears,
"It is her now and not me, he is her best friend now; not mine. He couldn't
care less about me any more!"
"Sugar that ain't true," I say to him, speechless by what he is saying.

"Get out, I want to be alone!" he snaps, "I would have gone with Jess, but
no he wanted to be alone so he could look for something for Mora that she
would like. It is Mora with him too. I am now at the bottom ring of it all,
when I was at the top! Now get out, I want to be alone!"

"This isn't Bo talking at all. I know you better as the soft and gentle
type. I know that you don't mean it. Just like I blamed Luke for ruining my
life. It was me," I told him. He wouldn't let me bad mouth my cousin. I
wouldn't let him either.

"You're defending Luke?" Bo questioned angrily.

"Just like you cousin. I wouldn't let you do something or say something that
you may regret later."

"I miss him, I mean I come home and I feel so..."

"Violated? I know what you mean. I felt almost left out the day I came home.
I guess it was due to y'all moving on with your lives." It was true. Bo
looked at me with solemn eyes. He was burden by what he'd done to welcome me
home. I wasn't upset though. He was just getting his own life back together.

Bo began to cry, he felt the pain that I had. We weren't alone on this. Not
by far. Everything we cried about was a miracle. We talked for a long period
of time. Afterwards I decided to play Luke with his own game.

We were working on the General as Luke and Mora got home. "What's all this?"
Luke questioned.

"I fixed to carburetor belt with Daisy," Bo replied.

"I forgot all about it," Luke replied as he smacked his head.

"You forget a lot lately."

"I've been busy. I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I know that it's been
hard for you."

"I want my best friend back Luke. You know how much kin has to stick
together." Luke stared at Mora who was crying. He wondered why as did I. She
just sat there and cried. Everyone tried to comfort her but it wasn't
working.

I slowly hug her, caressing her long blond hair as Luke comes and bend down
to talk to her. Luke and I quickly look up as Bo storms into the house once
again and I sigh at what we had talked about in their room only moments
before. I tried to make Luke understand how he felt, but he didn't seem to
care any more. It was Mora. As I watch him talk to her gently, explaining
that Bo is just hot headed and everything; that there is no need for her to
be upset. Bo is just Bo.

I stand numb in my place as Jesse's old truck pulls up besides us. Stepping
out I try to explain how she is upset from what Bo had said to Luke. He
breathes heavily as he steps into the house, I move to stop him, but Mora
holds onto my hand. I smile down at her while telling her that it is OK,
that I will explain how Bo is feeling later on tonight, but for now it was
time for her to start on her homework for tomorrow. She nods sullenly and
steps into the house as Jesse's yelling roars from within the boys' room.

"What was all that about?" Luke questions as Bo runs out of the house and
jumps into the General. The tires peel loudly as he backs out to the dirt
road. My mind races of where he is going and hope that it isn't doing
something stupid. "With Bo?"

"Why don't you just stop and think Luke?" I answer him testily as I step
into the house to find Jesse sitting at the table, his head in his hands. I
can tell he is doing his best to calm down.

"Think about what?" Luke follows me inside.

"Of what has been happening. You are smart Luke, I am sure you can figure it
out," I reply.

- -A week later--

"Where can he be?" Luke muses as he walks back and forth in the living room,
talking about Bo who hadn't returned since Jesse and he had that argument a
week ago.
"Don't know," I answer sullenly, "but I still find it amusing that you don't
think you have anything to do with this…we all do."

"What is it then Daisy?" Jesse asks, his voice is full of sadness and fear
of this whole thing happening once again.

I shrug wondering what to say to answer him. Bo never told me not to tell so
that is not the issue, but of what to answer them what to say to make them
realize how he is feeling. I had explained to Mora over the past week how he
is feeling, that Luke was his best friend that they did everything together
and now that she is here is alone.

"Bo told me he has tried to talk to you Luke about how he has felt the past
few weeks, but you or Jesse hasn't been listening but jumping to
conclusions," I start off, "Telling me Luke, what have you been doing since
Mora and I got here? That is what you should ask yourself …it has a simple
answer to it. You have been spending time after time with Mora, while
promising Bo promise after promise that you break to be with Mora and not
him. The only time you two are together now is when you two are asleep, only
because you have the same room."

The room goes silent for a long moment as Luke and Jesse look at one
another. "I didn't mean to," Luke finally says, "Mora needs someone to love
her and take care of her."
"Leave that to me if it causes you to break your promises to BO. He may be
eighteen, but he still looks up to you as he had when he was five; you know
that. That is why it hurt so bad when you left for war and when he followed
me to Chicago," I answer him, "It hurts more you ignoring him more than it
did when you left for war. . ."
Once again it went silent in the room and Jesse lets out a long sigh. "He
did try to explain to me last week…I didn't listen."

"Damn," Luke says getting up from the couch, "Same here, he has over and
over tried to tell me before we go to bed and I only shut him out and tell
him I'm too tired to talk and for him to tell me in the morning…where I was
busy out in the field or with Mora. . ."
I nod slightly before walking into the kitchen. Luke gets up and follows me
in the room. "He talks to you and did he. . ."

"Nope, we only talked before I forced him to get out working on The General
since you weren't going to do it. He was angry, frustrated and crying; I
don't think he was even thinking about leaving until you came and all that
happened and then Jesse. . ." I say, "Don't you have to go take the truck to
Cooter?"

"Yeah I was just going to ask you if you were ready," he grins sadly at me.
I nod and we walk out to our vehicles.

Ten minutes we approach Cooter's garage, though he is no where in sight from
the outside. We both get out of our vehicles and slowly walk up to the
opening of the garage to find Cooter working on an old town car and we are
shocked to find Bo helping him working on the engine. Their backs are facing
us.

"So you plan on bunking here for what? Forever?" Cooter asks him handing him
a wrench.

"Nope, wouldn't be fair to you to have to put up with me for that long," Bo
says seriously,

"I'll go back in a couple of days or so."

"Well I am sure they are probably looking for ya," Cooter says to him, "like
they were last time and like they were when you followed daisy to Chicago.
What is it between you two? Now only Luke has to run away to make the family
complete."

"He already has run away," Bo states angrily, "And they probably haven't
even noticed that I have been gone, the only thing they would have noticed
would be my chores not getting done."

"You actually believe that?" Cooter shakes his head, "Luke did not run away,
Bo. . .I was his friend throughout school and all, he didn't run away."

"Yes he did," Bo answers stubbornly, "and if you want me to leave tell me
and I will. . .I already tol' you that you didn't have to take me if ya
didn't want to."

"Then where would you go?" Cooter asks.

"Dobro's mom would have taken me, she always says that…even last time when I
ran she got mad saying I could have went to her," Bo answers, "I got my
connections, if not those I have my car."

"It ain't just your car Bo; it also belongs to Luke too. I am sure he is
missing it as we speak and you," Cooter quickly adds.

"Perhaps the damn car, not me," Bo answers.

"I ain't arguing with ya Bo, you are impossible," Cooter says shaking his
head, "and I still would like to know where you are thinking that Luke ran
away?’Cause if he had I would have been the second to know about, after your
uncle that is."

"When he left for war," Bo says finally answering his question.

"No he wasn't, he was doing what he thought was best," Cooter defends him.

"I don't care what yours or his excuse of it was for him or you or whoever,
to me he ran away!" Bo yells angrily, "I don't want to talk about him. . .I
will leave and you will be alone with this impossible engine to fix. . .and
seeing how he wants it done by tomorrow I would think you would be grateful
that I am helping. But I guess you are too aren't thankful, shoulda known
you were Luke's friend."

"I didn't mean it like that Bo," Cooter sighs as Bo begins to walk to the
General. We all watch as Bo quickly yelps out in pain and bends down holding
his right arm and his head.
Cooter rushes over to him, asking him what it is. "His concussion hasn't
cleared up all the way with all the complications and he isn't wearing his
arm brace and hasn't for a long time," Luke says, 'That is what is wrong."

Bo shakes Cooter away, saying that he will be fine. "You don't look like you
will be fine," Cooter says as Bo slowly wobbles up on his feet, "I would
hope you aren't driving like that either."

"I ain't going any where Cooter," Bo replies, "I wish you would make up your
mind though, one minute you want me to leave the next you want me to stay.
You would make a great female with all those mind changing you do. Perhaps
you are one in disguise."

"See there is the Bo we all know," Cooter smiles at him, "Are you going to
help me with the engine or not?"

Bo nods as he looks up seeing us peering in through the door. He sighs
wearily as he turns as if he hadn't seen us and begins to work on the
engine. Seeing what Bo was looking at Cooter walks over and smiles. "What ya
doing peeking in like a bunch of scaredy cats? I ain't gonna bite. . .Bo
may, but I won't," he smiles at his joke, "Are you here to drop off the
truck or are you here to pick up your cousin who will refuse to leave with
you?"

"First it was to drop of the truck. . ." Luke lets it drop off. I look over
at him as he watches Bo with sadness and guilt as Bo walks over to the
refrigerator and pulls out a Pepsi for himself.

Cooter stands near to me as we watch Luke walk over to Bo who watches him
sceptically, wondering whether to run or not. Instead he just sits down at
Cooter’s desk and begins to thumb through an old greasy car part magazine.
"That would look great on The General," Luke points out as he reaches him.
Bo remains quiet and quickly turns the page on Luke,

"I am sorry Bo; I didn't mean to hurt you in any way or to ignore you."

"Well you did," Bo spits back at him and he winces at the pain in his head
and in his arm.

"Ok I admit that I did, but I didn't mean to and I am really sorry that I
did. I was trying to help Mora fit in, to make her comfortable and I ended
up hurting you," Luke says to him,

"I promise it won't happen again."

"Just like all your other promises huh? How am I supposed to believe that?"
Bo snaps,

"Just like your promise when you returned that you will be here for me no
matter what? Huh? You weren't here you were with her and don't car-"

"Yes I do Bo. . .I just didn't stop to think to realize what I was doing to
you," Luke says sombrely to his cousin as he places a caring hand on Bo's
shoulder for Bo to swipe it away, "Jesse misses you and is sorry for yelling
at you."

"You are just trying to persuade me to come home…and it ain't working," Bo
says.
"Fine I guess you are right," Luke says throwing his arms up in the air,
"But I was going to ask Cooter if we could use a couple of his poles so we
could leave here in The General to go fishing. We haven't done that in a
while."

"Just us?" Bo asks excitingly, giving in for a brief second, "Why should I
believe that? You just want me to come home so that Jesse won't be upset or
so I will do my chores. Things will return to how they were with you and
Mora, they always do."
"Not here it doesn't, cuz. I love you too much to let you go like this, I
want things to be like they were when you got out of the hospital or when I
returned from war or before, that is what I want and will do anything I can
for it to happen. But if you don't want that, then it is your choice," Luke
says to him, "And since you are not going fishing with me I guess I will
only be asking Cooter for one pole so I can go fish by myself. Though it
won't be much fun fishing by myself like that."

Bo looks at him sceptically; his bright blue eyes shine with sadness and
hope. "OK I guess
I can go fishing, but I ain't promising anything," Bo finally says.

"OK then. Cooter may we use two of your fishing poles?" Luke asks his friend
and Cooter nods pointing to where they are.

"Though I can't believe you are stealing my worker from me when I have to
get this car fixed by nine tomorrow morning; which is impossible," Cooter
sighs.

"Sorry you weren't paying me good enough to keep me from going fishing," Bo
smirks at him and I smile at myself to see the real Bo starting to shine out
for the first time in a long time. "Heck you weren't paying me anything for
all the work I did on that car…so I guess you really weren't paying me good
enough."

"You volunteered," Cooter yells after him as Bo climbs into the driver's
seat of The General and Luke climbs in the passenger seat, placing the poles
in the back seat.
"That was before I was offered to go fishing," Bo shouts back as he backs
out of the garage. We watch them as they drive away and I sigh thankful that
Luke was able to talk to him, he always had a way with words especially when
Bo was upset.

Mora and Uncle Jesse went back to the farm and I decided to stay with Cooter
for a while. I don't know the sound of the calming breeze and the engines
roar was enough for me today. I wanted to get dirty and help with cars.

Cooter didn't mind it one bit. I mean look at the shape of this one car. It
needs some serious welding job. It's Enos' mom's car. He was in a drag race
again. By the look of it he lost in the Hazzard pond. He always seemed to
get in trouble over there.

"I never really got caught up on my gossip. What happened while I was gone?"
I asked. Cooter remained silent for a while. I wondered what was going
through his mind.

"Whelp, I put in this perspective. Things were hectic without Bo and you.
All the girls would be sad because there was no Bo to chase the. All the
guys were sad because they couldn't go chasing after you," Cooter joked.

"Honestly Cooter, how has Uncle Jesse been?"

"He...had the heart attack here. He was reading a letter from Bo. He talked
about your issues with coming back and well..."

"I knew it wasn't because of his diet. We caused it. I am poison I swear.
Everything I come near gets ruined." Cooter looked at me with dismay. I
think he wondered why I was so threatened by myself. Well maybe I was. Maybe
my confidence had run me down into a depression.

I couldn't take it though anymore. I was concerned about everyone else and
didn't want to think of myself. I felt selfish and centered just on my own
wishes and didn't know how make it up.

"Daisy, do you really want to know what happened? Your Uncle missed you. The
doctor said it wasn't anyone's fault. It never will be your fault though and
don't think that way," Cooter told them.

I looked into his eyes. "Then why does it still hurt?"

"You were gone while it happened and you have guilt. I understand that. I
mean I feel guilty for ruining Enos' car." I began to laugh.

"It was you?"

"Why do you think I'm letting you play with the welder?" I sneered at him.
What a rotten little guy! He knew I was one of the best girls out there when
it came to welding. I could also hide a spot on your car better than Bo and
Luke put together.

"If my welding were that bad you wouldn't have noticed that dent in your tow
truck." He looked around, not finding the one I meant. I guess I was good.

After a long couple of hours at the garage with Cooter I head back to the
farm, hoping that things will start to get back to normal quickly. I sigh in
relief as I finally make it home where I park my jeep besides the General
where I find Luke looking under the hood. Stepping out I shoot him a
quizzical look. "Hi Daisy," he nods and then shakes his head as he reads
what I am thinking, "No we didn't get into a fight, it went real well
actually. . .we got to talk and spend time together which is what we needed.
He is in talking to Jesse about it all…plus about taking his medication and
wearing his brace like he should."

"Okay," I smile at him, "was wondering?"

"I could tell by the look on your face," he smiles, "He'll be out to help in
a few minutes."
I nod and step into the house to find Bo sitting at the table with Jesse and
Mora. Mora talks about shopping at the malls and all that she use to do in
California before she goes on saying what she likes here in Hazzard. I smile
at her to find her adjusting so well. Though Bo just sits there, his eyes
are full of tiredness of the past few days that he has been gone.

"Go out and work with Luke, Bo," Jesse finally tells him, "but remember what
I talked about."

"Yes sir," he says sullenly before he brushes past me to the front yard.

"He okay?" I ask him sitting where he was sitting.

"Yeah, just stubborn and hard headed," Jesse comments to me, "he's just like
his daddy, looks a lot like him too."

I nod as I walk up and hug Jesse as Mora excuses herself and walks to our
room. "I'm sorry for running away, it was the wrong thing to do…I just
didn't know what to do so I ran," I tell him.

"I know Daisy, you already apologized to me hundreds of times," he says
annoyed by my repetition, "Look it isn't your fault none of it is, so don't
worry about it and spend the time you do worrying about it about your
sister…not me. I'm fine and will be fine."

"Yeah, though Bo-"

"He is another story, but he will get over it and through it. It is his own
self that he has to work with, not you," he instructs me, "he wanted to help
you and be with us at the same time and he couldn't. Along the way he made
some dumb choices like that job he had taken up. . .he still has nightmares
about it. That is most likely what is wrong." I sigh before kissing him on
the cheek to run up to catch Mora. I find her in her room doing her algebra
homework where I quickly join in with her, helping her with her homework
like Jesse use to do with me along with Luke.

~End Chapter Four~