Elly May Duke

Enos looked deep into her eyes "I hope that's the truth. I know what you just told me, but only you know the truth." Daisy reached out and took his hand "I promise." she whispered. Enos nodded not seeing any sense in pushing her further on the topic.

Enos nodded "Yes, but. . .there's something else I'm trying to say. . .that you can't give up. I've known you to be strong way too long to just give it all up now."

Enos gave her a serious look "Then what am I trying to say my firecracker?"

(ok.) Enos swallowed "You understand what I'm trying to say?"

Enos swallowed nodding "If the Lord says so Daisy. Only he knows the plan for you."

Enos looked deep into her eyes "I know you're not." he whispered "And Daisy. . .I can't let anything happen to you. I'd die if I lost you."

Enos shook slightly as he helped her back to her bed "Daisy, I know you're not all right." he whispered.

"Mama, you all right?" Lily asked scared.

Daisy grinned chuckling slightly "I know my man don't I?" Enos kissed her cheek "Well, I ain't never seen ya wrong about me." Daisy blushed and then looked away feeling her stomach lurch, but luckily nothing really came from it.

Daisy grinned "Oh Enos, we both know you'd whup 'em." then she thought something to herself "Or arrest them whichever you had the urge to do."

Daisy got that mischievious glint in her eyes that Enos knew, and loved about her "What would you do?" she asked gushing.

Daisy looked to Enos "I wasn't. . .I mean a few boys picked on me a bit, but I really wasn't picked on for the most part. That's why it buggs me. My kids shouldn't have to fight for their rights against the Hogg kids."

Daisy shook her head "No, it's not Doc. . .I just can't go through all this. I wasn't treated too horribly as a kid and my own shouldn't have to be treated like this."

However, Elly who was still caught up in the moment rushed out to get doc and soon returned with him.

Daisy sank to her knees attempting to swallow the bile she felt rising in her throat. Pleas noEnos begged in his head. He couldn't stand seeing someone throwing up.

Lily sighed putting a hand to her head and another to her leg "Thanks Uncle Cooter. I just can't stand seeing Auntie Elly this upset." she said. Cooter nodded and set her down on her bed.

Daisy nodded "You're right. I just can't stand seeing Elly like this." Lily started gasping "I can't stand this!" she said and before anyone could answer she got up from her bed and took two steps before falling to the floor.

"Enos what on earth did I ever. . . " she couldn't even finish as she was trying to surpress the sorrow she felt for Elly knowing how hard it was to loose loved ones.

Elly nodded, but her crying wasn't letting up, in fact getting worse "I can't let you die Daisy. . .I can't." Cooter patted her shoulder trying to calm her unsuccessfully.

Daisy looked up at Cooter "So is this you saying you have faith in me?" Cooter nodded "Of course" but Elly was a different story and Daisy rushed over to her "What's wrong Elly?" Daisy asked. Elly frowned "I couldn't stand to see these kids loose their mama. I love Pa like the world, but I never had mine. She died not long after I was born." she shook in Cooter's arms, her head on his shoulder.

Cooter patted his shoulder and then smiled down at Lily "So who was it and what did they do to you?" he asked. Lily sighed "It was one of the Hogg boys and" she made a face "His twin sister." she sighed "I hurt so much right now I can't even tell you, but please, don't let mama die."

Cooter nodded "So sorry y'all. What can I do to help?"

Lily held her mother's hand and cried as well. Meanwhile ol' Cooter was headed their way with Elly since the two of them were aware of the going ons. Cooter sighed when they walked in, seeing what was there "What's wrong y'all?" Cooter asked, one of the most confused expressions he ever had on his face.

Enos sighed, and started crying harder than any of them remember.