Elly May Duke

Enos sighed, rubbing Lily's back, something that had always calmed her "Honey, I just don't know what to do about this, but I think you ought to talk to your mama about this. She always was better at this sort of thing than I was."

Lily looked up at him, her eyes flaring with anger "Daddy, that ain't good enough. It won't stop them from being abused." she insisted. Enos sighed, looking to Roscoe for an answer.

The two men just watched her cry it out and it broke their hearts. Finally she was calm enough that Enos could take her into his arms "There, there Lily, I know it pains you the way with your siblings." "Darn right it is dadddy." Lily huffed "Ain't there anything you can do for them?"

Lily gave Roscoe a furious glare "Tell you!? You ain't even real family!" she shook her head Enos and Roscoe looked to eachother shocked "Lily, we just want to help. We know you're mad about what's happening to your brother and sister and we want to help." Enos tried.

However, Lily was in no mood for it "GO AWAY!!!" she yelled. Enos, a tear leaking from his eye looked at her with a broken heart "I just. . .I just don't know what to do for you baby."

Enos nodded "Roscoe, you mind helping me?" he asked as he still wasn't completely used to his new leg. Rosoce nodded and they headed out the back way to look for Lily.

Just then Andrew, pushed by two of the younger ones came in and just looked at Daisy, a deep look of hurt evident in his eyes. "Oh Andrew!" Daisy cried as she reached over to hug him. Enos sighed and laid a hand on Daisy's shoulder "You want me to go and get Lily?"

"And it's all my fault!" Lily cried as she rushed out to the back porch. Daisy sighed Enos what was I ever thinking? How can we give them what they need?" "We'll get through it Dais. . .we gotta believe that." Enos tried to comort her.

Roscoe reached over to offer support, Enos, who had taken Andrea into his arms looked up at her and Lily was just terrified "What's not happening mama?" she asked.

Roscoe, finally tried to break the silence "Well we just can't let them do this to my goddaughter!" he said. Andrea, who had secretly overheard walked over and took her daddy's hand "Please make them leave us alone daddy." she aske when Enos noticed a little bruise she had coming on. It broke his heart to see the pain in her eyes.

Enos shook his head not believing what he was hearing "What?" he said out of frustration and confussion as he slowly walked over to where Lily sobbed "Daddy I'm so sorry! Andrew isn't the only one being bullied, but he's the worst! The other kids, from what I hear call him weak and. . .they say he's not a Duke. They just. . .it'd take a week to tell you." Enos looked to Daisy and back to Lily and shook his head "You need the law side of me don't you?" he asked feeling much at a lost.

Lily ran her hand through her hair half agitated and half scared "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner mom, but I didn't know quite how to say it. . .I. . .I've been kinda lying to you and I'm sorry. The other kids. . ." Lily put her head in her hands and sobbed. Just then Enos came in, Roscoe right behind him. They looked to eachother "Dais what's the matter?" Enos asked shocked.

Lily looked down and choked out what she said "I know that mom, but the other day. . .I'm scared mom. . .for Andrew and. . .the others, but especially him. . .they're the ones who've heard this and. . .know that bruise Andrew got? School! Someone . . .did something to him. I told you I hate being the oldest!"

Lily looked to make sure her brothers and sisters weren't listening "It's. . .well it's something about how we. . .as Dukes are horrible people and something. . .honestly I don't know the whole tale because I hear it different each time." Lily sighed looking as if she'd cry again.

Lily nodded grinning "Yup and I wouldn't rather do anything else. . ." her face suddenly clouded over "Mama, for some reason. . .a a couple weeks ago. . .I think a roumour got out about me or. . .something about Dukes and no one's talking to me. . .the boys are downright. . .well you'd be furious!" she said putting emphasis on how thrilled her Uncle's lessons made her.

"You sure mama?" Lily asked knowing that this really was unusual for her mother.

"Something wrong mama?" Lily asked as she knew her mother ALWAYS had something for them to snack on when they got home from school "Dad have anything happen to him today?" she asked.

Lily gave her mother a surprised look and then shook it off "Okay. What's for snack this afternoon?"

Lily nodded "I am mama. I know Jake is happy too." (I'm pretty sure that was his name . . .kinda forgot)

"I said he asked me out." Lily repeated "Why you act so surpprised mama?" "I just can't really see you dating, Lily." Daisy replied.

Then she put Jesse down and later got started on supper, which soon after Lily and the other kids came home. Lily had a rather excited look "Mama! The Outlaw boy asked me out!" she cried happily.

Then Daisy lifted him from his high chair and smiled as she held him on her hip "I bet you wanna help mama get the clothes don't you?" she asked taking him outside to the clothes line so he could play a little bit before she put him down for a nap.

Jesse stared at her and then as he swung his arms accidently dumped his bowl of peas on the floor. Daisy sighed.