Long Lost Brother

     Luke looked up from the papers unable to believe what he was reading. He had a brother that was two years younger, Bo’s age. All the paper said was that it was a baby boy and that he was to be adopted. It didn’t tell him what his brother’s name was or who adopted him. Luke looked down at the steel box, that sat by his feet on the floor by the couch, and wondered if there was possibly more papers in the box that would tell him more about his brother. Up until then all he found in the box were some old photos and letters. Luke stared at the paper he still held tightly in his hands, the paper was slightly brown from age, he read the words on the paper over again to be sure he had read it right, it still read the same. He continued to read the paper over and over again, each times the words hit him like a ton of bricks, he couldn’t understand why such a thing had been kept from him, he had the right to know that he had a brother, even if he had been adopted. He wondered if this paper was the reason that Jesse hadn’t allowed him to see the box until now. Jesse said he forgot about box, he had intended to only put the box away until he thought Luke was old enough and then had simply forgot all about the box. He wondered if Jesse knew this, he couldn’t understand why such a thing had been kept from him, the more he though about it the angrier he became. Luke was so deep in thought that he never heard Bo come into the room.
     Bo saw Luke sitting staring intently at an old piece of paper. He could see a dark cloud of anger in Luke’s eyes and wondered what was on that paper to cause Luke to look so angry. He knew it had to be something serious he rarely ever saw Luke get angry, and knew it took a lot of Luke to really lose his temper. He could tell that Luke was so deeply entranced by what he was reading that he didn’t know that he was standing there. Bo cleared his throat to get Luke’s attention. Luke looked up slightly startled by Bo’s presence in the room.
     “I didn’t hear you come in.” Luke said.
     “I figured you didn’t.” Bo said, and looked at the paper Luke was still holding in his hand. “What is on that paper that has you so angry?”
Luke took a deep breath and slowly released, part of him wanting to lock the emotions he felt now deep inside, another part wanting to tell everything. He knew if he was going to talk to anyone about how he felt it would Bo. After he had returned from the Marines Bo was the only person that he had told everything, the two of them had always shared everything. “It says I have a little brother.”
Bo looked at Luke curiously, not seeing how that would make Luke angry.
     “He was adopted, it doesn’t say by who or even what his name was. He would be your age . . . or I guess is your age . . . wherever he is.” Luke said.
     “I can’t believe that nobody ever told you before.” Bo said.
     “I guess that is why I am so angry. I don’t think it is right that I was never told, even if he was adopted. He is my brother I have a right to know. I think that is why Uncle Jesse kept this box from me for so long, and not because he forgot.” Luke said.
Bo shrugged slightly. “Maybe he doesn’t know.”
Luke went to say something then sighed slightly. “Maybe you are right. He might not know, I mean he has never kept anything from us before.”
     “Is that the only paper that says about your brother being adopted?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know I haven’t looked through the rest of the box yet. Once I found this I kinda stopped looking. I guess I should look through the rest of the stuff.” Luke said.
Bo nodded slightly. “Do you want any help?”
Luke nodded, grateful for Bo’s offer. Bo sat down on the couch beside Luke, the steel box on the floor between their feet. It took them about twenty minutes to look through the rest of the box, but there was no other papers saying anything about Luke’s brother. Luke wondered if this paper was even suppose to be in the box, he felt as though it was something that he was really never meant to see. Luke was visible upset as he stared at the pile of discarded old letters, papers and photos that lay on the table, in front of the couch, holding the only paper that even told of his little brother clutched in his hand. Bo put a hand in Luke’s shoulder, comfortingly.
     “Maybe you should talk to Uncle Jesse about this, maybe he does know something, or maybe there is other papers somewhere else.” Bo said.
Luke nodded slightly, still barely able to believe that he had a little brother out there somewhere. He wondered how he was going to ask Jesse about this, wondering if Bo had been right when he said that maybe Jesse knew nothing about it.
     “Uncle Jesse should be home in a couple hours.” Bo said.
Luke nodded and stood up. “I have a touch of a headache, so I am going to lay down for a while, call me when he gets home, okay?”
     “Yeah sure thing cousin.” Bo said, he could tell that this had Luke quite upset and wished there was more he could do to help his cousin, but didn’t know what else to do then just try to do all he could to help Luke find out more about his brother.
Bo heard the door, of the bedroom he and Luke had shared since they had both came to the farm as babies, click shut. He wondered for a moment if Luke would okay alone, then decided that Luke would be fine, he was strong and always seemed to be in complete control of his emotions. Bo turned and went outside to work on the General Lee.
     Bo spent the next couple of hours working on the General; his pale yellow shirt long since cast aside to avoid having it stained with grease. His bare chest glistened with sweat in the mid day sun. He stopped working when he heard an approaching car; he looked out from underneath the hood of the car. He saw his uncle’s old beat up white pick up truck pull to a stop in the farm yard, a few feet from where the General was parked. He wiped his greasy hands off on an old red rag, and closed the hood. He stood watching as Jesse climbed out of the truck, wondering to himself what to tell his uncle about what was going on. He didn’t want to tell him what Luke had found out, he figured Luke should be the one to tell him that, but he had to let Jesse know that something was wrong.
     As Jesse approached the General, he could tell by the look on Bo’s face that something was wrong. He wondered what exactly was wrong, he thought since he didn’t see Luke anywhere around that it might have something to do with him.
     “What’s wrong?” Jesse asked, there was a hint of concern in his voice.
     “It’s kinda a long story Uncle Jesse.” Bo said.
Jesse looked puzzled. “Just tell me what is wrong.”
     “I think that you should talk to Luke about it, it’s not really my place to say.” Bo said.
Jesse looked even more puzzled, at what the problem could possibly be. Ever since the boys had been little they had shared their problem and both told him about the problem, no matter who or who all, the problem concerned. The two of them walked into the house and into the front room Jesse sat down on the chair, looking over at the piles of papers that lay on the coffee table, that had been in the box that belonged to Luke’s parents. Jesse thought to himself that the problem must involve something that Luke had found in the box.
     Luke was lying on the bed, thinking about what little he could remember about what had happened to his parents. He hadn’t thought too much about them in a few years, he had only been three when they died so he had no real memories of them. Jesse had told him how his parents died, and it wasn’t something any of them really ever discussed. Bo and daisy also never really talked about the accidents that had taken their parents lives either. Luke couldn’t remember what had happened on the dark, moonless night that had changed his life forever. He could only remember what he had been told. The house had some how caught fire, they think from a candle that was burning and forgot about. By the time fire trucks arrived most the house was already engulfed with flames. Fire fighters went into the burning house and managed to save Luke, who only suffered from smoke inhalation. They had been unable to save his parents. They found it surprising that they had even been able to safe Luke, and that he was unharmed, everyone that his guardian angel must have really been watching over him. The fire fighters had been unable to stop the fire and house was completely burned to the ground. The only thing left was the stuffed bear that Luke had been holding when saved by the fire fighters and the steel box that was fire proof. He now felt cheated out of years of more memories of his parents, by just now being able to see what was in the box. He still had the old bear, in a box in the closet. It had been three months after Luke came to the farm that Bo’s parents died and he came to live at the farm as well, Daisy had came five years later. He looked down at the paper once again, tears swimming in his eyes.
     Bo walked into the room that he and Luke shared. Luke was lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling; he turned his head when he heard Bo come into the room. Luke bit back the tears that he could feel burning his eyes, not wanting Bo to see him cry.
     “Uncle Jesse’s home.” Bo said.
     “Did you say anything to him?” Luke asked.
Bo shook his head. “No, I figured you should be the one to talk to him about it. He knows something is wrong though. But I didn’t say anything.”
Luke didn’t say anything as he stood up and walked towards the door, his blue eyes looked lost deeply in thought. Bo thought Luke seemed to be trembling slightly with worry, of how exactly to talk to Jesse about what he had found out.
Bo put a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Do you want me to be out there when you talk to Uncle Jesse about this?”
Luke nodded slightly. “Yeah, thanks cuz.”
Bo then followed Luke out of the bedroom to the front room. They both sat down on the couch, facing Jesse. Luke held the paper that told of his brother in his hands. He looked up nervously at his uncle, still wondering if Jesse had lied to him his whole life.
     “What’s wrong Luke?” Jesse asked.
Luke fidgeted with the piece of paper and cleared his throat. “When I was looking through the stuff that belonged to my parents, I found this.”
Jesse looked at the piece of paper that Luke held in his hands. “What does it say?”
     “It says . . .” Luke started to say his voice trailing off for a moment, Bo put a hand on Luke’s shoulder, Luke took a deep breath and slow released it. “It says that I have a brother.”
     “What? That ain’t possible.” Jesse said.
     “Yeah well . . . read it for yourself.” Luke said, his voice sounding slightly agitated, as he handed the paper over to Jesse.
Jesse read the paper, shaking his head. “I don’t believe this.”
     “Why didn’t you tell me?” Luke asked.
Jesse looked up at Luke. “I didn’t know.”
Luke rolled his eyes slightly. “Yeah right. This is why you tried to keep that box from me. If I hadn’t found it, you would never have told me.”
     “Luke, I didn’t know about you having a brother. And like I told you before I forget all about that box.” Jesse said.
Luke’s eyes flashed with anger. “I don’t believe you at all. You knew and you kept it from me for all these years. The only reason that you are ACTING so shocked now is because you are upset that this paper was even in here. What did you miss it when you got rid of all the other papers that would’ve told me about my brother.”
     “Luke, just simmer down. I am not lying. I wouldn’t have kept something like this from you.” Jesse said, his voice stern yet caring.
Luke stood up, and snatched the paper from Jesse’s hands. “I will not calm down, and you ARE lying.”
Luke stormed out of the house slamming the door behind himself. Bo got up from the couch and ran out the door after Luke. Luke was juts getting into the General.
     “Luke wait.” Bo said.
     “Why should I?” Luke snapped at Bo.
     “Oh so you’re mad at me to now are you?” Bo questioned.
Luke sighed and shook his head. “No. I didn’t mean to snap at you Bo . . . I just don’t want to be around here right now.”
Bo walked over and stood by the General. “You know Uncle Jesse don’t lie, if he says he didn’t . . .” Bo started to say but his sentence was cut short by Luke.
     “So you are taking his side?”
     “I am not taking anyone’s side Luke.” Bo said.
Luke didn’t respond he just slid into the General and went to start the engine.
     “If you insist on taking off right now, at least let me drive, you are in no condition to be tearing around the back roads.” Bo said. “And I don’t want my half of the car getting all smashed up.” Bo added jokingly.
Luke looked up at Bo and smiled slightly, he nodded and slid over to the passenger seat. Bo climbed into the car and started the engine then sped away from the house. Jesse had been watching from the window and gave a sigh of relief to see that Luke had allowed Bo to go with him and let him drive. Jesse had worried that if Luke took off when he was angry he might get into an accident, but he knew he had nothing to worry about with Bo driving. Jesse hoped that Bo would be able to get Luke to calm down a little a listen to reason. Jesse sat down on the couch, he wondered how Luke’s parents could’ve kept something like this from the rest of the family, he wondered why they had gave Luke’s brother up for adoption. He wished that he did have the answers to tell Luke about his brother.
     Bo drove down back roads for nearly an hour, he was thankful that they didn’t run into any of Rosco’s speed traps. Neither one of them spoke a single word during that time. Bo turned onto a narrow dirt road, which ran along the Hazzard Pond. The road had been long since forgot by most people in Hazzard. Bo and Luke seemed to be the only ones who ever seemed to use it. They had found the road once when they were running from Rosco. The road led to a small wooded area by the pond, which the boys found to be a great place to hide. Large red rocks were piled up on the bank of the pond. It was a quiet and peaceful place. Bo pulled the car to a stop under the shade of a large old oak tree.
     Bo and Luke climbed out the General and sat on the red rocks by the pond. Luke stared out across the water; it shimmered brightly in the sun. Bo tried to think of something to say to calm Luke down but couldn’t think of what to say.
     “I know that you don’t want to hear this, but I think Jesse was telling the truth that he didn’t know about this.” Bo said.
Luke spun around to face him. “I don’t need you telling me how wrong I am.”
     “I am not doing that, and if you would just calm down . . .” Bo said, his sentence was cut short by Luke.
     “I am perfectly calm.”
Bo laughed. “Yeah right.”
Luke turned away from Bo again. They were quiet for a couple moments. Bo sighed quietly.
     “Look, I know this is all hard to deal with, but you just have to calm down and start to listen to reason. Getting all angry ain’t gonna help. Even if Jesse did know what good is it going to do get angry? It won’t change anything.” Bo said.
Luke turned to face Bo again. “I guess you are right about calming down but . . .”
     “You are still angry.” Bo said finishing Luke’s sentence.
Luke nodded slightly, glad that Bo was so understanding. He though that Bo knew him better then anyone. “I just can’t believe this was kept from me for all these years. I can’t help but think that Uncle Jesse knew.”
     “I kind of understand what you mean by that, I am sure I’d feel the same way if it was me.” Bo said.
Luke took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Why did my parents give my little brother up for adoption and not even let me know I had a brother? I mean why would they just get rid off him like that? Wasn’t he good enough? I mean was he born with something wrong with him or something? I wouldn’t have care . . . I don’t care. I hate my parents for denying me off my brother. I hate them for lying. How could they do that to me?” Luke asked, a couple tears streaked his cheeks.
     “I don’t know Luke. I wish I had the answers for you but I don’t. If I did I would tell you.” Bo said.
Luke nodded slightly and closed his eyes to try to stop his tears, he didn’t want Bo to see him cry. “I know you would.”
They remained that way for nearly half an hour. The only sounds that could be heard were the waves gently lapping against the rocks and the wind blowing through the trees. Luke opened his eyes and Luke at Bo.
     “I have to find my brother. I have to know who he is and where is. I won’t stop until I find him.” Luke said.
     “I’ll do what I can to help you find him.” Bo said.
     “Thanks Bo, that means a lot to me.” Luke said.
Bo gave a small smile. “C’mon now let’s go home.”
Luke shook his head. “I don’t want to go back. I am still angry.”
     “Okay fine we can just camp out somewhere or go to the cabin at still site number two.” Bo said.
     “I think the cabin would be best it is suppose to rain tonight.” Luke said, he was glad that Bo was going to stay with he didn’t really want to be alone, and didn’t want to impose by asking Bo to stay with him.
    They got into the General and sped to the cabin. Bo decided to go back to the farm to get some supplies for while they stayed at the cabin. Bo went to leave the cabin.
     “Don’t tell Uncle Jesse where we are at.” Luke said.
     “I won’t.” Bo said.
     “Bring the stuff that was in that box here. I want to look through it again in case I missed anything.” Luke said.
     “Okay.” Bo said. “Is there anything else you want brought back from the farm that I ain’t already bringing?”
Luke shook his head. “No that’s it.”
     “Okay. I’ll be back in like thirty minutes.” Bo said.
Bo left the cabin, and got into the car. Luke sat and listened as the sound of the General’s engine faded away, suddenly feeling very alone.
     Bo pulled to a stop in front of the farmhouse and went inside. Jesse had been sitting on the couch, he jumped up when he heard the door open.
     “Bo . . . where’s Luke?”
     “He is somewhere safe.” Bo said.
     “Where?” Jesse asked.
     “I promised him I wouldn’t tell you.” Bo said starting to gather the things to take to the cabin.
     “You tell me right now Bo. You are not leaving this house until you do.” Jesse said sternly.
     “I can’t tell you. I made a promise. You always tell us not to go back on our word, and there is no way I am going to break my promise to Luke.” Bo said.
Jesse and realized that he had cross with Bo for no reason, he couldn’t make Bo break a promise.
     “I am sorry Bo. I am just worried about Luke.” Jesse said.
     “He has calmed down but he is still angry and a little hurt by all this.” Bo said.
     “I didn’t know he had a brother. I would’ve told him if I knew.” Jesse said, almost defensively.
     “I believe you. Luke is just a little out of sort by all this. I think he is more hurt that hi parents did such a thing.” Bo said.
     “I am sure they had a good reason.” Jesse said.
After a few minutes Bo had all the stuff gather and put into the General, and was ready to head back to the cabin. Jesse walked over to the General.
     “Keep an eye on Luke.” Jesse said.
Bo nodded. “Yes sir. Don’t worry Uncle Jesse I am sure Luke will be ready to come home soon. He just has to adjust to this is all.”
Jesse nodded. “Take care.”
     “Yes sir.” Bo said and sped off down the road in a cloud of dust.
     Meanwhile, Luke sat on the dusty floor of the cabin and leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes, the stress of the day suddenly seemed to catch up to him all at once and he fell into a restless sleep, which was haunted by a nightmare

*************************     Luke was walking through a thick fog, and he could barely see two inches ahead. The fog was cold and seemed to chill him to the bone. Luke shivered slightly as he walked deeper into the fog. Strange sounds seemed to surround and he though he could see eyes peering through the fog all around him. Luke started to walk quicker wanting to escape from the fog. Even though he could feel eyes watching him he still felt alone. Luke started to run through the fog, not able to see where he was going. He tripped over something and went flying through the air. He splashed in swampy water, feeling weeds, wrapping around his body He tried to yell for help but his mouth filled with water. Luke coughed and sputtered. He saw a figure standing in the fog on the bank of the water. He couldn’t see who it was but felt that it was his brother. Luke tried to pull himself out of the water to get to his brother but couldn’t. He managed to hold his head above the water’s surface long enough to speak.
     “Please . . . brother . . . help me.”
The figure shook his head, and Luke could see a smile on his lips. “Why should I, brother? Our parents chose you over me. They kept you, they didn’t keep me. They didn’t love me. You took all their love from me. You never even missed me.”
     “I didn’t know about you, nobody told me. They kept you from me.” Luke said.
Luke felt the weeds wrap tighter around his body, trying to pull him under, he tried desperately to struggle against, all of his attempts seemed in vain.
     “Now brother you shall pay for what happened to me. You should’ve been there for me. Now you shall pay with your life.”
     “Please brother. I am sorry I am so sorry.” Luke said.
Then he felt himself being pulled under the water. The surface of the water was just inches above his face. Luke struggle to raise his head above the water to breathe in much needed oxygen, but found he was unable to. He could feel his life starting to fade away, he could hear his brother’s voice in his mind.
     ‘IT IS YOUR FAULT. THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT.’ **************     Luke jerked out of his sleep, his heart racing quickly, and gasping for breath. Luke took a deep breath and slowly released it, his heart was still racing but his breathing had returned to normal. Luke shook his head to try to clear the images of the dream from his mind. He wondered if his brother even knew about him or his true family at all, his dream making him even more determined to find his long lost brother. Luke stood up and slowly walked around the old cabin. It was rarely use anymore and most everything was covered with dust. Everything seemed to enveloped in an eerie silence. Luke muscles were tense as he walked around the cabin, his dream still haunting him. After what felt like an eternity to Luke, the sound of the General Lee’s powerful engine cut through the silence. Luke gave a soft sigh of relief, and then stepped out onto the porch to help Bo bring in the supplies he had got at the farm.
     Bo pulled to a stop in front of the cabin and climbed out of the car. He saw Luke standing on the porch and immediately noticed that Luke looked pale. Luke walked off the porch and over to the car.
     “Are you okay?” Bo asked.
Luke nodded. “Yeah, I just fell asleep and had a bad dream is all.”
     “Want to talk about it?” Bo asked, as he opened the trunk of the car.
Luke shook his head. The two of them didn’t say another word as they carried the supplies inside.
     “Was Uncle Jesse still at the farm?” Luke asked.
Bo nodded. “Yeah, he was.”
     “What did you tell him? You didn’t tell him where we are at did you?” Luke asked, speaking the last part of the questioned in almost accusatory tone.
     “I told you that I wouldn’t tell Uncle Jesse we are staying here and I didn’t. He wanted to know but I refused to tell him. Just like I promised you.” Bo said.
Luke suddenly felt bad about accusing Bo of breaking his word. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to accuse you like that, I just wanted to be sure.”
     “Have I ever broke a promise to you before?” Bo asked.
Luke shook his head.
     “Well then why would I start now?” Bo questioned.
     “I know. I didn’t mean it that way Bo. I just . . . I don’t know.” Luke said.
     “All I told him is that you had calmed down but weren’t in the mood to come home.” Bo said.
     “Thanks.” Luke said.
     “No problem.”
     The two of them sat in silence looking through the papers and pictures again hoping to find something that they had previously over looked. Minutes seemed to drag by and seemed as though they weren’t going to find anything, there didn’t seem to be anything they had over looked. Luke seemed to be growing increasingly agitated, as they weren’t finding anything to lead him to find his brother. Bo wished that he knew the words to say to Luke to ease the pain he was obviously feeling, but couldn’t think of what to say so he remained silent. Pictures and old letters lay discard on the floor. Luke picked up another old picture from the box and saw his parents standing with a couple that he never remembered seeing before. There were no names and no date on the picture. His mother had him held her arms; he looked to be a few months old.
     “Do you know who these people are?” Luke asked, showing the picture to Bo.
Bo shook his head. “Nope never seen them before. Are they in any of the other pictures?”
     “No only this one, and it is the last picture in the box.” Luke said, as he stared intently at the picture. “I wonder if these are the people that adopted my brother.”
     “They could be.” Bo said.
Luke looked at the strange couple, with a look of almost malice. “I am sure they are the ones who took my brother from me.”
Bo sighed quietly, he could barely recall the last time that Luke had been so angry. “Your brother was adopted, they, or whoever adopted him, didn’t take me.”
     “It is the same thing.” Luke said in an angry tone.
Bo decided to just not argue the point any further, knowing it would do no good to argue as no matter what Luke wasn’t going to listen.
     “I just know that these are the people that took my brother.” Luke said, anger raising in his voice.
     “How do you know that?” Bo asked.
     “It only makes since. This is the only picture around with these people in it and my parents had it kept in this box to keep it safe. It only makes sense.” Luke said.
Bo shrugged slightly. “I guess, if you say so.”
Luke shot Bo a dirty look, but Bo ignored it and stood up.
     “I am going to start a fire in the fireplace so we can cook some dinner.” Bo said, trying to control his temper. He knew what Luke was going through was hard and Luke was having trouble dealing with it.
     “Whatever.” Luke mumbled.
Luke set the picture to one side, and began to look through the box again for more clues to his brother’s whereabouts. Luke pulled out an old envelope from the box. There was no longer a letter in it but the return address on the corner of the envelop caught his eye.

Maxwell Burnett
Castle Law Offices
345 East Seiko Street
Atlanta, Georgia

Luke stared at the address. “This must be the lawyer who handled the adoption case . . . I wonder if he is still around.” Luke said.
     “What?” Bo asked, walking over to where Luke was.
Luke handed the envelope up to Bo. “This must the lawyer that handle the adoption.”
     “We can go check it out tomorrow.” Bo said.
     “I am gonna go now.” Luke said standing up and turning to head to the door.
     “It can wait till tomorrow.” Bo said.
Luke glared at Bo. “Easy for you to say this don’t concern your brother.”
Bo sighed. “I am aware of that Luke. But what good would it do to go now?”
Luke looked at Bo questioningly.
     “By the time you get to Atlanta the place would be closed, that is if it even still exists. They might no longer be in business or this lawyer might not be around anymore.”
Luke looked at Bo, all anger leaving his eyes. “You’re right.”
     “Of course, ain’t I always?” Bo asked jokingly.
Luke smiled and laughed. Bo was glad to see that Luke had calmed down and cheered up some.
     “Dinner is ready so let’s eat.” Bo said heading back to the fireplace.
     “Bo.”
     “Yeah, what?”
     “I am sorry that I snapped at you. I had no call.” Luke said.
Bo turned to face Luke. “Don’t worry about it. I understand. Now let’s eat I’m starving.”
     Later the night, Luke lay awake staring into the darkness, listening to the sound of the crickets and Bo’s steady breathing. Bo had long since fallen asleep. But Luke found he couldn’t sleep. He felt tense wondering if tomorrow he would have all the answers about his brother. He also almost dreaded going to sleep for fear he would have another nightmare. He looked across the room at where Bo lay, sleeping, in his sleeping bag, he could just see the Bo’s outline. Very little light from the moon shone through the old windows of the cabin. Luke closed his eyes and within minutes he fell asleep, to dream again of his brother.

****************     Luke coughed, trying to clear his lungs of the thick black smoke he was walking through. The smoke burned at his eyes, causing them to water. After what felt like hours of walking he finally broke through the smoke. In front of him he could see a house burning, the flames reaching high into the sky engulfing everything they touched. He became aware of someone standing next to him; he turned to see his brother. Luke opened his mouth to say something when everything around him changed and he found that he and his brother were standing in front of the farmhouse. He looked around the yard, at first everything appeared normal, then he saw Bo working on a car other then the General Lee. He looked around and saw that the General was no where to be seen. He could hear his brother talking to him but not make out his words. When he turned back to look at his brother he was gone. Luke walked over to Bo.
     “What do you want?” Bo asked, looking up from under the hood of the car.
     “Where’s the General?” Luke asked.
     “The what?”
     “The General Lee, our car.” Luke said.
     “I don’t know what you’re on Lukas, “we” don’t have a car. Why would the two of us have a car?”
     “Because . . .” Luke started to say but the words eluded him.
     “You and your brother have a car. Why don’t you go find him and get out of my face. After all he is the important one. He is your brother. I am just your cousin.” Bo said.
Luke stared at Bo unable to find his voice for a minute. “This ain’t real . . . this is a dream. We are friends.”
     “No we ain’t friends far from it. I hate to even admit that you are my cousin but you know how Uncle Jesse is when it comes to family, I am just kinda stuck with you and your brother.” Bo said, his voice filled with hatred.
     “Why do you hate me so much?” Luke asked.
     “How can you ask why? Think about everything I put up all these years from you and your brother. You always let me know that I was nothing and you’re brother is what is the important one.” Bo said.
     “This is a dream, it is a dream.” Luke softly mumbled, wishing that he could wake from this horrible dream.
     “This ain’t a dream it is reality. Or rather the reality you would’ve rather had. You would rather have had your brother around then me.” Bo said.
Luke shook his head. “No, I never said that Bo.”
     “Face reality Luke.” Bo said. ************************     Luke woke up, sitting straight up. His body was covered with a cold sweat. He looked over at Bo, who was sleeping soundly, and sighed. He remained sitting for a couple minutes allowing his breathing to slowly return to normal, then laid back down.
     ‘It was just a dream. That is not how things would’ve been if my brother had grew up at the farm with us . . . we all would’ve been friends. Bo and I are the best of friends and nothing could ever change that. I would still care about him as though he were my brother to, just like I do now. It wouldn’t be that way, it couldn’t be that way.’ Luke thought to himself, trying assure himself.
    The thought of Bo having so much hatred towards him, for things he did to Bo, seemed to cut into his heart like knife. Luke lay awake in the darkness knowing that he wouldn’t be able to get anymore sleep, his dream still seemed to weigh heavy on his heart. He stared into the darkness and could hear the cry of a loon in the distance, he knew there was nothing to do now but lay awake and wait for morning to come.
     A few hours later the sun started to rise over the horizon flooding the small room with light. Luke stood up quietly and went outside, leaving the door slightly ajar. He stood on the front porch and watched the sun rise. Though he didn’t enjoy the beauty of the sunrise, as he was lost so deep in thought. All he could think about was finding his brother, his dream had long since faded. Luke wasn’t sure how long he had been standing on the porch, when he heard the floor boards behind him squeak softly. Luke turned around and saw Bo standing there.
     “How ya doin’ cuz?” Bo asked.
Luke shrugged, he didn’t really want to tell Bo what he was feeling, he had never really been one for sharing his emotions. Bo stepped out on the porch with Luke, the sounds of chirping birds echoed through the woods around them.
     “How long have you been up?” Bo asked.
     “Since dawn, been awake all night.” Luke said.
     They ate a small breakfast; Luke barely ate anything he mostly pushed his food around. Bo figured there was no use in telling Luke to eat, he wouldn’t listen and would most likely only get angry again. After they freshened up, they headed towards Atlanta. Bo sped along the highway, since they were on a main highway Bo obeyed the speed limit. They had been caught speeding several times while going to Atlanta and the cops down there were more difficult then Rosco was.
     “Can’t you go any faster?” Luke complained.
     “I am doing the speed limit.” Bo said.
     “So break the speed limit. It is not like you never exceed the speed limit.” Luke said.
     “Yeah well I don’t want another speeding ticket. The cops down here are harder to deal with Rosco.” Bo said.
Luke mumbled something that Bo couldn’t quite hear. Bo bit his bottom lip slightly to keep from mouthing back to Luke. He understood that Luke was having trouble dealing with the fact his parents gave his younger brother up for adoption, and he was just lashing out, as his way off dealing with the problem. He knew that when Luke was going through a problem he either lashed out at everybody, pulled into himself and not let anybody know he was hurt, or both. A few minutes later they arrived in Atlanta.
    After a few minutes they found the address, however the law office was no longer there, it was a new apartment complex. Luke stared at the building his light blue eyes shone with disappointment, and Bo thought he could even see a touch of anger in his cousin’s eyes.
     “Perhaps the place just moved some where else.” Bo said.
Luke didn’t say anything; he just looked down at the envelope.
     “ Look we can just find a phone book and see if they just moved somewhere else.” Bo said.
     “Whatever.” Luke mumbled softly.
Bo drove a ways down the street and stopped by a phone. They climbed out of the car and went over to the phone. Luke thumbed through the pages, doubting that there would be an address. After a moment though Luke found Castle Law Offices listed, his spirits lightened and he gave small smile.
     “They did just move.” Luke said.
     “Told you so. You really start listening to me more often you know.” Bo said, and smiled.
Luke looked at Bo and smiled. “Maybe I should.”
Luke wrote the new address down on a small piece of paper. 861 Seaward Ave. They got back into the General, and went to find the new address. As Bo drove down the busy Atlanta streets, Luke tapped his finger nervously against the door panel. It took them nearly twenty minutes to reach Seaward Ave, even though it was only a few blocks, because the traffic was so heavy. Bo pulled into the small parking lot, beside the office.
     They walked into the office. The room was quite large, considering the building didn’t look too big from the outside. Luke walked over to the secretary’s desk.
She looked up from a pile of papers, and smiled at them, she appeared to be in at least her late fifties, her gray hair was cut short “May I help you?”
     “Is Maxwell Burnett in?” Luke asked
She nodded. “Do you have an appointment?”
     “No ma’am. I have a few questions I would like to ask him. It is kind of a long story.” Luke said, not really knowing what to say.
     “Okay well he isn’t that busy today, so if you would like to wait he could see you in a few minutes.”
Luke nodded. “Thank you.”
Bo and Luke went and sat in the small waiting room. There was a soft, plush green carpet with a green leather couch and matching chair. There was a small oak table between the couch and tree that had a lamp on it and normal magazines that are found in all waiting rooms. A couple of abstract painting hung on the wall. Luke sat down on the couch trying to hide how nervous he was. Bo sat down on the chair. Luke wondered if this lawyer would have the answers or it would just be a dead end.
    Minutes past like hours; the room was so silently that the rustling of the papers on the secretary’s desk could be heard. A while later two people left from the back room. The secretary stepped into the waiting room.
     “Mr. Burnett can see you now.”
Luke stood up slowly, and took a deep breath.
     “Want me go in there with you?” Bo asked.
Luke nodded. Bo stood up and followed Luke and the secretary down the hall to a small office. The office was small, or so it looked it had a large bookshelf, along the one wall, that was filled with books. There was a small filing cabinet in the one corner. There was a large window, behind the large oak desk, that over looked a small garden that was at the back of the building. In front of the desk was two chairs, Maxwell Burnett say behind the desk and smiled at Bo and Luke as they walked in. Maxwell looked to be in his mid to late sixties. His gray hair had long since started to recede. Maxwell motioned for Bo and Luke to sit down; they sat down on the chairs that were in front of the desk.
     “Now what can I do for you?” Maxwell asked.
Luke took a deep breath as he tried to think of what to say he slowly released his breath. “My name is Luke Duke, this is my cousin Bo. I recently found this paper in my parents things.” Luke handed the paper that told about his brother to Maxwell. “You see sir, my parents passed away when I was two years old. I just recently found this in an old box of their things. I also found a envelope that had you name on it, I just thought that you might have been the lawyer that handled the case.”
Maxwell looked at the paper, at the parent’s names Nicolas and Sandra Duke. “Your parent’s names sound vaguely familiar.”
     “I realize that it has been just over twenty years. But I was hoping that you would have some information. My parents were killed in a house fire, and I have very little of their things left. I just want to find my brother.” Luke said.
     “I understand how you feel. I am not sure if there still would be papers left from a case twenty years ago though. A lot of the files on old cases weren’t kept, when we moved two years ago.” Maxwell said.
Luke sighed, wishing that he had found the old box sooner.
     “I will look through the old files and get in touch with you in a few days, to tell you if I could find anything or not.” Maxwell said.
Luke shook Maxwell’s hand. “Thank you very much sir.”
Maxwell smiled. “Just leave a number where you can be contacted with my secretary.”
Bo and Luke left the office and stopped at the secretary’s desk and left the number for the farm. Bo noticed that Luke seemed to be in a somewhat better mood, as they headed back to Hazzard. Bo wondered how Luke would handle it if the lawyer couldn’t find the files that told about his brother, and decided he’d rather not find out.
      Bo pulled to a stop in front of the Duke farmhouse, parking beside Jesse’s pickup. Their cousin Daisy was at work, at the Boar’s Nest. Bo walked into the house followed by Luke. Jesse was sitting in the living, and looked up when he heard the boys come in. Luke stared at Jesse for moment then left the room. Luke went to he bedroom that he and Bo shared and closed the door.
     “How is everything?” Jesse asked.
     “Could be worse but could be better. I have never seen Luke is so angry. I think he just wants to blame everyone for what happened with his brother. There is a lawyer that may have the answers.” Bo said.
     “That’s good news. Luke still seems to be quite angry though.” Jesse said.
     “I think he still is somewhat. Though compared to the earlier he is cheerful.” Bo said.
     “Hopefully this lawyer will have all the answers. Then things can get back to normal.” Jesse said.
     “If he don’t I don’t know how Luke will handle it. I doubt he’d take it very well. I just hope that wouldn’t cause him to do anything rash.” Bo said. ‘Even if he does have the answers things will never be normal again.’ He added in thought.
Bo sat down on the couch and ran his fingers through his hair. Bo wanted Luke to be able to find his little brother, because he knew how much it meant to him. Yet another part of him deep down didn’t want Luke to find his brother, Bo felt that if Luke was to find his brother that he would be replaced. Bo couldn’t stand the thought of that, but would never tell how he felt to Luke, feeling that if he did he would lose Luke’s friendship forever.
     The next couple of days passed slowly for everyone at the Duke farm. Luke spent most of the day sitting near the phone waiting for Maxwell to call, usually answering the phone on the first ring. Luke complained about anyone using the phone to make calls and had hung up on a few other people that had called. He complained that if Maxwell was trying to call the line would be busy, he refused to listen to anyone when they said Maxwell would call back if the line was busy. Luke wasn’t even doing his chores; Bo and Daisy did his chores so that they would be done, they didn’t even bother to try to make Luke do his chores knowing that it would do no good. Every time the phone rang and it wasn’t Maxwell calling Luke grow angrier, as he seemed to with each passing hour. Luke’s moods grew dark and dark and he barely spoke a word to either Bo or Daisy, and never said a single word to Jesse. Luke’s dark mood seemed to bring down all the Dukes and Bo was starting to become irritated with Luke’s constant complaints and how he went on about his brother. Luke barely got a minute’s sleep, every time he tried to sleep he was haunted by a bad dream, each dream seeming worse then the last. Daisy spent a lot more time at work or out shopping just to be away from Luke.
     It was three days later, early in the afternoon, Daisy was outside washing her jeep Dixie, and Bo was just finishing up the chores. Jesse was inside, and as usual Luke was sitting in the front room waiting for the phone to ring. Bo walked over towards Daisy.
     “Once you are done there why don’t you wash the General.” Bo said to Daisy is a fake demanding voice.
Daisy didn’t respond as she looked up at her younger cousin, she smiled innocently and then squirted the hose in his direction. Bo jumped to the left slightly to try to avoid getting wet, but still some of the water hit him.
     “I said wash the GENERAL not me.” Bo complained.
Daisy smiled. “Oh, gee I am sorry I guess I didn’t hear you right I was sure you I heard it the other way.”
Bo smiled. “Cute.”
     “If you want your car washed, wash it yourself. I still have to wax Dixie after this.” Daisy said.
Bo hung his head in a mock hurt. “I am ever so sorry ma’am.”
Daisy smiled and shook her head. “Cut it out Bo or you’ll be getting more then just a little wet.”
Inside the Duke’s house spirits weren’t so light.
     “Why don’t you just go outside for a while Luke, I’ll call you if the lawyer calls.” Jesse said.
Luke glared at Jesse. “Why should I do anything you say? You lied to me my whole life.”
     “Luke I didn’t know anything about this.”
     “I don’t believe you. You knew and you kept it from me. I am not about to listen to anything you say ever again.” Luke said, his voice full of anger.
     “Now Luke, just settle down. You have no call to be getting so angry while you are living under my roof.” Jesse said sternly.
     “Well don’t worry then, I’ll find my own place and move away from here for good.” Luke said.
     “Luke, just calm down you are taking this way too far. You might be angry at me but you have no call to be treating Bo and Daisy the way you have been.”
     “Stop telling me what to. I am not a little kid anymore and I don’t have to listen to you. I can’t believe that I once even trusted you and the whole time you were keeping the most important thing in my life from me, you were keeping my brother away from me.” Luke yelled in rage.
Jesse just looked at Luke, his eyes were watered with tears, and his old face was drawn up with sadness. He had no idea what to say to calm Luke down and felt that he had lost his oldest nephews love, and it cutter him deeper then any knife could. He loved all the of as though they were his own kids, and he hated to see any of them hurting and not have the cure to help them. With a look of defeat on his tired old face Jesse turned and left room, walking silently to his bedroom. Luke stormed out of the house slamming the flimsy screen door shut behind himself. Bo and Daisy both had heard Luke and Jesse arguing and looked at Luke as he walked out of the house.
     “You had no call talking to Uncle Jesse like that.” Daisy said.
     “Don’t tell me what call I got and what call I ain’t got.” Luke said.
Daisy looked at Luke defiantly. “No. You have to start listening reason Luke. You are acting like such a jerk.”
Luke glared at her angrily. “Why don’t you just shut up? What in the hell do you know anyways?”
Daisy’s eyes watered with tears, she ran into the house not wanting to cry in front of them.
     Bo walked over and stood in front of Luke, glaring angrily at his older cousin. He had been able to quell his temper when Luke was on his case, but with Luke upsetting Daisy and Jesse the way he had, Bo no longer tried to control his temper. “You had no call to talk to Daisy like that and you definitely had no calling talking to Uncle Jesse the way you did.”
     “Just get out of my face Bo.”
     “Or what? You’re gonna get cross with me to? Not like you haven’t been doing that a lot these past couple days, I can take what ever you dish out cousin.” Bo said.
     “Just shut up Bo. I am getting so sick and tired of everyone getting on my case telling me how I should be acting. None of you understand what I am going through.” Luke said.
     “Well maybe if you would tell us we would understand.” Bo said.
     “You are really starting to give me a headache Bo, so why don’t you just shut up.”
     “I am not going to keep my mouth shut. I been quiet these past few days and put up with everything you been dishing out, but you have gone to far.” Bo said.
     “I said shut up.” Luke said angrily, and shoved Bo.
Bo stumbled back a couple paces, then with hesitation stepped right back up in front of Luke. “Oh what if I don’t shut up you are gonna rough me up is that it? Go right ahead right. The way you have been acting lately that is about your speed.”
     “Get off my case and stay the hell away from me.” Luke said, his voice filled with anger.
Bo shook his head. “Daisy is right Luke you have to start listening to reason. You are acting like a jerk. You have no call to be accusing Uncle Jesse of lying.”
     “He is lying.” Luke said.
     “Uncle Jesse don’t lie.” Bo said.
Luke laughed. “Yeah, right. Of course you are gonna take his side you probably knew all along to.”
     “That is not true Luke. You know I wouldn’t lie to you.” Bo said.
     “Why do I seriously doubt that? I am sure you just went along with me before hoping I wouldn’t find out anything about my brother. You are just like Jesse you want to keep the most important person in my life from me.” Luke said.
Luke’s words cut through Bo’s heart like a knife. “What makes him the most important person in your life? You don’t know him at all. You know nothing about him, you don’t even know if he wants you in his life.”
     “He is the most important person to be because he is my brother. That makes him more important to me then ANYONE else. I know that he’d feel the same way.” Luke said.
     “How do you know he wants to be found? Or that he does know about you and just don’t want to be a part of your life.” Bo said.
Luke glared at Bo. “I know he is my brother, and I am not going to stop until I find. No matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes I will find him.”
     “You don’t care what it cost at all do you?” Bo asked.
     “No cost is too great. All that matters to me is that I find my brother.” Luke said.
     “You are acting like a blind fool, you know that don’t you?” Bo asked.
Luke raised his hand to strike Bo across the face, stopping his hand less then an inch from Bo’s face. “Just shut up. I don’t want to hear anything that you have to say cousin. The only person that matters to me is my brother. I don’t need you in my life anymore, not now that I have my brother.”
Luke’s words hurt Bo more deeply then any psychical pain that Luke could inflict upon him. Bo took a deep breath refusing to show how deeply Luke’s words had hurt him. He glanced around the farmyard. “Gee funny, I didn’t know you had your brother in your life. I don’t see him anywheres around here.”
     “You are really asking for it ain’t you?” Luke asked.
     “Go right ahead Luke. I really don’t give a damn. You want to beat the crap outta me go right ahead. I don’t care. Hell while we are fighting why don’t you just use all that stuff you learn in the Marines and snap my neck, that why I would be quiet.” Bo said, nearly yelling at Luke.
Luke was about to respond when Daisy came to the screen door interrupting them.
     “That lawyer’s on the phone.”
Luke just glared at Bo with anger and almost a touch of hate in his eyes. Daisy went back inside and sat on the couch, as Luke went in to talk to the lawyer on the phone. Bo stayed outside not wanting to hear Luke talked to Maxwell about his brother.
     Luke picked up the phone. “Hello Mr. Burnett.”
     “Hello, Mr. Duke. I found the file for the case of adoption concerning your brother.” Maxwell said.
A small smile crossed Luke’s lips. “Really does it say where I can find my brother?”
     “I think it would best for you to come into my office and discuss this.” Maxwell said.
     “I can be there in about half an hour.” Luke said.
     “Okay see you then.” Maxwell said.
Luke hung up the phone and went back outside he headed towards the General, not even glancing at Bo.
     “Where are you going?” Bo asked.
     “To talk to Maxwell, he found the file on the case. So in no time now I’ll have my brother in my life.” Luke said.
     “Did he say he had all the answers?” Bo asked.
     “He said he had the file so that means he knows where I can find my brother. After he tells me I will go how ever far I have to find him.” Luke said.
Bo rolled his eyes. “Yeah I know. No matter how far you have to go, how long it takes or much money you have to waste to find your precious brother.”
Luke glared at Bo for a moment. “My brother is the most important thing to me. I’ll stop at nothing to find him.”
     “You know Luke that is getting a little old. You keep go on how your brother means more then anything or anyone to you.” Bo said.
     “Well he does. So just shut up and stay out of my way.” Luke said pushing past Bo, as he walked towards the car.
     “Fine cousin. I’ll shut up and I’ll stay out of your way. In fact I’ll stay out of your life altogether. You may as well take the car with you after you and your brother will need a car.” Bo said.
Bo’s words made Luke flinch slightly as he remembered back to the dream he had the other day. He felt bad for the things he had said to Bo, but his stubborn pride and desire to find his brother, made him not apologize. Luke slid into the car and sped away from the farm in a cloud of dust. Luke’s hateful words still ringing in his ears, he bite his bottom lip slightly to keep the tears that burned in his eyes at bay, his whole body trembled. Luke’s words had cut deeper into Bo’s heart then any knife ever could. Bo could never remember a time Luke wasn’t part of his, they had always been best friends, and now it seemed that all that was over. As the dust settled back to the ground Bo sighed, and then turned and walked into the house.
     Bo sat down on the couch beside Daisy; he leaned his head back against the couch.
     “Are you okay?” Daisy asked.
     “Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Bo asked.
     “Because you and Luke just had a fight.” Daisy said.
     “Yeah so what?”
     “So, every time that you and Luke have a fight, you both walk away hurt.” Daisy said.
     “I am fine. He don’t care so why should I?”
Daisy put a hand on Bo’s shoulder. “Bo, Luke does care juts lately he has . . . not been himself all this stuff with his brother just has him out of sorts.”
     “Luke has made it quite clear that he don’t care. His brother is the most important thing in the world to him and he don’t need me in his life.” Bo said.
Daisy tried to think of what to say to ease Bo’s pain, but wasn’t sure. She could tell that Bo was hurting and could see the tears that were trying to form in his eyes.
     “I am sure that Luke didn’t mean anything that he said.” Daisy said.
     “I am sure that he meant it. He has made it quite clear that his brother is more important to him then anyone.” Bo said.
     “I could hear the two of you fighting, I heard everything that was said so if Luke meant everything he said does that mean you meant everything that you said?”
Bo looked at Daisy, thinking about what she had just said. After a moment he shook his head. “No I didn’t mean all of it.”
     “So then it only makes since that Luke would’ve said things he didn’t mean. I mean I doubt he has even got more then a couple hours sleep these past few days.” Daisy said.
     “Yeah you’re right.” Bo said.
Daisy smiled. “Good. Now I’ve got chores to do.”
Daisy stood up and went to leave the room.
     “Hey Daisy.” Bo said.
     “What?” Daisy asked.
     “Do you think that I am just being jealous?” Bo asked.
     “What do you mean?” Daisy asked.
     “I mean because I don’t want Luke to find his brother in a way. I mean I feel as though when Luke finds his brother that I’ll be replaced. I mean . . .” Bo said his voice trailed off as he tried to think of the words to express what he meant.
Daisy shook her head. “You have no need to think that way. Trust me nobody could replace. You and Luke have always been best friends and I think that you always will.”
     “I hope that Luke feels that way to. Lately all he talks about his brother.” Bo said.
     “Just don’t worry about it.” Daisy said. “Now I got work to do. So are you quite done?”
Bo nodded. “Thanks for listening.”
     “Anytime honey.” Daisy said and left the room.
     Luke sped along the dirt road that led to the highway, thinking about the fight that he had just had with Bo. He felt bad for the things he had said to Bo. He didn’t really mean any of it and wondered why he had even said it; he figured the lack of sleep he had lately probably had something to do with it. Luke had less two hours sleep the past few days, bad dreams kept him awake for most the night, and sleep deprivation had started to slightly change his personality. The stress of the whole situation also didn’t help Luke when it came to thinking clearly. He hated getting into fights with Bo, and knew that this fight had been all his fault. He felt bad for saying the things he had to Bo, he knew that he had hurt Bo with his words. Bo had always been his best friend and always been there for him, Luke felt awful for how he had been treating Bo. Luke thought that before he knew he had a brother, Bo had been the most important person in his life, part of him still felt that was true, he wondered if having his brother in his life could really ever change that. He started to think about something Bo had said, how he didn't know anything about his brother or if his brother would want to be a part of his life, he then wondered if after how he treated Bo if Bo would want to be part of his life. Luke sighed softly as he turned onto the main highway. Luke turned on the radio to try to fill the silent void that seemed to fill the car but it seemed to do little to help. Luke knew why the car seemed so quiet Bo wasn’t there. They always went everywhere together and the car was usually filled with talking and laughter, even if they didn’t talk the car still never seemed quiet. On the outskirts of Atlanta, Luke stopped at a red light; his mind began to wander, as he thought of the time that he and Bo had became blood brothers. He had been ten at the time and Bo was eight. Luke sat remembering it as though it was only yesterday. Luke didn’t even notice that the light had changed to green until he was pulled out of the memory by a car horn. For as long as Luke could remember Bo had always been like a brother to him, and the more Luke thought about the more he realized that Bo was like a little brother to him, and just how important Bo’s friendship was to him. He realized that there was nobody that could ever replace Bo in his life, he felt bad for basically telling Bo that his brother had replaced him in his life. As Luke continued to drive down the road he decided that right after he talked to Maxwell he would go back to the farm and apologize to Bo for everything that he had said.
     Bo didn’t feel like sitting around the farm, so he borrowed Jesse’s pickup truck and headed into town to pick some supplies. After picking up a few things in town Bo headed back towards the farm. Bo went around the bend, on Mill road, at the same time from the other direction a black car, whose driver was drunk, reached the bend. Bo barely had a moment to react, he tried to turn the wheel hard to avoid having a head on collision, but it was already to late. The two vehicles slammed together, the sound of crunching metal breaking through the quietness of the day. Bo was flung forward and he struck his head on the steering wheel, he fought to stay awake and regain control of the car. The pickup veered slightly to the side, as he had been turning the wheel earlier, the driver of the black car didn’t even seem to notice that he had crashed and kept trying to drive forward, pushing the pickup truck off the road. Bo took a deep breath as he felt the wheels of the truck drop off the side of the road, he knew with the way the other car was pushing the truck that the truck was going to roll. Within a moment the truck flipped rolling side over side down the steep embankment that ran alongside Mill road. Bo wished that he had put on his seat belt as he tried to brace himself in the truck. After the second flip his efforts to brace himself in the truck were futile, his body was flung forward through the windshield, he could feel the tiny shard of glass scrapping at his face and body. He hit the ground, at the bottom of the embankment, feeling several of his bones break on impact. Not even a second later the truck rolled to stop landing on top of him. Bo gave a cry of pain as the heavy weight of the truck crushed his body into the ground. The cab part of the truck lay across his body just below his ribs; his left arm was twisted and pinned beneath it as well. Every breath that he took sent a fiery pain through his lungs, he figured that he had at least one broken rib that was pressing against his lung. Bo glanced at his left arm, he could see it was badly broken, the bone had snapped and was protruding through the skin. Tears of pain watered Bo’s eyes, he didn’t bother to try to stop them and they slid down his cheeks. Every nerve in his body screamed out in pain, every breath seemed harder to draw. Bo could feel himself falling asleep but knew that he had to stay awake. He tried to move to get out from under the truck, and the movement sent a wave of fiery pain through his body, Bo gave a shuddery cry and laid back down against the ground and closed his eyes.
     ‘Uncle Jesse is gonna be so mad that I smashed up his truck . . . he always says about not wanting it all smashed up . . .’ Bo thought to himself, his thoughts trailing off as the darkness continued to try to take over his mind.
Fortunately the ground was soft from recent rains and Bo’s Bo sank into the soft mud instead of being pressed against the cold hard ground, though it did little to ease the weight of the truck from his body. The soft mud all around him started to become red with his blood. Bo suddenly heard a voice talking to him asking him if he was okay, he tried to focus on the voice but the darkness was stronger and he fell into unconsciousness.
     The person, who stopped rushed back up the embankment to call for help, they called for an ambulance and a tow truck to lift the truck off of Bo. After making the call on the CB, they went back down to check on Bo. Cooter had heard the call and went to help, he drove along the bottom of the embankment, when he saw the white pickup truck his heart sank, he knew exactly whom it belonged to. He stopped his tow truck a few feet from the truck and jumped out and rushed over. His heart was racing as he saw one of his closet friends pinned beneath the truck. Cooter looked at the blood that streaked the white of the truck and at the mud that had turned crimson red all around Bo’s body. Cooter knelt down next to Bo.
     “Bo can you hear me?” Cooter asked, placing a gentle hand on Bo’s shoulder. He was shocked to feel how cold Bo was, and quickly checked for a pulse. He found Bo’s pulse but it was weak. “You just hang in there Bo helps on the way.”
Enos had been nearby as well when he heard the call for help on the CB. He stopped his patrol car and looked down the embankment. He to instantly recognized the truck. He noticed Cooter’s tow truck parked nearby. Enos rushed down the embankment and rounded the truck. He stifled a gasp when he saw Bo laying pinned beneath the truck.
     “Is he okay?” Enos asked.
Cooter looked up at Enos and shook his head. “He is out cold and has lost a lot of blood.”
Enos looked pale as he looked down at Bo, the sight of all the blood made him queasy. “Is there anything that I can do?”
Cooter nodded. “Yeah go tell his family what happened. Tell them to go to Tri-County hospital, the ambulance should be here any minute now.”
     “You got it.” Enos said and turned to leave.
     “And Enos . . .” Cooter said.
Enos turned around to face Cooter. “Yeah?”
     “Don’t tell them how bad Bo is really hurt.” Cooter said.
Enos nodded, understanding why Cooter had told him that, and turned and left to go to the Duke farm to tell them Bo had been in an accident. Enos had no more then left when the ambulance arrived. The two ambulance attendants carried the stretcher down the embankment. Cooter hooked the tow truck up to the truck and lifted it slowly, the ambulance attendants slid Bo out from beneath the truck, and placed him on the stretcher. Cooter lowered the truck back to the ground, and watched as the carried Bo up the embankment. Cooter felt like he was in a daze as listened to the sound of the siren fad away. He mumbled some kind of a thank you to the person that had called for help and then got into his tow truck to go to the hospital, deciding to take the truck to his garage later to fix it. As Cooter drove towards the hospital he prayed silently that Bo would be okay.
     Luke walked into the building, the secretary smiled at him.
     “Mr. Burnett is expecting you, follow me.”
Luke followed her to his office. Mr. Burnett was sitting at his desk, with a file in front of him. He shook Luke’s hand.
     “It is good to see you again Luke.”
Luke sat down on the chair in front of the desk.
     “I found the file on your brothers adoption case. I remember the whole case now it is really quite an interesting story.” Maxwell said.
     “What do you mean interesting?” Luke asked.
     “Just not quite your normal adoption case. I can tell you the information because your parents past away as did the people who adopted your brother. It was said that as long as any of them where alive the information wasn’t to be given to you or your brother. They went through a lot lengths to keep anyone from knowing as long as they were alive.” Maxwell said.
     “Why would they do that?” Luke asked. “I mean I have the right to know and so does my brother.”
     “I understand how you feel, but you have to see it from their prospective. I can tell you all that I know about what happened, if you’d like.” Maxwell said.
     “Yes, thank you kindly.” Luke said.
      “The people that adopted your brother were related. He was your one of father’s brothers. He and his wife couldn’t have any children and wanted one. I guess they were all very close, and when your mother got pregnant again they decide to allow them to adopt the child. I am surprised I didn’t remember this case right away, though it has been twenty years. Your mother hide her pregnancy while the one to adopted faked her pregnancy. Your parents were going to be moving to Tennessee and his adoptive parents were going to be moving to Florida. They wanted the two of you to at least partly know each other growing up, but yet never get close enough to figure it out.” Maxwell said.
     “So nobody else at all knew.” Luke said.
     “That is correct.” Maxwell said.
     “Wait a minute if that is the case that means I have thought my brother is my cousin my whole life . . . who is my brother?” Luke asked.
     “His adoptive parents were the ones going to name him.” Maxwell said.
     “Who adopted him then?” Luke asked.
     “Roger and Marianne . . .” Maxwell started to say but his sentence was cut short by Luke.
     “Bo’s parents.” Luke said.
Luke could barely believe what he was hearing. This whole time his brother had been right in front of him, always had been a major part of his life.
     “Are you sure?” Luke asked.
Maxwell nodded. “Yes I am. See for yourself.” He said handing the file to Luke.
Luke started at the paper; the names of the people who adopted his brother seemed to stand out in dark bold print.
     “Bo is my brother.” Luke said softly.
Even though the news shocked him, he was overjoyed to find out that Bo was his brother. It meant he had always known and been close to his brother. He thought it explained why he thought of Bo like a brother. He was glad and thought that of anyone in the world he was happiest to find out his brother was Bo. His thoughts seemed to spin rapidly and blend together as it sunk in. Luke smiled. “Bo is my brother.” He said again then looked up at Maxwell.
     “I take you are pleased to find out who your brother is.” Maxwell said.
     “Yes sir. You have no idea how pleased. I mean I still can’t get over this I mean of anyone it could be in the world I am glad it is Bo. I have always known him, he is my best friend . . . he is my brother.” Luke said, unable to even put his emotions into words.
Maxwell smiled. “I am glad that I could help. You can keep the file if you want.”
     “Thank you very much sir.” Luke said, standing up and shaking Maxwell’s hand.
Maxwell smiled as he watched the young man leave the room; it always made him feel happy to help out people.
     Luke jumped into the General and sped back towards Hazzard. He wondered how he was going to tell Bo that they were really brothers, especially after the fight that had. He wondered if Bo would be as glad to hear they were brothers as he was or if he would shut him out of his life, hating him for things he had said. A short time later Luke pulled to a stop in front of the house, he was puzzled to see that there was no other cars in the yard. He ran into the house, and noticed a piece of paper sitting on the kitchen table with his name on it, he picked it up and read it.

Luke,

If you do bother to return here after finding out all about your precious little brother, we are at Tri-County hospital. Bo was in an accident, Enos wouldn’t tell us how badly he was hurt, but I am guessing from how pale he looks that Bo is hurt quite bad. If you care at all about your cousin you can show up. Though I doubt we will be seeing you.

Daisy

Luke dropped the note; it fluttered down to land on the table. His face paled and he felt as though he was going to pass out, he stumbled slightly and grabbed the chair to keep from falling. ‘This can’t be happening . . . I can’t lose Bo, not now that I found out that we are brothers . . . I would never want for him to be hurt even if he was only my cousin.’ Luke though to himself. Luke took a couple deep breaths then went back outside and got into the General and sped towards the hospital.
     Luke walked into the hospital waiting room and glanced around. There wasn’t very many people in the waiting room, there was a number of black chairs in the room, as well as two vending machines, the floor was a cold, white tile. Luke saw Jesse and Daisy on the far side of the room. Cooter had left only a few short minutes ago. Luke walked over to where his family was sitting. They looked up at him; he could see tears in both of their eyes.
     “How is Bo?” Luke asked.
     “They haven’t told us yet.” Jesse responded his voice sounded distant.
     “I am surprised that you even bothered to come here Luke. I thought you weren’t coming back to the farm after talking to that lawyer and where going to find your brother.” Daisy said.
     “Daisy . . .” Luke started to say, but Daisy cut his sentence off.
     “I am really even more surprised that you’d have the nerve to show up here after what you pulled.” Daisy said.
Luke was about to reply when a doctor came walking over.
     “Mr. Duke?”
     “That would be me.” Jesse said standing up to face the doctor. “How is he?”
The doctor sighed. “I am Dr. Hill. I am afraid that Bo isn’t doing to well, his injuries are quite serve and he has lost a lot of blood. We unfortunately don’t have enough of his blood type here and we are searching to find more.”
     “I have the same blood type as Bo, type O negative. You can take my blood.” Luke said.
Dr. Hill smiled. “Good. Follow me.”
Luke followed the doctor into a small medical room. He set the file down on a table and sat on the chair. He barely even felt the needle sink into his arm. Luke sat watched as his blood flowed into the bag. He wondered how bad Bo was hurt, he knew if a doctor would say it was bad it must be quite serve. A few minutes later they took all the blood they could take from Luke at one time.
     “Will that be enough?” Luke asked.
     “I hope so.” Dr. Hill said.
     “Well take more then.” Luke said.
Dr. Hill shook his head. “I have taken as much as I can at one time.”
     “So, I don’t care I would give every drop of my blood to save Bo’s life.” Luke said.
     “This should be enough along with the little amount we had.” Dr. Hill said and left the room.
A nurse came in with a glass of orange juice and a cookie, and made Luke drink the juice and eat the cookie before allowing him to get up. Luke stood up and suddenly felt light headed the lack of sleep in recent days and now giving the blood seemed to have an ill effect. Luke sat back down on the chair; the world still seemed to be spinning around him. Luke closed his eyes and waited for the feeling to pass. A couple minutes later Luke tried to stand back up again, he still felt light headed, but tried to just shake it off.
     “You should just rest for a while.” The nurse said.
Luke shook his head. “No. I want to go back out to the waiting room to wait for word on Bo.”
The nurse sighed knowing it would do no good to argue she had seen this kind of thing before with other people. Luke picked up the file, and the nurse helped Luke back out to the waiting room. Luke sat down on a chair beside his family. Luke lay the folder on his lap. He still felt lightheaded so he closed his eyes. He put his head in his hands and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. About half-hour later Luke felt better and sat up, the three Dukes sat in silence. Luke watched people coming and going, and thought about how angry Daisy had seemed towards him, he wondered if Bo would be just as angry. He wondered if he should tell Jesse and Daisy about finding out Bo was his brother, but wanted to tell Bo first. An hour passed that felt like an eternity to all the Dukes, Dr. Hill came out into the waiting room again and walked over to the Dukes.
     “How is he doing?” Jesse asked, his voice was fraught with worry.
     “He is stable, but he is still in critical condition, and has not yet regained consciousness.” Dr. Hill said.
     “Can we see him?” Jesse asked.
     “Yes but only one at a time for now and only for five minutes each. He is still in the I.C.U we have to get a room prepared yet.” Dr. Hill said.
     “I am going to go in first.” Jesse said, in a voice that left no room for argument.
     “I’ll show you the way.” Dr. Hill said.
Jesse followed Dr. Hill to where Bo was. He came back out five minutes later, his face was pale and his eyes were red and swollen from crying. Luke went to go in next but Daisy jumped up from her chair and cut him off. Luke sat back down on the chair, sitting in silence as he waited for his turn to see Bo. Five minutes later Daisy came back out, tears still streaked her cheeks. She sat down next to Jesse, resting her head against his shoulder and crying. He put an arm around her a softly soothed her. Luke walked down the hall to where Bo was. He stepped over to the bed and looked down at Bo. There was a number of machines hooked up to Bo, and most his body was covered in casts or bandages. Luke held back the tears that burned in his eyes, he brushed back a stray lock of Bo’s thick blonde hair that had fallen across his eyes. He gently held Bo’s right hand between his.
     “I am so sorry Bo. I know what I said earlier today hurt and I am so very sorry for that. I hope that you know that I would never intentionally do anything or say anything to hurt you.” Luke said and stopped to take a deep breath, he slowly realized it before beginning to talk to Bo again. “I want you to know how important your friendship is to me, I feel like a low down polecat for treating you the way I did. I know that the lack of sleep I've had is not a good enough excuse for treating you the way I did. I should’ve talked to you about the dreams and about what I was going through. I am sorry Bo, I really didn’t mean to hurt you. I know if we hadn’t fought then you would’ve gone to Atlanta with me and not driving the pickup down that road . . . you wouldn’t have been in that accident. I would give anything to take back the words I said, I know it is too late now though, I would give my life if I thought I could take back everything I said to you.” Luke stopped talking as he felt a couple tears slid down his cheeks. “I found my brother. I wanted you to be the first one to know. I was right my brother is the most important person in my life . . .he is you, you are my brother. I still find it so hard to believe but I am glad that it is you. I guess it means I have known my brother my whole life, and we have always been friends. I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for the things I have done and said recently. I pray that none of this has destroyed our friendship. Please wake up Bo, I can’t lose you now, not now that I found out that we are really brothers. Please don’t die.”
With tears swimming in his eyes Luke left the room and walked back out the waiting room. He walked over and stood in front of Jesse.
     “Uncle Jesse . . .” Luke started to say, not sure of the words to say sorry to his uncle.
Jesse looked up at Luke. “What is it Luke?”
     “I am sorry. I am very sorry for everything I said to you and that I accused you of lying to me. I had no right to say the things I did. I understand if you hate me and no longer want me to stay at the farm . . . I just want you to know how sorry I am.” Luke said.
Jesse stood up and pulled his oldest nephew into a hug. “It’s okay Luke. I don’t hate you, I love you very much, and would never want you to leave the farm. I understand that everything going on with finding out you had a brother, was very hard on you.”
Luke returned his uncle’s hug. “I am sorry.”
     “I know it’s okay though Luke.” Jesse said.
Luke stepped back and looked at his uncle for a moment.
     “Did that lawyer have the answers you were looking for?” Jesse asked.
Luke nodded and handed the file to Jesse. Jesse was astounded when he saw the names of the people that adopted Bo.
     “This means that . . .” Jesse started to say.
     “Bo is my brother.” Luke said finishing Jesse’s sentence.
     “What?” Daisy asked, he voice filled with shock.
     “Bo is my brother.” Luke said again.
Jesse handed the file to her, and she stared at it with wide eyes unable to believe what she was hearing.
     “I wanted to tell Bo first. I just hope that even in the state he is in that he could hear me and understand me . . .” Luke said his voice trailing off slightly. “And that he forgives me for how I treated him.” Luke added softly.
     “He does forgive you for before.” Daisy said.
Luke looked at her questioningly.
     “After you left I talked with him. He wasn’t angry at you anymore.” Daisy said.
     “That doesn’t mean that he has forgiven me though, it just means he isn’t angry. I know with Bo that us two different things.” Luke said.
     About twenty minutes later Dr. Hill came into the waiting room once again and walked over to the Dukes. “He is in a room now. You can all go in and see him. He still hasn’t woke up though. You can try talking to him to get him to wake up. He is in room 213.”
     “Thank you for everything.” Jesse said, standing up and shaking the doctor’s hand.
     “No problem it is my job.” Dr. Hill said.
The Dukes went to Bo’s room, and they all sat around his bed. They spent the next two hours talking to him, trying to get him to wake up but Bo’s condition remained the same. He was completely unresponsive. Jesse and Daisy decided to go and get something to eat.
     “Are you sure you don’t want to come along?” Jesse asked.
     “I am sure I want to stay here with my brother.” Luke said.
     “Do you want something brought up?” Jesse asked.
Luke shook his head. “No I am not really hungry.”
     “Okay, we’ll be back up in a little while.” Jesse said.
Luke watched them leave then turned back to Bo. He pulled the chair up close to the bed, and held Bo’s right hand between his. He didn’t say anything he just looked at Bo, listening to the sound of the beeping of the heart monitor, the dripping of the IV and the pumping of the oxygen. Even though Bo was breathing on his own he wasn’t get enough oxygen and had tubes hooked up through his nose to provide his body with the oxygen it needed.
     Jesse and Daisy came back into the room. Luke was laying with his head on his arms, which were on the bed beside Bo. Jesse walked over quietly and laid a blanket, from the end of the bed, across Luke.
     “C’mon on Daisy, let’s go waiting elsewhere and let Luke get some sleep. I think he needs it.” Jesse said.
Daisy nodded in agreement and they left the room shutting the door quietly behind them.
    Luke slept peaceful for the first time in days. He slept over nearly and hour before a soft sound woke him up. Luke sat up and rubbed the back of his neck, which was kinked from the angle he had been sleeping. He looked at Bo, and saw that Bo’s eyes were moving behind his closed eyelids.
    “Bo.” Luke said, trying to urge him to wake up.
Bo moaned softly.
     “C’mon on Bo wake up.” Luke said softly.
Bo moaned again and his eyes fluttered opened his eyes and looked up at Luke.
     “How you doing?” Luke asked.
     “I feel like I been hit by a truck.” Bo said. “I guess I was hit by truck.” He added and laughed, then flinched at the pain laughing caused. “Ow.”
     “You okay?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah it just hurts to laugh is all.” Bo said. “What are you doing here I thought you leaving to find your brother.”
     “I have found my brother.” Luke said.
     “Gee so quick.” Bo said.
Luke thought he saw disappointment pass over Bo’s eyes. “Yeah so quick. You want to guess about who my brother is?”
     “No, I would rather not.” Bo mumbled.
     “I’ll give you one guess . . . okay I’ll give you a clue as well. My brother is in this room.” Luke said.
     “What in the hell are you talking about? Bo asked. “We are the only ones in here.”
     “Exactly, and I can’t well be my own brother now can I?”
Bo looked at Luke, his words slowly sinking in. “You mean . . .”
     “You are my brother.” Luke said.
     “I don’t believe this.” Bo said.
     “I am not lying to you.” Luke said.
     “I know you aren’t that is not what I meant I just mean after all these years . . . to find this out. I guess it explains a lot.” Bo said.
Luke smiled. “Yeah it does, doesn’t it?” Luke was silent for a moment. “I am sorry about earlier.”
     “Just forget about it, I understand.” Bo said.
     “I just hope you can forgive me for everything I said.” Luke said.
     “Of course. I told you to forget about it . . . after all you are my brother.” Bo said.
Luke smiled. “It really is hard to believe isn’t it?”
     “Yeah.” Bo said.
     “I want you to know to that I was going to go back to the farm and apologize even before I found out that you are my brother, you’re friendship means everything to me.” Luke said. “At least one thing I said was true, my brother is the most important person in my life.”
Dr. Hill walked into the room and saw Bo was awake. “Oh good you are awake.”
     “Yeah I just woke up.” Bo said.
     “How do you feel?” Dr. Hill asked.
     “Kinda stiff and sorry.” Bo said.
Luke then left to allow Dr. Hill to examine Bo, and go tell Jesse and Daisy that Bo was awake.
     They walked into Bo’s room
“I have to say Bo is quite a remarkable young man. He is healing up nicely and should be good as new in a couple months.     He’ll have to stay in the hospital for about a week.” Dr. Hill said.
    The Dukes all breathed a sigh of relief to hear that good news. Dr. Hill gave Bo a shot of painkillers and them left the room, leaving the family to talk. Jesse, Daisy and Luke sat around Bo’s bed. Luke told them all about what Maxwell had told him about why Bo was adopted. Bo looked at the file, it still all seemed like a dream to him. After a while the painkillers started to make Bo sleepy and he drifted off into a deep sleep. Dr. Hill wanted to keep Bo over night over observation so Jesse and Daisy went back to the farm, leaving the two long lost brothers alone. Bo and Luke both slept soundly most the night.
    The next morning Bo showed no signs of ill effects from the accident, which Dr. Hill said, was a good sign. Bo stayed in the hospital for the rest of the week, Luke spent every day with Bo, barely ever leaving his side.
    Bo was released from the hospital and spent the next few weeks relaxing at the farm, Luke did Bo’s share of the chores. True to what the doctor said in two and a half weeks all injures except his broken bones had healed. Nothing really changed at the Duke farm, except now Bo and Luke knew that they were really brothers. That news seemed to shock most the town, Bo and Luke made sure that everyone knew they were brothers. Many people said it figured since the boys had always acted like they brothers. Bo and Luke’s friendship seemed to grow even closer; knowing they were brothers seemed to only strengthen their bond.