“What Took So Long To Build, Took A Moment To Slip Away.?-“Last To Know”—Blue Rodeo

        Morning broke over the small town of Hazzard County, Georgia. It was a crisp fall day, and there was not a cloud in the sky. The Dukes sat down at the table for breakfast. Jesse said grace then they started to eat breakfast.
        "Are y'all coming to the football game tomorrow?" Bo asked, as he took a slice of toast.
Jesse nodded. "Of  course."
Luke and Daisy nodded in agreement with their uncle.
        "If we win that game we are in the finals." Bo said, his voice held a hint of pride.
Bo was captain of the football team at Hazzard High for the past two years. Although he wasn't built as big as most football players, he was still one of the best football players around. His size was actually quite deceptive, and he could kick the ball further then anyone.
        "Do you have practise tonight?" Jesse asked.
Bo nodded. "Yes sir. I'll be home before supper though."
        After breakfast Bo got ready for school. He was the only one of the Duke kids that was still in school. He was seventeen; his eighteenth birthday was just under two months away. Luke was twenty-one and Daisy had just turned twenty, three months ago.
    Bo returned home about an hour before it was time for dinner.  Uncle Jesse was in the kitchen making dinner. Daisy was out exercising one of the neighbour's horses, and Luke was on a moonshine run.
        "Hey Uncle Jesse." Bo said, as he walked through the kitchen to the room that he and Luke shared. They had shared the room their whole lives, neither one of them cared much, not that there was a choice, the farmhouse only had three bedrooms.
        "Do you have any homework?" Uncle Jesse asked.
        "No sir." Bo said, as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen.
Uncle Jesse looked suspiciously at him. He knew that Bo tended to not always do his homework, as he was more interested in doing other things. Bo just smiled.
        "I am serious Uncle Jesse I have no homework, because it's right before the big game." Bo said.
Jesse just smiled. "All right there is about an hour until supper. Luke and Daisy will be home soon."
Bo tossed his backpack on his bed and took out a book. He walked back into the kitchen. Uncle Jesse watched him walk through the kitchen and sit outside on the porch swing.
    Jesse sensed that something was bothering Bo and went outside to talk to him.
Bo sat on the porch swing, swinging back and forth slowly on it, looking at a batch of papers. The papers were from a number of colleges. There had been a number of college scouts at the past few football games, and the recruiters had been trying to convince Bo to go to their college to play for them. He would receive a full scholarship to the college of his choice if Hazzard High made it into the finals. Bo didn't even hear Jesse come outside or notice when he sat down on the swing.
        "Bo." Jesse said, placing a hand gently on Bo's shoulder.
Bo looked up, startled. "Oh. Hey Uncle Jesse, I didn't hear you come out."
        "What are you looking at?" Jesse asked.
        "Papers from colleges." Bo said and sighed softly.
         "What's wrong?" Jesse asked.
        "I don't know if I want to go away to college." Bo said.
        "Why's that?" Jesse asked.
        "Because college is so far away. And Luke just got back from the Marines, and by then I was in school so we haven't had much time to do anything together, and if I went away we never would." Bo said.
        "Atlanta is only an hour away. You could come home on weekends and we could go up there to visit." Jesse said, trying to ease Bo's worries.
Bo nodded slightly. He knew that he didn't want to go any further from home then Atlanta, he felt if he went any further he'd die from homesickness.
        "It's just that I'd miss all of you so much, I don't really want to leave home." Bo said.
They were silent for a couple minutes. Jesse spoke up breaking the silence.
        "You know if you do go to college you'd be the first Duke to ever go?" Jesse asked.
        "Really?" Bo asked.
Jesse nodded. "Yup, no Duke has ever had the chance."
Bo smiled. He knew that Jesse meant they never had the money. The Dukes had never had enough money for anyone to go to college, and Bo would be getting his full tuition and board paid. Bo didn't say anything else, and Jesse decided it was best to not push the subject because he didn't want to upset Bo. Bo didn't want to tell Jesse just how scared he actually was bout leaving home.
    A few minutes later Luke pulled into the yard, in his black Roadrunner. There was still about half and hour before dinner would be ready. Luke walked up on the porch and gave Jesse the shine money. Jesse got up from the porch swing and started to go back inside to finish preparing dinner. Luke noticed the apprehensive look in Bo eyes.
        "What's the matter?" Luke asked.
Bo shrugged, not saying anything. He was worried that Luke would think he was a coward if he told him that he was afraid to leave home and go away to college. After all Luke had went off to war with the Marines.
        "I got to work on my car some before there is no more light." Luke said. "Wantta help?"
Bo nodded and got up from the porch swing. He laid the book down on the table next to the swing and went out into the yard to help Luke fix his car. Luke popped the hood and the two of them looked the engine over. A couple moments later Luke looked up at Bo.
        "So what is bothering you?" Luke asked.
Bo frowned he hated when Luke pushed him to tell what was wrong when he didn?t want to, though Bo always ended up telling Luke everything anyway.
        "I am scared to go away to school." Bo said softly.
        "Why?" Luke asked, his words not at all judgmental.
Bo shrugged. "I don't know. I just . . . don't know if I want to go. I think I'd be too homesick."
        "I know it is hard at first. But I got used to it and I was gone for three years." Luke said.
Bo looked away. "You probably think I am a coward because I don't want to leave home."
       "No I don't." Luke said.
Bo turned to look at Luke.
        "When I was gone I missed being here a lot and was homesick. However I feel it did me good to be away from home and on my own for a while." Luke said.
    "You sound like you want to get rid of me." Bo said.
 Luke shook his head. "No. I am not saying that Bo. It is your choice either way. I am just saying don't throw away your chances. No matter what choice you make you know that we will all stand behind you. Besides you know that you can always come home whenever you want to. You know Uncle Jesse would let you, quit if you couldn't handle it all. All I am saying is I think you should try Bo. You are very good and I don't want to see you lose a chance to make it big."
Bo smiled. "Thanks Luke."
Luke returned the smile. "Not a problem."
        "I think I'll go to college in Atlanta. It is only an hour drive. That way I can come home more often." Bo said.
        "That sounds like a good idea." Luke said.
Bo smiled. He was glad that he did tell Luke about what was bothering he felt that all his worries had been put to rest. He realised he shouldn't have doubted that Luke would know just what to tell him. Luke always seemed to know just what Bo needed to hear.
    Daisy got home a few minutes before it was time for dinner. She helped Jesse to set the table. Jesse called the boys inside and made them wash up before they dare sit down at his table. They washed they came and sat at the table. Jesse noticed that the doubt that had earlier filled Bo's eyes was now gone. He smiled figuring that Luke had something to do with, since Luke had always looked out for his younger cousin ever since they were little kids.
    After dinner Bo and Luke worked on the car some more, and when it got dark they went inside. They sat play a game of chess.
        "It's getting late Bo, I think you best be getting to bed." Jesse said.
        "Yes sir. Just as soon as . . ." Bo started to say but his sentence was cut short by Luke.
        "Checkmate."
        "Okay game's over I'll go to bed now." Bo said getting up from the chessboard. He didn't care that he had lost. He often won against Luke. Bo figured that he had too much on his mind to really concentrate on a game of chess any ways.
            Bo laid awake on the bed staring out the window. He couldn't fall asleep, because he was anxious about the big game the next day. Luke came into the room about an hour later. Luke could tell that Bo was still awake, even without seeing his open eyes.
            "You should be asleep." Luke said.
            "I can't sleep." Bo said.
             "Nervous about tomorrows game?" Luke asked.
              "Yeah." Bo said, and rolled onto his back.
              "Just don't worry about it you'll do fine." Luke said.
Bo smiled. He was glad to here that his cousin had faith in his ability to win the game. He relaxed slightly. "I guess if I don't become professional we just have to join the NASCAR circuit." Bo said jokingly.
Luke smiled, and gave a small laugh. "Yeah. Now go to sleep."
                 "Goodnight Luke."
                 "Goodnight Bo."
Luke fell asleep minutes after they said goodnight. Bo fell asleep a few minutes after him.
                 Morning came and everyone in the Duke house was awake shortly after dawn. The sky was blue; there were no clouds to be seen. It was a beautiful crisp mid-October day. The four of them sat down at the kitchen table for breakfast.
                 "The game starts at three, right?" Jesse asked.
 Bo nodded. "Yes sir."
                    "We'll get there a little before that so we can sit right down front." Daisy said.
                 After breakfast Bo went to go outside to go and catch the bus to school.
                 "Want a ride to school?" Luke asked.
Bo smiled. "Yeah. Thanks."
The two of them went out and got into Luke's car. It was about a fifteen minute drive to Hazzard High.
                  As they headed towards the school and old Waylon Jennings song was playing on the radio. Luke glanced over at his younger cousin, who was singing along with the song. He had just got back from the Marines and was surprised at how much Bo had grown while he was gone. When he had left Bo was a kind of scrawny ninth grader, he was now had a slightly muscular build. Luke smiled to himself as he thought that even though Bo had grown up a lot since then, that he still hadn?t really matured. Bo had remained the same fun loving kid, who was so full of life. When Luke had first returned home he was a little apprehensive about how much things had changed and thought that everyone?s opinion of who he was would be different. Bo had made him see that wasn?t true and that some things, like true friendship and who a person is inside, never change.
                     Luke pulled the car to a stop in front of the high school. Bo turned around to grab his bag from the backseat.
                     "Thanks for the ride, Luke."
                      "No problem." Luke said.
                      "See ya at the game." Bo said as he got out of the car.
Bo walked up towards the doors of the school, where two girls were standing watching Bo with a look of desire. Bo walked over to greet them, as they started flirting with them. Luke smiled and shook his head slightly, as he saw Bo start to "sweet talk" the two of them. Luke drove away from the school.
                   That day seemed to pass quickly for Bo, and it was soon time for a pre-game practise at two . The team practised and went looked over some play in the play book and discussed strategy. A few spectators slowly started to come out and sit on the bleachers. Mostly family of those playing, as classes didn't let out until two-thirty. At about quarter after two, the Dukes arrived, they say in the front row of the bleachers. Bo noticed them and waved, a quick greeting to them, which they returned. Once classes let out most everyone started to fill the bleachers. More spectators started to arrive. At two forty-five, the other team, Choctaw Coyotes, arrived, and was using the field to warm-up, so the Hazzard High Football team, Hazzard High Hawks, went over to their bench. Bo took a moment to stop and talk to his family before the game, just only had time for a quick hello.
                     "Glad y'all got here early, the bleachers sure filled up quickly." Bo said.
                     "Properly since it's a major game." Luke said.
Bo smiled. "You had to remind me that it is such a MAJOR game."
                     "Yeah. Don't want you get too stressed out forgetting it is ONLY a major game." Luke joked
                      "Cute." Bo said.
Jesse, Daisy and Luke all wished Bo good luck. Bo thanked them then returned to the bench. It was only a few minutes before the start of the game and Bo was on the starting line up.
The game started and by about mid way trough the second quarter the score was:
 Choctaw Coyotes: 25
Hazzard Hawks: 54
Bo had the ball and was going for a touchdown when two players on the Coyotes tackled him. He went down harder then normal. He left something snap he his back and could hear a crushing as he hit the ground. It was the last sound that he heard before the blackness consumed his mind and he fell into unconsciousness. The other two players got up and Bo remained laying on the ground perfectly still. Luke knew that something was wrong.  The coach, Mr. Morgan went on to the field to check on Bo, he was followed closely by Luke. The rest of the football stood around in shock watching closely, as was everyone else. Daisy and Jesse walked out on the field as well; both filled with worry about Bo. Luke helped Mr. Morgan carefully roll Bo onto his back.
    "C'mon on Bo wake up." Luke said.
There was no response. Luke began to grow even more concerned for his unconscious cousin.  He started to fear the worst. An ambulance came to take Bo to nearest hospital, Tri-County General. The medics careful moved Bo on to a stretcher, and put a neck brace on him, in case his neck had been injured. Jesse watched with tearful eyes as Bo was placed in the back of the ambulance.
    "I am riding with Bo." Jesse said in a voice that left no room for argument.
The attendant nodded.
Luke gave Jesse a hand at stepping up into the back of the ambulance. Daisy stood watching she tried to fight back her tears of worry, but they had started to streak her cheeks. Luke put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her.
    "Bo will be okay Daisy. You know he is tougher then leather." Luke said, almost not believing his own words.
Daisy just nodded saying nothing.
    "C'mon let's get to the hospital." Luke said.
They walked over the pickup truck, which they drove to the game in. Luke drove towards the hospital. Neither spoke a word on the entire trip there. They arrived at the hospital about ten minutes after the ambulance.
Jesse was pacing nervously around the waiting room. As soon as they walked into the waiting room Daisy rushed over to Jesse and hugged him. Luke walked over.
    "Is there any word yet?" Luke asked.
Jesse shook his head. "No. Not yet."
    About an hour later a doctor walked into the waiting, and over to where the Dukes where sitting.
    "Mr. Duke?" Dr. Freeman asked.
Jesse nodded and stood up. "That would be me."
    "I am Dr. Freeman; may I speak to you in private for a moment?" Dr. Freeman asked.
Jesse nodded then followed the doctor out of the room. A worried look spread across both Daisy and Luke's faces, they both knew the news had be bad for the doctor to want to tell Jesse in private. Dr. Freeman took Jesse into his office, and motioned for him to have a seat. Jesse sat down, he was trying hard to hide his worry but found he nearly impossible. He feared the worst, his thinking over every possibility of what could be wrong with Bo. Dr. Freeman sat down at his desk and sighed, he always hated to be the bearer of bad news to injured people's family.
    "Mr. Duke, I am afraid I have some good and some bad news." Dr. Freeman said.
 Jesse took a deep breath and slowly released it. "What is the good news?"
    "He has started to wake up; he only had a mild concussion." Dr. Freeman said.
    "And what is the bad news?" Jesse asked.
    "I am afraid there has been some damage done to his spinal cord." Dr. Freeman said.
Jesse looked puzzled. "What does that mean?"
    "It means depending on the extent of the damage he could be permanently parlayed. We have to run some more tests to find out if it will be permeant. But as of right now I am afraid he is paralysed." Dr. Freeman said.
Jesse just stared at the doctor in shock he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was silent for a couple moments. "Does Bo know yet?"
Dr. Freeman shook his head. "No he has only just started to wake up and is still groggy. We thought that you might want to be the one to tell him as well."
Jesse nodded. "Yes . . . though I don't really know how to tell him."
Dr. Freeman smiled in sympathy. "He is in Room fifteen. You can go in and see him."
Jesse went back to the waiting room to get Luke and Daisy so they could go and see Bo as well. Luke and Daisy stood up and walked over to him as he walked in. They both could see sadness and deep lines of worry etched on his face.
    "What did the doctor say?" Luke asked.
Jesse took a deep breath and slowly released it he hoped that he could actually say the words. He knew he had to tell them. It would be wrong to keep them in the dark and have them become more concerned. "Bo is . . . paralysed. They don't know yet if it is permanent or only temporary."
    "What?" Luke asked, he found it hard to believe that his youngest cousin was paralysed.
    "They have to run some tests to find out the extent of the damage." Jesse said.
Neither Daisy nor Luke really knew how to respond.
    "He is just starting to wake up so we can go in and see him now." Jesse said.
    "Does Bo know yet?" Luke asked.
Jesse shook his head. "No. I think it would be best if we let him wake up more first. The doctor said he is still quite groggy. So try to act natural."
Luke and Daisy nodded, hoping that they could once they saw Bo.
Bo was laying in the bed with his eyes close. The blankets were tucked up underneath his arms. An IV slowly dripped into his left hand. Bo opened his eyes groggily when he heard the door open, and gave a weary smile when he saw his family. They returned his smile and walked over and stood at the edge of the bed.
    "How are you feeling?" Jesse asked.
    "I feel like I've been hit by a truck." Bo said, giving a small smile.
Jesse forced himself to return the smile. Bo thought that he should set up a little bit so that he could better talk to his family. He moved his arms to try to pull himself up, the IV pulling slightly. He found that he couldn't move his legs at all. He frowned
    "Uncle Jesse why can't I move my legs?" Bo asked, there was a hint of worry in his voice.
Uncle Jesse sighed, a worried look spread across his face as he found he had no idea how to tell Bo that he might be permanently paralysed. Luke noticed he stepped forward and put a hand gently on Bo's shoulder.
     "Just lay back down, Bo." Luke said, he tried to hide the fear in his, but figured he didn't do to good of a job, when he noticed an even more worried look fill Bo's eyes.
Bo nodded slightly and laid his head back down against the pillow. He knew in his heart that there was something really wrong with him from the way they were acting. He looked up at his family.
    "Why can't I move my legs?" Bo said, his was firm and almost demanding of an answer.
Jesse took a deep breath and slowly released it, as he placed his hand over Bo's.
    "Bo, I am afraid when you went down from that tackle there was damage done to your spinal cord." Jesse started to say, he felt as though he was going to lose his voice and start to cry. He felt though that he had to remain strong for Bo. "And it has paralysed you. They don't know if it is temporary or permanent."
A dark cloud seemed to pass over Bo's eyes as he stared at Jesse. He closed his eyes and sighed softly then reopened his eyes. His eyes were now almost emotionless as he stared at his family with no expression.
    "Bo, honey, are you okay?" Daisy asked.
Bo looked her, his eyes still void of any emotion. "I am fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
Luke glanced at Jesse with a worried look. He knew Bo well enough to know that Bo was hiding his true feelings, and that worried him. He felt that Bo seemed a little too calm, and from the look Jesse returned, Luke knew that he felt the same way. There was a long moment of silence, which was broke by Bo.
    "I am tired so why don't y'all just go back home." Bo said flatly.
Nobody knew what to say. Jesse and Daisy headed towards the door, but Luke remained standing by Bo's bedside.
    "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Luke asked.
    "I am quite sure. I am tired and I just want to sleep." Bo said.
    "You don't have to hide what you are feeling Bo. You know that you can talk to me." Luke said.
    "The only thing I am feeling is tired." Bo said bluntly.
    "Bo . . ." Luke started to say, but never had a chance to finish his sentence.
    "I said I am tired and I want you to leave him alone so I can sleep." Bo said coldly.
    "Fine cousin." Luke said and walked out of the room to join Jesse and Daisy. He knew that Bo was hurting and was no doubt scared by what he was told was wrong. He knew Bo well enough to know that he was hiding that. He wondered to himself if Bo was going to be able to deal with it. Especially alone, as he wouldn't let anyone in on how he was feeling.
Bo stared blankly at the ceiling. He couldn't believe what Jesse had said. He couldn't believe that he was paralysed. He tried to move his legs, but found no matter how hard he tired he couldn't move them, or for that matter even feel them. Bo felt tears start to burn his eyes as the full force of it hit him. He closed his eyes tightly to try to keep from crying. But his attempts to keep from crying were in vain, as tears slowly started to escape the corners of his eyes and slid down his cheeks.
His thoughts were spinning quickly as he thought about the fact that he was paralysed. Thinking that he'd never play football, race a car or even walk again. The last thought especially scared him. He thought about being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, not able to do anything. His tears started to flow faster. His last thought before exhaustion, from the whole ordeal, consumed his mind was that his life was over.
     Meanwhile, the rest of the Dukes, Jesse, Daisy and Luke, went to get something to eat. None of them were really hungry; they just wanted to get their minds off their what was happening. They sat in the small hospital cafeteria. They all had he same thing, hot roast beef sandwiches, and a bowl of thick and creamy mushroom soup. They ate in silence nobody really knowing what to say. They were all worried about Bo. He had seemed overly calm about the news that he could be permanently paralysed. The three of them all knew Bo well enough to know that he was hiding how he truly felt. About and hour later they decided to go check on Bo.
Bo was awake when they came in. He was staring up at the ceiling with an expressionless look. He didn't even give any recognition to them as they walked into the room. They walked over and stood beside the bed. Bo still didn't give the slightest glance over at them.
    "How ya feeling?" Jesse asked, his voice was filled with concern.
    "I am fine." Bo replied, his voice was expressionless. "I thought I told y'all to just go home."
There was a moment of silence. "We just thought you'd like some company." Daisy said.
    "Well I don't. I told y'all I was tired and you should just go home." Bo said, there was a touch of agitation in his voice.
Bo continued to stare at ceiling, he was afraid to make eye contact with anyone for fear they'd see just how scared he was. He didn't want his family, especially Luke, to know how scared he was. There was still another three hours left of visiting hours. A doctor came into the room and stood on the other side of Bo's bed.
    "I am Dr. Floyyd."
Bo didn't pay any more attention to him then he did to his family, and just continued to stare at the ceiling.
    "How are you feeling, Bo?" Dr. Floyyd asked.
    "How would you feel if you were laying in this bed, facing the possibility of never walking again?" Bo asked.
There was a harshness to Bo's voice that caused his family to flinch. They could never remember hearing Bo talk in such a harsh tone and so cynically. The doctor just seemed to dismiss it as though it was something he was used to hearing. Dr. Floyyd took a red ball out of the pocket of his coat, and placed it on the bed by Bo?s hand. The rest of the Dukes all stood silently watching what was happening.
    "I want you to hold that ball in your hand." Dr. Floyyd said, his voice was firm and very professional sounding.
Bo raised his arm, and it felt as though it was tied down by a lead weight. He dropped his hand over top of the ball, and slowly closed his fingers around it. His fingers felt stiff and he had trouble getting a hold of the ball. After a couple of moments, that felt like an eternity to Bo, he finally had the ball in his grasp.
    "Lift your arm." Dr. Floyyd said.
Bo raised his arm slightly. Only inches off the bed, his whole arm ached and he didn't feel a though he could raise it any higher.
Dr.Floyyd smiled. "Good, now hold it there." A couple moments passsed. "Okay now drop the ball and put your arm back down."
Bo did as the doctor order. Then Dr. Floyyd went around the bed and did the same thing with Bo's other arm. After Dr. Floyyd smiled and stepped back from the bed.
    "Your arms and hands work just fine young man. They are just a little stiff yet from the accident. You just have to work the muscles a little bit and they'll be back to normal by later tomorrow." Dr. Floyyd said.
 Jesse thanked Dr.Floyyd as he left the room.
    "Well at least we got some good news." Daisy said.
    "Yeah right." Bo said sarcastically.
    "I am sure that we are going to get more good news soon." Daisy said.
    "Yeah, and how do you know. Are you a doctor?" Bo asked, sarcastically. "No. So quite sounding all cheery to try to cheer me up."
Daisy bit her bottom lip, stunned by the harshness of Bo's words. "Sorry." She mumbled softly.
    "I already said that I do not want any company." Bo said. "Why is that so hard for y'all to understand?"
    "Bo just calm down." Jesse said.
    "Why should I?" Bo asked.
    "We're just trying to help." Daisy said.
    "I don't want your help. I want for all of you to leave me alone." Bo said.
Nobody knew how to respond. They didn't want to leave Bo alone. They weren't sure if it was because their own fear of something being wrong with Bo or if they felt he needed his family to help him through what was happening.
    Thirty minutes later Jesse went to talk to Bo's doctor to see when Bo would be released. Luke and Daisy stayed in the room with Bo. Luke and Daisy sat on the, uncomfortable, chairs beside Bo's bed. Daisy was talking about trivial little nothings, as the silence seemed to make matters worse. This went on for about ten minutes, before Bo spoke up, interrupting Daisy.
    "Don't you ever shut up?" Bo asked.
    "What?" Daisy asked, stunned and a little hurt by Bo's question.
    "I asked if you ever shut up. You have been going on about nothing for ten minutes, and are giving me a headache. So why don't you just shut up." Bo said, his words held a sharp edge.
Daisy just looked at Bo; she could feel tears coming to her eyes. She tried to hold them back but felt them start to slide down her cheeks. Luke stood up and put a hand on Daisy's shoulder.
    "You have no call to be so nasty Bo, apologize to Daisy." Luke said.
    "Why?" Bo asked. "I finally got her to shut up."
Daisy turned and ran from the room. Luke looked down at Bo and sighed then turned and went after Daisy.
    Luke found daisy a little ways down the hall. She was sitting in a chair, with her head hung down. Her face was buried in her hand and she was crying. Luke walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. She raised her head and looked at him, her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Luke gave a small, quick hug.
    "Don't cry Daisy. Bo didn't mean it. He is just a little stressed out by everything that has happen." Luke said.
Daisy nodded her head, and sniffed back the tears. "I know Luke. I am just so worried about Bo. What if he ain't okay?"
    "He'll be fine. You know that Bo is tough. He will pull through this okay." Luke said.
Daisy just nodded. "I sure hope so."
    "So do I." Luke thought to himself.
They were silent for a moment. Luke spoke up breaking the silence.
    "C'mon lets get back to Bo's room. I know that he keeps saying he wants to be alone, but I sense that is not true." Luke said.
    "I can't go back in there right now." Daisy said.
 Luke just nodded; he understood why she didn't feel she could face Bo right now. "There is a chair down by the door of the room. Why don't you sit down there?"
Daisy nodded and followed Luke back towards the room. She sat down on the chair and Luke went into the room.
Luke walked over and stood beside the bed. He looked down at Bo, who turned his head away from Luke.
    "You had no call to be so nasty to Daisy." Luke said.
    "Don't tell me what call I have, and have not got." Bo said.
    "Bo, would you stop acting like such a jerk and look at me." Luke said.
Bo didn't respond or make any move to turn his head to face Luke.
    "You are acting like such a child just because . . ." Luke started to say but his sentence was cut short by Bo.
    "Just because I am paralysed. Gee, you are so right Luke, I should be happy because of that news. Who cares that I'll never walk again." Bo said, his voice thick with sarcasm.
    "That is not what I meant Bo, and you know it." Luke said.
Bo turned his head to face Luke, and the two of them momentarily locked eyes. Luke could see the fear that filled Bo's deep blue eyes. At that moment Luke realised just how scared Bo was. He knew that Bo was trying to hide his fear by showing anger. He didn't think that was the best way to deal with it. However, Luke realised that right now it was the only way Bo could deal with what was happening. He also knew that Bo was telling them to leave him alone, just so none of them would know just how afraid he was. Bo could tell by the look in Luke's eyes that he had seen how afraid he was. Bo closed his eyes tightly to fight back the tears and turn his head to face the ceiling. Luke picked up Bo's hand and held it between his.
    "Don't worry Bo, everything will be okay." Luke said, trying to reassure his cousin's worries.
Bo didn't say anything. He kept his eyes tightly closed, trying to hold back the tears that burned his eyes. A couple tears slid down his cheeks. Luke sighed softly, fighting back his own tears which had started to swell up in his eyes. He was afraid of what would happen if Bo never could walk again. He feared how badly Bo would take the news. He vowed to himself that he would remain by Bo's side no matter how tough things got. He thought back to when they were kids, and he promised Bo that he would take care of him and be his friend no matter what. He laughed to himself at how corny those words sounded, at the time he had only been eight. Bo had fallen back into a light sleep, from the combination of all the stress of the news and the painkillers.
    "Don't worry Bo. I will take care of you." Luke said softly, and as hard as he tried to stop his tears two tears slid down his cheeks.
Luke remained sitting silently by Bo's bedside holding his hand tight between his own, and praying for the best.
    Ten minutes later Jesse was walking back to Bo's room, when he saw Daisy sitting by the door. He could tell that she looked extremely upset. He quickened his pace towards her. He stood in front of her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Daisy looked up, and gave a small smile, her cheeks were stained with dry tears, and eyes were red and puffy from crying.
    "What's wrong?" Jesse asked.
    "Bo . . ." Daisy started to say and fresh tears began to water in her eyes. "Got mad at me."
    "What? Why?" Jesse asked.
 Daisy told him about what had happened early, even before finishing she had started to cry again. Jesse hugged her.
    "I am sure Bo didn't mean it. He is just feeling a little outta sorts right now." Jesse said.
Daisy nodded. "I know Uncle Jesse. I am just so worried about Bo."
    "We all are." Jesse said. "Are you going to come back into the room?"
Daisy shook her head. "I can't face him right now."
    "Okay." Jesse said, and then went into the room.
Luke turned to see who had came into the room, he smiled at his uncle. Jesse walked over and sat down on a chair beside Luke. Jesse was just about to ask how long Bo had been asleep, when he started to wake up again. Luke let go of his hand. Bo opened his eyes groggily. He glanced over at Luke and Jesse then turned his eyes back to face the ceiling.
    "How are you feeling?" Jesse asked.
    "Same as before." Bo replied flatly.
    "The doctor said that you should be able to go home tomorrow afternoon, after he runs a couple of tests." Jesse said, thinking that news might cheer Bo up a little.
    "Oh joy." Bo said flatly, his voice heavy with sarcasm.
Jesse sighed, and tried to think of what to say next, but couldn't think of anything. There was only twenty minutes left of visiting hours, in which time nobody said a word. Jesse and Luke got up to leave.
    "See you tomorrow." Jesse said.
    "Whatever." Bo replied nonchalantly, not even glancing over at his uncle.
Jesse walked out of the room, leaving Luke to say good bye alone.
    "Are you sure you want to be alone tonight?" Luke asked.
    "Quite sure." Bo said.
    "I'll be back here soon as visiting hours start." Luke said.
    "So, like it matters to me." Bo said.
Luke sighed and shook his head. "You can quit faking this attitude that you don't care Bo. I know you well enough to know that all this has got you upset." Luke said.
    "You don't know me as well as you think you do, cousin." Bo replied, flatly.
    "Bo, would you quit . . ." Luke started to say, his sentence cut short by Bo.
    "Don't tell me what do." Bo said angrily. "Why don't you just walk on outta here, I want to be left alone."
Luke sighed softly. He knew Bo was trying to cover his fear with anger. He thought it might be best for now to just back off a little, but of course still be there for him when Bo wanted to talk.
     Bo drifted in and out of a light sleep the entire night. He just kept thinking of one thing, he might be permanently paralysed. The longest that he slept at any one time, was an hour.  He listened to all sounds of the hospital, which was little help in falling asleep. He could hear the sounds of the doctors and nurses passing by the door, and the patients in the other rooms. Bo turned his head slightly to face the window. Bo figured it to be sometime around midnight. There was a large old oak tree; it’s long branches reaching towards the window like long and boney fingers. The occasional gust of wind caused them to scrap against the glass. A pale shone outside, casting shadows into the dark room. Bo closed his eyes wishing this was all some bad dream, and when he woke up in the morning it would all be over.
Nobody at the Duke farmhouse got much sleep that night they were all too worried about Bo. Luke got the least amount of sleep. Since he shared a bedroom with Bo, the empty bed seemed to serve as a constant reminder of what was happening. He spent most the night laying awake and staring at Bo’s empty bed. He tried to think only good thoughts but kept thinking the worst, that Bo might never walk again. He kept thinking of how quickly the accident had happened. The scene kept playing over and over in his mind like a bad picture show.
Luke was the first one to wake up in the morning. He made himself a cup of coffee and stood outside on the front porch and watched the sun slowly raise over the horizon.  Jesse woke up a short time later. Luke turned when he heard the front door open; he gave Jesse a faint smile.
     “Morning, Uncle Jesse.” Luke said.
     “Morning.” Jesse said, his voice tired sounding.
The two of them stood outside in the silence of the early morning for a few minutes, before going back inside to start breakfast. Daisy woke up a few minutes after Jesse started breakfast. Everyone ate in silence. Luke still was too worried about Bo to eat much breakfast, and mostly pushed his food around on his plate. Daisy sat nibbling at the food, not really hungry at Jesse. Not even Jesse ate much food; he was also filled with worry about Bo, fearing the worst possible outcome. Daisy and Luke did their morning chores. It was just before eight thirty when they finished. Daisy decided to stay home that day, still upset about what had happened the other day, and not trusting herself to not cry in front of Bo. Jesse and Luke climbed into the old white pick up truck. Neither spoke a word the entire trip there.
      Bo woke up in the morning as he felt the warmth of the sun shinning in on his face. He slowly opened his eyes, and frowned as he looked around the room, realising it had not been a dream. He sighed and rolled over to face the window, a large old crow was sitting on a branch of the tree. It looked in at Bo with cold, hard eyes then flew away. Bo heard the door open and didn’t even bother to turn to see who had came in.
    About ten minutes later Jesse and Luke walked into Bo’s room. There was a doctor standing by Bo’s bed, holding a clipboard, and telling Bo something. Bo’s features were drawn up tight in a very unamused look.
    “How ya feeling?” Jesse asked.
Bo rolled his eyes. “I wish everyone would quit asking me that.”
The doctor smiled slightly at Luke at and Jesse. “We were just getting ready to take Bo down to run some tests. It shouldn’t take more then an hour or so.”
     “Okay.” Jesse said, then looked down at Bo. “Don’t worry Bo, everything is going to be fine.”
Bo didn’t respond or even look at Jesse.
     “Told ya that I’d be here first thing in the morning.” Luke said.
Bo cast his gaze away from Luke’s. A nurse walked into the room.
     “The room is available now.” She said. The doctor nodded.
     “We have to go down now.” Dr. Freeman said.
     “Take care Bo. We will be here when you come back up.” Luke said.
Jesse and Luke stood watching as Bo as wheeled out of the room on gurney.
     The doctors ran four tests on Bo to determine the extent of the injury. The tests took about an hour to perform. Jesse and Luke were waiting in Bo’s room, when he was brought back in. they stood back as two doctor’s carefully lifted him back onto the bed. The one doctor left, but Dr. Freeman stayed. Jesse and Luke sat down on the chairs, praying the results were good.
     “We won’t have the results from two of the tests for three or four days. The other two proved quite inconclusive.” Dr. Freeman said.
Jesse frowned, not really liking the news. “Can Bo go home now?”
Dr. Freeman nodded. “Yes, there is no reason why not. I’ll have a wheelchair brought up, that you can take home.”
Luke’s stomach tightened at the last part, the thought of having to bring a wheelchair home for Bo scared him.
     “Thank you doctor.” Jesse said.
     “You just have to sign a couple of papers in my office.” Dr. Freeman said.
Jesse nodded then followed Dr. Freeman out of the room, leaving Luke alone with Bo.
Luke looked down at his younger cousin, who was staring out the window, again.
     “Glad that you are coming home today.” Luke said.
     “What difference does it make?” Bo asked, not even turning his head to face his cousin.
     “What do you mean?” Luke asked.
     “It makes no difference where I am, I still won’t be able to walk.” Bo replied flatly.
     “Don’t talk that way.” Luke said.
     “Why not it is the truth.” Bo said, turning to look at his cousin.
     “It won’t be for too long. You’ll be up and walking in no time, cousin. I know you, you are way too stubborn to let something like this keep you down.” Luke said.
     “What do you know?” Bo questioned rhetorically. “You ain’t a doctor.”
Luke just sighed, not really knowing what else to say to Bo.
     Ten minutes later Jesse came back into the room, pushing a wheel chair. Luke helped Bo into a sitting position, and lowered him into the wheelchair. Bo sat in the wheelchair with a blank expression on his face. Jesse pushed the wheelchair to the entrance of the hospital. Luke stayed with Bo while Jesse went and got the pickup truck. Luke got Bo into the truck, with a little help from Jesse. Luke folded the wheelchair and put it in the back of the truck, and then climbed into the truck and sat beside Bo.
     The short drive back to Hazzard seemed to take an eternity; a thick silence filled the cab of the truck. Jesse pulled to stop in front of the house. Luke got out first and frowned as he looked at the steps of the house. There was no way to get the wheelchair up them, he realised he would have to carry Bo in. Jesse took the wheelchair inside. Luke stood with door open, hoping Bo would cooperate so that he could carry him inside.
     “I got to carry you in, so you have to try to move yourself over a little.” Luke said.
Bo gave a small nodded, and slid himself over the best he could using his hands. Bo got over to the edge of the seat. Luke put one arm under Bo’s, and Bo slid his arm around Luke’s neck. Luke placed his other arm under Bo’s legs and gently lifted him. Bo’s body felt so limp to Luke, like he was carrying a rag doll. That gave Luke a worrisome feeling, he wished that Bo’s body at least had a little more tension to it. He carried Bo inside and sat him in the wheelchair. Bo sat staring straight ahead with a blank expressionless look. Luke pushed the wheelchair into the other room. Daisy smiled when she saw Bo.
     “I am so glad that you are home.” Daisy said.
     “I am tired. I want to go to bed now.” Bo said, his voice almost toneless.
Luke pushed Bo into the bedroom, and lifted him into the bed. Luke covered Bo with a blanket, and left the room.
 About twenty minutes later, Luke went back into the bedroom to check on Bo. Bo was laying awake staring up at the ceiling.
     “I thought you’d be sleeping.” Luke said, as he sat down on the edge of Bo’s bed.
     “Does it make a difference?” Bo asked. “Either awake or asleep I am still an invalid and will speed the rest of my life in that wheelchair.”
     “That is not true Bo. You will walk again, it is just going to take some time.” Luke said trying to reassure his cousin.
Bo looked at Luke, his eyes filled with a deep silence. “No I won’t Luke.” Bo said sadly.
Luke saw the sadness in Bo’s eyes and heard the sadness in his voice. “You’ll be okay cousin.” He could tell his words did little to provide Bo with any comfort. He leaned over and gave Bo a brotherly hug. Bo could feel tears burning his eyes, and slowly start to course his cheeks. Luke felt Bo’s tears start to dampen his shirt, and fought hard to keep from crying himself. Bo raised his arm and put it around Luke, to return his hug. Bo’s tears started to come harder, and Luke just held his cousin as he cried. Luke felt a couple tears slide down his own cheeks. After a couple minutes Bo laid back down against the pillow. His eyes were red from crying and his cheeks were stained with drying tears. Luke smiled at his cousin. Bo just continued to look at Luke with the same expression of sadness.
    “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” Luke said. “I hope.” He added in thought.
     Over the next three days, Bo seemed to sink into a deeper depression. He would rarely even move the wheelchair around himself. He sat with it in one place for hours on end, barely talking to anyone, refusing to do anything. He barely ate anything. He would sit at the dinner table, in his wheelchair, mostly pushing the food around on his plate. Jesse, Daisy and Luke grew increasingly concerned about Bo’s depression. They tried everything to pull him from the depression but nothing seemed to help.
     Dr. Freeman called, and Jesse answered the phone. Luke sat in the front room with Bo, as he watched Jesse talk on the phone. Jesse hung up and came back into the room.
     “That was Dr. Freeman. The test results came in today.” Jesse said.
     “What did he say?” Luke asked.
     “They were just as inconclusive as the other test. He said only time would tell.” Jesse said.
     “Oh.” Luke said, not really knowing what else to say.
Both Luke and Jesse noticed the sadness in Bo’s eyes. Luke could tell the news had caused Bo to sink deeper into depression.
     Later that day Jesse and Luke were outside by the barn, Daisy was inside with Bo.
     “Did you tell Dr. Freeman about Bo’s depression?” Luke asked.
Jesse nodded. “He said it is quite common, but most people come out of it after a couple weeks. He said we should just keep trying to pull him out of it”
Luke sighed. “I hope that Bo comes out of it soon. It tears me up inside to see him hurting so much.”
     “I know. We just have to keep praying.” Jesse said.
     Over the next couple days Bo seemed to grow more and more depressed. Everyone decided to just back off for a while. They thought that maybe Bo just needed sometime alone to think about things. They also figured to just wait and see what the results of the tests showed.  Bo was sitting in the wheelchair, by the window. He was looking out at the yard, but really seeing anything, he was lost in his thoughts.  Jesse was sitting reading a book, when the phone rang. He talked for several minutes and was just hanging up the phone when Luke came inside.
     “Who was that?” Luke asked.
     “It was Dr. Freeman, the test results came back.” Jesse said.
Luke figured the news wasn’t too good by the tone Jesse spoke in. He followed Jesse into the other room, to hear the news when he told Bo.
     “Bo, that was Dr. Freeman, the test results came back today.” Jesse said.
Bo turned to face Jesse; his eyes didn’t hold any hope of hearing good news.
     “He said they were just as inconclusive as the last ones. He said only time will tell.” Jesse said, trying to carefully choose his words with evading the matter.
     “Which is just a kind of saying I’ll never walk again.” Bo said glumly.
     “That is not true.” Jesse said.
     “Yes it is. Nobody just wants to say that it is true.” Bo said.
     “Because it ain’t true cousin. You will walk again, you just have to remain strong.” Luke said.
     “Exactly.” Jesse said in agreement with Luke. “He set up and appointment for with Dr. Floyyd in one month.
     “Whatever.” Bo replied, nonchalantly, and turned to stare back outside.
     The next couple of weeks passed slowly. Jesse started to grow increasingly concerned about Bo’s depression. Bo seemed to be growing more depressed with each passing day. Everyone kept trying to cheer Bo up, even if just a little bit, but all their efforts were in vain. Bo hardly even talked to anyone anymore. He sat with the wheelchair in one place for hours on end, not doing anything but staring off into the distance. He often refused to wheel the wheelchair around himself, so either Jesse, Daisy or Luke ended up moving him around. It was usually Luke that pushed Bo from one place to another. It was the day before Bo’s appointment with the therapist Dr. Floyyd; he sat over by the window, though he wasn’t looking outside. He had is head hung down and just stared at the floor. Jesse, Daisy and Luke were all in the kitchen preparing dinner.
     “Dinner’s ready.” Jesse called to Bo.
Bo sat not making any movement to wheel into the kitchen, and not even looking up.
     “I’ll go get him.” Luke said, and walked past his uncle into the front room.
     “C’mon on Bo, dinner’s getting cold.” Luke said, as he walked up to Bo.
Bo didn’t respond to Luke at all. Luke sighed and walked around to the back of the chair to push Bo into the kitchen. He reached down to release the brake. Before he could Bo dropped his hand down to stop Luke, and hold the brake in place.
     “C’mon on Bo, quite being so stubborn.” Luke said.
Bo didn’t say anything or move his hand. Luke moved around the chair to face Bo.
     “Bo let’s just go into the kitchen before dinner gets too cold.” Luke said, trying to urge his cousin to move.
Luke’s words had little effect, and Bo remained unmoving.
     “You know if you used half the stubbornness of not wanting to do anything to try to do something there would be no problem.” Luke said, his words coming out a lot harsher then he had meant them to.
A hurt look spread across Bo’s face, and Luke thought he could almost see tears in Bo’s eyes.
     “I am sorry Bo. I didn’t mean that.” Luke said.
Bo didn’t say anything; he released the brakes and wheeled himself into the kitchen. Luke sighed and walked into the kitchen. Jesse and Daisy were sitting at the table, he could tell by the looks on their faces they heard what he said to Bo.  Jesse said grace and then everyone started to eat. Bo took a couple bites of food then sat pushing the rest of the food around on his plate. Then, saying nothing he pushed himself away from the table and wheeled into his and Luke’s bedroom. Everyone say watching him leave, there was a moment of silence, which was broken by Luke.
     “Can I be excused Uncle Jesse?” Luke asked. “I want to talk to Bo.”
Jesse nodded. Luke went left the table and went to the bedroom. Luke walked into the bedroom, which was lit only by the setting sun. He saw Bo was laying on his bed staring up at the ceiling. Luke walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to Bo, and put a hand on Bo’s shoulder. Luke was grateful that Bo didn’t try to push his hand away, as it showed he didn’t hate him too much for saying what he did.
     “Bo, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to say that really and not in that way at all. I am just so worried about you, is all.” Luke said.
Bo turned his head to face away from Luke, not wanting him to see just how much his words had really hurt him.
     “I am sorry cousin. Last thing in this world that I’d want to do is hurt you, you know that.” Luke said. “Don’t you?”
     “Yeah.” Bo said softly, turning his head to face Luke again.
Luke smiled softly at his cousin. “I am truly sorry Bo.”
     “Just forget it.” Bo said.
     “Let’s go back out and get some more to eat before Uncle Jesse and Daisy eat everything.” Luke said joking.
     “I am not really that hungry.” Bo said.
     “Okay. Maybe you should just try to get some rest for going to see that therapist tomorrow.” Luke said.
     “Yeah.” Bo said.
Luke leaned over and gave Bo a small hug. “Don’t worry cousin, everything will be fine, you’ll see.”
Luke got up and walked to the door. He turned to look at Bo. “Goodnight Bo.”
Bo didn’t say anything he just closed his eyes, acting like he was going to sleep, even though he was not at all sleepy. Luke turned and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind himself.
Luke sat down at the table.
     “Get everything straightened out?” Jesse asked.
     “Yes sir.” Luke said.
Jesse smiled. “Good.”
Luke looked at Jesse. “You know I didn’t mean what I had said to Bo, right?”
Jesse nodded. “I know you didn’t. You were just upset and said something you didn’t mean.”
     “Of course we know you didn’t mean it.” Daisy said in agreement.
Luke gave a small smile, then started to eat dinner again.
     Bo turned his head to look out the window. Though he couldn’t see the sun setting, he could see the sky start to change to many colours of red. He looked at the sky, which looked to be beautifully painted in every shade of red there was. Though he didn’t see it as beautiful he saw it has a reminder of his pain. How everything thing around him would continue even without him, how life would go on for everyone else.  He laid and watched as the sky turned to black. He had liked night the best out of anytime of the day; the blackness seemed to reflect just what he was feeling.  He could hear distant thunder start to rumble across the darkened sky. He saw the darkness of the night as a symbol of an ending, not only the ending of a day but as the ending of life. He thought of something he had once heard a passage from Moody Blues “Days Of Future Passed”, he could only remember a couple parts of it, and they stuck out in his mind on this dark night:

“Breathe deep the gathering gloom
Watch lights fad from every room
Cold Hearted Og that rules the night
Removes the colour from our sight
Red is grey and yellow white
But we decided which is right
And which is an illusion.”

Outside the sky hard turned pitch black, and the room was consumed by the darkness. Bo continued to stare towards the wind, the sound of the thunder was quickly growing closer. Within a couple minutes the storm was on top of Hazzard. Bright flashes of lightening lit the bedroom; the loud cracks of thunder shook the window. Thunderstorm represent the end of life, they brought upon death and gloom. Which seemed to represent Bo’s innermost feelings.  The rain was beating against the window and the roof in a steady rhythmic pattern. The wind seemed to howl as it whipped around the corner of the house.
The storm was still ragging on two hours later, when Luke came to bed. He turned on the small lamp that was between the two beds, and saw Bo was still awake.
    “I thought you’d be asleep already.” Luke said.
    “I was listening to the storm.” Bo said.
    “You should try to get some sleep for you appointment tomorrow.” Luke said.
    “Yeah, I know.” Bo said.
Luke changed for bed, and covered Bo with a blanket from the end of the bed, thinking it might get cold during the night, then got into his own bed, and shut out the light. Luke was sleeping several minutes later, however Bo remained awake most the night, falling asleep just before two a.m.
     The storm had passed through and the temperature had indeed dropped. A few lone clouds still drifted across the morning sky. Luke woke up shortly after dawn; he yawned and sat up in bed. He looked over at Bo, who was still sleeping sounding. Luke decided to juts let Bo sleep, figuring there was little point in trying to force Bo to get out of bed. Luke got out of bed and got dressed then went out to the kitchen. Jesse and Daisy were already awake and making breakfast.
     “Morning Luke.” Jesse said. “Is Bo awake?”
     “No he is still sleeping.” Luke said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
     “I guess he can sleep a little later, the appointment is at eleven.” Jesse said, looking at the clock, which said it was eight o’clock.
     At nine thirty, Jesse went into the boy’s room to wake Bo up. He walked over to Bo’s bed and gently put a hand on his shoulder.
     “Time to get up.” Jesse said.
Bo groggily opened his eyes, and looked up at Jesse.
     “It is already nine thirty, we have to leave for your appointment around ten.” Jesse said.
Bo didn’t say anything as he reached over the side of the bed, the best he could, and grabbed the edge of the wheelchair. He pulled the wheelchair over to the side of the bed, and put the brakes on. Using the wheelchair for support Bo pulled himself up into a sitting position. Jesse watched silently, it pained him deeply to watch Bo have go through so much effort just to get out of bed. Jesse wondered how things would be if things turned out for the worst and Bo never walked again. In an ever so slow movement Bo pulled himself into the wheelchair. He sat still in the wheelchair taking a couple deep breaths. What had once been a simple task took a lot of energy and strain to accomplish, and was quite exhausting. After a couple moments Bo released the brakes and wheeled himself into the kitchen, Jesse followed close behind him.
     “What do you want for breakfast?” Jesse asked.
     “I’m not hungry.” Bo said.
     “You have to have something.” Jesse said.
     “Toast and coffee.” Bo said.
Jesse poured Bo a cup of coffee and handed to him. Bo sipped at the coffee as he waited for the toast. The toast was ready a couple moments later. Jesse handed Bo a plate with two slices of toast, with peach preserves. Bo ate at them slowly, he really wasn’t hungry, but didn’t feel like arguing the fact with Jesse. Just before ten Luke and Daisy came in from outside, after finishing their chores. Luke went and washed up and then walked back into the kitchen.
     “I think we should get going now.” Jesse said.
Luke nodded in agreement. Daisy was the only one not going she was going over to a friend’s house for the weekend.
     “Take care.” Daisy said as they left.
Luke had built a ramp, so that it would be easier for Bo to get in and out of the house, though this was the first time that he had used it. Bo had refused to go out any other time before, always saying it was pointless. He could sit around the same inside as he could outside. Bo wheeled over to the truck, and Luke helped him get in. Luke put the wheelchair in the back of the truck, then climbed in and sat next to Bo. Jesse got in and started to drive towards Tri-County General.  The three of them sat in silence the whole drove to the hospital.
     Jesse parked the truck in front of the hospital. Luke helped Bo into the wheelchair. Bo wheeled himself half way to the doors, then stopped.
     “I don’t want to see this doctor.” Bo said quietly, and went to turn the chair around.
Luke walked up and held the chair from behind to keep Bo from going back to the truck.
     “It don’t matter, you are going.” Jesse said firmly.
Bo didn’t respond he sat perfectly still in the wheelchair, staring at the ground. Luke pushed him into the hospital. The followed the sign to the therapist clinic. They passed by a number of people in the halls, who all whispered quietly to one another, as they passed. Their words were just barely audible; everyone was saying basically the same thing all pitying Bo. Bo closed his, and tried to block the words, last thing he wanted was for the whole world to pity him. It took about five minutes for them to reach Dr. Floyyd’s office. Jesse knocked on the door. Dr. Floyyd  opened the door.
     “It is good to see you again. Come on in.” Dr. Floyyd said. Opening the door for them to enter.
Once they were in Dr. Floyyd shut the door. He took a folder off the desk and opened it. “How are you feeling today, Bo?”
Bo didn’t respond or even look up. Dr. Floyyd could tell by the sullen looks on Jesse and Luke’s face things had not been going to well. Dr. Floyyd took out a small hammer to test Bo’s reflexes, to see if any feeling had returned to Bo’s legs. He tapped Bo’s left knee.
     “Can you feel that?” Dr. Floyyd asked.
     “No.” Bo replied flatly.
Dr. Floyyd repeated the procedure a number of times, each time with the same result. Dr. Floyyd frowned, he had hoped that Bo had started to regain even the smallest bit of feeling, knowing that it was a bad sign that he hadn’t. They went into another room, for Dr. Floyyd to try another couple tests.
    The room was quite large, with a number of different machines used for physo-therapy. Jesse and Luke stood back a couple feet, watching silently. First Dr. Floyyd took Bo over to a set of low bars, to test the strength of his arms.
     “I want you to pull yourself out of the chair and balance on the bars.” Dr. Floyyd said.
It took Bo a few moments to pull himself out of the chair and balance on the bars.
Dr. Floyyd smiled and nodded.  “Okay, that is long enough.”
Bo sat back down in the wheelchair.
     “You have got all your upper body strength back, which is at least one good sign.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Jesse and Luke smiled hearing that one little piece of good news, however Bo didn’t even react to it.  Dr. Floyyd performed a couple other tests, mostly moving Bo’s legs around. About twenty minutes later he stopped.
     “I am afraid I have no other good news for you.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Jesse and Luke walked over and stood by Bo. Luke placed a hand on Bo’s shoulder. Bo didn’t even look at them; he just hung his head.
     “There has been change. It is still soon yet to determine of it is permanent or temporary. I’d like to schedule another appointment for one month from now.” Dr. Floyyd said.
     “Thank you for your help.” Jesse said shaking Dr. Floyyd’s hand.
Luke didn’t say anything as he pushed Bo from the room. He had hoped that Bo had started to show signs of improvement and it scared him that he hadn’t. Luke waited with Bo in the hallway, as Jesse set up a time for Bo’s next appointment. A minute later Jesse came out of the room, and the three of started towards the car in silence. They got into the truck and drove back to Hazzard, a thick silence consuming the cab of the truck.
     Soon it was Thanksgiving. It was a bright, sunny day and the temperature was still quite high for being late fall. Bo sat near the window, staring out at nothing in particular. Jesse, Daisy and Luke were all in the kitchen  preparing the Thanksgiving dinner.  Everything was ready at five o’clock. Daisy went into the other room to call Bo.
     “Dinner’s ready.” Daisy said, cheerfully.
Bo didn’t say anything as he wheeled into the kitchen, and up to the table. Jesse said grace and everyone but Bo amended it. Jesse looked sternly at Bo.
     “What is the point?” Bo asked. “I don’t have anything to be thankful for.”
     “You are alive.” Jesse said.
     “Oh yeah there is something to be thankful for. To spend the rest of my life in this chair.” Bo said, his voice filled with sadness.
Jesse sighed and decided not to push the subject any further. Everyone went about eating in silence. A dark cloud seemed to settle over the house, destroying what little joyfulness there had been during the day.
     Another couple weeks passed and Bo seemed to sink into depression, talking less and less. It was Bo’s eighteenth birthday. Jesse let Bo sleep in as late as he wanted. Early in the morning Daisy went and picked up the chocolate cake they had ordered. Jesse started to prepare a batch of crawdad bisque. Bo woke up at eleven.
     “Happy birthday.” Jesse said, as Bo came into the kitchen.
     “Not like there’s anything happy about it.” Bo said sullenly.
     “Don’t talk that way.” Daisy said.
     “Why not? It is true. Today is just another day.” Bo said.
Daisy looked to Jesse for what to say but he just shook his head, knowing there was nothing to say that could cheer Bo up. A few of his friends called, but as always he refused to talk to anyone. They had all called often after Bo was first injured, but the calls had slowed because Bo never talked to anyone.
     After lunch Bo and Luke were sitting quietly in the front room.
     “Want to play a game of chess?” Luke asked.
Bo shook his head.
     “Why not?” Luke asked. “It’ll be something to do to pass the time.”
     “I don’t want to.” Bo said.
Luke sighed; knowing there would be nothing he could say to change Bo’s mind.
     “Want to go fishing?” Luke asked.
Bo shook his head. “Not like I could even if I wanted to.”
     “Yeah you could. There is ways around that.” Luke said. “If you want to . . .”
     “I don’t.” Bo said.
     “Do you want to go for a drive?” Luke asked.
Bo shook his head. “I don’t want to do anything.”
     “It is your birthday you should get out and do something.” Luke said.
     “I don’t care. Today is just another day.” Bo said.
     “We could go to the Boar’s Nest and get a beer or two.” Luke said.
     “I definitely don’t want to do that. I don’t want to go out in public this.” Bo said, motioning to the wheelchair. “I don’t want to be around people all staring at me and talking about me, and most of all pitying me.”
Luke stared at Bo not really knowing what to say. He had never thought about what other people thought when they saw Bo. He had heard the whispers of a few people at the hospital. He never thought Bo would be concerned with what other people thought, as he had never been before.
Luke thought about apologising, but before he could Bo left the room, going into the bedroom.
     Luke went outside and opened the hood of his car. Even though he wasn’t really fixing anything, he was just trying to occupy himself. Daisy was outside hanging a load of laundry and Jesse was in the barn, tending to the animals. Daisy noticed the upset look on Luke’s face and went over to talk to him.
     “Hey Luke, what’s wrong?” Daisy asked.
Luke looked up from the car engine. “I am just worried about Bo.”
     “We all are.” Daisy said, in a matter of fact tone, like that was nothing new to hear.
     “I mean more so. He never does anything but sit around all day. He rarely talks. When he does talk he just sounds . . .” Luke said stopping to try to figure out the right word to describe the way Bo did talk. “Depressed. He just seems to keep falling into a deeper depression.”
Daisy sighed. “I know. There doesn’t seem to be anything any of us can do.”
     “There has to be something we can do, something we just haven’t thought of yet.” Luke said.
     “I really hope you are right, Luke.” Daisy said, then turned and went back to hanging the laundry.
 Luke spent most the rest of the day outside, just fiddling around with his car. At around four he went inside to help Jesse and Daisy finish making dinner. At dinner everyone sat in eating in silence, it seemed like any other day, and not a day that should’ve have been a celebration of life. Bo sat slowly eating and not even looking up at his family.
     The next appointment with Dr. Floyyd went much the same as the last one did. Bo showed no signs of any improvement, his condition remained the same.
     The remaining days before Christmas seemed to pass quickly. On Christmas Eve Jesse brought home the tree.
     “Aren’t you coming out to help us decorate the tree.” Jesse asked from the doorway of the boy’s bedroom.
     “No.” Bo replied no even looking up at Jesse.
     “I think you should.” Jesse said, trying to urge Bo into getting up and actually doing something.
     “I think I’d be in the way.” Bo said.
     “That is not true Bo.” Jesse said.
     “Kinda hard to decorate from a wheelchair as well.” Bo said, in a matter of fact tone.
     “Bo . . .” Jesse started to say, sternly.
     “Just go and decorate the tree y’all have fun. I just want to sleep.” Bo said, closing his eyes.
Jesse sighed deeply and shook his head. He walked back into the front room.
     “Is Bo coming out?” Luke asked.
Jesse shook his head. “He said he’d be in the way and can’t decorate from the chair.”
     “That ain’t true. I’ll go talk to him.” Luke said heading towards the room.
     “Don’t bother, he said he wants to sleep.” Jesse said.
     “But . . .” Luke started to argue.
     “Just let him be, Luke.” Jesse said, in a tone that left no room for argument.
     “Yes sir.” Luke said.
Trimming the tree at the Duke house was usually a festive occasion. Everyone would be singing carols and drinking hot chocolate. But not this year, it seemed to be more gloomy with Bo not out helping, and totally refusing to even come out. There was no singing there was only silence. Somehow when they were done decorating the tree didn’t look as beautiful as it usually did.
     Christmas morning came, and all the Dukes were sitting in the front room. Luke had managed to get Bo to come out, even though he didn’t want to. Jesse had put on a Christmas record, which was playing softly in background.  Everyone, except Bo seemed to be in high spirits. He sat staring at the fire in the fireplace, not paying attention to anything or anyone else. They tried to talk to him several times but he ignored all their attempts.
     “Would you quit just sitting there feeling sorry for yourself.”  Jesse said sternly.
Bo turned to face Jesse, saying nothing.
     “This has gone on long enough.” Jesse said.
     “This . . .” Bo said motioning to the wheelchair. “Is my life now.”
     “That don’t mind you got to sit around doing nothing and feeling sorry for yourself and dragging everyone else down with you.” Jesse said.
     “Fine. If you feel that I am just bringing everyone done, I’ll do ya favour and leave the room.” Bo said and turned the chair around and went to the bedroom.
Luke looked at Jesse, shocked that he had yelled at Bo like that. He stood up to go after Bo.
     “Just sit back down.” Jesse said.
     “Yes sir.” Luke said sitting back down on the couch.
     Later the day, Luke went into the bedroom to check on Bo. Bo was laying on the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. Luke walked over and knelt down beside Bo’s bed.
     “Hey.” Luke said, and laid the Christmas present he had bought Bo on the edge of the bed.
Bo didn’t reply or turn to look at Luke.
     “Look Bo, I know that you are upset, but . . .” Luke started to say.
     “But I have no call to bring everyone else down.” Bo said sarcastically.
     “No. You just have to get over it.” Luke said.
     “I don’t need another lecture today.” Bo said.
     “I know, sorry.” Luke said.
They were silent for a couple moments. Luke hated not really knowing how to talk to Bo, he wished there was more he could say and do to take away all Bo’s pain and make him better, but he knew there was nothing he could do.
     “I got this for you.” Luke said, handing Bo the package.
Bo slowly unwrapped the package, not tearing the dark red foil paper. It was a book all about cars.
     “Thanks.” Bo said, as he set the book down on the other side of the bed.
     “I am going to go out and help Uncle Jesse and Daisy with dinner.” Luke said and stood up. “Are you going to come out for dinner?”
     “I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to depress everyone on Christmas.” Bo said in an almost sarcastic tone.
Luke sighed. “Bo, I am sure that Uncle Jesse didn’t mean that.”
Bo didn’t reply, so Luke left the room.
     A few hours later Luke went to tell Bo that dinner was ready. He opened the door, and saw that Bo was reading the book he had given him, Luke smiled and stepped into the room. The old floorboards creaked slightly and Bo looked up from the book.
     “Is it a good book?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah, it’s interesting.” Bo said.
     “Good.” Luke said. “Dinner is ready, are you coming out?”
     “No. I’d rather not. I think that Uncle Jesse is angry and I’d rather not have to face him right now.” Bo said.
Luke nodded, kind of understanding how Bo felt. “Want me to bring you a plate?”
Bo smiled slightly. “Yeah, thanks.”
     “No problem.” Luke said and left the room.
     The next day, Bo sat near the fireplace reading the book. Jesse and Luke were outside feeding the animals. Daisy was packing to go stay with her friend Kelly who had recently moved to Atlanta. Bo stopped reading for a couple moments and stared at the flickering of the flames of the fire, which seemed to dance almost hypnotically. He thought of something that he had once heard; though he didn’t remember where or who had said it. Two lines stood out in his mind as he watched the fire, he thought they reflected his life, “What took so long to build took a moment to slip away. One day you’ll be walking fine, the next day lightening hits you from behind.”
     Over the next few days Bo started to become a little less depressed. He read a lot and was almost half way done the book that Luke had gave him. He talked to Luke  most the time, but said very little to Jesse. Jesse figured it was just because Luke was the best one at getting through to Bo. He had always been able to reach him when nobody else could. He knew that was because Bo and Luke had a close brotherly bond.
     It was cold day and rainy day, during the last week of December. Jesse had gone to an old friend’s house for the day. Bo was sitting near the window watching the rain. Luke was in the kitchen making a pot of coffee. He came into the front room carrying the pot of coffee, two mugs, and a small pitcher of milk, on a tray, and set it on the table. Bo didn’t even seem to notice that Luke had came into the room.
     “Hey Bo.” Luke said.
     “Yeah, what?” Bo asked turning his chair around to face Luke.
     “What are you doing?” Luke asked.
     “Just thinking.” Bo said as he wheeled the chair over to the table.
     “About?” Luke asked.
     “Why all the questions?” Bo asked.
Luke shrugged. “Just wondering.”
     “I was just thinking about my life, or the lack therefor of.” Bo said.
Luke sighed. “Bo your life ain’t over just because this happened.”
     “Sure seems like it is.” Bo said.
     “There is still lots of stuff you can do. You should think about that instead of focusing on the things you can’t do.” Luke said.
     “There isn’t much I can do, that is a short list.” Bo said.
     “That is not true. I heard that there is ways to fix up a car so that you could drive even.” Luke said.
     “Really?” Bo asked.
     “Yeah, really. There is lots of other stuff you can do as well.” Luke said.
     “Why the whole lecture today about it?” Bo asked.
     “I don’t know. Maybe I am just sick of having to sit back and watch you going through this alone. I want to be able to do something to help you.” Luke said.
Bo looked at Luke saying nothing.
     “When I came back from the Marines, I was going through some rough stuff and you helped me through it. I want to be able to do the same thing for you.” Luke said.
Bo closed his eyes suddenly feeling terrible for the way he had been acting and shutting his family. Luke noticed the upset look on Bo’s face.
     “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Luke said.
Bo opened his eyes and looked at Luke. “You didn’t I just realised I was wrong to be acting the way I have.”
Luke smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”
They sat in silence drinking coffee for a few minutes. Bo spoke up breaking the silence.
     “Want to play a game of chess?” Bo asked.
Luke smiled. “Yeah. I’ll go get the board.”
     They were just finishing playing the third game by the time Jesse came home. Luke had won the first game and Bo the next two. Jesse walked in and saw that Bo was actually doing something more then just sitting around or reading, and smiled. He stepped into the front room.
     “Hey Uncle Jesse.” both Bo and Luke said at the same time.
Luke started to pack up everything. Bo wheeled over to where Jesse was standing.
Bo took a deep breath. “Uncle Jesse, I am sorry.”
Jesse looked puzzled for a moment. “Sorry for what?”
     “The way that I have been acting lately.” Bo said.
     “It’s okay Bo.” Jesse said, leaning down and hugging Bo.
 On New Years Eve day, Bo and Luke decided to have their own party at home, instead of going out to any party, which Bo didn’t really feel up to doing.
     “Want to go into town with me to get the stuff for tonight?” Luke asked.
Bo thought about it for a moment then nodded. It would be the first time since he had been injured that he had gone anywhere, except the hospital.
     Bo wheeled the chair around the small store, which was fairly busy with people. Bo could feel all the stares of the townspeople watching him. He could hear the whispers of everyone all pitying him for having to be in a wheelchair at such a young age. Bo tried to ignore them, not letting them bring his mood down. There were a few people that he knew from school, in the store, they all barely said a word to him other then to offer him sympathy, all of them always looking more at the chair then at him. Luke noticed that everyone stares and pity was starting to bring Bo down, so he decided to cut the shopping trip short. They went out to where Luke parked the car, in front of the store. Luke put the bags of stuff into the trunk as Bo got into the car. A few people stood watching with a kind of curious amazement, as Bo pulled himself into the car with out any help from Luke. They had taken Luke’s car, and the seat were just about even with the height of Bo’s wheelchair, so he had no problem getting in and out of the car on his own. Luke got the wheelchair put into the trunk, then got into the car himself and sped off back towards the farm. Bo stared out  the side window watching the scenery roll past. His eyes lost in a distant look. Luke glanced over at Bo.
     “You okay?” Luke asked.
     “What?” Bo asked turning to face Luke, he had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t really heard what Luke had said, but knew he said something.
     “I asked if you are okay.” Luke said.
     “Yeah. I am fine.” Bo said, though his voice didn’t reflect his words.
     “You can’t let people like that bring you down. I am not going lie, there will always be people like that who will treat you different. It means nothing, you are still the same person that you were before.” Luke said.
     “Except I can’t walk.” Bo said, his voice was filled with sadness.
     “That makes no difference in who you are, Bo.” Luke said.
     “Yeah right.” Bo said and turned back to look out the window.
     A few days after the start of the New Year Bo, Luke and Jesse sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast.
     “I think it is about time that you went back to school.” Jesse said.
Bo’s face paled slightly. “No. I ain’t going back to school.”
     “I am not going to let you drop out of high school.” Jesse said sternly.
     “I said I ain’t going back and you can’t force me to.” Bo said.
     “Bo.” Jesse said firmly, his voice growing louder.
     “I am NOT going back to school.” Bo said, then started to leave the room.
     “Bo get back here!” Jesse yelled after him.
Bo ignored him and went into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.
     “Bo has a point.” Luke said.
     “What?” Jesse asked.
     “I don’t think that you should force Bo to go back to school.” Luke said.
     “I am not going to let him drop out of school and not get his high school diploma.” Jesse said.
     “He don’t have to go to school to get his diploma he can take an equivalency test later when he is ready to.” Luke said.
     “Why shouldn’t he just go to school?” Jesse asked.
     “I don’t think it would be good for him. I mean Bo is just starting to be able to deal with what has happened.” Luke said.
     “So, I don’t see how sending him to school would change that it’d do him good to get out more.” Jesse said.
     “Because he don’t want to go, forcing him will do nothing more then upset him and possibly cause him to become depressed again. Like when we were in the store. The way people stared at him and were pitying him, upset him. I don’t think Bo could deal with that on a daily basis.” Luke said.
Jesse sat for a moment thinking over what Luke had said, then nodded. “Okay. I won’t send Bo back to school.”
Luke smiled. “I’ll go tell him.”
     Luke walked into the bedroom, and saw Bo was sitting in the chair by the window staring out. Luke walked over and stood beside the chair.
     “I talked to Uncle Jesse and got him to change his mind.” Luke said.
Bo turned the chair to face Luke better. “Really?”
     “Yeah really.” Luke said.
Bo smiled. “Thanks. I just don’t think that I could handle going to school with everyone treating me so differently.”
     “I know.” Luke said. “He made one good point you do need to get out more.”
     “And go where?” Bo asked. “No matter where I go everyone will be staring.”
Luke shrugged. “I don’t know, I am sure there is ways around that.”
      That Saturday Jesse left shortly after breakfast, to go to help an old friend. Luke finished with his chores outside and came back in. He looked into the front room and saw Bo was reading the book, and was nearly finished. Luke started to wash up in the kitchen sink.
     “Hey Bo.” Luke said, stepping into the doorway as he dried his hands on a towel.
     “Yeah, what?” Bo asked, looking up from the book.
     “Jesse wants me to pick up some tractor parts in Atlanta so we can fix the tractor up before spring. It is a long drive there and back to make alone.” Luke said. “Would you mind coming along with me?”
Bo nodded. “Yeah I guess I owe one for helping convince Uncle Jesse to not force me to go back to school.”
Luke smiled. “Yeah that’s right.”
They got into Luke’s car, and Luke sped towards Atlanta.
     Luke sped along highway Forty-one to Atlanta. Jesse hadn’t really asked him to pick up tractor parts; he had got tickets to a NASCAR race and wanted to surprise Bo. He hoped that Bo wouldn’t be too angry when he found out that he lied about having to get tractor parts. Bo noticed the sign as the turned off at the exit: Atlanta Motor Speedway.
     “I thought you said we was picking up tractor parts.” Bo said.
     “Tractor parts, NASCAR race what’s the difference?” Luke asked.
     “What is the difference?” Bo asked, in a slightly annoyed sounding tone. “One involves not being around people and one involves being around a lot of people, for starters.”
     “They’ll all be too busy  watching the race to pay any mind to you.” Luke said.
Bo frowned as Luke pulled into the parking lot. “You lied.”
     “I know. Sorry, but I didn’t think you’d come if I told you.” Luke said. “I am not going to let these tickets go to waste so we are going.” He added jokingly.
Bo stared at Luke angrily, because he had lied, then his expression softened and he smiled slightly. “Okay fine. Since we are here we may as well see the race.”
Luke smiled, glad that Bo wasn’t too angry.
     They watched the race, both of them having a great time. Bo realised that Luke was right nobody even paid any mind to him. There was a large crowd, but people weren’t paying attention to around them, they were all intently watching the side. Besides that, there was nobody that he knew in the crowd to notice the difference of him being in a wheelchair.
     The boys arrived home around six. Jesse was just done fixing dinner.
     “Good timing.” Jesse said, as they came inside.
Jesse noticed that both of them were in high spirits and that Bo seemed to be happier then he had been in months.
They sat down around the table, and started eating.
     “How was the race?” Jesse asked, Luke had told him about his plan to take Bo to the race.
     “It was great. Cale Yarbrough won.” Bo said.
Bo and Luke told Jesse all about the race. Jesse sat listening to their happy chatter, thinking of how it seemed like old times. Bo seemed to be coming more like his old self with every passing day.
     The next day Jesse and Luke went into town to pick up some supplies. Bo didn’t  feel like going and stayed home. Bo finished reading the end of the book that Luke had gave to him for Christmas. He laid the book on the table and wheeled over to the window. He stared out at the yard, watching the chickens scurrying around the yard for a while. He was starting to get hungry, he figured it would be at least thirty minutes until Jesse and Luke came home, and he didn’t feel like waiting until then to have someone cook something for him. Bo decided that he would make something himself, figuring he could reach the burners on the stove just fine.  He went into the kitchen. He decided to fry up a couple hot dogs. He got the fry pan out of the cupboard beside the stove. He placed on the burner, and put a little bit of oil in the pan. A couple moments he could hear the soft crackling of the oil as it came up to heat in the pan. He took out a couple hot dogs and put them in the pan. Bo went to flip them over, but couldn’t quite reach the one that rolled to the back of the pan. He tried to get a little bit closer, and leaned the best he could to the edge of his chair, suddenly he slipped the wheelchair rolled backwards and he started to fall, he tried to grab the stove to stop his fall. However, he missed and got the edge of the pan, dumping the hot oil all over the stove. As he fell he struck his head on the edge of the stove and blanked out. The second the oil hit the flame of the stove it ignited into fire.  Bo woke up minutes later, and groggily opened his eyes. His vision was slightly blurry, and as his eyes slowly came into focus he realised the kitchen was filled with dark black smoke. He started to cough as the smoke filled his lungs. He felt panic began to fell his mind as he tried to think of what to do. He struggled to try to get over the door, but his head throbbed with every moment. The smoke was making it hard to breathe. He prayed that Jesse and Luke would get home right away as he realised there was nothing he could do.
 Jesse pulled the truck to a stop in front of the house. Luke was getting out when he noticed smoke seeping out through a crack along the edge of the window.
     “Uncle Jesse, smoke.” Luke said, and ran towards the house, as fast as he could.
Jesse jumped from the truck and followed Luke into the house. Luke stood in the doorway trying to see where Bo was. The thick black smoke made it hard to see anything. Jesse noticed the flickering flames of the fire on the stove.
     “BO?” Luke yelled, his heart racing with fear that Bo could be hurt.
     “Over here, by the stove.” Bo said.
Jesse and Luke rushed over. Luke saw Bo on the ground and bent down and carefully picked him up, noticing the chair a few feet away he put Bo into it.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked concernedly.
     “Yeah, I’m fine.” Bo said.
     “Thanks.” Bo said, as Luke pushed Bo out on the porch so he could get some fresh air.
Jesse put out the fire and opened the window to air out the smoke then came out on to the porch.
     “What happened?” Jesse asked.
     “I was just trying to make something to eat and I could quite reach all the way on the stove and the chair went out from under me. When I tried to keep from falling I accidentally knocked the pan over.” Bo said.
     “Are you crazy? You should have waited for us to get back.” Jesse said.
     “I thought that I could do it myself.” Bo said.
     “Obviously not, you shouldn’t have tried to do so much. You could’ve burned the house down.” Jesse said angrily.
     “Would you make up your dang mind? You yell at me if I sit to do something, and then when I do something you yell at me for trying to do too much.” Bo said, then went back into the house.
     “Bo wait.” Luke said and went to follow him inside.
Jesse grabbed his arm as he went to walk past. “Just leave him be, give him time to think about what he did.”
     “I think he already felt bad enough, you didn’t need to be so harsh.” Luke said.
Jesse let go of Luke’s arm. “I didn’t mean to be. When we saw that smoke I was so afraid that something had happened to Bo, he could’ve died if that fire got outta hand.”
Luke nodded. “I know that. I was afraid of that to Uncle Jesse. I just think I should go in there and talk to him.”
Jesse nodded. “You are probably right.”
Luke went inside, to talk to Bo, he figured that Bo would be in the bedroom, he was right. Bo was laying on the bed staring at ceiling. Luke walked over and sat on the edge of Bo’s bed.
     “Are you sure you are okay?” Luke asked.
     “I am fine.” Bo said.
     “Look Bo, Uncle Jesse didn’t mean to yell at ya like that, he was just afraid that something could’ve happened to you.” Luke said.
Bo didn’t respond to what Luke said or make any movement to even face him.
     “Bo.” Luke said.
     “I want to be alone.” Bo said, in a flat tone.
     “Bo, don’t be upset.” Luke said, Luke said, placing a hand on Bo’s shoulder.
Bo reached up with his other hand and pushed away Luke’s hand. “I said I want to be alone, so just leave me be.”
Luke sighed, and tried to think of what to say. He could tell that Bo was upset, and he wasn’t sure what to say to help him feel better. “Bo, Uncle Jesse didn’t mean it he was just afraid of the fact if the fire got out of hand that we could’ve lost you, so was I.”
     “What difference would it make?” Bo asked, his voice was filled with sadness.
     “Don’t talk that way Bo.” Luke said.
     “I said I want to be alone. I just want to sleep so just leave me alone.” Bo said.
Luke stood up and walked out of the room, shutting the bedroom door quietly behind himself. Luke went back out on the porch and sat on the swing next to Jesse.
     “Did you talk to him?” Jesse asked.
     “I tried, but he was really upset and said he just wants to be alone.” Luke said.
     “I didn’t mean to upset him.” Jesse said.
     “I know that.” Luke said.
They sat in silence for a couple moments, and then Jesse stood up.
     “I am going to tell him sorry.” Jesse said, and without another word went inside.
Jesse knocked on the bedroom door, there was no reply and he knocked again, Still there was no reply. He opened the door and looked in. He saw Bo laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Jesse walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
     “Bo, I am sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you like that.” Jesse said.
Bo didn’t say anything for a moment, then finally spoke in a flat tone. “I want to be alone.”
     “Bo, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just so worried about you.” Jesse said.
Bo didn’t respond, instead he just closed his eyes. “I am tired. I want to be left alone so I can sleep.”
Jesse decided it would do no good to keep trying to talk to Bo. He stood up and left the room, going back outside to join Luke on the porch.
     “Did you get any further with him?” Luke asked.
Jesse shook his head. He felt bad for how badly he had upset Bo.
     Over the next few days Bo seemed to sink back into depression, he rarely spoke and never wanted to be around either Jesse or Luke. He refused to do anything. Daisy called and said she would be staying at friend’s house another couple weeks. She asked how Bo was and Jesse told her that he had started to get over the depression and then the fire and that he was becoming depressed again.
     Luke was working on his car, he looked up from under the hood and at his cousin. Bo was sitting on the porch staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. His deep blue eyes looked lost in distant thought. Luke wiped the grease off his hands, on an old rag, and walked over to the porch. And stood at the bottom.
     “Hey Bo.” Luke said.
There was no response, Bo continued to stare off in the distant lost in some deep thought.
     “Earth to Bo.” Luke said jokingly.
     “Yeah, what?” Bo asked, coming out of thought and looking at Luke.
     “I was wondering if you could give me a hand with the car.” Luke said.
     “Not like there is anything that I can do.” Bo said.
     “That ain’t true cousin.” Luke said.
     “It is so true.” Bo said, he spoke the words with a deep conviction, Luke could tell that Bo truly believed that to be true.
     “No it ain’t. I’ll prove it to you. So just come on over to the car.” Luke said.
     “Ain’t you afraid I’ll wreck your car?” Bo asked. “After all last time I tried to do anything I nearly burned the house down.”
Luke shook his head. “That was an accident Bo. C’mon give me a hand would ya?”
Bo sat and thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. “Okay, fine.”
Bo wheeled his chair over to Luke’s car.
     “What is wrong with it?” Bo asked.
Luke shrugged. “I ain’t rightly sure at the exact problem.”
Luke started the engine and they both listened to the rattling sound it made. After Luke shut it off Bo made a couple suggestions at what he thought was wrong with the car. After about twenty minutes of both guessing at what was wrong they finally discovered the problem. Luke fixed the problem, and Bo cleaned a few parts off, and Luke put them back in and started the car. The engine roared to life and settled into a powerful purr of a finely tuned engine. Bo went to help take the tools back into the barn; he swung the chair around and slammed his foot into the side of the car.
     “OW!” Bo said, as his foot started to dully throb.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked.
     “Yeah, I guess. I just slammed my foot into the dang car.” Bo said.
Luke bent down in front of Bo and touched Bo’s foot to see if it had any swelling.
     “Ow.” Bo complained as Luke touched his foot.
Luke worried for a moment that Bo hit his foot hard enough to sprain it, then another thought entered his mind and he gave a small amazed sounding laugh.
     “What is so dang funny? I hurt my foot and you’re laughing.” Bo asked.
Luke looked up at Bo with a large smile. “Don’t you get Bo, if you hit your foot and it hurts that means you’ve got back some feeling in your legs.”
Bo smiled, and then laughed. “Yeah you’re right, it does, doesn’t it?”
 “Let’s get you to the doc.” Luke said.
Bo just nodded. Luke could see return happiness and renewed hope shining in Bo’s eyes, and smiled. Luke was filled with happiness himself; he prayed that this little bit of feeling meant that Bo might be able to walk again soon. All the doctors had long since lost hope that Bo would ever walk again and that he should get used to spending the rest of his life in the wheelchair, he thought to himself how wrong they were. He though that the fire of determination that burned within Bo was stronger then the effects of the injury. He just prayed this was not just a false alarm, he knew that it would crush Bo if the doctor cut this down to be nothing.
     Dr. Floyyd wasn’t busy and took Bo right in.
     “What seems to be the problem?” Dr. Floyyd asked.
     “I slammed my foot and it hurts.” Bo said.
     “It could just be conceived pain.” Dr. Floyyd said.
     “What does that mean?” Bo asked.
     “It means your mind might just think there is pain, because it knows that action under normal circumstances would cause pain.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Bo frowned, not liking what the doctor was saying. Luke noticed Bo’s happiness beginning to fad, and put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
     “I’ll do some tests so we can determine if you are getting better.” Dr. Floyyd said.
He tested for Bo’s reflexes and there was none.
     “There is no reflexes, so . . .” Dr. Floyyd started to say.
     “Yeah so?” Bo questioned. “My foot really hurts, you can’t say that it is all in my head.”
     “I know that it is hard to believe but that is the truth. There have been cases of people missing limbs that have feeling, which is impossible, obviously.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Bo stared at the doctor, disbelieving what he was implying; he looked up at Luke as though to find the truth. Luke could see the question in Bo’s eyes.
     “It is true Bo.” Luke said. “I heard about stuff like that while I was in the Marines, it happens a lot.”
Bo’s eyes were flooded with a look of disappointment.
Dr. Floyyd looked amazed; that Luke had answered a question that Bo hadn’t even spoke. He figured to something that they must have a very deep bond.
     “Your brother is right.” Dr. Floyyd said.
     “Cousin.” Luke corrected.
     “Of sorry.” Dr. Floyyd said. He had forgot that, since he noticed the close bond, which made them seem like brothers.
     “Isn’t there any other tests you can run?” Bo asked.
     “I can try a couple other things. We can see if you can make any movement to walk.” Dr. Floyyd said.
The three of them then went into the therapy room and over to the low bars. The doctor stood alongside the bars, near the other end, and Luke stood down closer to Bo. Bo pulled himself up onto the bars in a single easy movement. He inched himself a little in further on the bars using the strength of his arms. He lowered himself down till his feet touch the floor. He tried to inch himself forward. As hard as he tried he couldn’t get any forward momentum. He felt his hands slip, and he fell to the floor. Luke tried to grab him to keep him from falling but was unable to move fast enough. Bo sat with his head hung down, trying to hide the tears that were forming in his eyes, tears of defeat and embarrassment.
     “Are you okay?” Luke asked, his voice filled with concern.
Bo nodded slightly, not trusting his voice to speak. Bo allowed Luke to help him back into the chair. Dr. Floyyd walked down to where they were.
     “I am sorry but it looks as though your condition hasn’t changed any. I highly doubt that there ever will be either. I am sorry but, I think that is something you should learn to accept.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Bo didn’t respond he could feel a few tears sliding down his cheeks, and he refused to allow anyone to know that he was crying.
     “Thank anyways for your help.” Luke said and shook Dr. Floyyd’s hand.
     “I only wish I could’ve gave better news.” Dr. Floyyd said.
Luke pushed Bo’s wheelchair back out to the car.
     As they drove back towards Hazzard Bo stared out the side window. A heavy silence filled the car. Luke couldn’t think of anything to take away Bo’s sadness. He knew that his happiness had been crushed, like an insect crossing a busy highway. Bo started to think about what the doctor had said, to accept it. He figured he should just accept the cruel hand that fate had dealt him. Accept that he would never walk again, and decided he would never try to walk again. He decided to stop trying to fight it, and to lose the hope that he would walk again. He thought about having to spend the rest of his life bound to the wheelchair, unable to do the things he loved the most, and even the most simplest of task that he had taken for granted his whole life, the simplest of all walking. Bo tried to fight the tears that streamed down his face, but his attempts were futile so decided to stop trying to fight them, he decided that he was to weak to fight anything and would never fight anything ever again in his life. Luke noticed Bo’s tears, he tried hard to think of something to say to help make Bo feel better but everything he thought of sounded stupid, but he decided to say something anyway.
     “Don’t worry about what the doctor said. I think that he is wrong and you will walk again. You are way to stubborn to let something like this keep you down.” Luke said.
     “He was right, there is no reason to fight that, only accept that I will never walk again.” Bo said.
Luke sighed. “You just have to keep the faith Bo.”
     “Can’t keep something that I have already lost.” Bo said.
They drove the rest of the way back home in silence. Jesse was just coming back home at the same time as they got back. He watched as Bo wheeled himself inside. He saw the deep sadness in Bo’s eyes.
     “What’s wrong with Bo?” Jesse asked.
Luke took a deep breath and slowly released it, then proceeded to tell him everything that had happened.
     “I’ll go talk to him.” Jesse said, walking towards the house.
     “Hope you have better luck.” Luke said.
Jesse found Bo in the bedroom, still sitting in the wheelchair. Bo’s head was hung down and Jesse could tell he was crying.
     “Bo . . .” Jesse said putting and hand on Bo’s shoulder.
Bo looked up at Jesse; a mix of dried and fresh tears staining his cheeks. Jesse brushed back a stray lock of Bo’s blond hair that had fallen across his eyes.
     “You can’t lose faith Bo. You just have to keep fighting to walk again.” Jesse said.
     “I have lost faith and I am done fighting. I have to accept that I will spend the rest of my life in this chair.” Bo said.
     “Don’t talk like that Bo.” Jesse said.
     “Why not?” Bo asked. “It is the truth.”
     “Bo, you have to fight. Dukes aren’t quitters.” Jesse said.
     “Guess I am nothing more then a disappointment then.” Bo said.
Jesse shook his head. “No you aren’t Bo. You just have to continue to fight this and not give up.”
     “There is no point in fighting. It’d be a losing battle, and that is not something I want to go through.” Bo said.
Jesse sighed, he realised there would be nothing he could say to change Bo’s mind. Jesse got up and left the room. Luke was sitting in the front room.
     “Any luck?” Luke asked.
Jesse shook his head and sat down on the chair. “No.  He is really down this time.”
     “I know. When he thought he might walk again he was so happy. Then the doctor said it was nothing and he failed when he tried to walk.” Luke said sadly, he could feel tears for his cousin’s pain start to form in his eyes. He looked towards the door and prayed that Bo could find the strength to pull through this. He knew Bo was strong but also knew that there was only so much strength a person could have, and that Bo could only handle so much stress before it became too much for him to bear.
 The following week seemed to pass slowly. Each day seemed like an eternity. Bo had sunk into an even deeper depression then he had before. He made no effort to even get out bed on his own, in the mornings. Each morning Luke had to lift Bo, who just let his body go limp, out of the bed and into the chair. At night it was much the same story, Bo refused to get out of the chair on his own. Though that wasn’t the worst of the matter, Bo didn’t refuse with words, or really even action he only remained perfectly still. He barely moved during the day. He usually sat kind of slumped over with his head hung down. Either Jesse or Luke had to push the wheelchair from one place to another. He never spoke a single word during the week. Luke was almost constantly trying to pull Bo from the depression, but all his efforts were futile. Jesse stopped trying he said it was Bo’s choice to not do nothing or talk. The stress of the situation had finally caused him too lose faith. Luke wondered how Jesse could give up easily on trying to help Bo, he vowed to himself that no matter how bad things got he’d never give up trying to help Bo.
     The weather had been unseasonable warm the past few days and dark clouds were starting to build threatening to bring a big storm. Jesse left early in the morning to visit a friend in Greenville. Luke was just finishing his morning chores as Jesse was leaving.
     “It looks like there might be a big storm coming this way.” Jesse said pointing the dark clouds, which were constantly accumulating on the horizon.
Luke nodded. “Yeah. The radio said, there is a thunderstorm coming.”
     “If the weather starts to get bad I want you to be sure all the animals are in the barn.” Jesse said.
     “Yes sir.” Luke said.
     “And don’t forget to fix up the tractor sometime today.” Jesse said.
Luke nodded. “I won’t forget. I’ll start on it after Bo gets up.”
     “I’ll be home around seven.” Jesse said, as he climbed into the pickup truck.
     “Okay. Keep between the ditches.” Luke said.
Luke stood on the porch and watched as the truck drove out of sight, then turned and went inside. He walked to the bedroom that he and Bo shared. He stood in the doorway for moment looking at Bo. Bo was laying awake on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Luke stepped into the room and stood by the bed.
     “C’mon Bo time to get up.” Luke said.
Bo said nothing, making no movement to get out of bed.
     “Bo, I know that what the doctor said upset you, but you have to get on with you life.” Luke said.
No response came from Bo, he just continued to stare at the ceiling.
     “I know you think this changes who you are, but you are wrong. It doesn’t change who you are inside. You can’t let this change who you are. You are a fighter Bo, you have to fight this.” Luke said.
Still there was no response. Luke sighed; realising his words had no effect on Bo. He carefully picked Bo up from the bed and at him on the wheelchair. He pushed Bo into the kitchen and up to the table. Luke made up some breakfast, consisting of bacon, eggs and toast. He sat a plate down in front of Bo. Bo looked at the plate and made no movement to eat it.
     “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so eat it.” Luke said.
Bo didn’t still didn’t make any movement to eat it.
     “Listen Bo, either you eat it OR I will make you eat it. I’ll feed you like a baby.” Luke said, trying to sound stern, though the words sounded more like a joke as he said them.
Bo then started to slowly eat at the breakfast, eating most the food on the plate. After cleaning up the dishes Luke decided to go out and work on the tractor. Dark clouds still continued to gather; however it was still nice out. Luke pushed Bo’s wheelchair out on to the porch.
     “Want to help fix the tractor?” Luke asked.
Bo didn’t answer Luke’s question. He just stared to stare out across the yard. Luke just shrugged and went out to work on the tractor. There was the occasional sound of thunder in the distant. He kept looking up occasionally to check on Bo, though he didn’t move he just kept staring out at the dark clouds on the horizon.  About an hour later, the thunder had grown closer. And Luke saw some wicked strokes of lightening, flashing in the distance. The gentle warm wind that had been blowing all morning started to increase in speed. He felt the first few splatters of rain, splash against his face. Remembering what Uncle Jesse said, Luke started to get the animals into the barn. In the few minutes that it took to get the animals into the barn, the storm had grown worse. The wind had picked up even more, and the rain was pouring down in steady sheets. The lightening cracked over heard, and the thunder seemed to shake everything, echoing all around the farmyard. Luke started to run towards the house, he was almost there when a loud cracking sound pierced through the air. He glanced up in time to see that a large branch of the oak tree had broke off, and before he could get out of the way it fell on top of him. Part of the branch struck Luke in the head. He could feel darkness trying to invade his mind, and tried desperately to fight it off. Bo watched from the porch as it happened.
     “Luke!” Bo yelled.
No response came. Luke could hear Bo and wanted to respond but found he didn’t have the strength to speak loud enough for Bo to hear. Fear clenched at Bo’s heart as he tried to think of what to do. He knew that he had to get over to Luke to be sure he was okay, and to get him out of the storm. He grabbed the CB, which sat on the front porch on a small table.
     “Breaker, Breaker. This is Bo Duke. I need an ambulance at the farm, right away Luke’s been hurt.” Bo said frantically, praying there was someone out there to hear his plea for help.
He relaxed some as he heard a familiar voice come back in response.
     “Okay Bo, don’t you worry, We’ll get an ambulance out there soon as we can, this storm is getting bad and it’s hard to see the road.” Rosco said.
     “Okay. Just please hurry.” Bo said.
Bo wondered if the ambulance would get there in enough time to of any help. He knew Luke couldn’t wait too long, and decided he would have to try to do something or he could lose Luke forever. He wheeled the chair down the ramp, which had become highly slippery from the rain. He wheeled over to the large branch. He could tell that Luke was pinned beneath it. He noticed Luke was slightly moving.
     “Luke, are you okay?” Bo asked, his voice filled with concern.
Luke moaned softly, his eyes fluttered open and he looked at Bo.
     “Bo . . .” Luke said, his voice was soft and weak sounding.
Bo noticed a smear of blood on Luke’s forehead, and could tell that Luke was in danger of losing consciousness.
     “Don’t worry Luke, I’ll get you out from under there, just you stay awake.” Bo said.
     “Okay.” Luke said, his voice sounded distant and tired.
The large tree branch prevented Bo from being able to get close to Luke. Bo tried to move the branch but couldn’t. He realised there was only one way the he would be able to save Luke, he would have to walk. Bo himself up and stood, his legs felt weak and he thought he was just to collapse back to the ground. Bo took a deep breath, and reminded himself he had to walk if he was going to help Luke. He slowly released his breath and took a step forward. He stumbled slightly, but managed to steady himself, then took a few more confidant steps forward. He felt weak, but kept reminding himself he had to keep moving to save Luke. After a few moments, that felt like an eternity Bo reached Luke. He knelt down beside him.
     “Luke.” Bo said.
There was no response.
     “Luke.” Bo said, this time a little more urgently.
Luke moaned and slightly opened his eyes to look at Bo.
     “You have to stay awake.” Bo said. “Can you move at all?”
Luke tried, and found he could only move a tiny little bit. “Not really.”
     “Okay, I’ll move the branch off you a little more and see if you can then.” Bo said.
Bo moved the branch slightly, but Luke still remained pinned beneath it.
     “That is not working.” Bo said, in a flustered tone. He sat and thought for a moment what to try next. “Okay new plan. If I lift it, do you think you can slid out?”
     “I don’t know.” Luke said.
     “Just try.” Bo said.
Luke nodded slightly.
Bo stood up; he ignored the pain that he felt in his back and his legs. He lifted the branch a few inches off of Luke. Luke slowly slid out from under it. Bo dropped the branch back to the ground. Bo knelt down beside Luke. The rain was causing Bo’s shirt to stick to him. He felt a couple small pieces of hail strike his arm.
     “We got to get inside, before this hail gets worse.” Bo said.
Bo helped Luke to his feet. Luke was in such a daze from being hit by the branch that it didn’t even register in his mind that Bo was out of the wheelchair and walking. Luke took a couple of steps, swaying slightly. His head started to throb harder and he could fell the darkness start to take over his mind. Bo slid an arm around Luke to support him, and walked onto the porch. Once under the shelter of the roof on the porch Bo dropped to the ground. His whole body was throbbing; he leaned slightly against the wall and held Luke’s head on his lap. He noticed the cut on Luke’s forehead was still bleeding. Bo grabbed a towel, which was on the table, and pressed it against the cut.
     “Open your eyes Luke.” Bo said. He figured that Luke had a concussion, and he knew that he couldn’t allow Luke to give into the darkness.
Luke didn’t open his eyes; Bo could tell his breathing had slowed.
     “C’mon Luke don’t go to sleep, open your eyes.” Bo said firmly, trying to hid the worry in his voice.
Luke slowly opened his eyes and looked at Bo.
     “That’s better. You just stay awake now.” Bo said.
     “Fine.” Luke said.
They could hear the sound of distant sirens approaching the house quickly. Within moments an ambulance and Rosco’s patrol car pulled to a stop in the yard. Bo waved to them. Two ambulance attendants rushed to the door with a stretcher, Rosco followed close behind. Rosco immediately noticed that Bo was not in the wheelchair, he hadn’t noticed it sitting abandoned in yard by the tree. He looked at Bo with a quizzical look. Bo noticed the look.
     “I had to walk to help Luke.” Bo said.
Rosco thought about it for a moment then smiled as it sank in. “Oh, oh. What a goody goody.”
Bo smiled slightly, he got to his feet, the pain had started to get worse and he stumbled slightly as he went to follow Luke out. Rosco caught him before he fell.
     “I’ll take ya to the hospital in my car. You should probably see a doctor.” Rosco said.
Bo nodded, and allowed Rosco to help him to the car.
     Bo gave Rosco the number to reach Jesse, so while both Bo and Luke were in with doctors Rosco called him. Bo was laying on the hospital bed; Dr. Floyyd had given him painkillers so the pain was gone. He lay worry about Luke, waiting for him to be brought into the room. A few minutes later Luke was brought in.
     “How you feeling?” Bo asked.
     “I’m just fine. The doctor just said to get some rest.” Luke said, he remembered everything that had happened. “Thanks for saving me.”
     “You’d done the same cousin.” Bo said.
Luke smiled. “That’s for sure.”
There was a couple moments of silence.
     “See cousin I told you that you had to juts keep fighting and you’d walk again.” Luke said.
Bo smiled. “Yeah. The doctor said I got to wear a back brace for a few months and have some therapy sessions to get the muscles back to working right, and in three to four months I should be fine.”
     “That’s great.” Luke said, he was starting to fall asleep.
     “Just get some sleep Luke we can talk later. Beside I am falling asleep to from the pain killers.” Bo said.
 When Jesse got there they were both fast asleep; he sat quietly on a chair between the two beds, waiting for them to wake up. Bo was the first to wake up. He smiled when he saw Jesse.
     “How you feeling?” Jesse asked.
     “I feel just fine.” Bo said.
     “What happened?” Jesse asked.
Luke could heard them talking and woke up. He opened his eyes and turned his head to face Bo and Jesse.
     “How are you doing?” Jesse asked.
     “Fine, other then a little bit o a headache.” Luke said.
     “What exactly happened?” Jesse asked.
     “The storm came on quite quickly and when I was going back for the house a branch broke off the tree and feel on me.” Luke said.
     “So I called for help then went and helped Luke.” Bo said, intentionally not mentioning that he walked.
Jesse looked at him with a curious look, he could tell there was something that neither of them was telling him.
     “The doctor said I just need some rest and I’ll be fine.” Luke said.
     “And the doctor told me I just have to wear a back brace for a few months and a few therapy sessions and I’ll be walking fine.” Bo said.
Jesse looked at Bo, and smiled as what he said sank he. “That is the best news I’ve heard in months.”
Jesse gave Bo and big hug and then gave Luke a hug. The three of them sat around talking, Bo and Luke told Jesse exactly what had happened. He sat listening his eyes sparkled with joy that both of his boys were fine, and that Bo could walk again. A while later Bo and Luke were checked over by a doctor. They were both released from the hospital.
    Jesse drove back to Hazzard.  He pulled to a stop in front of the house, the storm was long since over and the sun was shinning down brightly. As they walked towards the house, the stopped by the fallen branch.
    “That branch looks bigger then I remember it.” Luke said.
    “I thought it looked smaller.” Bo said.
    “Bigger.” Luke said, in a fake arguing tone.
    “Smaller.” Bo said, in the same tone.
    “Boys.” Jesse said sternly, even though he knew they weren’t really arguing.
Bo and Luke laughed. They noticed the discarded wheelchair near the branch. The leather of the seat of it and been torn in many spots by the hail. The wheels had sunk in slightly to the soft muddy ground. It seemed to be an odd but fitting end to the wheelchair.
     “Let’s get inside. We can worry about cleaning up this trash later.” Jesse said.
Without another word the three of them went inside. Bo called Daisy to tell her the good news.
Daisy picked up the phone, she feared that they were calling with bad news.
     “Hello.” Daisy said.
     “Hey Daisy.” Bo said.
     “Hey Bo.” Daisy said. “What’s going on?”
     “Not too much. “ Bo said. “Did it storm there to?”
     “Yeah it got quite bad.” Daisy said, wondering where the conversation was going.
     “Here to. A branch snapped off the old oak tree and fell on Luke.” Bo said.
     “Is he okay?” Daisy asked worriedly.
     “Yeah he is fine.” Bo said.
     “That’s good.” Daisy said.
     “Oh, and the other reason why I was calling was to tell you the good news.” Bo said
     “What’s that?” Daisy asked.
     “That I can walk again.” Bo said.
     “That is GOOD news.” Daisy said, her voice was filled with happiness.
     “Yeah ain’t it.” Bo said.
     “Yes very. I’ll be home in a couple hours.” Daisy said.
     “Okay, see you then.” Bo said.
Bo hung up the phone and walked slowly out to the front room and sat down on the couch next to Luke. Jesse was sitting on a chair by the fireplace.
     “Daisy said she’ll be home in a couple hours.” Bo said.
     Daisy arrived back home and rushed inside. Jesse was in the kitchen preparing crawdad bisque as a celebration dinner. She saw Bo and Luke sitting on the couch talking.  They saw her come in. Bo stood up and walked over to her. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him, then stood back.
     “What did I miss?” Daisy asked.
     “C’mon into the front room and we can tell you all about it. My back is still a little stiff when I try to walk around too much, so I want to sit back down before telling you the whole story.” Bo said.
Daisy nodded and went with Bo and Luke into the front room. Bo and Luke sat on the couch and Daisy sat on the chair. They told her everything that had happened.  After they finished telling her everything that had happened she went into the kitchen to help Jesse preparing the celebration dinner.
    Two days later Bo had his first therapy session. Luke went along with him for support. Dr. Floyyd  was surprised at how quickly Bo was recovering from his injuries. He said there was only a small handful of documented cases that were like Bo’s. Even the other doctors that came in to see how Bo was doing were surprised. They were all familiar with his case and had believed that he’d never walk again.
    Bo and Luke went to the Boar’s Nest, a week a later. Not everyone had heard that Bo was able to walk again and they were quite shocked to see Bo walk in. Bo and Luke sat down at one of the empty tables, and order a beer. A few people kept coming over to the table to ask what had happened.
    Bo had went back to being the same person he had been before the injury, not allowing the experience to change who he was. He had therapy sessions twice a week for the first month. Luke went with him every time to support him. At the end of the first month they were driving back towards Hazzard along the back roads.
     “Let me drive.” Bo said.
Luke looked over at Bo, hesitant for a moment, then realised there was no reason that Bo couldn’t drive. He pulled over to the side of the road.
     “Okay. Just take it easy.” Luke said.
     “What’s that suppose to mean?” Bo asked.
     “It means I know how you drive and I want to get back home with my car in one piece.” Luke joked.
Bo smiled at Luke. “Cute.”
They switched places, and Bo started to speed down the winding dirt road that led to Hazzard. They just crossed over the Hazzard County line, when the sound of sirens pierced through the air behind them. Bo glanced into the rear view mirror.
     “It’s Rosco.” Bo said.
     “We ain’t even speeding.” Luke said. “Why is he chasing us?”
Bo shrugged. “I don’t know. But I don’t plan on stopping to ask him either so he can give me a ticket.”
Bo pushed the accelerator to the floor and started to quickly to pull away from Rosco’s patrol car.  Rosco kept pursuing them.
     “Ain’t you going to lose him?” Luke asked.
     “I will.” Bo said, and pulled on to Ridge Runners road.
Rosco still remained behind them. Bo slowed slightly as he took the corner by Hazzard Pond. Rosco didn’t slow up for the corner and went off the edge of the road, and splashed into the pond. Bo and Luke looked back and watched as Rosco climbed out through the window of his car.
     “Told you I would lose him.” Bo said.
     “Okay, now let’s get home.” Luke said.
Bo nodded and sped off towards the farmhouse.
    Bo still didn’t go back to school there was only a few months left, so there seemed to be little point in going back for so few classes. Also Dr. Floyyd had told him to take it easy, and not to try over doing anything. During the second month Bo only went to therapy once a week. Bo and Luke spent most the time that Bo wasn’t in therapy fishing, running shine, or just racing along the back roads.
     Bo took a high school equivalence test, just before the time that school would be over. He passed the test with a C+ average, which Jesse was quite pleased with considering how much school Bo had missed and considering that he had never really got good grades in school.  He attended his graduation and graduated with his friends.
Bo started to only have therapy every other week, and by summer Bo was back to normal. He no longer needed the brace, he walked with no signs of any injury, nobody could tell the Bo had once been paralysed.