Disclaimer: This story was written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters from The Dukes of Hazzard do not belong to me.
March 2007
Gia August
A Shot in the Dark
A hopeful attempt at something
Chapter One
A Little Guilt Is A Good Thing
Luke
I regretted my words even as they were coming out of my mouth but that didn't stop me. I was too dang mad. I knew what I was saying was hurtful and untrue but I kept on spewing them words anyway. And, to be honest, it was probably the reason I said them. The fact that I had been half out of my mind with worry, ain't no good excuse to justify them either.
I saw the hurt in Bo's eyes before it was quickly replaced by anger. And once we got going insulting each other, there was no stopping us. That was until Uncle Jesse stepped in and threatened to take both of us over his knee and whup us good if we didn't stop. That was usually enough to put an end to it right then and there. It's been some time since he actually followed through on that particular threat but I ain't quite certain that he wouldn't actually do it if we got him riled enough. That surely is something I don't want to experience ever again. It would be too dang humiliating. At least I had the good sense to shut my mouth.
For a change, Bo showed the same good sense and listened to Uncle Jesse without arguing. The two of us stood there glaring at each other until Bo stormed off, slamming the kitchen door shut behind him. Uncle Jesse gave me that look of his that clearly let me know that he was disappointed in me. I looked down at the floor as I shoved my hands in the back pockets of my jeans. He can still make me feel like a bad little boy. Not that "bad" would've been his word. He always told us that we weren't bad although we may have done a bad thing. But it's as good a word as any to describe how that look made me feel—maybe guilty and ashamed would do too. He shook his head at me and then went out the door without saying another word. Uncle Jesse could express more in what he didn't say than most men could in what they did say.
I was left standing in the kitchen all by myself feeling about as low as you can possibly get. Bo was mad at me. Uncle Jesse was disappointed in me. The only one who wasn't upset with me was Daisy and that was most likely because she wasn't home. She didn't like to take sides when Bo and me fought but I knew she wouldn't be happy with me either. And I was both mad and disappointed in myself. I decided that I better go find Bo and make it right with him. I needed to apologize for all the things I said.
As I stepped out on the back porch, I heard the roar of the General Lee's engine. I hurried down the steps just in time to see the General's taillights and a wake of dust as Bo accelerated and quickly sped down the dirt road. That was Bo for you—always making a quick exit when we had a fight. He wasn't one to stick around after we got into it. He needed time to cool off by himself. If it were up to me, we'd fight it out till we settled it then and there but that wasn't my cousin.
When I saw Uncle Jesse in the yard, I yelled to him, "I'm gonna take the truck and go find Bo."
Just as I was climbing into the driver's seat of the old pickup, Uncle Jesse grabbed hold of my arm. He said, "You ain't going nowhere, boy. Give Bo a chance to settle down. I don't want you two getting into it again without me there to referee if need be."
"I ain't gonna fight with him, Uncle Jesse. I want to apologize for the things I said."
"Well, that's good," he said. "I'm glad to hear you came to your senses but I think it's best if you give him some time and space to settle down. That's how Bo is. You may be sorry now but that don't erase what you said. It was mean, Luke."
I hung my head in shame knowing that Uncle Jesse was right. When he saw how terrible I felt, he took pity on me. He smiled slightly and gently said, "That don't mean he ain't gonna forgive you, 'cause he will. He loves you and he always will."
When I didn't look up, Uncle Jesse pulled me into a hug that I was grateful for. I quickly returned it. He said, "A little guilt is a good thing, Lukas, but don't let it eat you up. Fix things with Bo and then put it all behind you."
"Yes, sir. I will," I answered sincerely with determination.
"Good boy," he said. "I was heading for the truck myself when you tried to beat me to it. I promised Mrs. Jacobson that I'd come by this afternoon to fix her door. It's hard for her being all alone out there. I'll be back shortly. Meanwhile, you get the chores done while you're waiting for Bo to get back."
"Yes, sir," I answered.
Uncle Jesse smiled at me and patted my back before climbing into his truck. He made me feel just a little bit better.
The old pickup didn't kick up quite as much dust as the General Lee but then Uncle Jesse was in no hurry. When he was gone, I sat down on the pack steps, elbows on my knees and head in my hands. I hoped Bo wouldn't stay away too long. I really did hate it when we were at odds. I sat there for a long time thinking about how I managed to mess things up so badly.