Hey everyone, I'd like to thank y'all for the wonderful comments. they really are a help. I sure hope you enjoy this next chapter. Like always, please R&R
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The next three weeks went by in a flash. Bo and Mindy Sue spent much of those three weeks packing and getting ready to be away from home. Neither had been away from Hazzard for a very long period of time before, so they weren't quite sure what to expect or what to pack. Only a few days remained before Bo and Mindy Sue's journey to Kansas, when Bo bought a car off of Cooter for him and Mindy Sue to drive up to Metropolis together in.
Bo spent a lot of extra time working on the farm during those few weeks because he felt a little guilty about leaving all the work to Jesse and Luke. Uncle Jesse argued with him for the millionth time on, Bo's last day in Hazzard while out in the field.
"Bo, stop feelin' guilty. You don't know how proud I am of ya getting' inta college, not just any college, but a real good one. You don't need to worry about the farm, Luke an' I have got it all taken care of this season. Bo, you just need ta get out there in Kansas, try hard, do yer best, then come back so ya can get married here at home good and proper."
"I know that Uncle Jesse, I still just can't help but feel guilty about leavin' you and Luke just before harvest season."
"Bo, how many times do I have ta tell ya? We'll be fine. You need ta stop frettin' about the harvest and start spending yer time on Mindy Sue, and on school, and the weddin'."
Bo smiled a goofy love struck grin at the though of his fiancé and marriage in the same sentence. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I wouldn't be a Duke if I didn't take good care of my beautiful girl now that I got her."
"That's right Bo. You done good. You found a girl that'd make all the Dukes proud, and got inta school which would make 'em even prouder. Now Bo, I want ya ta drop that hoe and get inside and take care o' Mindy Sue, and not worry any more about this here farm anymore."
"But-"
"No buts, now git!"
"Bu-"
"Git!"
"Yes sir."
Bo finally relented and did what his uncle said. He put away his hoe and went inside. After graciously accepting a glass of lemonade offered by Daisy and chugging the entire thing plus a second glass, Bo washed his face and spent a nice afternoon with Mindy Sue and Daisy putting the finishing touches on their packing and stuffing their suitcases in the car.
Later in the afternoon, Luke and Jesse joined the three back at the house after they finished with the farm work. Uncle Jesse made his famous crawdad bisque for supper, and then they all spent the evening in the family room talking, and playing games upon games of checkers. They played and chatted deep into the night mainly because they enjoyed each other's company and didn't want it to end. They knew that it was their last evening together so they made it last. Finally after that last game of checkers of many, Bo yawned and checked the time. He saw that it was really late, so he stood up and kissed Mindy Sue's hand.
"'s late, I better take you home Mindy Sue. We got a big day tomorrow and we probably should get some rest 'cause we have an early start."
"Alright Bo. Goodnight everyone, I'll see ya'll in the mornin'."
The rest of the Dukes all wished her a goodnight and then Bo took her out to the car and drove Mindy Sue back home. Once she was delivered, Bo came back and then went to bed himself. Bo was bushed, but couldn't sleep. For the longest time he just laid in his bed just thinking about his life in Hazzard. Bo thought of when he was younger and missed Luke when he went off to the War in the marines. He thought of that fateful day when him and Luke got caught running moonshine and had to serve probation. He remembered the day, not six months ago, when that same probation was lifted. What a great day that was. Uncle Jesse brought out a jug of his last batch of shine for a get together with the Duke family and Cooter.
Bo then thought of the day he first set eyes on Mindy Sue. She had been a quiet introvert on the other side of Hazzard who didn't get out much. They accidentally bumped into each other while in the post office. He saw the size of her package and asked if he could help her. Bo carried her enormous package home for her and they hit their relationship off from there. A smile danced across his as so many fond memories of Hazzard drifted through his head. A last thought of his proposal and Mindy Sue's acceptance flitted across his mind before Bo finally drifted into his last sound slumber in Hazzard that he'd have for a long time.
The rooster crowed which woke the Duke family from their rest. The day had finally come. Bo and Mindy Sue were leaving that day so that they'd get to campus in time for the start of classes.
That morning Daisy whipped up a huge breakfast with all of Bo's favorites. Mindy Sue came over to the Duke's after saying goodbye to her own family and shared that nice meal with her soon to be family. After breakfast there was some last minute packing and getting stuff into the car. Finally all was set and ready to go and all the Dukes went out to the front of the house and to the car.
"So yer all packed and ready ta go? Did ya forget anything?"
"Yes we are Uncle Jesse. An' I don't think I forgot anythin'."
"You forgot one thing Bo."
"What did I forget Daisy?"
"You forgot ta give us a hug goodbye."
Bo immediately went up and gave his cousin a big hug and a kiss on the head. "How could I have forgotten that? I'm gonna miss ya Daisy."
"Me too Sugar."
Daisy gave Mindy Sue a great big hug. "Don't forget ta call when ya get there honey, and make sure ya call so we can get some weddin' arrangements goin'."
She giggled back to Daisy, "Don't worry, I won't."
Both Bo and Mindy Sue went and hugged Uncle Jesse. "Be careful out there Bo, and drive safe."
"Don't worry, I will Uncle Jesse."
Finally Bo went over to Luke who was standing near the General Lee and gave him a guy hug, smacking him hard on the back. "Take care of the General when I'm away cousin."
"You bet I will. I'm gonna follow ya in 'im 'til we reach the state line. Yer on yer own after that."
"Alright! Thanks Luke."
So Bo and Mindy Sue got in their car and Luke got in the General and then they were off with a "Yeehaw!" Luke pressed the horn letting "Dixie" play as they left the Duke farm in a cloud of dust. Jesse whispered after the cloud had settled, "Good luck." And then went back inside with his arm around Daisy.
Mindy Sue and Bo smiled as they passed all the places in Hazzard they remembered having fun in. They laughed when they passed a certain spot where a particular incident of pestering Rosco and getting away with it had happened. Speaking of Rosco, flashy lights and a siren could be heard coming from behind the two cars. Bo picked up the CB radio and spoke to both Mindy Sue and Luke.
"Hey, it looks like we got company."
"It's Rosco." Luke replied.
"Yeah no kiddin'. Who do ya think tipped him off that we were leavin' t'day?. I'd bet he wants ta nail us for one last thing before we're gone."
"That'd be my guess too. I don't know how he did it, but let's not let 'im catch us. We're near the state line anyways, it'd drive him nuts once we cross it and he can't do anythin'.
Both Mindy Sue and Bo laughed, "Yeah you're right."
Bo pressed his foot on the accelerator just a little bit harder. The General Lee's powerful engine could be heard speeding up as well. They sped past a sharp turn and Bo put his car on two wheels. When they landed on all fours again, Sheriff Rosco's giggle could be heard over the CB.
"This is Rosco P. Coltrane. Bo Duke I got ya! Pull over right now."
"Rosco, we haven't done anything, Why are ya chasin us?"
"I'm chase ya cause I can Bo Duke, and I'll get ya fer crossin' the state line."
"We ain't on probation anymore, we can cross the line any time we want. Oh and Rosco, Mindy Sue and I are goin' ta school so ya ain't gonna see us for a while, so take a good look at our tail lights. Ya ain't gonna see those again any time soon, I know you're gonna miss seein' those."
"I'll get ya fer speedin' then!" He yelled into the CB with another unique giggle.
Just then Bo sped past the state line and Luke sent the notes of "Dixie" into the air again before screeching to a stop.
"Bye Bye Rosco." The blonde called into his CB.
Rosco stopped his police cruiser at the state line. He shook his fist at the retreating car. "Oh…. You… you get outta here Bo Duke! 'n' good riddance."
Luke laughed "Good luck cousin, I'll see ya when ya get back.
Glancing over his shoulder he smiled back at his cousin and at Hazzard "See ya soon Luke." And then drove off into the distance with Mindy Sue in hand, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.
Little did Bo know that that "soon" would be a lot longer than he thought.
