***Tissue warning***

The Passing of a Legacy

My soul is full of whispered song;
My blindness is my sight;
The shadows that I feared so long
Are all alive with light.

~Alice Cary, Dying Hymn

October 12, 1981

The next morning Enos was at the station, scheduled to work a twelve-hour day, but he hadn't slept a wink last night. As he drove home last night, he was struck by just how frail Beth looked. She had paled, dark circles now remained a constant under her once bright eyes and she was noticeably thinner.

Something serious was wrong and Enos was not taking "no" for an answer today. When he left work, he was driving straight to the ranch with Doc Appleby in tow if necessary.

The more he thought about it this morning, the more he wanted to call, but he had made a promise to keep their friendship secret. With Hazzard being on the party line, he couldn't call. Everyone would know Enos and Beth had spent time together.

Beth had come to mean the world to him in just a few short months. If anyone were to ask, it would be tough to define the relationship. He supposed very dear friends, but not romantic friends would cover it. She was twice his age, but he never once felt uncomfortable around her. He was free to be himself.

Enos decided not to wait until this evening to help Beth. He grabbed the keys to the cruiser and rushed out of the station, hoping to catch Doc Appleby alone. He pulled up to the house as Doc Appleby walked out to his station wagon, his black bag in hand.

"Hey Doc?!" Enos jumped out of the patrol car to catch him. "Doc Appleby! Wait! I gotta talk to ya' right away! It's awful important! Is there any way you can go out and check on Be...um...I-I mean Miss O'Connell this morning?"

Whoops.

Enos calling Elizabeth O'Connell by her first name caused Doc Appleby to stop short.

He turned a critical eye to the young deputy. "Enos? How do you know Miss O'Connell?"

"I-I'm sorry, Doc Appleby. I know Miss Beth don't want anybody knowin' I've been spendin' time with her, but we're just friends is all. Friends look out for each other and I don't think Miss Beth is doin' very well. She almost fainted yesterday when we got back from our trail ride."

"You? You. You went on a trail ride...with Miss O'Connell." The critical gaze sharpened.

Enos felt oddly guilty. "Um…c-could ya' please go by and check on her Doc? Please? I'd be mighty obliged to ya' if ya' didn't say anything to anybody. I just want to make sure she's okay. She said it felt like she had th' flu, but she's been lookin' tired for days. I can't get out to check on her myself until after my shift ends and I don't think she should be alone. I should have stayed, I feel real bad about it. I'm awful worried."

"All right, Enos. I'm on my way to see her now. I'll check her out, okay?" Doc knew the inevitable outcome, but didn't have authority to tell Enos. "Did Beth tell you anything else about her condition? What exactly did she say to you?"

Enos crinkled his forehead. "She said she over did it and she just gets tired sometimes. She said ya' gave her somethin' for th' pain in her knees, but last night she was runnin' a fever. She took her medicine, but by th' time, I had th' horses un-saddled she could hardly stay awake. I had to carry her into th' house!"

"You carried her into the...oh, boy." Doc Appleby rubbed his neck. What is she up to!?

"I wasn't gonna leave her outside all night!"

"No. Of course not."

Mrs. Gaffrey had called Doc Appleby in the middle of the night to tell him Beth was sick and in terrible pain. This was his second call since that time, but it was clear that Beth hadn't told Enos the whole truth. She was up to something and it was making the country doctor nervous.

Doc put a hand on Enos's shoulder. "I want you to come by my office later. I'll be back around 1:00PM, if need be I'll come to you. She does need her rest so as hard as it might be, don't go to the ranch unless you clear it with me first. Whatever you do, don't call. You know Maybelle would have a field-day spreading the rumors if she heard you call to check up on Miss O'Connell."

"Yes sir." Enos replied. "A promise is a promise. Would ya' please tell her I'm thinkin' about her and I hope she's feelin' better real soon?"

"Of course I will, Enos. I'll see you later."

Enos shook his hand with a relieved smile. "Thanks, Doc. I feel better about things already! I sure do appreciate it!"

As Doc Appleby watched Enos drive away, he knew that Beth had kicked a beehive, but probably wouldn't live to see the swarm. He had a soft spot in his heart for Enos. He went through a bad time when he lost his father and more. Why, after all this time, would Beth act now? He shook his head as he got into his station wagon. Once he arrived at the ranch, he knew things would be rough.

Sheriff Rosco sent Enos to set up the road construction and detour signs on Hwy. 142. That would now send all traffic past the Boar's Nest. He figured another country/western singer was on the way. He didn't like this, but it was better than having to put cuffs on Bo and Luke, or try to anyway. It was one of those times where he had to look the other way and another reason he was applying for jobs in big cities.

Once that task was finished, he was sent to a speed trap on the far side of the County and told to stay put until further notice. Boss and Rosco were definitely up to more illegal shenanigans and he was being kept out of the way.

The morning passed slower than molasses in January and Enos was restless. He wished there was some way to reach Beth and he wondered how she was holding up. The thought of moving away wasn't as appealing these days. Daisy wasn't seeing anyone, he wouldn't share fun times with Beth if he got that job in L.A. They had so much fun together this summer.

Enos chuckled to himself when he remembered the last time he ended up in the mud. It was in mid July.

Beth looked up the hill with a playful smile. "Hey, you up for a race to the top?"

Enos pulled back on Sam's reins. "Depends, whatcha gonna cook if I win?"

She laughed and said, "Little confident there aren't you? I tell you what we'll do. You win and I'll make you lunch for the week. If I win, you muck the stalls for a week."

"Anything I want for lunch?"

"Yes sir."

"Deal!" Enos popped his reins and took of with Sam at a dead run.

This was about food after all.

"Enos!" Beth shouted and kicked Sadie into a run. "I didn't say go yet!" She was impressed that he thought of it first.

Sam was sure footed and Enos was having a blast ducking through the trees and around the turns in the trail. Beth was right behind him and gaining fast.

She was amazed at Enos's skill. He had become a highly skilled rider almost overnight, even though he still called himself a beginner. He was a natural in the saddle.

Enos approached an old fallen tree and prepared for his jump. He had done it several times now and was gaining in confidence. Unfortunately, he didn't know that the rain from earlier in the week had created a huge pool of muddy water on the other side.

Sam could smell it.

Beth saw what was about to happen and called out, "No! Enos don't try to-"

She wasn't fast enough. Sam darted hard to the right. Enos went airborne, flying over the tree and landing smack in the middle of the mud. Beth ran to the tree and stopped Sadie. Once she saw that Enos was unharmed, she burst out laughing. He was a sight – covered from head to toe in mud.

Enos tried to stand. "Hey, I thought ya' said no laughin' at rookie mistakes?"

The weight of the mud slowed him down as he trudged back to the fallen tree to climb out. It was proving to be a little further away and higher up than it initially appeared.

Beth was holding her side during her fit of laughter. "I know what I said, but I didn't expect you to dismount so…gracefully!" She clapped in applause. "I'd give that at least a 9.9!"

"It ain't that funny! C'mon! Ain't ya' gonna help me out?" Enos was slowly making progress toward her.

He was knee deep in the thick mire when Sam came trotting back to Sadie. Both horses seemed to look at Enos in amusement.

"See?" Enos said. "Even the horses are laughin' at me now! Sam, this is all your fault buddy!"

"Yeah, Sam. No treats for you."

Enos was almost to the tree when he slipped and fell again, much to Beth's amusement. She doubled over in laughter, unable to stop herself.

"Ding dang it, Beth! Are ya' gonna help me out or sit there laughin'?"

Enos got a case of the giggles, which didn't help his balance at all.

"Oh, all right sourpuss! Hold on and I'll give you a hand."

Beth dismounted and moved Sadie next to the tree. She climbed on the log, intending to use Sadie for balance. She grabbed the saddle horn with one hand and offered the other to Enos.

"Enos! I'm half your size! I don't know how I'm going to pull you out of there!" She giggled at this poorly thought out plan. "You know, you really caught air. I had no idea you could fly so well without your patrol car."

"That ain't funny!"

"Yes it is!" she said. "Okay, okay, at least you aren't sinking. Hold on! Don't worry! I'll save you!" Her dramatics were followed by more laughter.

"Beth!" Enos was laughing right along with her. "C'mon, now! I got an idea but ya' gotta stop laughin' or we're gonna be here all night. Now…just…just…give me your hand."

"Okay," Beth giggled. "I'm ready. I'll pull, but you've got to get closer."

"I'm comin', hold your horses…"

"You wouldn't be in there if you'd held yours!"

He shot her a perturbed look.

"Okay, I'm ready this time, really. Just try not to slip on the way up." Beth was giggling, but she was ready to help. She once again grabbed the saddle horn and braced herself as she extended her hand "Come on. I'm ready, get up here silly."

"Yes ma'am." Enos reached out and grabbed her hand. He braced his boot on the tree trunk, looked up…and winked

"Enos! Don't you-"

Enos pulled her down and she landed next to him face first. He was sprawled out next to her in a fit of laughter of his own.

"Y-you are in so much trouble!" Beth picked up a handful of mud and slung it, hitting him in the forehead."

Enos's heart warmed as he remembered how they still broke into laughter over that day. It was one of many wonderful memories they shared. The radio interrupted his reverie.

"Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane callin' Hazzard Two. Hazzard Two what's your 20, come back?"

"Sheriff this is Hazzard Two, I'm parked at the designated location awaiting further instructions."

"What are ya' doin' that for!? I need ya' back at th' station! We've got a mess of papers that need to be filed and moved into the storage room. By th' way, Cletus ain't gonna be in until 9:00. I need ya' to work late tonight. Ya' get a move on, double quick! Sheriff Rosco, over and out."

9:00PM!? Enos groaned and replied, "10-4 Sheriff, Hazzard Two is 10-19 to station, ETA 40 minutes."

Enos made the long drive back to town and made a point to stop by Doc Appleby's to see if he had returned. The station wagon was nowhere in sight. It was after 3:00. That wasn't a good sign. His heart sank.

He parked in front of the Courthouse and hurried inside the station. The place was deserted. A mountain of old files waited for him in the conference room, all of which needed to be put in chronological and alphabetical order, boxed, and hauled downstairs to the storage room.

Enos muttered. "This is gonna take days."

He picked up the first stack of files and started to work. He was trapped here until 9:00PM and hadn't heard a peep from Doc Appleby. This would be much easier if he knew Beth was okay.

At the Circle M Ranch, things were very bleak. Doc Appleby found Beth in much worse shape than expected. Her fever was terribly high and there was nothing more that he could do for her. She didn't want Enos to see her this way and begged for help to write him one last letter.

Beth suffered through that last letter in every way imaginable. Doc Appleby stood by and did what he could to manage the physical pain, while Mrs. Gaffrey wrote for her and offered all the love and emotional comfort she had.

Many tears were shed as Beth expressed her love, her joys, her regrets and her sorrow over not seeing Enos in person again. Now all she could do was hope that the rest of her plan fell into place. It would be six long years before he received this letter, but she had to be sure he would accept her gift.

The light outside the window turned grey as dusk approached. Beth had been in and out of consciousness for the past two hours. Mrs. Gaffrey was exhausted, but refused to leave her side. She was curled up in the bed along side Beth, determined to hold her hand until the end.

At 7:30PM, after a long and stressful day, the somber silence of the bedroom was interrupted.

Beth whispered weakly, "Mrs. Gaffrey?"

"Yes honey. I'm here, Beth. What can I do for you?"

"Look, he's here." Tears slipped from Beth's eyes as she gazed lovingly at the foot of the bed. "It's been so long since I've seen him. He said he would come back for me. He's taking me home. We're finally going to have our time together."

"Who is it, Beth? Tell me what you see, sweetheart." It was so hard for Mrs. Gaffrey to accept that her precious Beth would soon be gone.

Doc Appleby had prepared Mrs. Gaffrey for the possibility that Beth may hallucinate, or see loved ones that weren't really there. It was part of the process of dying.

Beth smiled, "You know who he is. He brought fresh wildflowers from Swallows Meadow, just like always. He never stopped loving us … never. It's been so long since I saw that smile. I've missed you so much … so much … it's been so hard all these years without you. You know he has…your eyes…and your… heart …" With a peaceful smile, her eyes closed.

"Beth? Beth!?" Mrs. Gaffrey looked to Doc Appleby.

"I'm sorry, Leanne. She's gone." Doc Appleby noted the time as Mrs. Gaffrey sobbed.

He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Leanne, I'll make the necessary calls. You take all the time you need.

Barely able to speak, Mrs. Gaffrey choked out, "What about Enos?"

Doc shook his head. "I'll find him and make sure he knows her wishes for the funeral."

"Thank you, Thomas. I just can't think about that right now. I wish I could see him! Oh, I can't believe she's gone!"

"Now, Leanne, I know you're suffering, but for Beth's plan to work we have to stay out of the way. We have to do as she asked. I'll tell Nelson and have him come sit with you. Stay strong, dear. Stay strong."

The doctor was overcome with empathy. Enos would be hurt and confused. Doc Appleby would be unable to alleviate his pain or answer his questions – for six long years.

Doc Appleby found Nelson Brady. He stayed with Mrs. Gaffrey and Beth while Doc made his calls. Once things were handled at the house, he would have to drive into town to give Enos the bad news.

Beth had asked that Enos carry her casket. Being a deputy, Enos had often been asked to serve as pallbearer for people with little to no family. Doc Appleby felt that no one would be the wiser, except for one. She could be a problem.

The doctor prayed that Beth's secrets would remain buried with her for six more years and that her dying wishes would not be ruined.

If they were very lucky, Beth would be laid to rest before too many people learned of her passing. Just in case, Doc Appleby would also ask Rosco to serve as a pallbearer. He would do all he could to protect Beth's plan.

It had been a long day at the station and time had crept by. Enos kept watching the door, listening for some word from Doc Appleby. It was almost 8:15PM and he was worried.

Beth had become such an important part of his life. Since they met in April, they had spent almost every evening together, riding through the countryside, talking for hours, or enjoying comfortable silence where no words were needed. He was more confident about himself, something else he attributed to Beth.

Enos was thinking of asking Daisy out on an official date and hoped that Beth would agree to meet her. That way Beth could share his friendship with the Dukes. They would never hurt her, or allow her to be hurt by others. He hoped in time he could help her let go of the fears she still carried from her time in school. He never wanted her to feel the need to hide, or be alone again.

Frustrated, Enos made another pot of coffee and returned to the conference room and the boxes of files. He picked up the next stack and heard the blinds rustle on the back door of the squad room.

Enos rushed out of the conference room to find Doc Appleby. The man looked exhausted, but he didn't like what he saw in the doctor's eyes. He knew that look. Something was wrong, really, wrong.

"Hey Doc Appleby!" He immediately put up his protective armor. "Ya' sure do look tuckered. It's been a long day, ain't it? Let me get ya' some coffee." Enos spun around and walked to the coffee pot.

Doc Appleby took a step forward. "Enos. I'd like-"

"Oh, I just made a fresh pot. I can't remember if ya'…if…if you take…I…" Enos couldn't stop his hands from shaking long enough to pour the coffee.

For a moment, he just stood there, his back to Doc Appleby, afraid to turn around, or speak, or move...No. Not again.

"Enos we need to-"

"Sugar. Ya' take two sugars." Enos managed to pour two cups, each about half full, totally forgetting sugar in Doc Appleby's.

Enos quickly walked to Doc Appleby and handed him the cup. "Here ya' go. Still fresh. Made it myself."

He quickly tried to turn away, but Doc caught him by the arm, forcing him to face him. Enos dropped his eyes to the floor.

Doc whispered, "Come sit down. We need to talk, son."

"I c-can't sit down, Doc. I…how is…I can't…" Enos's mind flashed back to that night when headlights shone through the darkness of his bedroom in the hills.

Doc Appleby hated this part of his job. It was clear that Beth had become much closer to Enos in the past months than he imagined. He sat down the coffee and put his hands on Enos's shoulders.

"Enos, Beth is- "

"When?" Enos asked abruptly, trying not to choke.

"This evening. Around 7:30."

Enos backed away from the doctor. The coffee mug slipped from his grasp and glass shattered at his feet. He spun around to grab the desk and balance his now unsteady body.

"Enos, come sit down."

"I-I'm…I'm okay." Liar. Enos turned to face Doc Appleby and leaned against the edge of the desk. "Why? Wh-what happened? I just…I just went riding' with her last night."

Doc took his shoulders again, as if he were unstable dynamite. He spoke very carefully. "Beth had a rare form of cancer. She developed an infection and her body was too weak to fight it. Sometimes patients can die suddenly. I'm terribly-"

"Don't! Don't say that word!" Enos yelled. "J-just don't say it!"

"Okay, let's slow down. Take some deep breaths for me." Doc Appleby didn't know if he should continue or not.

He was deeply concerned that Enos might not be able to handle this.

"Enos, I know this is a lot for you right now, but there are a few things I need to pass along. Things that Beth wanted. She asked if you would serve as a pallbearer at the funeral. Do you think-"

"She doesn't have any family, or friends, and- "

"She had you, Enos."

His head shot up and he yelled, "Has! Beth has me!" Enos again dropped his gaze to the floor, "Doc Appleby, please don't bring her to town. She doesn't like it here. She…she told me so. Please d-don't bring her here."

"Enos? Are you okay?"

"Yes…no…I..." Enos's heart was pounding so loudly it was drowning out the sound of anything else. The walls began to feel as if they would close in and crush him. He needed to get out of there.

"I gotta go." Enos turned and grabbed the keys from his desk then started for the door.

"Oh no you don't!" Doc Appleby positioned himself between Enos and the door. "Enos, you stay here and sit down. You're too upset to drive!"

Upset was an understatement. Enos was inconsolable. Tears began to flow and he choked back a sob that threatened to involuntarily repeat with no end in sight.

"Give me the keys. Please, Enos. Hand them over." Doc Appleby put his hand out hoping Enos would just give them up. He held his breath and waited.

Finally, Enos closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to focus on his breathing.

"That's good, Enos, just take it slow."

Enos sighed and looked at the floor. "D-Doc, I'll be by tomorrow to talk to ya'. I can't do it right now and…" His voice left him, the emotion choking him.

"No, you're gonna give me those keys and I'll drive you home. Then tomorrow we can talk. Okay?"

"No."

"Enos I'm not letting you out of here."

"Ya' ain't gonna be able to stop me." Enos turned and bolted for the doors in the booking room.

"Enos!? Enos! You just wait now…please!" Doc Appleby called after him but it was no use. Enos was out the door and gone.

Doc Appleby moved to the desk and picked up the telephone, "Maybelle? It's Doc Appleby, I need you to find the Sheriff for me. Have him come to the station right away. It's a personal favor."

Enos ran down the steps to his patrol car and drove away in the darkness as fast as he could. He just drove. He was in the middle of nowhere when Rosco's voice came over the radio.

"Sheriff Rosco to Hazzard Two, Sheriff Rosco to Hazzard Two, Enos you got your ears on? Enos? Doc Appleby is here at the-"

Enos turned off the radio. He kept driving as fast and far as he could, ending up at the pond. He had nowhere else to go. He couldn't go to Daisy. He couldn't go to the ranch. He didn't want to go home. This was the only place left that he could think of.

They were here, together, just two days ago. Didn't he just deal with this? Now the anger, no it was rage, was back with a vengeance. The wind began to blow, lightning flashed across the sky and thunder rumbled loudly. The place took on an almost evil appearance, but Enos was too lost in his grief to notice.

He got out of the patrol car and walked to the tree at the water's edge. Yesterday he was with Beth, on the porch swing. She was warm. She was alive. He carried her to her room. How could everything change so fast in twenty-four hours? His thoughts went back to this past Saturday, when Beth was here with him at this very spot beneath the tree.

Beth promised to take him to Swallows Meadow. Now all he had left were memories. There wasn't a single photo, gift, or object. Not a single touchable thing existed to connect him to Beth.

The thunder boomed and the sky opened, rain poured down on him in buckets, soaking him to the skin. He didn't care.

Beth was dead. Gone. His Beth. His secret special friend was dead. He didn't even get to say goodbye. He could barely stand the pain. Why didn't she tell him she was so sick? Why start a new relationship with a near stranger if you know you are going to die?

Maybe Beth needed him just as much as he needed her. She didn't set out to hurt him.

"Beth, why didn't ya' tell me? Why? I could have been there for ya'. How do I say goodbye? I miss you so much!"

Enos crumpled to the ground as the storm raged around him. His tears mixed with the rain and the thunder drowned out his sobs.

Eventually, chilled to the bone and emotionally exhausted, he pulled himself up and drove to the Boarding House. Several hours had passed since leaving the station. When he got to his room, his phone was ringing.

Enos yanked the cord from the wall. He pulled off his wet clothes and left them in a pile, grabbing a warm pair of sweat pants and a sweatshirt from his days at the Academy. He crawled into the bed under the warm covers.

As he lay alone in the darkness, the storm continued to punish the world outside his window. Tears fell uninhibited and he realized that it really was possible to live and love a lifetime in just a few months.