----------

Jessie sighed as he looked from Bo to Luke. "Let me get this straight, the medicines aren't working." He pointed to Luke. "And you knew about this and didn't tell me?"

Luke sighed. Here it came again. He was going to catch heat for something Bo did. He didn't bother to deny it

Bo picked his head up from where it was hanging. "No, Uncle Jessie. I only told him today and he convinced me to tell you. I was going to try again with another day, but I was really tired of feeling sick, drowsy or sneezy."

Jessie stared at Bo. "Well that means another visit to the doctor."

"Can't we just go see Doc Applebee?" Bo asked, trying hard not to whine. "I don't want to go back to Atlanta. That guy didn't really help me and I don't think he can."

Jessie nodded his head. "Alright, then. We will go see Doc Applebee tomorrow."

Bo started to smile but at his Uncle's next words the smile slid off his face.

"One more time you lie to me boy, and I'm gonna take your hide back behind the woodshed and teach you the meaning about truth." Jessie growled at Bo.

"Yes, sir." Bo said meekly. He brought his hand up to cover his face as a sneeze chose that time to show itself. "HahChuhh!!"

"Bless you," Luke said at the same time Jessie said, "God bless."

Bo blushed a deep red. "Thanks." He wiped his hand on his jeans.

"Now both of you, get out of my sight for now. Go find something productive to do while staying out of trouble." Jessie said as he left the room.

"Come on, lets go outside where you can sneeze freely all you want while we work on the General." Luke said with a smile in his voice. "I'll make sure to bring the hankies."

Bo smiled as he followed his cousin out of the house. "I guess I barely skimmed that one."

"Yeah, you got lucky. Next time you might not, so you better be careful from now on. I don't think he's kidding when it comes to these allergies of yours." Luke went and popped the hood on the General and lifted it.

"Oh you don't have to worry about that. There isn't going to be a next time." Bo leaned over and checked something in the engine. "If what Doc Applebee does for me doesn't help, I'm saying something right away."

"Yeah, yeah I'll believe that when I see it."

Bo picked up a rag and tossed it playfully at his cousin. Life sure was better when he wasn't keeping secrets, he realized. For the first time in four days he felt better.

They spent the rest of the afternoon working on the car and the tractor and for once, staying out of trouble. If anyone would have passed the farm they would have heard happy laughter from two country cousins that thought the world of each other.

It wasn't a bad way to spend an afternoon.

-End