Chapter 3:

"Well doc, how's my boy?" Jesse asked.

"He seems to be gettin' closer to wakin' up. What he's doin' is dreamin'. Just keep a close eye on him."

"Thanks doc." Jesse said. Walking into the hospital room, he looked at the boy that lay so still. "Come on Bo, it's time to wake up. It's too quite without your trouble makin' agoin' on." Taking the boys hand he continued. "What made ya do such a durned fool stunt? Don't ya know how bad we'd miss ya if'n ya don't pull outta this? I love ya Bo."

'Don't that just break ya heart? Now while Jesse had been talkin' with the doctor, ole Ben was adoin' the same.'

"Well Paul?"

"Ben I can't find anything wrong with the boy. Other than his strange talk. You know; he was telling me about this thing called a tractor. Said all you do is get on it and plow the fields. Said you don't have to have anything pulling it."

"Paul, do you think the boy is…?"

"Tetched." Joe clarified.

"Joseph!"

"Sorry Pa."

"No Ben, I don't think it's anything more than an overactive imagination. Nothing you can't handle."

"Adam, why don't you and Hoss go into town and see if you can find out anything about him. Talk to Roy, maybe send a few wires." Ben requested.

"Sure Pa."

"Oh and get the boy some decent clothes. He can't go around looking like that."

"What about me Pa?" Joe asked, caught up in the moment.

"You get to keep Bo company for the day."

"Sure Pa, I kinda like hearin' all those crazy stories of his."

"Just keep in mind that they are only stories, young man. I want no trouble out of the two of you."

"Yes sir."

"See what did I tell ya. I'm finer'n frogs hair." Bo stated coming out of the room, tucking in his yellow shirt.

"Bo, come here son." Ben requested. Bo walked over to where they all stood. "Hoss, Adam and I have things to do today, but Joe is going to keep you company."

'Now this was right up Bo's alley. A partner in crime.'

When he saw Joe's mischievous smile, he gave his rebel yell. "YAAAHOOO! Well alright, let's go and find something to get into." He said as they walked to the door. Just before he walked through, Bo asked "Like to coon hunt, Joe?"

Joe looked at his family, scratching his head, "What the heck is a coon?"

'Can ya believe this? I mean a fifteen-year old boy what don't know about coon huntin'. What's this world acomin' to? I betcha by nightfall, ole Joe will know all 'bout it, cause everyone knows those Duke boys are 'bout the best around at coon huntin'.'

"Hey Bo, ya like to ride?" Joe asked as he brushed Cochise.

"Sure do." Bo answered. Looking at Joe he continued, "Say, when's the joke up?"

"Huh?"

"Come on Little Joe, stop playin' dumb. I know ya got a IQ higher than a turnip."

"I don't know what ya mean. What joke?" Joe asked.

"Look, that dog don't hunt. I know that Luke planned all of this to teach me a lesson, but dang. Enough is enough. I wanna go home."

"Bo, I really don't know a Luke, or what ya mean. No one is playin' a prank on ya." Seeing the confusion on Bo's face, Joe smiled. "Hey, tell me more about this car."

"What's to tell, ya know what a car is." Bo replied. Looking into the face of his new friend, Bo finally realized that, no, he didn't. "Don't that just throw ya hat in the crick, ya really don't know do ya?"

"No, cause if'n I did, I wouldn't have asked."

"Well, it looks like this." Bo said taking a stick and drawing a picture in the dirt. "Ya just get in it and drive."

"Where did ya get it from?"

"Me and Luke got the body in a junkyard and…"

"What's a junkyard?"

"Ya gotta be kiddin'. It's where ya go and get junk cars." 'Are these people tetched or what?'

"OH, go on."

"Well we got it right after Luke got back from the Marines and…"

"Marines?"

"Ya know what, never mind."

"Bo, can I give ya some advice?"

"Sure Joe."

"Don't go around tellin' that story to no one, cause that likely to put ya in a hospital."

"Cute."

"Let's get these chores done real quick like and I'll take ya somewhere and show ya somethin' cute." Joe offered.

"A girl?"

"Yeah, down at the swimmin' hole. They usually go there about this time everyday."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's get this done."

'Do ya get the feelin' ole Bo is headed for even more trouble? Of course he is, he's a Duke ain't he?'

"Shhh." Joe quietly whispered, putting his finger to his lips. He and Bo crouched down behind the bushes and watched as Mary Sue, Alice and Brenda splashed in the water. "Ain't that somethin'?" Joe commented.

"Awe heck, that ain't nothin'. Back home, the girls go skinnydippin'."

"They what?" Joe asked.

"Shoot yeah. I went with them once." Bo bragged.

"Ya did? Didn't ya get in trouble for it?"

Bo thought back on the time he was caught swimmin' with the girls and shifted slightly. "Yeah, Uncle Jesse wasn't none to happy 'bout it. He made it clear I ain't to do it no more."

Hearing the sound of hooves approaching the boys turned to see a man coming toward where they were. "Oh no."

"Who is that, Joe?"

"Sheriff Coffee. We can't let him find us, he'll tell Pa."

"Roy is the last one you need to worry about right now, little boy."

Turning around, the boys saw their worst nightmare.

"A…Adam, what ya doin' here?" Joe stammered.

"Tailing the two of you." He answered, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Bo, ya like havin' a tail?" Joe asked, his frustration obvious.

"Do I look like a possum?… Don't answer that." Bo replied.

Adam and Little Joe both looked at each other, then to Bo. "A what?" Joe asked.

"Never mind Joseph. Just what do the two of you think you were doing?"

"Ya gonna tell Pa?"

'Now it was one thing when those Cartwright's didn't have a clue about coon huntin'. Guess these ole boys ain't never had none of Jesse's possum stew, with taters and carrots. Ummm… ummm… that's enough to make ya slap ya mama away from the table.'

Back in Hazzard, things were goin' 'bout the same for the Dukes, with all of 'em takin' turns sittin' with Bo at the hospital. While Jesse was with 'em and Daisy was at work, ole Luke decided to take a walk out to the parking lot for some fresh air. "Double damn kiddo, why did ya havta jump that crick? I'd rather see ya eat standin' for the next few days, stead of seein' ya like this."

"Breaker one, breaker one, this is Crazy C. Any ya Dukes out there on the Hazzard net?"

"Yeah Cooter, this is Luke, come back."

"Glad I finally got ya buddyro. I just got the General fixed up. Want me to bring 'em over there?"

"Thanks Cooter."

"Ya all right, Lukas? Bo ain't worse is he?"

"Naw, he's about the same… I just wish the kid would wake up."

"Don't worry about that. He's too hard headed not to. We both know that. Just hang in there."

"Thanks Cooter, I'll see ya when ya get here. I'm gone."

"That's a big 10-4 good buddy."

'Bet Bo wishes he was back home right 'bout now. He and Joe both look as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rockin' chairs.'

"Come on Adam, ain't ya ever done the same thing when you were our age?" Joe asked, flashing one of his best puppy dog looks.

"Yeah, can't ya 'member what it's like to be fifteen?" Bo asked, copying Joe's look.

Dropping his head, Adam knew he'd been had. It was bad enough to fight against one of Little Joe's looks, but his little brother had already taught this boy well. Bo's face was the icing on the cake. "All right, this time. But if I catch either one of you at this again, I'll haul you straight to Pa, understood?"

"Understood." They both agreed.

"Now, get on those horses and get home before I let these young ladies watch you both get your backsides warmed."

Bo looked over his shoulder as Adam walked his horse in the opposite direction from the house. "Ya know Joe, that brother of yours is 'bout as irritating as a flea in a hounds ear."

"Ya outta have to put up with 'em for fifteen years. I can't have any fun with 'em always hangin' over my shoulder." Joe complained.

"What kinda fun ya talkin'? Cause I sure could use a beer right 'bout now."

"Yeah, me too, but I can't go to saloons yet. Pa'd have my hide."

"Shoot Luke's always takin' me to the 'Boars Nest'. He even gets me a beer."

"Just one?"

"Yeah, but see, I've learned how to handle my cousin. See once he get's ta flirtin' with some hot little number, I just sneak around and have what I want. Long as I don't get drunk he ain't got a clue."

"Hot little number? I don't think I say that in front of Pa. He don't tolerate disrespect, especially toward women." Joe stated.

"I got a feelin' ya Pa don't tolerate a lota things." Bo laughed.

"No truer words have ever been spoken, pal."

"Say is there anywhere close around here to grab a cold one?" Bo asked.

"In Virginia City. It's 'bout an hour from here. Don't tell me ya thinkin' on goin' in for a beer?"

"Why not? Look Joe, we could sneak out after they're in bed and be back before anyone misses us. I always wanted to go to 'The Bucket of Blood'."

"What if we get caught? Ya willin' to take the consequences?" Joe asked. He was all for the idea, but knew what would happen if his Pa found out 'bout it.

"Heck yeah, I mean how bad could it be?" Bo smiled.

"Pa's got a heck of a wallop on 'em. Believe me I know."

"What's he use?" Bo asked weighing his options.

"Belt."

"Well it can't be no worse than Uncle Jesse's switch. Boy can that man bring tears to ya eyes."

"Then we're on for the night?" Joe asked.

"YAAAAHOOO! We're on."

'I don't know 'bout you folks, but I think those two just made a mistake. Now while Bo and Joe plot their night, let's check in on the family back in Hazzard.'

"Any change, Jesse?" Luke asked.

"He's been a little restless, but he's still out." Jesse sighed. "Where ya been?"

"Just took a little walk. Talked to Cooter. He's got the General fixed, gonna bring it over here."

"That's good. Bo'll be glad ta hear it."

"Uncle Jesse, ya think it'd be all right if I went to the 'Boars Nest' with Cooter for a couple of hours? I just need a break from here." Luke asked.

"Don't see why not. I'll be here with Bo, you go and grab a beer."

"I'll drink a few soon as Luke starts flirtin' with all those girls." Came the soft voice from the bed.

Jesse looked from Bo to Luke. Poking his finger in the older boy's chest, he asked. "What was that all 'bout young man?"

"Ah… he must be dreamin' again." Luke stammered. 'Careful there kiddo or I ain't agonna take ya no more.'

"Yes, well I'm only gonna say it once. If ya been takin' him there, it better not happen again… or else."

"Yes sir."

"Hey ya'll." Cooter called out. "I ain't buttin' in am I?" he asked seeing the looks that passed.

"No, we're through. You go and try to have a good time."

"Thanks Uncle Jesse. I'll be back soon."

"What the heck was that all 'bout?" Cooter asked.

Luke slipped into the driver seat of the General and looked at his friend. "Ya know, Bo can even get me in trouble while he's out of it. He said he gets a few drinks after I started flirtin'."

"He didn't… did he? Uncle Jesse heard huh?"

"Yup, and he didn't take to kindly to it. Guess I can't take the kid there no more."

"Sure ya can, buddy. I done tole ya the kid'll wake up soon and be pesterin' ya to take 'em."

"No Cooter, ya don't understand. Jesse would take his switch to ME if'n I did." Luke laughed.

'Now don't that just pluck ya pinfeathers? Bo'd better wake up soon or he's agonna have everybody mad at him. Ya'll do realize this all started cause ole Bo here wanted to jump the crick? Ya'll hang on and see what happens next. Will things ever be back to normal in Hazzard?'