Two hours later, an impatient Uncle Jesse and Daisy were in the emergency waiting room, demanding answers.
"Roscoe, what's wrong? Where're my boys?"
Roscoe's fingers fumbled as he removed his hat. "Well now, Jesse…. I uh… don't know how…. well, there was an accident."
"An accident?" whispered Uncle Jesse.
"Are they… are they….?" began Daisy, unable to say the word.
"No. They're both unconscious, but they're alive."
Jesse was about to drill Roscoe further when a doctor walked through the double doors of the waiting room. "For Bo and Luke Duke?"
"I'm Jesse Duke and this here is my niece Daisy," said Jesse holding out his hand. "How're my nephews?"
"Doctor John Williams. Why don't we sit down?" invited the doctor as he shook Uncle Jesse's hand and sat on the hard waiting room chair.
Y'all know it ain't good when the doc tells ya to sit …
"Will they be alright, Doctor?" asked Daisy, her voice choking through her tears.
"That's hard to say, Miss Duke."
The doctor turned to Jesse and continued. "Luke sustained a moderate concussion as well as two bruised ribs. He needed eight stitches above his left eye and has some minor contusions. But overall, he is doing well. He woke up briefly when they gave him some medication for the pain. He's sleeping comfortably now. I'd say, provided that he rests and does nothing strenuous he will be back on his feet in no time."
"Praise be!" shouted Jesse, "And what about my Bo? How's he doin'?"
"Mr. Duke, your nephew is in critical condition in the ICU."
"Oh God, no…" started Daisy, her hand covering her mouth in shock as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Bo…" said Jesse softly. "What… how…"
"Bo has a severe concussion to the frontal lobe of his brain from where he hit the windshield… and of course, he has several lacerations from the glass."
"Bo hit the windshield?" asked Jesse in disbelief.
"Uh, Jesse… um… maybe Daisy should leave…" suggested Roscoe.
"No! If you can tell Uncle Jesse you can tell me!"
"Well, uh, Daisy… Jesse…. The boys weren't wearin' their seatbelts… and, uh…well… that there tree was what kept Bo from flyin' through the windshield altogether," faltered Roscoe.
"Oh, Uncle Jesse!" cried Daisy, hiding her face on her uncle's strong shoulder.
Uncle Jesse softly patted her back. "Now, Daisy… them's strong boys and… is there somethin' else, doc?" said Jesse, looking up.
"Mr. Duke… about Bo… he's lost a great deal of blood, and may need a transfusion. He has three fractured ribs which in turn bruised his left lung making it more difficult and painful for him to breathe. He is on oxygen now. What concerns me most right now, though, is the fact that he is not responding to stimuli. That's not good."
"Can we see 'em?"
"Of course, Mr. Duke, right this way."
Jesse took Daisy's hand and followed the doctor down the cold, white corridor. Daisy said nothing, but her tears spoke volumes.
Ya know, I just can't stand to see a lady cry… especially when it's Daisy…