Hey, all. Yes, I know it's been a whole week between posts, but ya know, I've got a demanding job and a demanding family… so this gets my quiet in-between time… which is not as much as I would like. Anyways, this chapter is hereby dedicated to my faithful reviewers who always have gems of encouragement to give me. Thank-you all and as always, please review. Thanks! -Jordyn
"Ow! That hurts!" shouted Luke as the X-ray technician positioned his foot on the table.
"Sorry about that, Mr. Duke. Just a few more and we're done."
Luke bit his lip, refusing to cry out again, though the pain in his ankle screamed for mercy.
"You're all set, Mr. Duke."
Luke smirked. He hoped this guy didn't expect a thank-you for that half-hour of torture… if he did he sure wasn't getting it from Luke.
A pretty brunette nurse wheeled Luke back to the semi-private room that he and Bo shared. Luke smiled a small, satisfied smile, as he thought about the argument that had ensued, to keep Bo and Luke together in the same room once they were out of the ER. He hadn't been the debate team captain in high school for nothing…
As the nurse helped Luke into the bed and elevated his foot, Luke glanced towards Bo, only to discover that a curtain had been pulled to separate the two.
"That's strange, it was open before," thought Luke. "Ma'am, would you mind openin' the curtain there?" asked Luke.
"Sure." The nurse pushed the curtain back and Luke stared speechless. Bo's bed was empty!
Y'all reckon Luke's heart skipped more beats than a scratched Waylon record?
"Where's Bo!" cried Luke. "Where… Where…?"
"It's alright, Mr. Duke. He was just taken down the hall for some tests. He should be back any time. Get some rest."
Luke breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he wouldn't sleep a wink until he knew Bo was safe beside him, so he simply closed his eyes and let his mind drift.
It seemed an eternity since he had left the farm with Bo, but in reality it was only a couple of weeks. He wondered where Uncle Jesse and Daisy were right now. He had called more than four hours ago. They were certainly out of Georgia now. "Heck, with Daisy drivin' they're pro'ly out of Tennessee by now and into Kentucky," thought Luke with a smile.
Just then the door to their room opened and Bo was wheeled in on a gurney. Luke watched silently as the two orderlies lifted Bo onto his bed and hung up his IV. They then left the room, closing the door behind them.
Luke turned towards Bo, as much as he could with his leg elevated as it was.
"Bo? Bo, do ya hear me, cousin?"
There was no answer, aside from Bo's raspy breathing.
A tear escaped Luke's eye as he stared at his cousin, once so full of life. Now he was motionless and aside from his cheeks which were flushed with fever, very pale.
Poor Bo looks worse than a shadow of a ghost. And that ain't good.
"Bo," whispered Luke, his voice breaking as he repeated his cousin's name. "Bo. C'mon, cousin, wake up."
The pretty brunette nurse walked into the room. "Now, Mr. Duke…you need some sleep and so does your cousin. If you won't be good, I'll have to close the curtain."
"No… no, don't do that. Please."
"Well then, you behave yourself."
"Yes, ma'am."
The nurse made her way to Bo's bed and checked his vitals. Writing down the results, she exited the room and came back a moment later with two syringes full of liquid. She inserted them into Bo's IV.
"What's that?"
"It's something for his pain and an antibiotic. Bo's got quite an infection going on in there. Get some sleep now." She smiled and left the room.
True to his word, Luke said nothing more to Bo. He did, however, watch him quietly. The fact that Bo was still unconscious had him scared to death. Tears threatened to fall from Luke's eyes as he noted the swelling on Bo's face. "Good thing he can't see himself," thought Luke.
His cousin had prided himself on having a "face no girl could resist." True as it was, with the way Bo looked now, girls would be turning away, not because he was ugly, but because it hurt to look at him. The gash on his temple had been stitched shut, but the surrounding area was bruised black and blue, as was his left eye. The blood had been sponged off of his face, but there was a bandage on his throat, with traces of blood on it. Luke listened to Bo's shallow, raspy breathing. The doctor had said Bo had broken three ribs. Luke couldn't help but cringe at the thought of the pain each breath brought his cousin.
"You're gonna be okay, Bo. You've gotta," said Luke to himself as he turned and looked up at the ceiling. The room was quiet, allowing Luke time to play with his thoughts… and they weren't good ones.
"What if Bo's dyin'? What'll I say to Uncle Jesse? It's all my fault… I should've been there… I should've stopped him." Luke brushed away a tear with his hand. "What if Uncle Jesse and Daisy don't get here in time to say good-bye?" How could I say good-bye? I can't… I ain't givin' up on you, Bo Duke. You hear me? I ain't leavin' here without you!"
There was no answer.
Luke turned his head and watched as the IV drip… drip… dripped into Bo's right arm. Tears streaked down Luke's cheeks." I'm sorry, Bo. I never meant to… Bo, I'm so sorry."
'Ol Luke don't need to be beat up by anyone; he does a good 'nough job on himself.
Just then the nurse came in. Luke quickly turned away from his cousin, pretending to be asleep, hoping she hadn't heard him talking. His eyes peeped open to find the nurse quickly push a button near the bed and pull the curtain between the boys closed. Shortly, the door burst open and a doctor hurried into the room followed by another nurse.
"What's going on!" shouted Luke, trying in vain to get to his cousin.
"Jones, take care of that boy! We got enough to handle here."
The nurse raced out and returned with a syringe.
"Get away from me!"
She inserted it quickly into his arm.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Duke. I really am," she said before hurrying back to Bo's side of the room.
Luke's eyes were growing heavier by the second. He knew the drug had been something to make him sleep. Vaguely he heard the doctor speak, "Don't do this to me, Bo…" and then everything was deathly still.
Uh oh… I don't like the sound o' that. Y'all stick around, ya hear?
