Chapter Eight
Bo slipped inside the racecar and ran his hand over everything.
'Ok, I can do this. Jus' win this race, then I can see Luke and Uncle Jesse again.' He thought as he reached out and grabbed his helmet.
"Ok hon' this is the qualifyin' round. Do good an' ya just might win the race tomorrow." Mandie said from the outside of the car.
"Yes, ma'am." Bo replied as he pulled on his helmet.
He didn't really like calling Mandie 'ma'am' but she was his mother after all, so he had to show her a little respect.
Bo started the car, revved the engine and then waited for his pit manager, who just happened to be Russel Duke, give the go ahead inside his helmet radio.
With feined enthusiasm, Bo carefully pulled out of the pits and completed one lap, and as he neared the start/finish line, Russel said into his helmet, "Ok Bo, punch it!"
"Yes sir, catch ya on the flip side." Bo replied as he floored it.
He practically rode the walls the entire length of the track, nearly hitting the wall a couple of times, but each time he managed to complete the turn without any problems.
As he crossed the finish line, He took a look at the pits and wondered how he did.
Bo slowed the car down and pulled it back into the pits on the third lap, before he climbed out of the car.
"Bo, honey that was amazing!" Mandie said as she hugged him.
Bo wanted to smile and hug her back, but the knowledge of what they had done to Luke stopped him in his tracks.
"Congradulations Bo. Accordin' ta this time sheet, you'll be in the leadin' line up!" Russel said as he clapped Bo's shoulder.
"Great." Bo said as he walked back to the trailer, missing his best friend and cousin now more than ever.
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Jesse sat in the waiting room waiting for news on Luke as he read the morning newspaper.
When they had first arrived, Luke was immediatly taken to a treatment room and from there, straight to an OR.
Now, Jesse sat there, waiting and praying that Luke would be alright. He didn't know what he would do if Luke were to die.
"Mr. Duke?" A white haired nurse asked.
Jesse looked up at her and nodded his head.
"Please follow me." The nurse said simply as she walked down the hall.
Jesse rose and followed her into room number 12, where Luke lay.
Luke was on a ventilator, and had two IV's going. One IV was bright red, another was clear.
"Is he gonna be alright?" Jesse asked the nurse.
"In time Luke should make a full recovery." Someone said from behind Jesse.
Jesse turned to see an young doctor standing there in the doorway.
"He really is quite lucky. Just a little further to the left, and he would have bled out at the scene." Dr. Richardson said as he shook Jesse's hand.
Jesse wiped the tears from his eyes as he took a seat beside Luke's still form.
"How did this happen?" Dr. Richardson asked.
"He was tryin ta save Bo, but before he could reach em, Russel' shot Luke." Jesse said, remembering the scene all to well.
"I take it Bo is his brother?" The doctor asked.
"Cousin." Jesse corrected.
"Ah. They must have a pretty deep bond then." The doctor mused.
"Yes sir, they do." Jesse agreed slowly.
While they were talking, Jesse's eyes roamed over his nephew. Counting the different scars that were on his face and arms, and the fact that even though Luke was still unconcious, he still looked sad.
"I think the best thing for Luke now is his cousin. With Bo here, he might wake up." Dr. Richardson suggested.
'But Bo's not here, an' I have no clue as ta where he might be. I just hope that he can git' here soon.' Jesse thought as he reached out and grasped Luke's lax hand.
