Chapter Nine
The next day Bo rose bright and early to get ready for the race that morning.
While he was standing there beside his racecar, he was thinking about Luke.
If Luke was alive, whether he would ever survive if he was alive.
Bo was so drawn up with this that he didn't even notice someone sneak into the garage behind him.
He didn't notice anything until a shadow loomed up behind him.
Quickly Bo whirled around, blocking the attacker's downward punch and moved to flip him over onto his back.
The intruder's grunt of pain made Bo stop and stare closely at the man lying on the ground, dazed.
"Cooter? What'cha doin' here?" Bo asked as he helped his friend and mechanic up off of the floor.
Cooter Davenport took Bo's offered hand and slowly picked himself up off of the floor.
"What am I doin here? What're you doin' here?" Cooter asked his friend.
"I asked ya first." Bo pointed out.
"I was hired by Mr. Rickman to come tune up this car." Cooter said, tapping Bo's racecar.
"Mr. Rickman? The head mechanic?" Bo asked.
"Yep. He's gone on a little vacation and he wanted me ta fill in for em' today." Cooter explained.
A smile crossed Bo's face at those words.
"Well, I'm glad that yer th' new mechanic!" He said.
"Yeah, but ya still didn't answer ma question. What're you doin' here?" Cooter asked.
Slowly, Bo began to tell his tale of woe to Cooter.
"Then we lost em' got back to the farm, then five minutes later they show up and demand me ta join em' outside. I do, they threaten me, then they shoot Luke and knock ma out. Russel said I could go back though' if I win this race." Bo said.
Cooter was silent through the whole story, but after Bo finished speaking he asked, "You really believe him? What's ta stop em' from killin' ya after the race is over?"
"Nothin'. But he swore on the Duke name." Bo offered.
"An in his eyes that means somethin'?" Cooter asked.
Bo was silent, not knowing what to say in answer to Cooter's question.
Bo's silence was enough for Cooter to nod his head.
"Uh huh, well buddy roo, after this race is over, I'd be glad ta take ya over to th' hospital." Cooter offered.
Bo smiled at Cooter's offer, "Thanks Cooter!" He said.
"Yeah well, don't thank me till this is over." Cooter said as he grabbed his tools.
Turning, Bo was about to walk off when Cooter stopped him.
"By the way Bo, I talked with Mr. Rickman and Mandie Duke an' they said it was ok ta swap cars, since I know of a better car that's sure fire ta when th' race." Cooter said.
"Cooter, what'cha babblin' about?" Bo asked.
Going to the door, Cooter waved at someone and suddenly the loud rumble of a powerful engine was music to Bo's ears.
In seconds his old NASCAR car was gone and in it's place sat the orange stock car, the General Lee!
To say Bo was suprised would be an understatement!
"Cooter how.." Bo said, but he was inturrupted.
"As I said, I talked with Mrs. Duke and Mr. Rickman about lettin' the General race in that other car's place. At first they were hesitant, but then I showed em' what the General could do, an' they quickly changed their minds!" Cooter said.
Bo laughed at the mental picture Cooter's words insued.
"Bet she was plastered ta the seat!" Bo chuckled at he checked over the General's sleek exterior.
"Yeah, she was almost one with the seat!" Cooter replied as he opened up the hood of the General.
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Hours later, Jesse was sitting down beside Luke's bed, listening to the radio as they gave an overview of the upcoming race in Atlanta.
"This should be a real intresting one Charles, especially with that rookie from Hazzard!" The race broadcaster said.
"Yep, an' I just learned that that team has just swapped cars! They replaced the 04 with this sickly colored orange stock car with a confederate flag on the top and 01's plastered on the doors. I think it was called the General Lee." The second race broadcaster said.
At this, Jesse perked up and focused his attention to the race.
"The driver for that car, a Bo Duke, from all the way over in Hazzard. People over there say that he is th' best driver in the whole state." Charles said.
"Well we'll see about that. He may be good, but I bet he never raced on the NASCAR circuit before." The other broadcaster said.
"..bo?" A weak voice asked from beside Jesse.
Jesse toar his gaze away from the radio and focused it on his oldest nephew, who had finally opened his eyes.
"Luke! You're awake! Thank the Lord!" Jesse said happily as he squeezed Luke's hand.
"Uncle Jesse?" Luke whispered.
"Yes it's me. I'm here." Jesse assured the man in the hospital bed.
Luke, with a grimace of pain on his face asked, "Where's Bo?"
Jesse's smile was wiped off of his face, and instead of lying to Luke, Jesse decided to tell him the truth.
"Russel took him. I jus' heard that Bo's gonna race in this here NASCAR race in Atlanta." Jesse said, pointing to the radio.
"I have'ta see em'. I have'ta know he's alright." Luke said, trying to get out of bed.
His doctor, who had just entered the room, rushed at him and gently pushed him back into the bed.
"What you need, Mr. Duke, is to rest. You've had a busy day!" The doctor said.
Luke however wouldn't listen and he began to fight the doctor, until Jesse put a calming hand on his shoulder.
"Luke, you rest now, an' I promise ya that I'll get ya ta Bo before the race is over." Jesse said.
Luke looked up into Jesse's eyes, seeing the truth that was blazing in them.
Slowly the fight left him and he allowed the doctor to check him out.
After the check-up was complete, the doctor turned to Uncle Jesse and said, "Sir, I wouldn't recommend taking him out of here. This isn't a dentist office. You jus' can't check in and then check out!"
Jesse however, remained true to his promise and said, "You don't understand the deep bond Bo and Luke have. If Luke want's ta see his cousin this badly, I fer one ain't gonna stop em'!"
At this, the doctor nodded his head and left the room.
