Chapter Twelve

The next morning both boys rose early and dressed in some clean clothes before they went downstairs.

They found Uncle Jesse sipping coffee while he read the morning newspaper. He looked up when the boys walked in to the room.

"Well good morning!" Jesse said.

"Mornin' Uncle Jesse." Bo and Luke said in unison.

"What're you boys up to, today?" Jesse asked.

Luke then laid out his and Bo's plan to their uncle.

"Ya want me ta come along too?" Jesse asked.

"Sure!" Bo said.

Since Bo was in a hurry, all three of them skipped breakfast and left the house.

After driving in to town, Bo stopped off at a used car lot and looked around before he found an old, beat up Charger.

"How much fer that one?" Bo asked the dealer.

"That? $150. It ain't much. Doesn't even run." The dealer said.

"I'll take it!" Bo replied as he reached into his pocket and gave the man $150.

The man nodded his thanks and helped Bo and Luke push the old car onto a trailer and hook it up to the pickup.

Once that was done, Jesse towed the car back to the house while the boys shopped for some parts in town.

When Jesse came back, the boys and bought a brand new engine and some other parts.

Jesse was amazed but didn't say anything as he lugged the engine back home.

All through the week, Jesse, Luke and Bo stayed at the old house.

Jesse and Sarah both spent the days talking, while Luke and Bo spent their time in the huge barn, putting together their car.

It was hard work, but the boys injoyed every minute of it.

Every night at around ten p.m., the boys would come in all hot,sweaty and tired, but they both wore smiles on their faces that was a joy to see.

Every day a little bit more on the car was done.

"Jus' a little bit more an she'll be ready fer the drive home." Bo kept saying.

Finally, after two months of staying in the house, Bo and Luke announced that their pride and joy, the General Lee was finished.

Slowly, Jesse and Sarah followed them outside and waited as they opened the barn doors and dissipeared.

Seconds later the sound of a powerful engine broke the silence and an orange stock car rolled out of the barn and pulled to a stop a few feet away from Jesse and Sarah.

Jesse looked the car over. Sparkling crystal clear chrome, orange finish, a rebel flag on top and 01's on both doors.

The General's name was also painted on the top of both doors as well.

"What do ya think?" Bo asked as he climbed out of the driver's side window.

"It's wonderful dear!" Sarah said as she hugged him.

Jesse was also smiling as he said,"You and Luke sure did a fine job."

"Thanks Uncle Jesse." Bo replied as he reached in and tapped the horn.

The clear notes of Dixie echoed through the grounds.

"Ya even found the Dixie horn!" Jesse said.

"Boy did we ever have a heck of a time findin' it, too!" Luke said.

"Yeah! Only one store sold it!" Bo replied.

Jesse chuckled and then asked the question he knew was on everyone's minds.

"When are you boy's ready ta head fer home?"

Luke and Bo looked at each other before looking back at their uncle.

"First thing tomorrow. Me an Luke'll drive the General back." Bo said.

"That's good enough fer me." Jesse replied as he hugged both of his nephews and praised them again for a job well done on their car.

That night Bo and Luke lay awake thinking of tomorrow.

Bo had mixed feelings about leaving.

He had come to love this house, but he knew that he couldn't stay there, at least not yet, maybe not ever.

Bo's place was with Luke, and Luke's place was at the farm in Hazzard County Georgia.

Sighing, Bo murmered, "I'm gonna miss this place."

"Me too, cuz'. I can see why ya liked it so much." Luke replied.

Bo smiled and glanced over at his cousin.

"Can't believe we actually built the General!" Bo said.

"I know. Don't seem real!" Luke replied with a smile as he glanced out the window for a second.

"Luke?" Bo asked.

"Yeah?"

"I wanna thank you fer comin' after me. It meant alot." Bo said.

Luke looked at his cousin, and could see the sensarity in Bo's eyes.

"Tell ya the truth, Uncle Jesse made me come. I'm glad now that I did." Luke replied.

"Yeah, Uncle Jesse has a habit about gettin' what he wants." Bo said.

"That he does, cuz', that he does." Luke replied as he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Bo remained awake a little longer thinking, when a calming presence filled him.

"I now know why I was left behind, ma. I was left behind ta be a friend ta Luke, as well as a nephew ta Uncle Jesse. An' I was also left behind ta fullfill ma dream. I still miss ya guy's still, but with Luke here, it don't seem so bad." Bo murmered.

In his heart, he thought he felt his parents smile at him.

"Well, G'night, ma, G'night dad." Bo whispered as he too, shut his eyes.

If you were paying attention, ya'll might hear Bo's parents reply, "Good night son, and well done."