Author's Note: Thanks for correcting me on the song in my last chapter—it was apparently written by the Beatles. Sorry I messed it up, but the Beatles were almost 30 years before my time, and I got the song off of a Lyrics website. All I know is that it was the theme song for "Wonder Years".
Also, this chapter is dedicated to my prom date, who thought that Daisy was Luke's girlfriend. (He hasn't seen too many episodes of the Dukes, so I forgive him, buthe made me chuckle. They're cousins—they're all cousins! Lol.) Okay, on with the chapter. By the way, this chapter holds the best fight scene I've ever written. (In my opinion). So Enjoy!
Rated: T for Violence.
Chapter 11: Operation Waylay
"But I do, suga'!" a feminine voice called from the doorway.
"Daisy!" The boys cried in unison. Before they could get up, she had already run over to them, hugging the daylights out of Luke, then Bo.
"Wait a minute...Daisy—you ain't supposed to know we're here!" Bo cried suddenly.
"What do you mean? Cooter called us this mornin' an'..."
"COOTER!" The boys yelled accusingly.
"Cooter, does the name 'Benedict Arnold' mean anythin' to you?" Luke asked sarcastically, putting his hands on his hips. The mechanic frowned, scrunching his brows together in thought.
"No...was he a NASCAR driver?" Luke shook his head.
"Never mind."
"Daisy?" A voice rumbled through the doorway, followed by the comforting sight Uncle Jesse. He stopped short when he saw the boys up and about, then grinned ear to ear. "Well now, ya look to be alright; had us worried there for awhile."
When neither nephew said anything, Jesse frowned.
"What's a-matter? Ain't ya happy to see your old Uncle Jesse?" He asked in joking way.
"Aw, we're sorry, Uncle Jesse. An' it ain't that we's not happy to see ya, it's just..." Luke searched for the right words. "It's just that we thought the less people were involved, the less people have a chance of gettin' hurt."
"Well, is that any reason to keep your own family in the dark? I outta tan both you boy's hides for makin' me worry like ya did—hangin' up the phone on me, double talkin' so's I wouldn't guess what ya was doin', not callin' 'til all hours of the night—it's enough to make a man insane!" His voice was harsh, but behind the words was the loving heart of an uncle who cared very deeply for his 'children'.
"An' I'll tell ya another thing...I'd rather have the farm be foreclosed an' lose everythin' than to have anythin' bad happen to either of you boys. An' there ain't no pain on this earth any man could do that could hurt me worse'n the pain in my heart I get when any of you kids is missin' or upset. So ya just think about that next time ya wanna spare me from gettin' hurt!"
Balladeer: Whooeee, 'em boys ain't had a tongue-lashin' like that since they was knee-high to a grasshopper. That'll teach 'em. Course ya think they woulda learned by now that they can't get anythin' past good 'ole Uncle Jesse.
Jesse's words stung the boy's hearts, and they instantly felt guilty for not letting their uncle know about all the problems they'd been having. It was especially hard on Bo, who already felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Everyone was surprised as he slowly rounded the table, head down, and grabbed the old man up into a fierce hug.
"M' sorry Uncle Jesse," he mumbled, unable to stop the tears from falling and soaking into the worn fabric of Jesse's blue overalls.
"Uh..." To say Jesse was surprised by Bo's reaction was an understatement. He was downright shocked.
Shooting a questioning glance over at Luke, Jesse continued to try and comfort Bo, who seemed to be holding onto him for dear life. Luke just shrugged. He knew everything that Bo had been through, but he'd never expected his hard headed cousin to break down in front of everybody, including Cooter.
As Bo's shuddered sobs slowly faded, he still clung to Uncle Jesse, and Daisy had the sense enough to realize her cousin would be feeling pretty embarrassed about the scene he made. With a silent motion for Cooter to follow, she quickly left the room.
After hearing the door click closed, Bo finally pulled away, brushing the forearm of his shirt across his eyes to wipe away the last of his tears. He dared not look at Luke, who remained quietly seated at the table. Jesse motioned for him to sit at the end of the table, while he eased into a nearby armchair.
"Now...ya wanna tell me what's on your mind?" he asked gently.
"I just...I'm happy to see ya...an' I feel bad 'bout makin' ya worry so much." Jesse was silent for a moment, studying Bo's face.
"Horse feathers," he said in a low, stern voice.
"What?"
"Ya know I don't cotton to lyin', Bo. An' if ya was so sorry 'bout makin' me worry ya wouldn't make up excuses like that." Bo sighed, then cleared his throat, then sighed again..., which made Luke sigh, because he was tired of Bo's sighing.
"Will ya just tell him what's botherin' ya!" He said finally, exasperated.
"Okay, okay...geez."
Balladeer: So Bo told Uncle Jesse all about Jake an' Tom an' the fifty grand they said he had to get—an' the consequences if he didn't get it. Now maybe they can get done with the talkin' an' get on with action—what do you think?
"Well now, that wasn't so hard was it? An' see, now that I know what's botherin' ya, we can try an' fix it," he said, clapping Bo on the shoulder. "First things first—let's take a look at that ear." Jesse didn't want to downplay the seriousness of the situation, but he knew that if he made a big deal about it the boys would just shut him out again for fear of worrying him. It was their way. And no lecture was ever going to change it.
Jesse frowned as he tilted Bo's head to the side and got a good look at the injury. Luke, who was standing next to him, quickly explained what the doctor back in Savannah had said, and about the antibiotic they'd left at Brenda's house.
"Well, it definitely don't look good, I'll say that. Can ya hear anythin' outta it?" Inquired Jesse, talking right into the boy's bad ear.
"What?" Bo asked loudly.
"That answers that question," Luke commented. Jesse just frowned, placing his calloused hand on Bo's forehead. This time, because it was Jesse, Bo didn't turn away.
"Ya feel hot—you feelin' alright?" Bo nodded.
"I feel fine, I just wish I knew how to get that money. We only got one more day." Jesse figured Bo wasn't being totally honest about the fever that was obviously radiating through his body, but he let it go, knowing that with Bo's stubbornness they wouldn't get anywhere if he pressed the issue.
"Well, Luke, do ya have any ideas?" Just as Luke was shaking his head 'no', in waltzed Cooter, sporting a grin a mile wide.
"I might have an idea or two 'bout that," he said jovially. Daisy followed him, carrying a suitcase and an armful of thick magazines.
"Cooter, you're a genius!" Luke exclaimed when he realized what they were planning.
Balladeer: Well, I don't know about that, but the plan is a keeper. In case ya ain't figured it out yet, the Cooter, Daisy, Jesse, an' the boys are gonna fill that suitcase with magazine cutouts in the shape of dollar bills to try an' fool the baddies. Well, it may not fool 'em, but it'll sure make 'em mad. Hope them boys know what they're doin'.
"So what do we do when we're done fillin' this suitcase?" Bo asked as they sat cutting out the magazines into dollar-shaped rectangles.
"Well, you're gonna call Jake an' tell him to meet ya at Old Clear Creek Bridge tomorrow at dawn," instructed Luke.
"How am I gonna call him?"
"With this," Luke answered; handing Bo the business card Jake had given them back at the church.
"Oh."
"Why Old Clear Creek Bridge?" Cooter asked suddenly.
"'Cause it's in a clearing on a hill, surrounded by trees, an' it covers a steep dip where the old Clearwater Creek used to run under it," Jesse said.
"Yeah, it's the perfect spot for an ambush," Luke added with a mischievous grin. Cooter chuckled.
"Boy, I can't wait for this, y'all."
"Yeah, well just remember that the important thing is that Jake an' Tom don't get away—'cause then it'll be all over," Bo grimly reminded them. Daisy, sensing Bo's anxiety, rubbed his back in slow circles, frowning at the tenseness of his muscles.
"It'll all work out, suga'," she whispered in his good ear. "Ya just gotta have a little faith." Bo nodded. He understood what they were saying, and he knew he was worrying them by his anxiousness. But the truth was, deep down inside, Bo was afraid to hope. If he acted like everything was going to be okay, and then it turned out bad, he could never live with himself. It was better to expect the worst; then he'd be pleasantly surprised when...if it all worked out in the end.
Later that afternoon, Cooter left to take a tow job, and the Dukes were left to finish the newspaper cutouts.
"That outta 'bout do it," Jesse, arranging the last stack of papers in the suitcase. He turned to Luke. "What do ya think?"
"Well, it might pass for fifty grand from far off, but as soon as they open this thing we're gonna have to be on 'em, cause there ain't no missin' that ain't real cash." Jesse nodded in agreement, then clicked the suitcase shut.
"Now it' s up to you, Bo," Luke said, grasping his cousin's shoulder. Bo swallowed hard. If he screwed this up, it would ruin everything.
"What do I say?" He asked as they walked over to the payphone outside of Cooter's garage.
"Just tell 'em ya got the money an' where an' when to meet ya to get it." He flashed an encouraging smile, knowing Bo needed it. "Don't worry; You'll do fine."
Sighing, Bo pulled out the business card with Jake's number on it. He dialed slowly, then bit his lip as he waited for someone to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Who's this?" Bo demanded in a deep voice. There was a pause, as if the man was wondering whether or not to answer the question.
"Bo Duke?" Bo couldn't tell whether it was Jake or Tom, but it didn't matter. He was sure they both were there.
"Yeah. I got the money."
"You got the fifty grand? In cash?"
"Yes." The man on the other end laughed dryly.
"Good kid...I wasn't sure if ya was gonna come through or not. You're lucky."
"Look, just meet me tomorrow at dawn at the Old Clear Creek Bridge outside of Hazzard County. Ya can find it on a map. I'll be waitin' there with the money."
"Hey, since when are you makin' the rules, kid!" The man, whom Bo finally recognized as Jake, yelled into the phone.
"All I want is this to be over. I give y'all the money an' you promise to leave my family alone."
"You just make sure you come alone. If we even think we smell a rat, we'll turn right back around, money or no money. An' I don't need to tell you what'll happen to your family if we have to do that."
"Don't worry, I'll be alone. Y'all just remember our deal." A loud click as the receiver was slammed down was all that answered Bo. He hung up slowly, then turned to Luke.
"It's done."
"Alright," was all Luke said. It disturbed him to see how badly Bo's confidence had been shaken through this long ordeal. He wondered vaguely, if any of them would ever be the same.
That night the boys went back to the farm and slept in their own beds for the first time in what seemed like forever. They rose well before dawn, and headed out to the Old Clear Creek Bridge in separate cars and separate routes. Bo took the General Lee on route 9, the main road. Despite the intense pain throbbing in his right ear, he was feeling a bit better, and his fever had reduced greatly during the night. It was a good thing, too, as he was going to need all of his strength and wits for what was to come.
Luke took Uncle Jesse's pickup along Nelson's Holler, a narrow and remote back road that anyone who hadn't been boar hunting up that way would miss. Daisy was in her jeep, Dixie, parked along the intersection of route 9 and Willow Ridge, waiting for further instructions. And Uncle Jesse was back at the farm waiting for Cooter, who'd had an emergency tow job, to give him a ride to the back entrance of the Bridge along route 16. The supposition was that Jake and Tom would be coming in through that way, since they were coming from Savannah.
"This here's Lost Sheep One callin' everybody in on Operation Waylay. Y'all got your ears on?"
"This is Lost Sheep Two. I'm almost at the drop point." Bo's voice came over the CB loud and strong.
"Good, we're right on schedule. I'll be in position in about five minutes. Break. How you doin' Country Cousin?"
"I'm just waitin' for orders here. Y'all be careful now."
"We will. Shepherd—you out there?"
"I'm here, Luke, I'm just waitin' for Cooter."
"Alright. Let's do this then. Lost Sheep Out."
Balladeer: Now if y'all are confused 'bout this double-talk, lemme explain. 'Operation Waylay' is just a codename the boys came up with in case the bad guys are listenin' on their CBs. The 'drop point' is the bridge where Bo's gonna exchange the money with 'em. As for the rest of the plan, y'all will just have to wait an' see, 'cuz even I don't know what's gonna happen.
Bo pulled up to the Clear Creek Bridge and exited the General Lee. He walked around the front of the car, crossed his legs and leaned back against the hood, folding his arms across his chest. Now it was just a waiting game.
Meanwhile, Luke thumped along Nelson's Holler Road until he saw a break in the trees. He skidded the pickup to halt, jumped out, and sprinted over to the edge of the treeline. Less than fifty yards away in the clearing, he had a clear view of the bridge. Glancing quickly right and left to make sure no cars were coming down the main road, he ran across the clearing and slid down into the grassy depression beneath the bridge. He whistled up to Bo, who walked over to the railing and peered down at him.
"Hey—you all set?" Luke asked, still catching his breath from the run.
"Yup,"
"Okay. I got your back, cousin."
"I know it. Just stay down so they don't see ya."
"You got it." Bo walked back to his place leaning up against the General. Seconds later, Daisy's voice came crackling over the CB.
"This here's Bo Peep callin' Lost Sheep. The wolves are comin' down the pike."
Balladeer: That means Jake an' Tom are comin'. Friends, things are gonna get sticky.
Bo had no time to answer Daisy. A dark sedan was already barreling toward the bridge. For a moment Bo was afraid that they weren't going to stop, they were coming so fast. Finally though, just before the end of the bridge, the car came to a screeching halt. Bo held his breath as the two men who'd caused him so much grief stepped out of their car and unhurriedly walked toward him.
He stood up straight and set his jaw, staring Jake right in the eyes. When he'd woken up that morning, Bo had made a promise to himself that he would be strong. No matter what happened, Jake and Tom were not leaving that bridge unless they were in handcuffs. It had to end today.
"Alright boy. Where's my money." Briefly Bo glanced down at the gun Tom held tightly in his hand. Jake's right hand was poised and waiting next to the left side of his jacket, waiting to draw his gun if necessary. Bo took no chances.
"It's in the car," he said, walking back and reaching into the backseat of the General Lee.
Suitcase in hand, he set in onto the front hood of the car and waited for Jake and Tom to come closer.
"There it is," he said, gesturing. From his place below, Luke snuck around until he was crouched at the very end of the bridge. Peering over the steel beam, he could see the backs of the two men, talking with Bo. Anxiously he waited for his cue.
"Wait," Bo said, slapping his hand down on the suitcase just as Jake reached for it. "Remember our deal. You get the money, an' you stay away from my family." Jake glared at him furiously.
"You ain't makin' no deals. Now, give me the money or I'll kill ya right here!" Bo stared him right in the eye, anger making him bold.
"I ain't afraid of dyin'. I just want ya to leave my family alone." Without warning, Jake pulled out his pistol and viciously stuck Bo across the face with it, watching in satisfaction as the young man fell to the ground. From his view behind, Luke winced. 'Hang on, cousin, I'm comin',' he thought, daringly inching further onto the bridge.
"Ya know I wouldn't hate you so bad if ya didn't look just like your old man," Jake spat, his words cutting like icy shards into Bo's heart. "Grab that suitcase."
Tom did as he was told as Bo watched from the ground, wiping the blood from the side of his mouth with the back of his hand.
Tom opened the suitcase and shook its contents, frowning as he realized what was inside.
"Uh...Jake?" As Jake leaned over to look inside the suitcase, Bo jumped to his feet and tackled him, rolling on the bridge as they traded blows.
That was the signal. Luke charged forward, jumping on Tom as he pointed the gun toward Bo.
From down the road, dust kicked up in mini whirlwinds as a trail of cars sped down route 9. Daisy was in the lead, followed by Enos, then Roscoe, and further behind, Jesse and Cooter.
Balladeer: Here comes the calvary. But can they get there in time?
Luke managed to wrestle the gun away from Tom and tossed it over the railing of the bridge. Enraged, Tom pulled back his arm and slammed his elbow into Luke's temple. Stunned, Luke lay on the rickety boards of the bridge, fighting unconsciousness.
Bo wasn't doing too well, either. Jake had him pinned down on the bridge, his knee pressing painfully down on Bo's ribs.
"Well, well now," he said breathlessly. Bo turned away, not wanting to look into the man's hateful face. "Looks like ya tried to trick me, huh? Thought ya had me, huh? Yeah, you're just like your old man was...you know that right? Like father like son...he's lucky the cancer killed him 'fore I could." Momentarily shocked by the cruel words, Bo stopped struggling. Suddenly, he thought of something he could say back.
"Robbie was a better man than you'll ever be!" He was rewarded with Jake boxing his ear—his bad ear. Fire erupted in his ear as Bo howled in agony. He forced his knees up and bucked Jake off of his chest. The pain was unbearable, and it was all Bo could do to keep from screaming. With his hand cupped around his ear, he got to his knees and watched helplessly as Jake grabbed his gun up from off of the bridge. Tom was nowhere in sight, and just a few feet away Luke was struggling to get to a sitting position.
Jake cocked the gun and walked forward until he was two feet in front of Bo.
"Time to go meet your daddy, kid," he said cynically, but Bo never heard him. He couldn't hear anything past the throbbing in his head.
Just as Jake's hand was tightening on the trigger, he turned his head slightly as the barrel of a shotgun came to rest on his shoulder.
"I'd put that down if I was you, 'less ya want an earful of buckshot," Jesse said gruffly, holding tightly onto his 'old faithful' shotgun.
Bo stared up in surprise. Down at the end of the bridge, Enos was cuffing a very irritated Tom, who had been nabbed as he searched for his pistol down underneath the bridge. Cooter and Daisy were attending to Luke across the way, while Roscoe came up next to Jesse, gun drawn, and addressed Jake.
"Alllllright, you! You're under arrest! Drop the gun an' put your hands up!" Reluctantly Jake did as he was told, letting the gun slip out of his hand onto the ground as Roscoe cuffed him. He glared at Bo meanly.
"This ain't over," he threatened. Then, in a move that surprised everyone, Jesse stepped right in front of Jake and stuck his nose in his face. His eyes were dead serious and his voice dangerously low.
"Oh believe me, mister. This is over. You stay away from those boys. They don't owe you no more. It's over." Bo had to grin, as the man seemed to shrink in front of Uncle Jesse. As Roscoe led Jake to the awaiting patrol car, Jesse turned back to youngest.
"Are you alright?" Bo shook his head. Jesse's words seemed garbled—he couldn't hear him. Just then Cooter, Daisy, and Luke walked over.
"Hey, how's it goin', buddyroo?" Cooter asked, helping Bo to his feet. When Bo didn't answer, Luke tried.
"Hey, you alright?" Bo squinted as if he didn't understand what he was saying, then pointed to his bad ear.
"I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING," he shouted—though he didn't realize he was shouting. There was a moment's pause as Jesse looked at Bo, nearly deaf and looking feverish again, then at Luke, who was leaning against Daisy dizzily after the blow to the head he'd took.
"That's it, you boys are goin' to Doc Petticord. Cooter—you wanna take 'em in your truck? I'll follow ya in the General an' Daisy'll follow in her jeep."
"What about the pickup?" Luke asked as Daisy started leading him over to the towtruck.
"Cooter can come back an' get it later. Nothin'll hurt it sittin' out there for a couple hours."
"Yes sir, we're gone," Cooter said, helping Bo up into the truck. As they headed off for the hospital, Bo stared over his shoulder at the patrol cars that held Jake and Tom disappeared toward town.
He hoped it was finally over.
Later, at Doc Petticord's, Daisy and Uncle Jesse were in the sitting in the waiting room twiddling their thumbs and waiting for news about the boys. A few minutes later the good doctor walked out and greeted them.
"Hello, Jesse, Daisy."
"Hello—how're my boys?"
"Well, as for Bo, I have some good news and some bad news."
"Tell us the good news," Jesse urged.
"The good news is that I cleaned out the ear as best I could, and his hearing is up to about 40 now, as opposed to less than 10 when he came in. Also, his fever is down, and if he continues taking his antibiotic he should get well pretty quick."
"An' the bad news?" Prompted Jesse.
"The bad news is that the ear is badly infected, and because it was not properly treated right away, he may suffer permanent and severe hearing loss in that ear. That's why he had a fever, because of the infection."
"How severe?" Jesse asked. The doctor sighed.
"It's hard to say. Given proper rest and treatment his hearing could be restored up to 60, but that's being optimistic. Any way you look at it, he's going to be at least partially deaf in that ear for the rest of his life."
Jesse swallowed before speaking. "Does he know?"
"Yes, I told him. Really, it's not too serious a disability. He still has perfect hearing in his left ear, and people who sustain injuries such as he did usually learn to rely on using just the one ear. It usually takes some getting used to, but he'll probably hardly notice it before long.
"I didn't find any other major injuries on him, just cuts and bruises, but he should take it easy for awhile until that ear heals. Nothing strenuous, and don't let him out in the cold or rain."
"How 'bout Luke?"
"Luke sustained a rather nasty blow to the temple. He doesn't seem have a concussion, but he does have some swelling and a pretty tender bruise. I was informed that he received a different head injury a few days ago, and that's what worries me. If he shows any signs of weakness or passing out, you need to get him back here immediately, 'cuz he could have a concussion. As it is, he's pretty dizzy right now, and should take it easy for awhile too. Both boys seem utterly exhausted."
Balladeer: I'd be exhausted too, after all that.
"Can they come home today?" Daisy asked hopefully.
"Of course. I'm going to fill out some last minute paperwork and then they can go." As Jesse and Daisy hurried back toward the examination rooms he called after them: "They're in room 8!"
"How's the ear?" Luke asked lazily from where he lay on the cot across from Bo. They'd given him some sweet painkillers for his head, and he welcomed the relaxed feeling of lethargy.
Bo sat straight up in bed. They'd given him painkillers too, and an antibiotic besides, but he still wasn't quite over the adrenaline rush from the previous couple of hours. A white bandage neatly covered his left ear, and while he still couldn't hear anything out of it, at least the pain and pressure had subsided. Luckily his right side was toward Luke, or he wouldn't have heard him speak.
"It's alright, I guess." He paused, staring absentmindedly at a poster of the human skeleton on the wall in front of him. "Hey Luke?"
"Hmmm?" Luke forced his eyes open but didn't turn his head.
"You really think I'm gonna be deaf in this ear?" Luke shrugged.
"Doc said ya could get some of it back—maybe even most of it. We'll just have to take one day at a time." Bo nodded. It was the answer he'd expected.
"Bo? Luke?" Uncle Jesse burst through the door, followed by Daisy, who showered each of them with hugs and kisses.
"I'm so glad you're both okay," she bubbled as she leaned over Bo and hugged him.
"Almost," Bo corrected, pointing at his ear.
"Now Bo, we'll just have to hope an' pray that the Good Lord makes that ear better'n new. An' if he don't, then it's for a good reason."
"I know it. Listen, can we get out of here yet?"
"Sure thing," Jesse said jovially. "Lets go home."
Balladeer: Now friends, I don't think that ever sounded so good.
That night, as soon as the boys got home, they went straight to their rooms and slept for the rest of the night. Luke was still sleeping when Bo finally awoke the next morning, dressed, and padded down into the kitchen.
"Hey Uncle Jesse," he greeted the older man, who sat at the table flipping through the newspaper.
"G' mornin'. How ya feelin'?" Bo shrugged as he reached into the fridge and pulled out a jug of milk.
"Alright." Jesse waited until Bo had poured the drink and sat down at the table before he spoke.
"I wanted to talk to ya..." he trailed off, wondering how to say what he wanted to.
"'Bout what?"
"About...everything that happened. Anythin' you wanna talk about?"
"No," Bo's answer came too quick. Jesse paused, then cleared his throat.
"Ya know, Enos was down here earlier. Said 'em two fellers is off to the Atlanta State pen. They're gonna throw the book at 'em."
"That's good," was all Bo said.
"Well, uh..." Jesse still searched for what he wanted to say.
"What do ya want me to say, Uncle Jesse?" Bo asked finally. The old patriarch sighed.
"I don't know. It's just...ya losin' your dad, an' then findin' out everythin' about his past...it all happened so fast. I wanna make sure you're okay in here," he said, reaching over to pat Bo's chest.
"I'm fine Uncle Jesse, really. I'm just glad it's all over without anybody gettin' hurt too bad. An' Luke...I don't know what I woulda done without him, or Cooter. Y'all stuck by me when everythin' seemed to be crumblin' down around me. I couldn't ask for a better family." Jesse's eyes swelled with tears at the heartfelt words, and he smiled.
"Us Dukes stick together," he said, then cleared his throat. "What about Robbie?" Bo was silent for a moment.
"Well...there is one last trip I'd like to take, if Luke's feelin' up to it." Jesse grunted.
"You'll have to ask him whenever he wakes up. That boy sleeps like he ain't slept in years." Bo chuckled at his uncle's next comment. "Course, it's no wonder he's tired, all the chasin' he's been doin' after you."
"If he says no I'll just act like I can't hear him," said Bo as he headed back toward the bedroom.
Balladeer: Somehow I knew he'd learn how to use that bad ear to his advantage. But I wonder where he wants to run off to now? They've already been away from home long enough, if ya ask me. But nobody's askin' me. So stick around. This thing ain't over yet—not 'till fat Lulu sings.
Author's Note: It just felt right to end it here. There should be one last chapter comin' soon. Let me know what you think!