Hi!I know it's been longer than it's ever taken me to post, but this was truly almost a terrible catastrophe!. My hard drive blew up Monday night, and then a lightening storm swirled around the monitor in the wee hours that followed. Maybe someone's trying to tell me something that ya'll have been to polite to just come out and say! Anyway, this story came very close to becoming a 'fill in your own ending.' (lol). The computer and monitorhas went to that junkyard in the sky, but luckily the data was salvagable. Obviously, I have a new one, now, and I'm trying to get accustomed to it. If something looks out of place or different, that may be the reason.
Wanted to take a minute to pre-thank T.S. Blue for all the help she has given me on this story. She's really made me thinkabout some of the details that I hadn't considered. She's been working on her own story for a while now, and has just posted a chapter or two. While I haven't had the honor of yet reading the ending, I have read a good portion of it. If you haven't checked it out, do so! She's a wonderful writer, and it's a great story! Like all of us, we only learn by feedback. I certainly know that I have!
So thanks for all the reviews, concerns, and patience. I appreciate it!
BLOOD BROTHERS
CHAPTER 15
A MUCH NEEDED BREAK
When Luke opened his eyes again, he could tell that it was dark outside; the natural lighting via the window being replaced by the artificial kind from light bulbs. He felt like he'd went a few rounds with the wringer in a washing machine, and it had won. He vaguely remembered bits of that afternoon, and contrary to modern medicine, he had been sick. He could tell, not by the memories, but by the way he felt. As far as the harvest site, the doctor had predicted that more accurately. It was just a little sore, like he had fallen. The rest of him felt sore and achy, too, but he knew that was attributable from his bout with anesthesia. He thought to himself that if one afternoon left him feeling that bad, he didn't want to imagine what Bo felt like. That triggered his memory, bringing him to full attention. "Bo!" he said.
He saw his uncle rise from the chair next to his bed. "Hi Luke! How you feeling?" he asked softly.
"Fine, how's Bo?" He'd been asking that question all day long, but couldn't remember getting a straight answer, and his 'Bo alert' was working overtime. Still laying on his side so that he wouldn't aggravate his back, he started to push himself up.
"Hey! Hey! Stop that, Luke," his uncle warned, pushing him back down. It wasn't hard since he wasn't in prime condition.
"How's Bo?" he asked again.
"Little better, I think," Jesse said. Seeing his nephew's look of doubt, he continued. "Really, I think he's getting better. He hasn't been so sick this afternoon, and they started giving him your marrow."
"Yeah?" Luke asked, not knowing whether to believe his uncle or not. He hated to admit it, but the fact that Jesse hadn't been honest with him up front about Bo's condition lead him to believe he might do it again, if he deemed it justifiable. "I want to see him," Luke said, starting to push himself up, again.
"No, Luke. Not tonight. When I left him, he was resting, and that's what you need to be doing. Doc says you'll probably be released tomorrow. You can see him then."
In Luke's weakened state, his uncle had the advantage. He couldn't overpower him, not that he really wanted to, so he had no choice but to lay there and try to communicate with his cousin via the mental connection they always shared. He tried to feel Bo's presence, and though he wasn't getting any clear waves, he could feel Bo, and that made him feel better.
A nurse came in, welcoming him back and carrying a tray. They were going to give him a light dinner to see how he did, and to his own surprise, he found he was slightly hungry. He was worried about getting sick again, but found that after the first few bites, he felt better.
Jesse told him that Daisy wanted to see him so he was going to go switch places with her. A few minutes later, Daisy Duke was sitting on Luke's bed watching him play with his late supper.
"How ya doing sugar?"
"I'm fine," he said.
"Yeah, well you didn't look so fine this afternoon."
"You know me and anesthesia. We don't get along."
"Yeah," she giggled, though she knew it wasn't really funny.
Turning very serious, Luke asked, "how's Bo?" He may have not completely trusted Jesse, and he knew that Daisy hadn't told him the truth while he'd been gone, either, but he could read her better. If she was lying, he'd know.
"He's better, sugar," she said, and she sounded like she meant it. "He hasn't been so sick all the time. The doctor says he's doing quite well. They started giving him your marrow, and they say as long as he doesn't develop any infections or other complications, they're real hopeful. He says tomorrow, he thinks all of us can dress up like they let you this morning so we can see him for a few minutes."
"Really? That's great," Luke commented, feeling even better from the news than the snack he'd been provided.
"Well sugar, I gotta go let Uncle Jesse get to bed. He won't admit it, but he's real tired. I'll see ya in the morning," she said, leaning over and giving him a kiss.
"Okay," he told her, hugging her back before letting her go so that she could report for Bo duty.
The nurse came in a few minutes later, and asked him if he wanted something to help him sleep. Luke told her that he did not, believing that he might be getting the best sleep he'd had in a long time simply knowing that Bo was upstairs, improving. He was encouraged by the news about Bo, feeling like some of those thousand pounds might have been lifted off of his shoulders. "Night cuz," he whispered as he drifted off, startled when he thought he actually received a reply.
Hospitals aren't known for letting people sleep. Even when you're tired, they wake you up every few minutes just to see if you're asleep. If they tried with Luke, they must have been very disappointed. He slept the entire night through. Living on a farm, though, he was used to being up at the crack of dawn, so he wasn't surprised to find that it was a little before five when he looked at the clock. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well, and he'd had pleasant dreams all night. Dreams about him, and Bo, and Daisy, and things they'd done when they were kids, and things they were going to do once Bo got better and they went home. He felt refreshed, welcoming the new day despite rising before the sun.
Pushing himself up, Luke realized that he was sore. It wasn't excruciating, and he'd been through worse, but his back ached. He couldn't have cared less. What he felt was nothing compared to the fact that his little 'ouchie' was going to allow Bo to stay with them. Pushing himself off the bed, he held on for a minute until he got his bearings. Searching the room, he was rewarded with another extra hospital gown, which he again made into a makeshift robe. He made a note that they needed to get Bo proper attire when he started to get better so that his cousin wouldn't suffer the indignation that he'd been forced to. Yet, there was no hurry; they had time. Luke knew it would be a while before Bo would have to worry about such things. Sneaking out of the room again, he found himself in the stairway. He was starting to feel like a secret agent in a B rated movie.
Daisy was in her chair at their post, not surprised to see her oldest cousin walking down the hall toward her.
"Ya probably aren't supposed to be out of bed," she commented, giving him a hug and kiss before helping him into the chair.
"Never stopped me before," he grinned. "How's Bo?"
"He's doing better," she said. "He slept all night and wasn't sick once."
Luke smiled wider, glad that the news was good. He could see for himself that Bo looked a lot better.
"Mr. Duke, what are you doing down here?" Bo's nice nurse asked.
"I wanted to see Bo."
"Well, I'm not surprised. He's doing much better today," she confirmed.
"That's what they told me, but I wanted to see for myself."
Patting his shoulder, she went into Bo's room to do a routine check, smiling when she came back out a few minutes later. "He's still doing ok," she assured them, going back to her desk and leaving the two cousins to simply watch a sleeping one.
Uncle Jesse joined them a little later, telling Daisy to go on and get some sleep. She refused, saying she'd wait until the doctor made his rounds. He was an early bird, and she wanted to hear what he had to say before she went and took a nap.
She didn't have to wait long. They heard him coming down the hall, a trail of students following him as he gave an update on Bo's condition. Arriving at his patient's room, he looked down at Luke.
"Well Mr. Duke, why am I not surprised to find you here?" he asked.
"I'm fine," Luke said, brushing him off.
"I can see that," he responded, "and since I suppose I know where I'll be able to find you from now on, I don't think we should prolong your release from our lovely establishment any longer. Since you don't seem to want the bed, we'll give it to someone who does. Why don't you go upstairs and I'll be up in a minute. Just need to check the harvest site to make sure everything's ok, then I'll give you your walking papers."
"Can't I wait till after you check out Bo?" Luke asked, using the same puppy dog eyes that had worked on the nurse the day before.
"Okay," he said, making the students stay outside while he and a nurse went in since they were the only ones dressed appropriately to enter the patient's room. As soon as they were inside, she closed the curtain, blocking Bo from their view.
It agitated Luke. "Hey!" he said, trying to get up.
"Now hold on sugar. It's just the decent thing to do. How'd you like to be examined where the whole world could watch?" Daisy asked him.
"They did this yesterday, too," Uncle Jesse told him.
"It's standard procedure," one of the students assured him.
"Okay, okay. I see your point. Hey, you know we really got to get Bo some pajamas and a robe for when he gets better and can get out of his room. This makeshift one leaves a lot to be desired."
Chuckling, they all agreed that they would indeed get Bo official hospital attire when he was ready for it.
A few minutes later, the nurse opened the curtain and they were all surprised when Bo turned toward the window and smiled, raising his hand to give them a little wave. Each one had tears in their eyes, but for the first time in months, these were good tears.
Dr. Frenzi stepped out a minute later. "He's doing just fine. Mr. Duke, get back to your room so we can get you out of our hospital as a patient. Bo wants to see you, and I told him that I'd let each of you visit with him a few minutes in the protective gowns. I assume you're going to want to go first."
"Yes sir," Luke said.
"Well, we need to do this before the next shift of nurses comes on. The next one on duty isn't quite as nice as Theresa here."
"Tell me about it," Daisy agreed, knowing exactly which one he was talking about.
Luke didn't have to be told twice. He was pushing the elevator button before the doctor promised to see him in a few minutes.
Dressed in his plaid shirt and blue jeans, Luke Duke strutted down the hall toward his cousin's room as if he hadn't a care in the world. Even the slight ache in his backside wasn't bothering him at that moment. He knew that the doctors had warned that Bo had a long way to go, but he was better, and Luke knew he'd get there. He'd told Bo that this would work, and he was going to be proven correct. Hugging Daisy and Jesse, Theresa whisked him down the hall. His own release had taken a little longer than expected, so she'd let Jesse and Daisy already go in. She was running out of time in which to be able to do this, and her patient was requesting his cousin.
Outfitted like a doctor again, Luke quietly opened the door to Bo's room. He saw from the window that it appeared as if Bo was sleeping. Leaning over his cousin, he slid his gloved hand under Bo's, wondering if he'd ever get used to the strange feeling of latex on skin. When Bo opened his eyes, Luke smiled down at him. His face was covered by a mask, but he was sure that Bo could tell by his eyes that he was happy.
"Luke?" Bo asked.
"It's me, little cuz."
"Luke, you ok?"
"Don't I look ok?"
"Can't tell. You're all covered up," Bo said.
"That's so I don't give you any of my cooties, remember?" Luke laughed.
Bo chuckled. "Can't see how that would hurt me now, since I've got your blood running through me." Before Luke could reply, Bo turned serious. "Really Luke, you ok?"
"Fine. It didn't hurt a bit," Luke told him, trying to ease his mind.
"Right," Bo responded, knowing his cousin would tell him almost anything.
"It didn't. I swear."
Bo looked up at him with his big, innocent eyes trying to figure out whether he was telling him the truth or not.
"How do you feel?" Luke asked, turning the tables.
"Better."
"Well, you sure look better, Bo."
"I always look great," Bo told him, to which Luke laughed, then agreed.
"Yeah, you do."
"Thanks, Luke."
"No problem, cuz, but I'll tell ya something. Next time you want to renew our vows of being blood brothers, just ask. You don't have to go to these extremes."
The boys laughed again, unaware that Jesse and Daisy were watching through the window and could hear the occasional chuckles. Whenever they did, they'd giggle too, despite being unable to actually hear what was being said.
"We really are blood brothers, now, aren't we Luke?"
"Yeah, it doesn't get more official than this," Luke assured him.
"Since you're ok, I gotta tell ya, I'm glad that you were the one that matched. It's not like I could have refused if it had been Coy, or Vance, or Jeb, but I feel really special knowing that I got your blood now. It's kind of like a merit badge or something, like we really are brothers."
Luke smiled, but the compliment brought tears to his eyes. He knew Bo thought of him that highly, but until recently, he really hadn't understood what that meant. "Bo, blood or not, you've always been my baby brother."
"Yeah, I know, but this just makes it more official and twice as special."
"Okay, Mr. Duke. Time's up," Theresa told him.
"Awe," both boys said at the same time.
"Thanks again, Luke. I love ya."
"I love ya, too, Bo. I'll see ya later."
"Tomorrow," Theresa corrected.
"Tomorrow," Luke said, indicating his annoyance with his eyes. "Just remember, one of us is always out there so all you gotta do is look at the window."
"I know. You'll never know how much it helped."
Luke wanted to kiss his cousin's forehead, but he knew he didn't dare risk it. Instead he squeezed his hand as Theresa ushered him out of the room, Luke promising to return the next day.
For the next two days, each Duke got to see Bo for a few minutes. He looked so much better, even better than when they had first arrived. Jesse swore that he saw him getting a little of his color back He was starting to eat fairly well, though he said he was waiting to get back home so Daisy could keep her promise to him, which she said she'd gladly do. Even the doctors seemed optimistic, though it was there job to continue to warn the family that they had a long way to go yet.
Bo always looked forward to Luke's visits the most, and Luke felt like a kid in a candy shoppe as the minutes got closer. It was the highlight of his day, and everyone knew it. Except for his time at war, he'd never really been separated from his cousin before, and he never wanted to be again.
Neither of the boys had ever given any indication that they wanted to leave Hazzard. The only thing they ever talked about that might take them away from the farm was racing, and they planned on doing that together. Luke never saw a life without Bo. Even if they both got married and had families, he assumed they'd live close by, maybe even on part of the Duke land. That was why the thought of Bo dying had been completely incomprehensible to him, and he knew that Bo would have felt the same way if the roles had been reversed.
During their visits, the boys talked about all the things they were going to do when they got back home, and the motor and car to follow was their favorite subject. They knew that there were certain things to consider before they got the right one, but Bo already had a list of suitable makes and models in his head. Luke laughed, saying that he'd see what he could do.
In spite of the fact that he seemed to be doing so much better, one of the Dukes remained outside the window at all times, just in case Bo needed them. He appreciated it, but itwas starting to make himfeel guilty. Bo suggested that they go out for dinner, and he knew just the place. Theresa had told him about a real nice country style diner just a couple of blocks away. He told them that he knew they hadn't been anywhere except the hospital and their rooms, and that they hadn't eaten anything except for hospital food. They also hadn't had a meal together, since one of them was always parked outside his room. Jesse and Daisy told him that they'd agree, if he could get Luke to go. To that, they wished him luck.
"No!" Luke said. "Look, I'll let Daisy and Jesse go, and I'll stay."
"C'mon Luke. This is silly. You need to get out of here, have something different to eat, and see some of the local scenery."
"What scenery, Bo? The town population here is 500. Shoot, it's smaller than Hazzard."
"Not by much, and the diner in Hazzard is pretty good."
"Bo no!"
"Please. I'm ok, Luke, and it would make me feel better. Please?"
Luke didn't want to go. He was getting a bad feeling, and that hadn't happened for a few days. He really didn't want to push his luck, but Bo seemed to want it so bad. After a little more whining, Luke gave in.
"Thanks Luke. It'll make me feel better."
"Well then, how could I refuse?"
After being told that his time was up, Luke leaned over Bo as he always did. "I'll be back in here tomorrow, but I'll be right out there."
"Except for dinner, right?"
"Right."
"Okay," Bo said, giving his cousin his best smile.
"I love you Bo."
"I know that, Luke. You don't ever have to wonder if I knew that. I love you, too, and I know that you know that."
Luke didn't like what Bo had just said, and wanted to ask what brought all that on, but Theresa was already shooing him out the door.
Jesse decided to remain with Daisy for a little while, but Luke was instructed to go get some sleep. All the way back to their room, Luke played the words in his mind. He couldn't understand why Bo had felt the need to tell him that.
Thatafternoon, Bo seemed to be a little more tired than he had been the prior couple of days. Yet, when he looked at the clock and saw dinner time approaching, he pointed to the elevator. Understanding what he was telling them, they all nodded. Bo grinned and gave them the thumbs up signal. Making direct eye contact with Luke, he winked. Luke put his hand up to the glass, knowing how much the nurses and janitorial staff appreciated the fingerprints he left behind. He didn't mean to cause them more work, but deep down, he didn't care. It was the closest he could get to his cousin while being banished to the hall.
None of them realized what a really good idea it had been until after they were full and walking back. Fairview, Minnesota was a small community, as Luke had already pointed out. Most of the residents were affiliated with the University's medical facilities, leaving very little of anything else. Like Hazzard, they weren't terribly far from larger cities when they needed something. Though the grounds mostly belonged to the college, they were very pretty. Nestled among tall trees, everything was so green in contrast to Hazzard. Under any other circumstances, the Duke men would have been in heaven had they been able to take advantage of the thousands of lakes. It was a fisherman's paradise, but that's not what they were there for. Luke thought in the back of his mind that someday he might bring Bo back, when it was recreation not life-or-death.
The food had been delicious, better and different than what they'd been getting. Also like Hazzard, the people at the diner were friendly, inquiring as to what had brought them to their fair little town. After hearing their story, their meal tab was torn up. The diner's owner assured them that they could pay the next one, and invited them back. The patrons wished them well, hoping for a speedy recovery for their loved one. They'd had a good time kidding each other about their respective accents, both prominent but unique. Even the walk on the grounds and the fresh air seemed to rejuvenate them. It was early evening as the hospital entrance came back into sight. They were all going to wave goodnight to Bo before Daisy would settle in for the early night shift.
As soon as they stepped off the elevator, they saw Dr. Frenzi. He was standing outside Bo's room, looking concerned.
Hurrying up to him, Jesse asked first, "What's going on? What's happened?"
"I'm sorry, but Bo developed a infection," was his reply.
Looking in the window, they couldn't believe that the lively Bo of the past few days was now lying completely still. The color Jesse had said he'd gotten back was gone, and it was hard to distinguish him from the walls or the sheets.
