IN THE BEGINNING
By BeeBeeGee
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When it was just Jesse and Luke living on the farm, Jesse had thought no more of the fact that they were two single fellows living together. However, after Daisy arrived, Jesse realized just how different from little boys little girls could be. He and Luke learned together how to adapt their bachelor ways to accommodate the female in their midst.
The makeshift family's living arrangement wasn't helped by the fact that one of Hazzard's more ignorant old biddies made a comment regarding the inappropriateness of a little girl living in a house with no women. For the most part, Jesse paid the old woman no mind; however, he did appreciate the fact that a woman living with the men-folk would make for a more regular family. In his evening prayers, Jesse recalled mentioning a time or two, 'Lord, if you see fit, maybe you could send a woman our way.' He hadn't counted on Arlene when he'd made the request.
Arlene and Bo's stay proceeded to pass from days into weeks. Bo was slowly fitting in with the other kids. Unfortunately, Arlene made no effort to become a part of the Duke household. She never once volunteered to assist with any of the daily chores involved in running the house or farm. Sure, she'd help when Jesse asked her directly, but she'd never volunteer on her own. With only one good hand available, little Bo did more to help than Arlene did with her able-bodied self.
Today was a typical day. Daisy had the job of tending to the henhouse. Bo tagged along, figuring that if a six-year old could do the chores, surely he could with one arm in a cast. Daisy was more than happy for the company. She was secretly thrilled that she knew something the other boy didn't, and was a patient teacher regarding the ins and outs of chickens. While cleaning up the henhouse was not exactly fun, the reward of fresh eggs more than made up for it.
Luke was busy taking care of the overgrown weeds at the side of the house.
Jesse was working on the laundry. With two more people's-worth of dirty clothing to tend to, laundry had to be done more than one day a week.
While Jesse waited for the latest load of clothing to finish the rinse cycle on the washing machine, Arlene was sitting on the sofa, doing something fancy with her over-long fingernails.
The washing machine shut down with a 'thunk,' announcing that the current load was finished. Jesse loaded the clothes into the laundry basket, wishing that he could afford a clothes dryer. Line drying meant that laundering clothes occupied a considerable amount of time. He paused at the sofa, laundry basket balanced on one hip, and spoke to his houseguest.
"Arlene, if it isn't too much trouble, do you think you could help me put the clothes out on the line?"
Arlene waved a spread-fingered hand in the air and replied, "Oh, Hun, I'd love to, but I just did my nails."
Jesse didn't understand why doing something with her nails meant that Arlene couldn't help. He suspected that she was just using her nails as an excuse to avoid work. Unfortunately, nail care was just another aspect of female-ness that was beyond Jesse's comprehension. He chose not to provoke a possible argument by questioning Arlene's statement, and instead headed out into the backyard and the waiting clothesline.
Bo and Daisy were just finishing up in the henhouse. Daisy saw Jesse carrying the laundry basket and asked, "Would you like me and Bo to help?"
Jesse wasn't sure how enthusiastic Bo was about his services being volunteered, so he hesitated before he answered. Rather than being tired out after assisting Daisy, Bo appeared to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Nevertheless, Jesse decided to give Bo the chance to say 'No.'
"While it's true I can manage the laundry by myself, I wouldn't mind if you want to help fold clothes." He turned to his young guest. "Bo, you don't have to help if you'd rather not."
Bo replied, "Hey, those are my clothes, too. I don't mind." He raised a soiled hand and continued, "Me and Daisy need to do some washing up, and we'll be right out."
The three of them worked together. Bo and Daisy removed the clean, dry clothes and placed them into an empty laundry basket, while Jesse hung up the latest damp load. They were soon joined by Luke, and the chore was quickly completed.
After the four of them had finished folding the laundry, Jesse declared, "I think we all need a little break. How about a game?"
Bo hesitated before responding. He asked, "Can Mama play, too?"
Jesse was sorry that Bo felt the need to ask his approval. He smiled reassuringly at the boy. "Of course she can!"
Bo hurried over to the sofa where Arlene was perched. "Mama, can you come play a game with us?"
Arlene greeted Bo's bright smile with one of her own. "That depends. What kind of game?"
There ensued a brief discussion among the potential players. Arlene was in favor of a card game, and expressed a particular desire to play Poker. Bo seconded his Mama's suggestion, but no one else in the room agreed.
Luke commented, "Me and Daisy got a whole closet full of board games. How about one of them, maybe 'Scrabble' or 'Monopoly?'"
Daisy immediately shouted out her preference: "Candyland!"
Both Bo and Luke seemed less than enthusiastic at the idea. Jesse offered his opinion. "'Monopoly' sounds good to me."
The majority of those present were in favor of the idea. Luke volunteered, "I'll go get it."
While Luke was gone, Arlene turned to speak directly to her son. "I'm sorry, Bo, I don't think I can sit still for a whole game of 'Monopoly.' Mama's gonna go take a walk. Okay?"
Jesse could tell by the boy's crestfallen expression that it was not okay. Nevertheless, Bo gave a shrug of pretended indifference and responded, "That's okay." He couldn't look his Mama in the eye when he said the words. It was easier for him to lie if he didn't have to do it to her face.
Arlene gave a friendly little wave of her right hand and headed out the door. "See you all later!"
Jesse silently scolded Arlene after she not only said she didn't want to play with her son, but didn't bother to offer Bo an alternative, like a walk with his mother. Jesse chewed on his lower lip so that the angry words he was thinking wouldn't escape. After he reined in his temper, Jesse turned to Bo, determined to keep the boy distracted and entertained.
Jesse asked, "So, Bo, you ever played 'Monopoly?'"
Bo was reluctant to admit that he'd never played the game. He replied, "Maybe … Sort of."
Luke returned, board game in hand. It seemed that Luke and Jesse were the only two really familiar with the game. Luke had received the game as a Christmas present, and had played it maybe half a dozen times since then. Jesse went over the rules. Due to the complex nature of the game, he declared, "Me and Daisy will play the first game together." Daisy was glad of the help, especially when it came to reading the 'Chance' and 'Community Chest' cards.
Jesse and the kids were having fun, teasing back and forth as they slowly accumulated property.
Due to some lucky dice rolls, Luke was clearly winning. As he paid the banker (Uncle Jesse) and placed a hotel on one of his properties, Luke commented, "You know, it seems like the object of this game is to make yourself Boss Hogg and own all the land."
Jesse sat back, startled at the boy's insight. "Huh. Well, I guess that's one way of looking at it."
Luke frowned. "That's too bad. I really don't want to be Boss Hogg." Everyone agreed that no one wanted to be Boss Hogg, especially Bo, once he learned who Boss Hogg was.
It was Luke's turn, but instead of rolling the dice, he asked Bo, "Want to trade for some of my property?" From that moment on, the game degenerated into a free-for-all. The players voted on rule changes with almost every roll of the dice. The children eventually decided that rather than be declared the winner, the person with the most property should be sent to jail. That person just happened to be Luke. Fortunately, Luke went along with the new rules, and allowed Daisy to place his token on the spot labeled 'Jail.'
While Luke was in jail, the other players redistributed the houses and hotels so that each player had the same number of buildings. After Luke volunteered to give all of his property away, he was freed from jail. The laughing, happy party then decide to 'rob' the bank and evenly count out the cash so that each person ended up with the same amount of play money.
Jesse laughed along with the players, suggesting a few of the new rules himself. Although it was the most unconventional game of 'Monopoly' he'd ever played, it was also the most fun.
He was glad to see the kids getting along so well together. He just wished Bo wasn't still a little bit nervous around him. Jesse hoped he'd have the time to prove to Bo that he was one of the good guys.
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Bo knew more than he was telling about bad guys. The first few nights he spent at the Duke farm were plagued by nightmares. Luke was glad he didn't have to share a bed with the restless sleeper. The reason for the restlessness became apparent when Bo startled Luke awake with a sudden shout of fear.
Luke was instantly awake and looking over at his roommate. It was difficult to see expressions in the dim moonlit room, but Luke could hear the harsh panting sound of Bo's breathing as it slowed from its panic state. Luke stepped over to the bed and quietly asked, "You alright?"
Bo seemed to calm down at the sound of Luke's voice. He whispered back, "Yeah. I'm okay." Bo was quiet for a moment before he asked, "Do you think it would be all right if I turned on the light?"
Luke knew that it would be easier for him to maneuver in the darkened room than Bo, so he simply reached over and flipped the light switch to 'on' as he responded, "Sure."
After Bo appeared to have settled down, Luke asked, "Did you have a nightmare or something?"
Bo responded, "Or something," then turned on his side so that he was facing away from Luke, silently letting the older boy know that he intended to say no more on the matter.
Luke would have been content with Bo's non-answer had the same scene not repeated itself the following night.
The night after that, Luke left the light on when they went to bed, and the nightmare was not repeated. The two boys enjoyed a week of quiet before Bo again awakened in the middle of the night with a shout of terror.
Immediately awake, Luke looked over at his frightened roommate. He could see unshed tears shining bright in his friend's eyes. He quickly left the cot and joined Bo in his bed. Bo moved a little closer, glad of the older boy's comforting presence.
When Bo did not speak, Luke quietly asked, "What's wrong?"
Bo was still trying to get used to the fact that what he dreamed wasn't real. His voice was a raw whisper as he asked a question of his own. "Is my Mama here?"
Luke replied, "She's over in the other room. Want me to go get her?"
Bo shook his head. "No. It's just … Are you sure she's there?"
Luke nodded confidently. "I'm sure."
Bo slumped back in the bed, relieved that the nightmare images fading from his mind weren't real. He wanted to let go of them, but it would be easier to do if Luke would stay right where he was, in the same bed with Bo. After a minute, Bo quietly stated, "I dreamed I was all alone."
Luke patted Bo on the shoulder, letting the boy feel his solid presence. "You're not alone. I'm here, and so 's your Ma, and so are Daisy and Uncle Jesse."
Bo breathed out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad."
When Luke began to move as if he were going to return to the cot, Bo asked, "Do you think you could, maybe, just for tonight …?" Bo was afraid to complete the request, fearing that he might break down and cry like a baby if the answer was 'no.' Fortunately, Luke knew what Bo was trying to say.
"As long as you promise not to hit me with that cast, I'll stay right here."
Bo crossed a finger over his heart and stated, "I promise." Luke quickly fell back to sleep. It took Bo a bit longer, but counting the older boy's steady breaths proved to be more calming than counting sheep, and Bo was finally able to sleep.
Luckily for both boys, the nightmares lessened in frequency and severity after that night.
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Other than the restlessness nights, Luke didn't mind sharing a room with Bo. Despite the difference in ages, the two boys had a lot in common. They liked the same type of music, played the same sports (at least, when Bo wasn't hampered by a cast on his arm), and shared a love of things that went fast.
Luke was a self-taught expert on the subject of cars and engines, and freely shared his knowledge with his young friend. He confided, "I'm saving all my money so I can get my own car."
Bo was kind enough not to point out that, between farm chores and schooling, Luke didn't have the time to earn any real money. It didn't matter. Bo knew exactly how Luke felt, because he felt the same way.
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TBC
Author's Notes:
Howdy and a big THANKS! to all who've taken the time to review. Kind words like yours encourage my fingers to keep typing. Next up …
Remember Cephus? Well, he remembers Arlene.
More to come as the story gets proof-read and edited.