Chapter 26: The Race
The next day, the two Dukes headed to the start line when Kira saw a familiar rider. Matthew Kinnison was just walking his bike up to the line along with the rest of the riders. Kira nudged Jebb to get his attention.
"Don't look now. Your favorite biker just showed up for the race."
Jebb didn't need to look. He knew who his cousin was referring to. He just heaved a sigh as a response. Matt Kinnison and Jebb got along perhaps less than Luke and Ernie did. Jebb's main beef with him was that he raced dirty; caused more wrecks than everyone else on the circuit combined. He toyed with the idea to warn Bo to steer clear of Kinnison but knew that the warning would do nothing but entice his cousin to challenge the other rider. In this instance, ignorance may serve his cousin better.
"Let's hope he doesn't send anyone to the hospital today. See any black clouds followin' him?" Jebb put his helmet on and got on his bike.
Kira gave a slight smile, "No, but that don't mean nothin'. You know you'll be in his sights today. He'll try to finish what he'd started back at Thanksgiving."
"As long as he steers clear of the rookies." Jebb lowered his face shield, making it impossible to read his face.
With that, he approached the starting line and Kira fell back with the rest of the family behind the barricades. The racecourse, like many of the stock car races, had been a closely held secret. None of the riders would know the lay out until they were actually driving the course. Radio silence was mandated to avoid anyone from having spotters out on the course to alert the drivers to the surprises up ahead. The only exception was for when a rider was in distress. The only way that the spectators would know who was winning would be when those manning the check points along the way report in. Most headed on into The Boar's Nest to grab a drink while they waited since it was tradition for the bar to be the location of the start and finish line for most races.
When the first check point reported in, Kira wasn't surprised that Jebb was well ahead of the pack. Bo seemed to be fighting for position with Blake. But what really surprised Kira was that Kinnison was hangin' back. She felt that he'd be sticking close to Jebb like a bear to honey for sure. Of course, Matt usually was as ornery and unpredictable as a bear.
Kira was beginning to feel that she and Jebb should have warned Bo about Jebb's rival. Of course, by the time they had seen him, the race was ready to start. Kinnison was close to being banned from all races in the state. Too many racers tended to end up in the hospital after vying for position with him. Kira felt that the sport would be made all the better once Matt raced his last race.
At the next check point, Kinnison joined Blake and Bo. Each had closed some of the distance to Jebb but he still had a comfortable lead.
Kira glanced over at Jesse. She knew he had no love for motorcycles. Though in her mind, they were safer than some of the stunts that he had mastered and then taught the guys to do in a car while running moonshine. Now he was worrying over not one but two of his nephews in the race. Kira joined Luke at the bar while Jesse played checkers with his friend Amos.
"Feel weird to be sitting here while Bo's out racin'?"
"A little. Kinda thought he'd be doin' better. He had no problem the last Motor Cross race he entered."
"This batch of racers are a little different from the usual rookies that race the smaller races like this one. I am surprised to see some of them. Bo ain't all that bad, maybe just a touch too sure of himself. Blake seems to be givin' him a good run so far. Jebb and Kinnison are in a different class altogether. Kinnison must have been hangin' back to see if Bo was any competition. That's the only explanation for his starting off so far back." Kira bit her lip, deciding not to say any more about that particular racer. There was no sense in getting Luke worried.
Luke didn't notice since he was doing his best to keep an eye on Daisy without looking like he was watching her and L.D. He'd give his eye teeth to know what the initials stood for. Maybe then he could have Enos run a check on him. He'd just bet that someone who seemed to move around so much is running from something. This L.D. fella was just like Jamie Lee all over again. Daisy had nearly married that low-down snake in Hogg clothing.
"L-U-K-E. Stop it before you can't." Luke turned toward Kira. Was she talking to him? Did he miss something? "You do realize that this is one area in Daisy's life that you really can't protect her, right?"
"Why not?" Luke grabbed his glass and took a sip; mainly just to have something to do.
"There are some things that a person has to learn on their own. Dating this guy may be a mistake, but you have to let her make it. Otherwise, she won't ever learn how to pick the right guy. A girl needs something to compare Mr. Right to."
"So, you expect me to just sit here and watch her fall flat on her face when that worm takes all the wind out from under her wings?"
"No. I know you'll catch her when she falls. And she'll love you for it. But sometimes the most important lessons that are learned are when you're in a freefall. If you keep her from taking that step over the edge, how is she supposed to learn to fly?"
Luke was about to ask how Kira learned so much about relationships since she seemed to have a phobia of them herself, when the third check point reported in. Bo had finally pulled ahead of Blake while Jebb and Matt were fighting it out for first place. Just one more check point and they'd all be in the home stretch.
Bo had been so busy trying to pull ahead of Jebb's friend, he thought that his name was Blake maybe, that he never saw the racer wearing a blue racing suit and helmet pass him. Now looking ahead of him, Bo saw Jebb in his familiar black racing suit and the stranger in blue currently in a stiff battle for first. They had all just passed the final check point and started to head back to the Boar's Nest.
This stretch of road had a steep ravine on the side off to the right side of the road and it looked like the racer in blue was trying to nudge Jebb in that direction. Now Jebb was in the process of trying to pull away from both the ravine and the rider in blue.
The spectators all made their way back out to the Grandstand to watch the riders cross the finish line. Luke, Kira, and Jesse were all rubber necking to try to see who the first rider was as they heard a motorcycle approach. When Kira saw Kinnison ride past the line, she couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive. Slowly, one by one, other riders came into view, and then crossed the finish line. But no Duke was among them. A short distance away, there was an ambulance standing by just in case. Her eyes widened when the driver answered someone on the radio then pulled out heading toward the direction that the riders had just come from.
Kira broke out into a run towards the General just as Luke did the same. He slid behind the wheel and put the car in gear as Kira slipped in through the window.
'Bo? What's going on?' Kira saw Luke eye her. She knew he was expecting her to check in on Bo. Well that was fine with her; she didn't need any encouragement to do just that.
'I'm alright but that fella sent Jebb over the side of the ravine. I called for the ambulance for em. He's awake, but I think his leg is busted.'
"Bo's alright. Kinnison sent Jebb over the side of the road."
Luke released a breath. Bo was alright.
"What's the ambulance for then? Is Jebb okay?"
"Bo says that Jebb's leg is busted. They're only about a mile up the road now."
Behind the General Lee, the ambulance was doing its best to catch up, with Daisy driving Dixie with Uncle Jesse riding shotgun right behind it. Kira would like to pass on what she knew but saying what Bo told her over the CB waves might raise a few eyebrows. Somehow, she doubted that the rest of Hazzard would know how to handle the knowledge that two Dukes had a true telepathic connection.
Kira and the rest of the family got up when Jebb came out into the waiting room hobbling on crutches. His right leg was in a cast just up past his knee. Daisy went over to him and made her usual fuss over her injured cousin, though she was still making an effort to avoid speaking to either Bo or Luke directly.
"Well, Jebb, it looks like you won't be taking that road trip next month after all. Now we're both off the circuit for the season," Kira chimed in after Daisy seemed to be satisfied that Jebb's leg would heal in time.
"Yeh, so much for my summer of freedom. I'm guessin' that Kinnison won the race, huh?"
"'Fraid so. Though I'm sure he got out of town fast after the race. He ain't never been all that popular among the other racers and this stunt today just might have put the final nail in his coffin."
"Let's hope so. Looks like I'm goin' to need a lift back to Placid, now, too."
"No problem, we'll get ya home. But right now, we better get ya on out of this place."
"Come on, Sugar. Let's get you on out to the Jeep and get you on home, to the farm."
Jebb wasn't looking forward to calling home to tell his parents of the accident. His mother especially. He could already hear it. Plus, with no way to leave the farm in Placid, he knew he could look forward to his mother pushing him into spending a lot more time with Mary Ellen.
By dinner, despite Kira's offer to drive Jebb back to Placid the following day, it was decided that Luke would do it instead since driving both ways would be a bit difficult and still make it in to court first thing Monday morning. So, Jesse made calls first to J.D., in order to get the paperwork started, and then he called his brother John in Placid to pass on their plans. He and Pauline could expect Jebb and Luke right about supper time Sunday evening.
Kira moved into Daisy's room so that Jebb could use her room since it was the only bedroom on the ground floor. There was no sense in making him hop up the stairs if he didn't have to. That night when Daisy got ready for bed, it was obvious that she and at least one of the guys had discussed L.D. again. She was venting as she briskly brushed her hair then threw her hairbrush down.
Kira watched from across the room and just shook her head. Apparently, Daisy saw her in the mirror because she spun around ready to pick the fight back up, just with a different cousin.
"What? I know you want to say it so just go ahead and do it."
"Daisy, I ain't plannin' to say nothin'. It seems to me you've got enough people given ya unsolicited advice or opinions, I don't need to chime in, too. I'm just sittin' here, waitin' on ya to turn out the lights."
Daisy hadn't expected for her cousin to NOT jump on board with Bo and Luke. Maybe she wasn't alone in seeing L.D.'s good qualities after all. Daisy sat on the bed next to her cousin.
"You like him, don't ya, Kira?"
"I think you don't need my opinion to make up your mind on how you feel about L.D."
Daisy made a face at Kira. "What kind of answer is that?"
"The kind you get from a lawyer who is trying to stay neutral." Kira was stuck within these four walls until morning. The last thing that she wanted was to start World War III right before going to bed.
"Come on, Kira. Everyone else has had something to say. You have to have an opinion one way or another. What do you really think about him?"
Kira took a deep breath. Well, there it was. A direct question; and Dukes don't lie to Dukes.
"Well, he's a nice enough guy I suppose..." Kira drew out her answer to give Daisy time to decide if she really wanted to hear what Kira had to say.
"But?"
Evidently, she did.
"But I really don't think that ya'll have enough in common where it really counts to make a real go of it."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that L.D. has never stayed in one place longer than about six months at a time his entire adult life. And before you ask, yes, I did a background check on him. Not because I'm tryin' to compete with the fellas for being your most overprotective cousin, but because I never date anyone without doing it for myself, so it only stood to reason that I'd do the same for you. And no, I haven't told the others what I have found. But the point is, he is a tumbleweed. He is used to moving wherever the wind takes him anytime the mood hits him.
You are more like an oak tree. Your roots run deep and strong. If you tried to uproot yourself and live the same way L.D. does, you'd wither away. You may be having a good time with one another right now, and that's fine. But I don't think he could give you what you need to make you happy in a long-term relationship.
If you tried to make it work, he'll hurt you. He may not mean to, but he will. It's just that he's not the kind of guy who will still stick around and still be here in a couple years from now." Kira figured that was enough for now, so she stopped to let what she had said sink in. "So, should I head on up to the attic now?"
"No, I asked. Should I be worried about what you found on L.D.?"
"Well, there wasn't anything really criminal in his background." Kira looked at Daisy. "He does have a few ex-wives though."
Kira saw that it was news to Daisy that L.D. had already been married.
"Gettin' him to the altar probably won't be a problem. It'll be tryin' to hold onto him when you leave it behind." Kira hated deflating her cousin, but she did ask. "Don't worry though, Daisy. I ain't sayin' nothin' to the guys, and I won't be houndin' ya, neither. You have to make your own decision about L.D. I don't have to like it to support ya regardless of what you decide. Night, Daisy."
Kira decided to lay back and try to sleep. At least Daisy hadn't started screaming at her like she had the Duke men, and she'd like to keep it that way. Daisy soon followed suit though she mulled over what Kira had said for a while before actually drifting off to sleep.
"So, Kira had Brent come down to Hazzard to help her get even with ya'll huh?"
Luke had been filling Jebb in on some of the things that had happened out at the farm since Kira had moved in. Right down to Kira helping to get the statue back that Boss had stolen and then having her friend, (funny how Jebb knew who he meant even though Luke never did get a name, hadn't really cared to get one) waiting for him and Bo at the Boar's Nest. Jebb found it all a bit too funny for Luke's taste.
"Now you know why I said that it didn't take me long to realize that no man in his right mind would take her on. I didn't just mean in a fist fight, Cuz. If she can't take someone on physically, she falls back on out smartin' them instead. She out done ya. Doesn't happen too often huh, Luke?"
Jebb couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Kira having Brent embarrass the guys out at the bar. Only two things could have made it better.
One: Cooter actually finding it funny and deciding to play along.
And two: If the bar had been busier like Kira had wanted to start off with according to Daisy.
Jebb had always looked up to Luke and he can't think of a single time that any of the cousins had ever been able to get one over on the oldest Duke Boy. If memory serves him, Kira likes to catch her pranks on tape. He'll have to remember to ask her to share. He'd love to see how his cousins reacted to that particular joke. Glancing over at Luke, Jebb reckoned that he might not want to be the one to tell him that he'd been caught on tape.
"You know, you could have given us a bit of a warning that Kira can have a mean, not to mention devious, streak when she gets a mind to be."
"Now what would the fun in that be? Besides, there's some things that ya'll are just goin' to have to figure out for ya selves. It took me years to really get a grasp on figurin' her out. Now it's your turn."
Soon enough, the two Duke boys crossed over into Placid County. The Duke farm of Placid was just on the other side of Tranquil, the city seat of Placid. Driving through the small city, Luke saw it was about the size of Capital City over in Hatchapee. As they pulled up at the farm, Luke heard Jebb groan.
"Oh no. Uh, Luke. If you want my advice, you'll let me out here and you drive back to Hazzard as fast as you can."
Luke eyed his cousin, "Why?"
"See that red car over there in front of the house? That belongs to Mary Ellen. The woman my mom has been pushing me to get together with. And there on the porch with her, the brunette, is her sister Kelly Anne. I have the feelin' that mom's got plans for some match makin' while you're here."
"She can plan all she wants. What can she really do in one night? I'll be out of here right after breakfast. I think I can manage both your mother and this Kelly Anne until then."
"Just don't say I didn't warn you. I still say you should run while you still can."
Luke shook his head at his cousin's melodramatic act. He then pulled Kira's truck up (having borrowed it since there was no way that Jebb could climb in and out of The General in that cast) in front of the farmhouse and got out to greet his Aunt Pauline and Uncle John. As well as the two sisters that Jebb had mentioned. Looking at the brunette, Luke decided that it might not be too bad to keep company with her for an evening. Jebb was just overreacting.