Chapter 12
Jesse Duke was waiting for the three as they came in the door. "When you all finish your regular chores, Daisy you can work some more on the kitchen. Boys I want you to take the pick up out to the back forty. I've marked a couple good trees that have seasoned out real nice so they won't make much smoke. I need it cut and split before supper. I got a batch of mash ready to cook tonight. I've already sharpened the two man saw, the axes, splittin' mauls and wedges to save ya some time."
Luke would have rather saved time with the two perfectly good chain saws in the barn, but knew exactly what Jesse was doing. "Yes, Sir. Thanks for sharpening them up for us." He also knew that no one sharpened the tools like Jesse could which would make the job a bit easier."
At the mention of the hand tools Bo frowned. The job would take twice as long and twice the muscle to get it done.
After doing the regular chores, the boys headed out to cut the wood. Pulling up at the edge of the back forty Luke saw the trees in question, a red and black oak. Alone with only Bo to hear, Luke swore at the size of the trees. They would easily fill the pickup several times over.
Bo said, "If we start with the little stuff from the top of the trees we can fill a truck load and never have to split much of it.
"Bo we are getting off pretty lucky right now. Are you real sure you want to give Jesse a load of kindling?" Luke asked, then added, "With him havin' a batch of mash ready to cook?"
Bo sighed, "Yeah, I see your point. Not a good idea."
"No, not at all. Let's get at it." Luke said.
Awhile before supper, Jesse walked out to the back forty to see the boys progress. The pick up was loaded down with a good mix of both types of wood in several sizes. The rest of the two trees were cut into logs and the boys continued to split the wood even though the truck was full. Jesse said as he walked up to his nephews, "Take a breather boys."
Glad for the break in the hot summer evening sun, neither had to be told twice. Both grabbed their long ago shed shirts, wiped down and headed to the water cooler they had brought with them.
After several minutes of relaxing and cooling down Jesse said, "I think we've just got time to run this up to still site # 3 and get unloaded before supper." He headed to the pick up.
Not seeing they had a choice the boys put the tools on top of the wood and got in the truck. Jesse drove first to the barn and backed up to it, "Unload the tools and grab a sack of corn and two fifty pound bags of sugar. I'll start another bunch of mash as I cook this batch off."
Luke replied, "Yes, Sir." As he opened the truck door and got out. Entering the barn with only Bo behind him, "I hope he'll let me drive, if just from the flat up."
Bo groaned. "He always parks at the flat."
"Yelp, I don't mind the corn and sugar so much but all that wood a wheel barrel at a time will take forever." Luke said.
"Not to mention being a pain in many places." Bo said.
Luke looked at him, "That may be the entire point to all this. You and I both know there is enough chopped wood at every still site we have to last until winter."
Bo looked up confused. "Yeah, there is. So what's the point?"
"You know when you have a substitute teacher and they give you something like a word search or a cross word and make it count for a grade? Busy work?" Luke said.
"Yeah?" Bo replied, not seeing what this had to do with school.
"Bo this is busy work to keep us working our behinds off. Can't you see? He figures if we are tired and sore from work we'll be too tired to cause problems at school tomorrow." Luke explained.
Bo seen alright but replied, "Shoot, Luke I don't plan to get in no more trouble at school"
"So you planned to get into it today?" Luke asked as he shouldered fifty pounds of sugar.
"Well, no, but..." Bo replied.
"Exactly. Grab something and let's get going." Luke said.
Bo grumbled as he grabbed a sack of corn and followed Luke.
After getting loaded, Jesse drove the pick up to the flat just below the current location of still site number 3. He stopped the truck and looked at the invisible path that lead to the still, "Luke it's pretty dry and a vehicle hasn't been up that in some time. Do you think you can get this load up it and not spin the grass and rock up?"
Luke knew the importance of not digging the path up. It was large enough, barely to get the pick up to the still but a worn in path would give any one looking, a path straight to the still site. "Yes, Sir."
Jesse nodded, got out of the truck, walked to the passenger side door, then got back in. "Let's see it."
Luke and Bo moved over to let him in the truck as Luke felt the sweat begin to run down the back of his neck. It was hot, but not that hot. Luke had taken the truck up several times a few with out Jesse's knowledge and a few more without his permission. He had never been given the chance to show Jesse it could be done. Now he had the chance. The problem was, Luke knew that if he didn't take the truck up the hill in an acceptable manner that it would not be going back up the hill again. Luke took a deep breath, let it out slowly and replied as he put the truck in gear, "Yes, Sir."
To Jesse's surprise, Luke put the truck in reverse and began backing up the hilly path with enough speed to keep from spinning while going slow enough to dodge the trees and large rocks that bordered the curvy invisible path.
Luke pulled into a smaller flat opening a short distance from the still site which was what it appeared to be, an old hunting and fishing cabin. To any one who didn't know what they were looking at or what they were looking for they would never see the still built into the fireplace of the cabin. The fire box under the still could be fed from either inside the cabin or outside, which both heated the cabin in winter and cooked the mash. This was why this particular location was one of the favorites of all the Dukes.
Jesse looked at location where Luke parked. It was still a 'safe' distance from the unseen cabin. It was near enough to the stream to be fishing without anyone knowing there was even a cabin around.
Luke said, "This is as far as I ever take it. I think I could get it all the way but didn't want to risk it."
Jesse shook his head, both pleased with Luke's driving and judgment. "Ok, then, let's get at it."
The three worked to unload the pickup and made it back to the farm just in time for supper. Setting down to supper, it was obvious that Daisy had been hard at work cleaning the kitchen. She waited until everyone had finished supper, then brought out a fresh peach pie to go with coffee. As Daisy passed out the pie to Jesse at the head of the table, then to Bo, who was seated as usual on Jesse's left, and finally to Luke still happened to chose to stand at the fireplace mantle, she cleared her throat and said weakly, "Uncle Jesse, you said that I would be allowed to do some end of the year stuff?"
Jesse looked up at her, "Yes."
"I know Saturday is the Junior / Senior prom, but they need some helpers to help with refreshments and different things. Ms. Cline asked if I could help." Daisy said.
Jesse took a drink of coffee and considered this. Yes, she would get to do something she wanted to do, even though she was grounded, but it was more of a 'service' to the school than going just for her pleasure. "I'll think on it a spell." Jesse said, then looked to Luke, "That reminds me, you told the principal that you didn't plan to go to the prom. Why?"
Luke shrugged his shoulders and decided his answer would give his family more information about his personal situation than he had in the last couple weeks. He let out a heavy sigh, then began, "Robin and I have been in our 'off again' phase for sometime. I have planned to go to out Senior prom with her for the last couple years. I actually thought that is what she wanted to talk about when we went to talk or at least figured that would give me the chance to ask her." He paused, "Well, when she tried to box me in a corner about marriage, I walked." Luke saw the looks on his family. At least part of that was news to all them, but they still looked confused. "So with me walking I didn't ask her to the prom. Can't think of anyone really I wanted to go with instead of her, especially knowing she'll be there. Then Cooter was telling me that Beverly asked him to go with her but he had to drive the wrecker. I told him that I'd drive for him so he could go to the prom with Beverly. Then with everything that has been going on, I just hadn't gotten around to mentioning it." He looked at Jesse, "Is it alright that I still drive for him? He's already got his suit, the tickets and all."
Jesse knew that Luke never touched even a beer if he was driving for Cooter's dad and this was work not pleasure and would also give Luke some income to help pay his fines when he went to court. "Since you have given your word, I'll allow it.
"Thanks, Uncle Jesse." Luke replied.
Bo's 'wheels' were turning, yet he kept quiet for now. Daisy was going to 'work' the prom. Luke was going to drive the wrecker. Where would he be? At home still grounded. It wasn't fair!
Monday night and Tuesday were pretty normal even with the kids grounded. Wednesday morning Luke even managed to eat breakfast at the table for the first time since his whipping on Saturday. He may be setting at the table but the memory was still close to the surface. The three finished breakfast and though they still weren't happy about it caught the bus to school. The morning announcements kicked off an end of the year energy through out the school that would cause the usual yearly chaos. Mr. Jack braced himself before ever turning on the speakers to the classrooms, "Before I make this announcement, I want to remind you that you Seniors still have a week and a half of classes to go yet, while the rest still have a bit longer. With that in mind, what I am about to announce will be done in an orderly fashion and I will not tolerate classes being unnecessarily disturbed with socializing or tardiness. First, Seniors: You will be called in groups to pick up your cap, gowns, yearbooks, etc." He knew to pause there as a cheer went out by the student body and mainly the yearbook staff who had been pushing to get the last bit in so they would be ready before the end of the year. "Yes, the yearbooks are in." He paused again. "Juniors will be call in groups next to pick up class rings and yearbooks. Finally the Sophomores will be called to pick up yearbooks. If we don't get finished today, this will continue in this order until everything is picked up. PLEASE don't come by the office or the gym and ask about you order. The office doesn't have the information and interruptions in the gym will only slow down the process." He reached for the the list from the student helping with the distribution for the first list. "Seniors with last names beginning with 'A' through 'C', report to the gym. Teachers admit these students late. Everyone else report to class promptly after the bell."
The chattering that followed nearly covered the ringing bell dismissing homeroom. With everyone hitting the halls the volume of chatter only got louder. As the students moved on to their first class, if you were not a Senior with a last name starting with 'A, B or C', time began to move very slowly. As Luke arrived at Miss Stack's door it wasn't unusual to find Robin standing just outside the door talking to several of her friends. He went on in the classroom but didn't miss the conversation as Claire Rogers walked up, "We missed your help yesterday with the prom decorations." Robin said.
Claire replied, "Looks like you're going to miss it even more until the final stuff is done Friday evening."
The girls conversation was cut short as Miss Stacks came up to the door and began closing it as she walked into the room which gave the girls no other choice but to go into the room.
Luke had the sense to take his seat, open his book and at least prepare to act like he was paying attention. He actually hoped to be called out of this class to get his cap and gown but as the class drew on with only a few students coming back in with their packages he knew they hadn't gotten very far.
Miss Stacks, of course was annoyed as the others Seniors were trying to get a first look at the packages the students who returned to class of course brought with them to class.
The second class went much like the first. Finally during the third class the announcement came, "Seniors with last names starting with 'D' through 'M' report to the gym."
NARRATOR: Now that may seem like a lot more students than the first group that was called, but in this class it equaled out to about the same amount.
As Luke walked in he saw Robin's brother, Mark, motioning him over.
Mark was a bit older than Luke and Robin, but failed to have enough credits to graduate the year before due to being far too interested all the wrong things. He only took classes a half a day but his parents would not stand for him to not graduate, so he would be graduating with his sister, a fact that grated on his nerves.
Luke joined Mark. With Mark mostly being out of school and with Luke and Robin's on again off again relationship, it had been awhile since the two had spent a lot of time together.
"I talked to Cooter. Did Rosco really charge you with Driving Under the Influence?" Mark asked.
Luke frowned. This wasn't a conversation he really wanted to have right now. He had been looking forward to getting his cap and gown and moving one step closer to being out of school, but he knew Mark knew what had happened that night. He replied, "He sure did."
"But you only had what a beer or so while we were working to get that jerk out of the ditch." Mark said getting louder as he talked.
The glare his sister gave him for talking about her current boyfriend was not missed my either Mark or Luke as Robin walked by them.
Luke replied after Robin joined the girls on the other side of the gym, "That's right. I hadn't touched anything before racing. You, Cooter and I know that, but ..."
"Hey, I'll go with ya to court and Cooter said he would too." Mark said.
Looking across the room, Luke asked, "Do you think that decision will be very popular at home?"
"Since when is most of what I do popular at home?" Mark asked.
"What have you done now?" Luke asked hoping to change the subject off himself.
Mark gave Luke a bit of a grin, "One word." He paused, then said rather lowly, "Sharon."
Luke winced, "Jones?"
Mark looked at Luke confused, "Come on not you too?"
Luke held his hands up in front of himself and explained, "Hey. Not me. I just happen to have been in the near vicinity when their opinions were being voiced."
"She is not that bad Luke." Mark defended.
Luke shrugged his shoulders. He knew that when he and Robin weren't together he'd taken out several girls he'd never consider taking home to Jesse, which had not helped his relationship with Mark's sister at all. "Preachin' to the choir a bit there aren't you? If she suits you, who am I ta judge ya?"
Across the gym Robin was waiting her turn to pick up her graduation package with a couple of friends that she usually didn't have class with.
The girls had been talking about the upcoming prom on Friday night before Robin arrived. Debbie asked her, "What kind of flowers is Luke getting you for the prom?"
She figured the news of their break up had already made it all over school. Robin looked at Debbie confused before saying, "I'm not going to the prom with Luke."
Virginia looked totally surprised even though she had heard about them splitting up. "You're not serious. Come on, this is your Senior Prom. You have went to all the other proms with Luke. You'll regret not going with him this year after you two work things out."
Robin shook her head, "I don't see that happening."
Virginia had heard this before only to see Robin right back with Luke in hours or days of the conversation. "Come on. You know you have said all this before and always manage to work things out."
"Not this time. I finally seen he was only stringing me along. He never had any intentions of us being serious. All I wanted was to know that in a year or so I could start planning a wedding for after college. He told me to 'have a nice life'." Robin said, telling what had happened a bit differently than it actually happened.
Debbie almost couldn't wait for her to stop talking to ask, "You are still going to the prom? With who?"
Robin replied, "Ralph Green from..."
"Placid County?" Virginia finished the sentence in disbelief. She had been cheering beside Robin during all the games where Luke and Ralph were battling it out on the field and even having to see doctors after the games.
Looking only mildly embarrassed, Robin replied, "Yes, that is the one."
"Have you lost your mind?" Virginia asked.
Jill walked up just in time to hear Robin say she was going with Ralph Green, "You have got to be out of your mind. Luke seen you with him at the game last year and didn't kill him. You really think that it's such a good idea to parade him in Luke's face at the prom?"
Having heard about the events at the lake and Luke and Ralph's arrest the weekend before, Virginia added, "Especially after what happened at the lake."
"What in the world went on up at the lake with Luke last weekend?" Debbie asked as she hadn't heard the stories yet.
Virginia had been at the lake and seen what happened, so she answered before Robin had a chance to, "Luke and Ralph raced. Luke beat the socks off Ralph, who obviously tried to put Luke in the ditch. Funny thing was, Ralph ended up in the ditch. Cooter and the rest of the guys had a time getting him out of the ditch. Then Ralph had the nerve to swing on Luke." She paused to catch her breath before adding, "Then, the Sheriff showed up."
Debbie's eyes got big, "No way!"
The other three girls nodded yes.
Debbie had heard bits and pieces of the rumors but usually minded her own business, so she hadn't heard all the story until now. "What happened?"
Robin blushed crimson from her head to her toes even before Virginia opened her mouth.
Virginia had made it a point to find out what had happened because she thought Luke was a very fine specimen of the Hazzard County males. In fact she was standing where she could take in the view of his well tanned form as she spoke, "Ralph AND LUKE were arrested and spent several hours in jail before being bonded out. I hear they could be in some deep trouble. No one has seen the Duke boys out except for school since it happened."
Robin continued to blush. Wishing that her 'friend' hadn't been so informative.
"Really?" asked Debbie looking at Robin.
Having no other choice but to comment, Robin said quietly, "They were both arrested."
Virginia had been asked to the prom by Charlie months ago, but had to ask, "So who is Luke going to the prom with?"
The girls conversation was interrupted by them being called to separate lines to pick up various items of their packages and yearbooks.
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The three Dukes got off the bus in a fury of conversation which only got louder as they walked up the long lane to the farm house. As they came through the back door it was still unusual for them to be met by their Uncle Jesse who normally worked away from the house until near dark. The natural reaction was for Daisy to want to show off her yearbook, Bo his class ring and Luke his graduation stuff.
Daisy began, "Uncle Jesse LOOK!"
Luke sensed something in his uncle's expression and reached out to silence Daisy. "What is it? Is something wrong?"
Jesse merely handed Luke an envelope addressed to 'Lucas K Duke'.
Bo and Daisy stretched over each of Luke's shoulders to see the envelope. The return address was 'Hazzard County Circuit Court'. Bo tensed. Daisy gasped.
Luke took a deep breath and sighed as he turned the enveloped over seeing that as usual his mail had not been opened. He looked at Jesse with questions in his eyes.
Jesse indicated that he should open the envelope to find out what it contained.
Luke sighed again and bite his lip as he opened the envelope. He, as well as Jesse, pretty much figured that it was his court date. As Luke opened the letter, he was not disappointed to see a 'formal invitation' requesting his presence before Judge Hardcastle. He turned to the calendar on the wall and found the court date to be the Monday following graduation. Unthinkingly Luke swore out loud.
"Luke!" Jesse scolded then asked without giving Luke time to apologize, "When?"
"9 am, ... the Monday, ... after graduation." Luke said in frustration.
01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01
Please review to let me know how I'm doing - it has been a long time out of school. This story refers back to previous story Luke's First Love. Both can stand alone and have various differences but I am looking back to it for information for this story. Thanks for reading.