See I told ya'll I'd have another chapter up soon! Enjoy and dont for get to review. This is the second chapter posted this week so don't forget to read Chapter 83 first. Thanks, Dixie!
010101010101
Chapter 84
Finally home, Karen was now able to shut out the world and even her family as she closed the bathroom door. She let out a breath that it seemed like she had been holding ever since the Trooper's headlights lite up the night at the lake. She got out a couple towels and a washcloth from the linen closet in the bathroom. As Karen got the towels ready for her when she got out of the tub, she couldn't help but take a couple extra long whifs of the line dried towels.
As Karen got undressed she had to check out her profile in the full length mirror paying close attention to her stomach. It was still too early to tell but she was looking for any changes in her body as she prayed that she wouldn't find anything different. Much to her relief, Karen found that her body was just as she had known it.
Turning on the hot water, Karen added her favorite bobble bath to the water, then smelled the bottle, finally adding and extra splash of bubbles to the running water. Karen added just enough cold water to allow her to get into the hot bubble bath without getting burnt. She sank down low in the tub and let the hot water and bubbles surround her up to her neck. Karen wasn't sure how she had went this long in her life taking such a simple pleasure for granted as she closed her eyes and enjoyed her soak in the tub.
0101010101010101
In Jeb's room, he and Luke were sitting opposite each other on the twin beds. "Ya know I've drank a good bit of shine more times than I care to admit around Uncle Jesse, but what ever was in those little bitty needles sure carries a heck of a punch." Luke said as he was seriously considering stretching out on the bed.
"I'm not sure it was the same thing he gave you, but Cousin I have to agree with you." Jeb replied as he looked at his own pillow that was calling him to it.
Luke knew that if he so much as leaned against the headboard he'd be out like a light as he continued to fight against the effects of the medication.
Jeb knew he'd told Karen and the others that he had no intention of going to sleep, but right now that was exactly what he was thinking about doing.
Luke looked at the jeans he had on and knew exactly how uncomfortable they would be to sleep in, but he also knew his Aunt Pauline's house rules on the matter. "Jeb what drawer is a pair of swimming trunks or pajamas or something that might fit?"
Jeb thought for a minute, "Your best bet is pajama bottoms in the second drawer down."
Luke looked at the dresser across the room. Right now it seemed like it was a really long way off as he forced himself up off the bed and went over to Jeb's dresser.
"How about tossing me a pair too while you're there?" Jeb asked.
Luke managed to get out the pajama bottoms, gave Jeb a pair and headed back to the twin bed. Neither cousin felt up to changing clothes but knew if they didn't do it now it wouldn't happen later.
About the time both boys had gotten down to their underwear there was a knock on the door, "Can I come in?"
Both Luke and Jeb nearly jumped out of their skins at hearing Pauline outside the door as they both replied, "NO!"
Pauline found their reply a bit sharp considering she was only taking them their dinner.
Jeb explained before his mother could reply, "We're changing, Mother. Give us a minute." He knew that had he not explained what was going on that his mother would have been joining them against their protests. She would have surely thought that they were up to something no good.
"Oh, I see. Alright, I'll just leave the tray on the hallway table. Luke would you be a Dear and get it when you two are done?" Pauline asked.
Luke knew how hard it had been going after the pajamas but the alternative was Pauline waiting for them to change or coming back. Luke actually didn't put it past his Aunt to insist on helping them both change so he replied, "Sure, I'll get it."
Luke may have had the use of both his hands but dressing with his ribs taped wasn't at all easy.
Jeb on the other hand only had the use of one of his hands but found putting the pajamas with the elastic waist band on had been much easier than trying to put on his jeans with the zipper and snap.
By the time they had gotten dressed both cousins felt as if they had played a couple games of football and had been on the loosing end. The last thing Luke wanted to do was to go get the tray of food, "Are you hungry?
Jeb frowned, "I guess I should be but no not really. Why?"
Luke replied, "I'm supposed to be going after that tray."
"Well, if you don't Mother will be back and likely spoon feed us every bite." Jeb knew his mother well and how she was when any of them were hurt or sick. He knew at times her caring for them was much worse than what ever ailed them.
"Say no more. I'm going." Luke managed to get up off the bed again and head for the door way on the other side of the room. As he stepped out in the hall he noticed the table with the tray on it between the twins door and the one he was standing at. At least he didn't have to go to the end of the hall, Luke thought as he made his way to the table, got the tray and managed to get it into Jeb's room and on the table between them.
Both cousins managed to eat most of the late dinner they had been brought before their Uncle Jesse came in to check on them. One look told him that his boys were fighting a loosing battle. "Boys ya'll will feel much better if you'd just give in, lay down there and go to sleep."
Luke looked to the pillow and saw how flat he'd be laying if he did as his uncle suggested, "Uncle Jesse I think I might just do that if I could get a couple more pillows so I'm not laying flat."
Jeb agreed, "Me too, but if I lay down like that I won't even be able to get up to go to the restroom."
Jesse may not have ever worn a cast like Jeb was but he had been known to have a couple broken or bruised ribs and knew Luke was right. "I'll be right back."
A few minutes later Jesse returned with additional pillows and Pauline on his heels.
0101010101010101
Meanwhile back in Hazzard County, one Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane was on duty! He had called the Placid County Sheriff with the information that he had on Cooter Davenport and Beverly Hibbs along with the descriptions of both cars. The Sheriff advised that he had been to races this weekend and didn't see any cars matching the descriptions. He noted that he had not seen Cooter's car in any of the races. The Sheriff said that he'd keep an eye out for them and let Rosco know if he seen them.
Rosco thanked the man then called Sheriff Little over in Chickasaw county and Sheriff Loomis of Hatchapee County. With all three of the surrounding counties notified, Rosco figured he'd done enough work for one night and figured the 'kids' would likely be home by in the morning so he headed off toward home.
0101010101010101
John Duke waited until things at the jail and inside his cell had calmed down for the night. he figured Pauline and Jesse had enough time to get to his house so he dialed the number to his house, followed the instructions on the phone, said his name and waited for Pauline to accept his call.
Pauline and Jesse had been sitting in the dining room drinking coffee and talking after they had finished their late dinner. Pauline aanswered the phone, "Duke Farm." She was greeted by the now familiar recording from the jail. Pauline accepted the call and said once the call was connected, "John David."
John hoped to lighten his wife's mood a bit as he teased, "No, it's your boyfriend calling from two cells down."
"John David! Don't be facetious!" Pauline scolded.
"Well, with Karen at home who else did you expect to get a call from, from here?" John asked.
Pauline hushed him, "Never mind all that, John."
John grimaced he'd about pushed her too far if she was cutting his name short. "I'm sorry Honey, how is Jeb, Karen and Luke?"
"Well, we just took the boys some extra pillows so they won't be laying flat. Whatever medication Doctor Greenwood gave them before they left the hospital seems to be working really well to insure that they rest whether they want to or not." Pauline said.
"Good. As stubborn as those two are they'd likely wanted all them to camp out in the barn tonight otherwise." John said knowing both Luke and Jeb.
Pauline fumed, "Over my dead body they would stay out there in the night air. That's what made Luke so sick and Doctor Greenwood gave me several warnings on things Jeb need not plan to do the rest of the summer."
"Pauline you can't just lock him in his room for the rest of the summer and molly cottle him." As much as John loved his wife, he hated the way Pauline was with the kids at times like these.
"And why not?" Pauline replied.
John knew he was on the loosing end of this battle at least until he got home. He figured to change the subject, "So how is Karen? Glad to be home?"
"I really haven't gotten a chance to talk to her since we picked her up. She road with the kids to the hospital and back home. Then no sooner than we got the girls inside she headed to the bathroom." Pauline looked at the clock, "In fact I better go check on her when I get off here. She's been in there awhile."
"Pauline let her be, I'm sure she'll be out soon or as soon as the water gets cold." John may not be planning a bubble bath when he got home but could relate to wanting a long hot shower. "Let me talk to Jesse before I run out of time."
"Alright. John David I love you." Pauline said as she motioned Jesse to the phone.
John was relieved that he was now back to being 'John David' again, replied, "I love you too, Sweetheart. And I'm sorry all this happened especially me being here."
Pauline fought the catch in her throat as she said, "Here's Jesse. Night John David." She turned away from Jesse to wipe the tear away from her cheek with her apron.
"John." Jesse took the phone from his sister-in-law.
John had heard Pauline choke up on him, "Is she alright or is she crying?"
Jesse merely relied, "Yes." to both questions.
"She's still right there." John asked.
"Don't you know it." Jesse replied.
John figured as much, "So tell me how are the kids?"
Jesse tried not to worry his younger brother, "They are alright other than the boys loosing the battle against whatever medication the doctor gave them."
John was concerned about Jeb being as stubborn as Luke, "Jesse talk to Jeb before you leave. The last thing he needs is to get back out on another bike and try to ride again before that shoulder gets better."
Jesse tried to reassure his younger brother, "I really don't think we have too worry too much at least for several weeks. It seems Doctor Greenwood knows your boy like we do. Instead of using a sling or brace to treat the injury he casted the shoulder, arm and most of Jeb's upper body to keep the shoulder immobilized."
John winced at the thought of his son's predicament especially with it being a hot summer, but knew it was the best thing for him in the long run, "I beat that went over real well with Jeb?"
"Well, the doctor didn't tell Jeb there were other treatment options before he put him in the cast, but as you can imagine Jeb isn't real happy about spending his summer like that." Jesse said.
"Oh, I can imagine." John replied.
Both brothers heard the one minute warning message.
"Thanks for everything you're doing there Jesse. I got to go soon." John said quickly.
Jesse replied, "Yes, I heard. You'd do the same for me. Take care brother."
"I will tell everyone I sent my love." John said as the phone went dead on his end of the call.
0101010101010101
At the motel, Cooter's luck was holding up to about normal. The clerk had told them that every where in town that served food had closed by eight during the week. Instead of driving out of town the newlyweds were content to live on love and sandwiches as they returned to their room. Beverly made sandwiches as Cooter washed his hands trying to get the grease out from under his short nails. After a meager meal, Cooter headed for a hot shower.
Beverly gave him just enough time to get under the water before she stepped in behind him, "Want me to wash your back?" She fully planned to show her husband just how much he had been missed and how worried she had been about him.
Cooter grinned mischievously even though he was tired, "You can start with my back."
Beverly managed to blush crimson as she asked, "Just what would you like me to finish with?"
Cooter answered only by pulling her to him for a long kiss as he wrapped his wife in his arms. Suddenly all the work he'd done today felt worth it and he didn't seem nearly as tired as he was a few minutes before.
0101010101010101
Karen enjoyed her soak in the tub until the water got cold, well that's what caused her to wake up. Her fingers and toes had long ago shriveled up and the bubbles had died down. Letting some of the cold water out and adding more hot, Karen finished her bath, dried and put on a robe to go down the hallway to her room.
Daisy said, "I was just about to come check on you."
Karen jump in surprise. She had forgotten all about Daisy being there and sharing her room, "Sh-!" Karen said as she closed the door behind her, "Sorry I forgot you were here."
Daisy laughed at Karen's reaction but warned, "You better not let Aunt Pauline hear you talking like that or she will surely wash your mouth out with lye soap."
"Yeah, yeah I know." Karen replied. "Hopefully she is too worried about her baby boy to be too close by."
"Karen that is mean to wish that on Jeb, and Luke by default, since they are sharing a room." Daisy said as she had been on the receiving end of Pauline's care a time or two.
"Yeah, well, I'm just happy to be home. I don't need any other attention." Karen said.
Daisy bit her lip before asking what she wanted to know, "Was it bad?"
Karen pulled out a pair of shorts, sports bra and T-shirt while considering her answer, "Yes, but oddly no."
Daisy looked at her a bit confused.
"See here is the thing we, all my friends plus two other girls were all in a room or cell together. At times it was a bit like a sleep over or pajama party if you could forget that the door was locked." Karen paused, then went on, "The windows were this thick glass that let in light but you couldn't see out. There was no bars, the door was all metal with a foot by foot window in it. Every so often you'd look up and see you was being watched by the officers."
Karen continued, "The only privacy you got was in the shower or toilet area, but you had five other girls right outside the shower curtain or partition. I think one of the worse things is that you couldn't wear your own clothes. We had clothes that looked like surgical 'greens' but were these horrible black and white stripes. The mattresses and pillows were covered in plastic like stuff so every time you moved they made noises. Then of course you couldn't just go to the refrigerator when you wanted to, your meals were brought to you. I guess I just have always taken a lot of little stuff for granted."
A knock at the door got the girls attention, "Can I come in?"
Karen rolled her eyes.
Daisy added quietly, "Like you mother coming to say goodnight."
"Sure Mom." Karen replied as she gave Daisy a look.
"I was just coming to check on you Dear, your plate is in the oven." Pauline said.
Karen replied, "I was just getting dressed I'll be right down." After getting dressed Karen said to Daisy, "Come on you can keep me company while I eat then we can go see what the guys are into."
The girls went into the kitchen to find Bo drying the last dish and putting it away. "Oh no, ya'll don't. I've just got everything put up and I want to go see how Luke and Jeb are doing. ya'll ain't gonna come in here and dirty up any more dishes."
Karen grinned at her younger cousin, "I hear mine is in the oven and I'll even wash and dry my own dish."
Everyone knew how much Karen hated to do dishes so this took both Bo and Daisy by surprise. "Really? You will?" Bo asked. "Good I'm out of here before you change your mind."
Daisy said after Bo left the room, "Wow! I guess you did miss home."
Karen gave a laugh, "Well, maybe a little."
01010101010101
Bo went in Jeb's room to find both his cousins propped up in their respective beds, "Hey fellas I thought you all weren't going to bed yet when you came up here."
Luke managed, "Just got comfortable Bo."
Jeb added, "Bo there is some magazines under my bed if you get bored since neither of us may be very good company tonight."
"Really?" Bo asked eagerly already in motion to get the magazines.
Luke gave Jeb a questioning look thinking like Bo was that the magazines in question were 'girlie' magazines since they were under his bed.
Jeb thought everyone knew how nosey his mother was, "Really fellas with Mother in her all the time there is NO way I could have that sort of magazines under my bed."
Bo said, a bit of a disappointed reply, "Oh." As he took a couple magazines that he'd already reached for.
Luke grinned, "Yeah, I forgot about that."
Bo thumbed through the handful of magazines hoping to find something to get his cousins interested in, "Hey Jeb there is something wrong with these magazines."
"What?" Jeb asked being brought back to the land of the living.
"They don't have any cars in them." Bo said. "They are all about motorcycles."
"And?" Jeb asked.
Bo shrugged, "I just ain't seen anyone interested in motorcycles like this before. Like this one, it's all about racing Moto-Cross."
Luke watched the exchange between his younger cousins as he was trying to stay awake.
Jeb replied, "Well, now you have." Jeb struggled to try to adjust himself in the bed, "Remind me to read that one again. I don't remember seeing this part in there." He motioned to the large cast that he was wearing.
"About that, Jeb. How long have you been racing bikes?" Luke asked.
Jeb shrugged as best he could with his one free shoulder, "About six or seven months or so."
"You ever wiped out before?" Luke asked.
Jeb replied, "Sure I've layed my fair share down." He had a feeling that he knew where Luke was going with his thoughts.
"Jeb its one thing to lay one down, ... tear your jeans and skin your knee... It's another to wipe out, ... like you must have to do that." Luke said."You never did have a chance, ... to tell us what happened out there." Luke said between having to pause to get his breath.
Jeb thought a moment about what he remembered happening. "It all happened really fast. One minute we were heading into a sharp turn. Blake was in front of me. I was really ready to get around him, I cut to the inside and leaned into the turn. I guess I was so intent in getting around Blake that I tuned out Kinnison, who was about a half a bike length ahead of me on the inside. The next thing I knew he had his back wheel coming at my front wheel. The next thing I knew the bike was flipping and rolling. I guess I landed on my shoulder but I was too busy trying to get out of the way of the rest of the bikes. I think ya'll were there when they were putting me on the cot. Until then I didn't realize my shoulder was hurt until they started moving me."
"Adrenaline is a wonderful thing, ... until it wears off." Luke advised.
Jeb replied, "Yeah, well do you think we can talk Doc into giving up some adrenaline now?"
"Some how I think that is the last thing on Earth either of our doctors would give us right now." Luke said. "I think Doctor Greenwood wanted us out for the count."
Jeb replied, "Well, I don't know why with me I'm just sore all over and laying in a bed ain't gonna help that none."
Luke replied, "If your mother has anything to say about it you'll likely be in bed as long as I am and then when she gets you all better your likely to be sore for an entirely different reason."
"Don't remind me." Jeb said glumly. He could only hope that his Dad was home by the that time, since he knew that his mother hadn't had her say on his racing a motorcycle yet.
Bo had been glancing at one of the articles in the magazine about racing Moto-Cross, "Well, Jeb I hate to tell you this but it says right here that shoulder injuries and broken collar bones are one of the most frequent injuries in Moto-Cross and usually happens during landings after making jumps."
"Thanks Bo. I needed to hear that right now." Jeb replied, he had been close to dozing off, but the thought of having similar injuries to his shoulders in the future wasn't a pleasant one. "Let me see that." Jeb reached out with his right hand.
Bo handed him the magazine, "See right here."
Jeb read the information and sure enough Bo had told him what the article said. He tried to read further but his eyes were crossing. He layed the magazine on to the nightstand.
Karen and Daisy had finished up in the kitchen and made their way up to the boys room. Knocking softly, Karen asked, "Can we come in?"
Bo replied, "Sure."
Karen and Daisy went in the room to find Luke and Jeb between being barely awake and dozing off and Bo sitting on the sleeping bag in the floor with several magazines in front of him.
Karen asked in concern, "Are they alright?"
Bo nodded 'yes', "I think it's just the medicine. They have been awake and talking some."
Luke replied, "I'm awake."
"Me too." Jeb replied with his eyes still closed.
Bo smiled, "See what I mean?"
The Duke cousins talked awhile longer until it was clear that Luke and Jeb had been more asleep than awake for sometime. Karen and Daisy whispered before slipping out of the room and down the hall, "Night Bo."