Chapter 87
After dinner the young people were excused to the living room where Jeb took a seat in his father's chair since it was the easiest seat for him to get out of with only the use of his right hand. Angie took a seat nearest him on the sofa. Karen took the seat furthest from her brother.
Karen had seen this before, she may as well have been on Mars as far as Angie was concerned. She was here for one reason and one reason only - Jeb.
Jeb was listening intently for Angie's ride to rescue him.
"I never did hear how you got hurt." Angie said.
That actually surprised Jeb to hear. He figured his mother would have told everyone how he'd gotten hurt. "I was racing a dirt bike in a race when a jerk caused me to wreck."
"Wow! I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle." Angie gushed.
Jeb couldn't help but think the girl likely didn't know the different in a dirt bike and a street bike.
"I'd really like to see your bike." Angie said, hoping to get Jeb alone.
Jeb gave a little smile before replying, "I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a bit on that, ... since it's up in Fulton County."
Karen had lost interest in this conversation even before it began, but she managed to hear Jeb's last sentence. "What's in Fulton County?"
"My bike." Jeb replied in a low voice.
"Your WHAT? Have you lost your mind?" Karen asked.
"SHhh! Hush! You don't have to make such a big deal about it." Jeb said to his sister.
"Hey, it's your funeral. You know Mother isn't over this and your going to tell her you have your own motorcycle?" Karen asked.
"No, not exactly. At least not if you'd hush. I planned to wait until Dad gets home." Jeb explained to Karen.
"Consider me hushed and knowing nothing about it when the crap hits the fan!" Karen said as she picked up an emory board and began filing her nails. Yet another small thing she had taken for granted until last weekend.
An hour or so later, Jeb wasn't sure how or why he'd let himself be talked into walking outside alone with their dinner guest or what was taking her ride so long to get here as he took a seat on a bale of hay beside the barn. Jeb had long ago lost interest in the girl's ramblings. He had never been one to think in generalities but if there had ever been a blond that was dingy, it had to be this girl. Angie had agreed with everything he'd said, disliked everything he didn't, and even tried to show interest in dirt bikes - a subject Jeb knew she knew nothing about from the get go.
Angie quickly took a seat way too close to Jeb for his comfort, but before he could do anything about it Angie took him totally off guard. First he felt her fumble with his gym shorts, then before he knew what was happening Jeb felt a totally unexpected sensation that took his breath away. In the moment of shock, Angie pushed Jeb's casted chest back against the barn which put him off balance in a reclining position.
Jeb wasn't sure at the moment if he was in heaven or hell. One thing for sure, Angie knew exactly what she was doing as Jeb tried to breath. Jeb knew he should stop her, but at the moment he wanted anything but for her to stop.
Just as Angie had reached the point of no return for Jeb, they both heard Pauline Duke's voice close by a whole second too late, "Jeb, ... Jeb Dear, ..." Followed by, "JEB STEWART DUKE! What are YOU do,..." Pauline cut off just as she realized what she saw going on. "OH MY LORD! Jeb DUKE! Get to your room NOW!"
Jeb struggled to get back into a sitting position then stand up. Once standing he hoped that he got his legs to carry him back to his room before his mother could get a hickory switch in her hands. Jeb wasn't sure how he knew, but he knew that according to his mother everything that happened this evening was going to somehow be all his fault. There would be no explaining that the girl had taken him by surprise, no that wouldn't work. Thankfully, Jeb heard a car in the drive as he topped the stairs on his way to his room. He hoped it was whatever her name was ride to anywhere but here.
Karen had just stepped out of her room to see what her mother's commotion was about as she took in the disheveled look of her brother as he stepped into his room. "Jeb? What on Earth?"
"Stay out of it." Jeb said as he closed out the world with the slam of his bedroom door.
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Night fall in Hazzard found the Duke Farm with three Dukes both tired and restless from their out of town trip. They were all also still worried about Luke who was currently a guest of Doc Applebee's and Jeb who was likely up to his eyeballs with Pauline Duke's mother henning him. Though Jesse knew none of them would sleep well until Luke was back under his roof, he still felt it best for his oldest to stay at Doc's for a few days. No matter how good Jesse took care of of his kids when they were sick, there were somethings that he just couldn't do for the kids, like the medicine that Doc was giving Luke through the tube in his arm.
Jesse knew that Luke had always tried to shame Bo in being brave and taking shots, but Jesse knew that Luke really didn't like needles any more than Bo did. A fact that had worried him when Luke hadn't put up more of a fight about the needle earlier. It had only taken Doc's explanation that the medication would work faster and get Luke home faster for him to agree to the IV medication.
Jesse said a silent prayer for Luke's speedy return home as well as Jeb's recovery and John's safety before closing his Bible up and standing, "Alright you two. It's time to call it a night."
Bo looked up at the clock seeing it was nearly a half hour before their normal bedtime, "But, ..."
"No, buts. We got a farm to run and we're one short." Jesse said.
Daisy wisely replied, "Night Uncle Jesse, Bo."
Bo looked from Daisy back to his uncle, sighed and gave in, "Night Daisy, Uncle Jesse."
Jesse gave them a small smile, "Night kids. Luke will be home soon. Don't you stay up all night worrying about him." He held up his hand to stop Bo's protest, "Doc said he'd call if there was any changes. Now get some sleep."
Bo sighed, "Yes, Sir."
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In town, Doc Applebee checked in on Luke before heading to bed himself. It was time to hang a new bag of antibiotics which Doc made short work of and never disturbed the sleeping Duke. Of course that likely had something to do with the sleeping medication that he'd put through through the IV earlier.
Both Doctor Applebee and Doctor Greenwood had agreed when they talked that the best thing for both young Dukes was to rest and if that meant medically inducing sleep then they would do what they could to help their patients speed up their recovery.
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The next morning found Cooter Davenport once again at the garage before his new boss ready to start another day. He had left his new bride very satisfied before he left her alone at the motel for the day. Just thinking of the early morning activity put a smile across Cooter's face.
A couple of hours later found Cooter elbow deep inside a truck engine replacing a water pump while across town in a back office of the Courthouse his father in law was talking to Boss Davis. "I am James Hibbs, ... as in THE Hibbs' Mill and Processing Plant." Mr. Hibbs saw the look of recognition on the man's face.
"Yes, yes, of course Mr. Hibbs. What can I do for you today?" Boss Davis asked.
"Well, I actually just need some information at the moment. I believe that there maybe a new mechanic at the garage on Main Street." Mr. Hibbs began.
Boss Davis might have been born at night but it was not last night, "You know, you are the second person in two days to be making the same inquiry. Care to tell me why a new mechanic in my town would interest you?" He asked without answering Mr. Hibbs question.
Mr. Hibbs had hoped not to have to tell everyone his business, but it looked as if he was going to have to give up on some information to this man if he wanted any help. "Well, my daughter has been running around with a fellow that I don't approve of. In fact, I've forbid her to continue seeing him. I tend to believe that the new mechanic just maybe the man in question."
Boss Davis frowned not following Mr. Hibbs thoughts, "Well, if he is here and she is in Hazzard County what do you have to worry about?"
Mr. Hibbs swore to himself, "That's just it. She hasn't been home since last Saturday morning. The young man in question also hasn't been seen anywhere either. And while I'm at it, ... I'll tell you that my daughter isn't eighteen yet either."
"And the young man is how old?" Boss Davis asked.
Mr. Hibbs shrugged his shoulders slightly. He wasn't sure of the Davenport kids age exactly. "I'd say he's about twenty. I know he's over eighteen."
Boss Davis rubbed his chin in thought, "So you think that they are both up here? You do know that up here a young girl doesn't need her parents permission to get married if she is at least sixteen?"
Mr. Hibbs hadn't known that and right about now he was seeing red. "You're NOT saying that she ,..."
Boss Davis held up his hands in defense. "I'm not saying any such thing has happened, but it is a possibility. How about I get my Sheriff over here to go find out some information for you, then we'll see just what it is that you want done and what all I can help you out with?"
Mr. Hibbs knew he could head over to the local garage, check the local motels, boarding houses, and such himself but something in the man's demeanor in front of him convinced him that he had done the right thing in coming to see this man first before he headed off half cocked in search of that grease monkey who had filled his girls head with a bunch of foolishness. "Alright."
"Well, alright then. Why don't you go get you something to eat, maybe a room for the night. In fact, you might just want to do so over in the next town. Then, you could come back here after dinner and I'll let you know what we've found out. Once we know what we have then we can come up with a plan that best suits your needs." Suggested the smooth Boss of Moore County.
Mr. Hibbs sighed, "I had really wanted to be home by supper with my daughter in tow."
"Mr. Hibbs I really feel that it is in your best interest to take this matter slow. Now, you could go racin' down there and have them wave a marriage license in your face or we could get things straight and though they have an 'unofficial' copy of a marriage license that anyone could print up, it doesn't mean a THING if it's not properly recorded in the main courthouse." Boss Davis smiled seeing the recognition show on Mr. Hibbs face, "Yes, I see you see what I'm thinking. Now, as a father myself, I know that you have had a few very trying days and my staff and I are here to help don't ya know. Now you just run along and grab some rest and I'll see you after dinner."
Mr. Hibbs was no fool. He saw exactly what the man was implying. Though he usually didn't resort to such extreme measures, desperate times had at times led to desperate measures. He'd play the man's game if it meant getting his daughter back. "After dinner, yes, I'll see you then. Thank you Mr. Davis."
"No thanks needed." Davis replied with a smile.
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Bo felt something tap his foot but was sure it wasn't morning yet. He had just got to sleep it felt like.
"Bo, son. It's time to get up." Jesse's voice.
"It can't be, it's still dark out." Bo replied.
Jesse shook his head, "Open your eyes then tell me that. Come on, up and at 'um!"
Bo gave up, tossed his covers off and set up still without opening his eyes.
Daisy called as she went into the bathroom, "Mornin' Uncle Jesse, Bo."
Bo grumbled, knowing that not only was he awake, but he'd have to wait to get into the bathroom, then he asked, "Uncle Jesse, Doc didn't call did he?"
"No he didn't. I'll give him a spell then I'll call and check on Luke." Jesse said as he headed toward the kitchen to get breakfast started.
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Luke's first recollection was that he was laying or sitting in a reclined position instead of flat on his back. As Luke opened his eyes and tried to figure out where he was he felt the congestion rattling in his chest. Luke sit up more as he began to cough and for the the first time in days the coughing actually resulting in bringing some of the congestion up. Luke reached for the box of tissues on the nightstand to get rid of the congestion he'd just coughed up.
Doc Applebee had been up late the night before waiting to change the bag of antibiotics for Luke, so he had intended to sleep in a few extra minutes this morning, but when he heard the young Duke couching he decided against the extra sleep. After quickly dressing, Doc went into Luke's room and asked, "Awake so early?"
Luke checked the clock in the room, "Early? Usually I've been up for at least an hour."
"So how are you feeling this morning?" Doc asked with a bit of a smile.
Luke groaned, "Like a truck
ran oven me. A big one."
Doc gave his patient a knowing look, "So are you couching anything up yet?"
"Oh, yeah." Luke replied.
Doc nodded, "Good. Did you happen to see what color it is?"
Luke thought of all the questions that a doctor could ask him, he had to ask the color of spit. "Green."
Doc replied, "That's good. Get rid of anything you spit up. I'll get some breakfast started and be back to give you another bag of antibiotics soon."
Luke sighed as he watched the doctor leave. It didn't sound as if he were going anywhere soon.
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Thanks again for reading. Reviews welcome.