PART 3: BO'S CHALLENGE
Previously:
Bo gets confirmation that he has prostate cancer
Larry recommends surgery
Bo is freaked by the thought of sexual dysfunction
Bo goes to Nora looking for someone to talk to
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NORA: Bo-- there is something wrong, isn't there?
Bo nodded his head yes.
NORA: Let me put Matthew down. I'll be right back.
When she came downstairs she sat down on the ottoman facing
Bo.
NORA: What is it?
BO: I have cancer. Prostate cancer.
NORA: Oh my God, Bo!
BO: It's in the early stages. Larry says there shouldn't be any problems with it spreading. But I guess I'm in shock. I guess I didn't want to think of myself as that old.
Nora pulled the ottoman up closer to Bo so they were sitting knee to knee. She grabbed his hands.
NORA: Of course you're in shock. But Larry's right. If it's in the early stages you should be okay. When is your surgery? I'll be with you if you want.
BO: I don't know if I'll have the surgery.
NORA: You don't know? Bo! Of course you'll have the surgery! You will if I have to drag you there.
BO: But Nora, you know what the side effects of the surgery could be.
NORA: You mean sexual dysfunction?
Bo looked down-- embarrassed -- not by Nora-- but by his own vanity.
NORA: Bo Buchanan. I'm surprised at you. Man does not live by sex alone. At least I didn't think you did.
BO: Excuse me? I seem to remember it being a very big part-- an enjoyable part-- of our life.
NORA: Yes it was. I can't even begin to list the ways you thrilled me in bed. I loved it-- but because of how you made me feel. You made me feel like the most desirable woman in the world. You made me feel like the ONLY woman in the world. Your passion came from your heart and soul-- not below the waist. Bo, any woman you're involved with who can't see beyond that-- well, she doesn't deserve you. Besides, only a small percentage of men actually lose their ability to function. Why are you acting like you'll be one of them?
BO: My luck hasn't been too good lately.
NORA: Well, your luck changed at the trial. So there.
Bo smiled at her.
BO: Somehow, I knew coming here would make me feel better.
Nora sat on the couch beside him and put her arms around him.
NORA: Bo Buchanan-- you're the sexiest man I've ever known. I knew THAT before we ever slept together. You could turn me to mush just by looking into my eyes, making me laugh or just by standing close to me. And the first time we slow danced-- well, I was a goner. You have that surgery, mister, or I'll withdraw my promise to stay out of your life.
BO: You're right.
NORA: Of course I am.
BO: I'll schedule the surgery. And by the way, I don't want you to keep that promise anyway. He looked at her-- at the earnestness in her face. He pulled her to him and kissed her softly. When they parted, they both began to laugh.. sort of from embarrassment.
Nora jumped up-- fanning her face with her hand.
NORA: BO! See what you do to me? You'd better leave now before I attack you.
Bo walked to the door and opened it.
BO: Thanks, Red.
NORA: Call me when you get the surgery scheduled. And how about that dinner?
BO: Is tomorrow good?
NORA: Tomorrow is great. Wait a minute.
She grabbed him and laid a major kiss on him.
NORA: Now go-- before I lose all control!
Bo smiled at her in a way she hadn't seen in a long time. It was that special smile you only have for that one person who is your soul mate. As Bo walked to his car, his step was lighter. Somehow Nora had lifted some of the burden from his shoulders.
The next day, Bo called the department together and made an announcement.
"Just when I got RJ Gannon off my back, I'm facing an even bigger villain. The big C. Cancer. I've got prostate cancer. "
There was a gasp in the room. Nora walked in the door to hear the rest of what Bo was saying.
" I'm going into the hospital tomorrow for surgery. I'll be out of commission for a month-- maybe less. But I'm lucky.. they caught it early. My prognosis for a normal life is excellent. I would encourage all of you men to go for an examination as well. Although it strikes men primarily over 50, it can strike younger men as well. When I found out, I was embarrassed. I never thought I could stand here and tell you all this-- but I have a wonderful friend who gave me courage."
Bo looked right at Nora and continued.
" She's more than a friend, actually. And I thank God she cared enough about me to tell me I was acting like an idiot. John Sykes will be in charge while I'm gone. Thank you."
Bo turned to walk back into his office and the men and women in the room began to applaud. Bo smiled and waved at them, and walked into his office. Nora followed him.
NORA: That was an incredibly brave thing you just did. That's what sexy is. Sexy is being brave and courageous. Sexy is being strong enough to lay yourself wide open. Sexy is grace under pressure. And that makes you the sexiest man I've ever known.
Bo smiled at her as he walked over to the door and slammed it shut. They melted into each other's arms.
The next morning, Nora was there when Bo went into surgery, and she was there when he came out. Larry said the surgery had been a total success. If you had seen them at the hospital, you'd never have guessed Bo and Nora were divorced. He fussed at her for fussing over him but she continued to do it anyway. And he secretly liked it. They continued to spend a lot of time together after Bo went home from the hospital and they drew closer and closer. One day when Nora brought Bo lunch, there was a knock at the door. It was one of the Llanview police officers.
OFFICER GRIFFIN: Commissioner, I hope I'm not intruding but I had to come by and thank you.
BO: For what, Jeremy?
OFFICER GRIFFIN: For being so open about your cancer. I told my older brother what you'd said. He reminded me that our uncle died of prostate cancer. So he went to get checked out. His tests were positive. His surgery was yesterday and everything looks good. So I just wanted to thank you. He has a wife and two small children who need him.
BO: I'm glad the news is good. Thanks for coming by. Tell everyone hello.
OFFICER GRIFFIN: I will commissioner. Goodbye.
As he continued in his recovery, Bo and Nora became inseparable. It took a few months for them to figure out what hit them. One night they were going out to dinner and were waiting for Mary Ann to get there. Nora decided to help Mary Ann out by giving Matthew his bath early.
NORA: This is just going to be a quick in and out, buddy. No playing around. And don't splash Mommy.
Matthew took that as an invitation. Soon water was all over the place-- especially on Nora.
NORA: Matthew, Matthew, Matthew!
Bo started laughing.
BO: Like mother, like son.
Nora pushed the wet hair out of her eyes.
"What does that mean?"
Bo was still laughing.
" You told him to do one thing and he did the exact opposite! He learned that from you and he's only a year old!"
Nora gave Bo "the look." The look that said, ‘I would be mad at you if you weren't so darn cute.'
That's when he realized it.
BO: I love you, Red.
Nora looked at him in disbelief.
BO: I mean it. I'm really in love with you.
NORA: I love you, too. I knew it a long time ago. I just didn't think I had another chance with you. I thought I'd have to settle for friendship and you were worth anything I could get.
BO: Well, I don't want to settle for friendship.
The doorbell rang and Mary Ann used her key to get in.
MARY ANN: Hello?
NORA: We're upstairs Mary Ann.
Mary Ann came up and when she saw Nora she offered to take over.
NORA: Thanks, I'll go change and then we can go, Bo.
Bo followed her into her bedroom and shut the door. As soon as she heard the door shut, Nora jumped into his arms. They couldn't stop kissing each other. They fell down on the bed rolling over and over.
BO: I think it's about time we had a test run.
NORA: A test run?
BO: Yeah, on a certain part of my anatomy. All systems are go.
NORA: Oh my.. they ARE! I've always wanted to be a test pilot!
BO: So, where shall we go?
NORA: To the moon!
BO: That's a.. start.
Bo and Nora smiled at each other in that old familiar way.. and then the clothes began to fly.
THE END
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