Note: I do not own Georgia Rule or Only Human by Tim McGraw

Chapter Three

Finding out you're only human is hard
I want to change the world
But I don't know where to start
And I am bold enough to believe
There is hope among the ruins
Finding out you're only human

It was later in the evening and Lee was in her room. She had a couple candles burning and the lamp on that sat on her night stand. The sun was going down, bringing in some light through the window.

She stood in front of her closet, eyeing her clothes as she figured out what to wear.

He said to wear something warm, she thought.

Lee didn't go on dates often. But when she did, she wanted to look like she at least tried to look nice.

Her style wasn't very girly. It usually consisted of jeans, cut-offs, sneakers, and shirts a size larger than she needed that she would tie at the side. Oversized sweaters worked their way in somehow too.

She always seemed to find cute and affordable clothes. If it looked a little out-dated she could rock it.

The thrift shop was her best friend; if they had a lot to choose from.

She picked out a loose, deep v-neck, a red and black flannel, jeans, and sneakers. She would bring along an extra sweater just in case she needed more layers.

Once she got dressed she heard the front door open and close.

"I'm home!" her mother called.

"Upstairs!"

She heard her mom's footsteps as she made her way up the stairs and across the banister.

Lee looked through her bag, making sure she had everything.

"Where are you going?" her mom asked, walking toward her and sitting at the edge of the bed.

Her mom was still in her church clothes; a blouse, skirt, and heels.

"Harlan asked me to hangout, so we are."

Her mom nodded. "Oh, okay."

Lee gave her a small smile, sitting on the bed as well. "Yep. How was church?"

"It was good. They had a lot of great messages today."

Lee nodded. "Cool."

"How was the Singles Ward?"

"Uh…good?"

Her mother gave her a displeased look. "You didn't go, did you?"

Lee rolled her eyes. "I'll go next week."

"Promise?"

"…No," Lee muttered.

"At least give it a try. If you really don't like it, you can come to church with me."

"Agency mom, remember?"

"You know, I really don't like when you say that," she said, a little irritation in her voice.

Why, because you know I'm right? She was very persistent if she didn't get her way.

Lee let out a soft sigh. "Mom…I really don't like how you're forcing me into going to church. Shouldn't I be going for myself? Not you?"

"Alright, fine." Her mom got up and walked toward the door. "Just do whatever you want."

Lee rolled her eyes. "Mom," she called.

Her mom ignored her and shut the door.

Lee knew she'd do that. If she didn't get what she wanted, she would make you feel guilty about it and you'd give in eventually just to make her happy.

She hadn't lived with her mom in over a year, but she knew her tricks.

Lee groaned and fell back onto the bed, closing her eyes. At least I'm going out tonight.

After lying there a minute or two, she heard a knock at the door.

Lee sat up quickly and checked the time; just noticing it was six o'clock already.

She grabbed her sweater and placed the strap to her bag on her shoulder, hearing her mother open the door.

"Hi, Harlan," her mother greeted.

"Hey, Sister P," Harlan's deep baritone voice answered.

"How are you?"

Lee opened her door and walked across the banister to the stairs, glancing at both of them in the foyer.

"I'm doing well, thank you. What about yourself?"

"Fine, just fine."

"Hi," Lee smiled, looking over Harlan as she took the last step. He wore jeans, his usual pair of boots, and a pull-over.

"Hey." Harlan returned her smile. "Ready to go?"

Lee nodded. "Yep." She gave her mom a small wave as she walked out the door. "Bye, mom."

"Bye, now. You guys be safe."

Harlan followed her out the door. "We will," he called, following Lee down the pathway to the sidewalk where his truck was parked along the curb.

They both climbed in and took off down the street.

"Dammit," Lee sighed, "I forgot a blanket."

Harlan smiled. "It's alright; I have a few in the backseat."

"Okay, cool."

They watched the road, and the faint country station played in the background.

"So how was your day?" Harlan asked, breaking the silence.

Lee shrugged. "I got a lot of reading done. And slept…a lot." She chuckled and Harlan did too.

"Sounds productive."

"Oh, definitely." Lee glanced at him and saw his smile. "How was yours?"

Harlan nodded. "Good."

Their eyes focused on the road again, silence filling the cab as they both searched for something to talk about.

"So do you live with your parents?" Lee asked, finally thinking up something to talk about.

Harlan nodded. "I moved back in after my mission, and I'm just saving up money for my own place. Or maybe college. I'm not sure yet."

Lee watched the road as she listened. "Where'd you serve your mission?"

"Texas."

"Ah, cool. Just around Houston?"

Harlan smiled. "Yeah. It was hot as hell, but…." he shrugged. "It was a lot of fun. Got to help, and meet, some really cool people."

Lee smiled. "That's great."

Harlan nodded. "Yeah, I miss it a lot. I've only been back for about six months."

"I bet. It can be a bit of an adjustment once you get back."

"Definitely. But it's gotten better. I missed home, too."

They pulled into a dirt parking lot that overlooked a lake. The sky was almost dark, but not quite yet; the sun was slowly disappearing behind the mountains in the distance.

"Here we are," Harlan chimed. He gave Lee a small smile and grabbed a few blankets from the backseat before getting out and meeting Lee in front of the truck.

Lee hugged herself, feeling the cool night breeze.

Harlan noticed and unfolded a blanket, setting it on her shoulders as they walked down to a dock that stretched into the water.

"Thanks," Lee muttered, smiling to herself as she looked out at the peaceful waters.

"Haven't been here yet, huh?" Harlan wondered. He took a seat at the end of the dock and hung his feet over the edge, reaching only inches away from the water.

Lee sat cross-legged next to him, pulling the blanket around her to keep warm. "Nope."

Harlan glanced at her. "I like to go fishing when I have time to myself. Or just come sit on the dock and think about things."

"What kind of things?" Lee asked, turning her gaze to him.

He pushed back his hair and rested his palms on the wood behind him, leaning back slightly. "School, work, saving money." He shrugged. "It's relaxing, I guess."

Lee nodded and looked back at the water. She understood how it would be. It was nice to just sit and think about things; although sometimes she would just think herself into a depressing corner of self-pity. "Where were you thinking about going to school?"

"Possibly Ricks College. It's only a few hours away."

"Oh, okay." Lee gave Harlan a small smile. "I've heard it's a good school."

"Yeah. I just don't know what I want to study, is all."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. And it's great that you're saving money for your own place. It means you've got somewhere to go in case you can't decide on anything soon."

Harlan gave Lee a small nod. "What about you? Are you planning on going to school?"

Lee looked out at the water, feeling Harlan's eyes on her. She had a fixed expression on her face. "Eh, I think that ship has kind of sailed. I hadn't applied anywhere, and I've just been working and saving ever since I graduated a year ago."

"So, you don't really know where you're going?" Harlan chuckled.

"I guess not," Lee smiled, glancing at Harlan.

"There's nothing wrong with not wanting to go to school."

Lee smiled faintly. "Yeah, I couldn't imagine going back for another four years. It seems so miserable."

Harlan laughed softly. "Thank you for your motivation."

"What?" Lee grinned, "I mean, you'll go to get more experience in whatever you decide to do. I just have no interest in doing that. Why waste money on something I could probably just learn to do myself?"

"…Because what if you can't?"

Lee shrugged. "Then I'm screwed." She laughed softly. "I'd rather not be miserable, thank you."

"You never know until you try," Harlan nudged.

Lee smiled at him. "Then let me know how it works out for you."

Harlan grinned, looking out at the water, and the moon that made its way into the sky. "I will."

The moon helped to bring light to the dark night, reflecting off the water. Although the water was calm, you could still see it ripple as it moved softly.

Lee was just starting to agree with Harlan. It was peaceful out here.

"So you had to move out here with your mom because your dad lost his job?" Harlan confirmed, breaking the silence.

Lee ran her hand through her hair. "Yeah. He's living with my grandma now."

"That must've been rough for him."

Lee shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time he's had to."

"Why's that?"

Lee gathered her thoughts. "Just, after my mom left, he sold the house and we moved in with my grandma until he was able to afford an apartment for us to live in. So it hasn't been the first time my grandma's helped him out."

"You mean after your mom left to Idaho? Or…" Harlan was curious. "Sorry, I'm just confused."

Lee shook her head gently. "It's alright." She wasn't quite used to telling the story of how her parents divorced. No one had been this interested in it before. "It was when my parents first got divorced. My mom left and my dad had to sell the house. I was probably five or so." Harlan nodded, reassuring her that he was listening. "She only moved to Idaho after I graduated. She asked if I wanted to come, but I didn't want to at the time."

"So you've been living with your dad ever since they split?"

Lee shook her head again slightly. "No, I was probably around six or seven when I moved in with my mom. I mean, I'd go back and forth between my mom and dad's house a lot. Probably three times a week. But my mom would pick me up and drop me off at school. So I mainly lived with her up until I graduated high school. Then she moved up here and yada, yada." Lee waved her hand like she was dismissing the thought.

Harlan nodded, playing with his hands as he listened. "Sounds rough."

Lee chuckled softly. "You have no idea." Her eyes returned to the water and her smile faded as she thought more about it. She let out a content sigh and returned her eyes back to Harlan, who was already looking at her. "So, tell me about your family."

"Well," Harlan started, taking in a breath. "I have a little sister, Missy who's seven, and an older brother George, who's twenty-eight. He lives in Salt Lake with his wife and two daughters; Alexis and Isabella."

"Did your brother go on a mission?"

Harlan nodded. "He went to Russia."

"Ooh, that must've been interesting."

Harlan grinned at a thought. "Yeah, sometimes when he's mad, he swears in Russian."

Lee laughed. "That's useful."

Harlan laughed too. "Yeah, he's gonna have fun screwing with his daughter's boyfriends."

"I could only imagine," Lee beamed.

Harlan laughed softly, glancing at the water. Lee smiled out at the peaceful lake, feeling Harlan scoot a little closer. His arm brushed against hers and she looked at him.

His eyes were on the water.

Lee followed his trail of vision and smiled to herself.

He was easy to talk to. For once she kinda, sorta, had her guard down.

They talked more about family. More about Harlan's family than Lee's, since she was an only child, and her whole "my parents divorced when I was five" story was depressing.

Lee could tell Harlan cared a lot about his family and a lot for other people.

He sounded like a great missionary. He was humble about it, but she knew he had probably helped a lot of people. Maybe even broke a few hearts along the way. Not that he would've noticed.

It fell quiet after talking for a while, and they both sat in comfortable silence, just enjoying the night and the company of each other. For the first time that night, they were content with the silence, not really feeling the need to bring up another topic so it wasn't awkward.

Lee looked over at the shore and smiled to herself, getting up. "Ten bucks we could find some good rocks to skip."

Harlan looked up at her. "What?"

"Rocks…to skip across the water…" Lee chuckled lightly.

Harlan stood up. "What kind of rocks?"

"Flat, smooth ones." Lee walked down the dock and made her way onto the shore. She did her best to search for rocks, only having the light from the moon to help her. "Have you never skipped rocks before?"

"No," Harlan shook his head.

Lee was a little surprised he hadn't. Apparently he didn't come to the lake as much as she thought.

She picked up a couple smooth rocks and handed one to Harlan. "You just try and skim it across the top, like this." Lee threw the rock across the top of the water and watched it skip three times before dropping into the water. It disturbed the water, and she watched the ripples spread across the calm waters for a moment.

Harlan watched her and tried to imitate her throw a moment later. It landed straight in the water, not even making one skip. "Awe," Harlan whined.

Lee smiled. "Go like this…" She stood behind him and held his hand, swinging it at an angle gently. "Try and angle your throw the best you can."

Harlan nodded, taking another rock from Lee.

She took a step back and waited.

Harlan gave it another try, watching it skip twice, then fall into the water. "WOO!" he grinned, throwing up his hands.

Lee laughed softly. "See? That was better."

Harlan and Lee looked for more rocks, skipping each one they had found.

"Where'd you learn this from?" Harlan asked. He watched as Lee skipped another, before trying again himself.

"My dad," she answered.

"Are you guys close?"

Lee shook her head slightly. "Not really."

"But you lived with him," Harlan insisted.

Lee gave him a nod. "Yeah…but that doesn't mean we're close."

"Well, why aren't you?"

"I don't know. Ask him," Lee replied, a little attitude to her voice.

Harlan noticed the change in the mood and he put his hand on Lee's shoulder. "Sorry."

Lee smiled faintly. "It's alright."

Harlan skipped more stones. It was silent for a few minutes.

Lee skipped another rock and glanced at Harlan. "We just don't talk very much, I guess."

Harlan sat on the sand a few feet from the water. "You and your dad?"

Lee nodded, soon taking a seat next to him. "He doesn't really ask about my love life, or friends, or anything. He usually just rants about his own."

Harlan drew things in the sand beneath him, nodding softly to confirm he was listening.

"I mean, he'll ask me how I'm doing and stuff. But then he'll tie my response into something that happened to him that day, and just go off on a tangent about how screwed up his life is."

"That's not very fair to you," he commented, looking over at Lee.

Lee shrugged. "He doesn't have anyone else to vent to."

"Yeah, but you need someone to vent to, too."

Lee found a stick and wrote her name in cursive in the sand. "I'm alright."

Harlan moved to sit cross-legged, and then shifted in his seat to get comfortable. "…If you need someone to talk to, you can talk to me."

Lee wiped away her drawings in the sand and Harlan watched her.

"I promise to keep everything between us, if you wanted, too."

Lee smiled, glancing at him. "Thanks."

"Of course."

She brought her knees to her chest and rested her head against them, turning her gaze to Harlan. "Are you and your dad close?"

Harlan nodded. "Yeah."

"That's good," Lee smiled.

Harlan noticed her smile and returned it. "Yeah, it's nice to have him to go to if I need advice. He's a great guy."

Lee's smile widened. "So that's where you get it from."

Harlan chuckled and put his hand to his chest. "Awe, you're too kind."

"It's important to have a good relationship with your parents, or you're kind of lost."

Harlan nodded, thinking for a moment. "Is that what you feel? Lost?"

Lee looked out into the water and took a minute before answering. Finally, she shrugged. "I don't know."

Harlan watched her closely, turning his eyes to the water a moment later.

Lee chewed on her lip, wanting the subject to change.

She had gotten used to the cool June night. "Is the water cold?" she asked as she got up and took a few steps toward the water. She looked over her shoulder at Harlan, who shrugged.

"I don't know. Why?"

"Why not take a dip?" Lee smiled.

Harlan chuckled. "We don't have bathing suits."

"You've got boxers on don't you?"

"Yeah…" he trailed off, his voice a little cautious.

Lee bent over and touched the water, standing up straight and shaking her hand of the water with a smile. "It's not that bad."

Harlan eyed her. "Okay…" He laughed a moment later. "Why don't we just come back on a hot day? When we actually have bathing suits?"

Lee smirked, breaking into a smile a moment later. "Fine, you win."

Harlan grinned. "Yay! What's my prize?"

Lee laughed. "Nothing. You get nothing."

"Awe," Harlan pouted. "You're no fun."

Lee smiled. "Here." She handed picked up a small rock and tossed it to him. "A smooth, elegant, skipping stone."

Harlan laughed softly and got up. He walked toward the water and threw it. It skipped four times before sinking to the bottom. "Wow, you really picked a winner."

Lee rolled her eyes, looking back at the lake with a smile.

"Hey," Harlan nudged, "It's getting a little late. Wanna head back?"

Lee tried to hide her faint disappointment. She was having fun; she didn't want it to end yet. "Sure," Lee shrugged.

"Sorry," Harlan said as he helped Lee to her feet. "I've just got work early tomorrow morning."

"Don't worry about it," Lee smiled faintly.

They both walked toward the truck. "I had fun," Harlan admitted.

Lee's smile widened. "I did too."

They both got into the truck, Harlan opening the door for Lee before making his way to the driver's side.

She threw the blankets into the backseat and got comfortable in her seat as Harlan backed out and headed down the road.

"…I was gonna ask you if you wanted to go to the Family Home Evening tomorrow night that the ward is putting on…but I'm sensing you're not really interested, considering you've been avoiding the whole 'church' subject."

Family Home Evening happens every Monday night, usually with family. It's a time to come together, and maybe talk about the upcoming week and bond with each other, tying in some religious teaching as well.

Harlan was right, and Lee was grateful he picked up on that.

"Yeah…it's not really my cup of tea."

Harlan offered a small nod. "I won't scold you or anything for not coming. But that doesn't mean I won't stop inviting you." He smiled.

Lee rolled her eyes, trying and failing to hold back a smile. "Thanks."

"Anytime."

She wasn't about to go into why she didn't go to church. Lee thought the topic might come up eventually. Maybe if they were to hang out more in the future.

A moment later, Harlan parked along the curb and they both got out, meeting on the sidewalk.

"Thank you for tonight," Lee smiled. "I had fun."

"Good. I was hoping you would." Harlan smoothed back his hair. "I had fun too."

They stopped in front of the door, facing each other. Harlan had a nervous smile on his face as well as Lee.

"So...I'll see you around," Harlan managed. He opened his arms and took a step toward Lee who returned his hug, making her smile.

Lee turned the doorknob, moving into the doorway. "Sounds good."

Harlan grinned, giving Lee a small wave and walking down the steps. He turned around and smiled back at her. "Bye, Lee."

"Bye, Harlan." Lee returned his smile and waved before closing the door.

Thank you all for reading. Feedback would be great!