A/N: This was an extremely hard chapter write. Reviews if you want more.

CHAPTER 13 George

"Wade, where's Jack?" They both sometimes shortened his name.

"He is in my office sleeping. I have the baby monitor right here, see?"

"Ok your office now! I have the results of the blood test. Wade, he has both cocaine and oxy in his system."

"Jesus Zoe, that is much worse than I thought."

"Do you know if he has ever been in an accident or anything that would give a reason why he would have pain killers in his system?"

"No, golden boy has never had a major injury. Unless he has gotten one since New York, that is when we uh, quit talking so much. How are we going to handle this?"

"I think it will be better coming from me"

"No Zoe, he could be going through withdrawals since he is at Lavon's. It's too dangerous. I mean I don't want to think he would do somethin' to ya but drug addicts are unpredictable."

"Can you leave now and we go over to talk with George?"

"Yeah, Lemon is supposed to be here in a half hour."

"OK, I will take Jackson to Brick's house. Mom said she would be there today. Then you pick me up and we will go to see George together."

Wade brought some lunch for all of them so it looked like it was just friends taking care of friends. Which in all honesty it was. Wade and Zoe were trying to get their friend back. This was to be a mini intervention.

All five of them ate lunch and then AB had to go prepare for a catering event.

"Wade did you punch me in the gut last night?"

"yeah but you gave me this here shiner first."

"I felt like I was going to puke. I don't think getting tackled in football ever hurt so bad." They both let a out a small chuckle.

'George, we were coming out of the bar, you said some terrible things to Wade and me. Listen, you know Wade, he will never, ever , not help someone he considers a friend. After what you said the past few times he has seen you. You are extremely lucky that he picked your ass up and brought you here." Zoe ranted.

"I was just drunk, I am sorry for whatever I said."

"Listen Golden Boy, I realize you aren't feelin' quite so golden right now but you need help man. The whole way in the car you are talking about how many lines of cocaine you did yesterday. George, you of all people, why would you be doin' coke?"

George was speechless. "I am not doing coke Wade, you must have misunderstood."

Zoe grabbed George's hand and he jerked it away. She went back for it the second time and he held still. "George, I know we don't have the history that you have with Wade, Lemon, Lavon or anyone else, but I do care for you. I called a rehab clinic in Destin. They will accept you as a patient."

"You all are ridiculous. I don't need help. I am f'ing lawyer."

"Please George or you are going to lose everything. You have missed all your court dates in Bluebell, people are talking. You are hurting your friends. George that is not who you are. You will get therapy that will heal you wholly, not just the addiction." Zoe pleaded.

"George, I went to a therapist after I cheated on Zoe. I realized my problems were much deeper than I thought. It wasn't just my mom dying. I had to deal with things I never wanted to be true about myself. It actually helped me. Please let me take you there today. I took off work. We can talk all the way there. If you want Zoe to come then she will." Wade paused, trying to fight his years back.

"George, look at me. I want my friend back. We can't change what has happened over the last year. I know we have hurt each other. Being in love with the same girl hasn't been easy. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you. Tucker, please"

He saw a tear escape George's eye. His hands rubbing each other back and forth nervously. "Will you let me take you Tucker?"

George grabbed Wade and hugged him. Both men didn't want to let go.

"uh yeah, I will go home and get a bag packed. Pick me up in an hour. Are you sure you can make this happen Zoe?"

"yeah I will call and tell them you agreed to come today." Zoe held George's hand once more as she looked into his eyes.

"We are here for you, all of us. Whatever you need, Lavon Hayes has your back"

"Thanks. Wade, I am sorry man, truly sorry. You have been one of my best friends " his voice trailed off trying to hold back an onslaught of waterworks.

" Hey man, no sweat. I still need to work on some things with my therapist. I was telling Doc that last night. It's nothing to be ashamed of. This is between us. Lemon and AB know what we were doing here, so it is just the five of us. We will tell anyone that asks that you went back to NY to do some consulting."

"okay. See ya in an hour. I really appreciate you all caring."

XXXXXXX

When I arrived to pick George up , he was nowhere to be found. I called everywhere he could be. I went back to the bar and talked to Lemon to see if she could think of a place he would go to think. Lavon went to half of the places and I went to the other half, no George.

Zoe called Gigi in case he really did go to New York.

Days went by and not a peep from my friend.

Then I receive a text from George, it wasn't his normal number

G- This is George, sorry I let ya down

W- Where are you?

G- Nowhere, somewhere

W- Come on man

G- I can't get over Zoe, I am sorry

W- you can, I promise if you would get therapy, you will see that this isn't about Zoe at all

G- I left Lemon for her, she didn't want me, Gigi didn't want me and Lemon didn't want me.

W- At least you have had relationships, I had never had one until I was 30 years old

G- I am 32 with no wife, no family, my dad uses me.

W-Tucker your scaring me, tell me where you are and I will come over. I don't care if you are in NYC. I will get on a plane. We can play risk, remember when we played that all the time in high school?

G- I am fine , don't worry about me. Remember in high school ,Lemon and I were voted first to be married and have kids?

W- Well Meatball was voted most likely to be president, we were just kids.

G- I'll call ya later just sorry I bailed on you

W- George

W- George call me

W- Damn it Tucker I want you to meet Jackson, we named him after my mom.

W- You can get through this , just like I did with my mom. Whatever is goin' on, I got your back

I pressed my head against the steering wheel and banged it a few times. Why did I let him go pack a bag without me. I'm so freakin' stupid. Zoe walked out on the porch with Jackson and saw me sitting in the car. She came towards me.

"What's wrong?"

I showed her the text from George.

"Let me try. Let me see the number "

Z- Hey its Zoe.

Z- hey call me when you get a chance

Z- where are you?

Z- George call me I am freaking out. I need your help

No response to either of us. I called his mom in Mobile. They had not heard from him either. They figured he was off on a consulting trip. Tucker and I had been through a lot and he had been the one helping me since I was ten years old. I felt uneasy. George Tucker was in a dark place and just wanted to be alone. All of us kept trying to no avail.

Three days later Mr. Tucker called me to tell me that George had been in a car accident. He ran into a tree on a country road in Georgia. He was dead. The phone fell out of my hand and I crashed to the floor. I don't remember much after that.

Wanda found me sobbing behind the bar.

"Wade what is wrong?" I couldn't answer. I could not get out any words. "Wade, I am going to call Zoe at her practice, you need help."

Finally, I uttered the word , "No"

"Tell me what you need Wade"

"I have to tell Lemon and Zoe. Oh God , how can I tell them? God don't make me tell them. Why?"

"What are you talking about Wade?"

'Zoe is at home , can you drive me there? Can you call Lemon and ask her to meet me there instead of coming here.?"

Wanda let me out. I struggled to get to the door.

"Zoe" my voice cracked.

"yeah babe, I'm just changing Jackson's diaper. What are you doing home?

My hands were covering my face, trembling, scared.

"Wade are you okay?"

I couldn't look up. Shit Wade, be a man.

"You can tell me anything. Something happen at the bar?"

"Zoe," I finally had the guts to show my face. Zoe had seen some tears from me before. Break up tears, I love you more than anything tears, our baby is here tears. Never had she seen me completely break down unable to speak, shaking uncontrollably, with already swollen eyes.

"God Wade has something happened to Earl?

"Zoe, it's George. He's " two or three yelps later " he's dead"

Lemon came through the door and heard me. Both of my girls were in each arm screaming, and crying. I knew at that point that I needed to be strong for them. I held them both for what seemed like hours. I am unsure of the actual time that passed.

News traveled fast as Mr. Tucker had called Brick and a few other people in town. Brick and Candice showed up, then Lavon and AB. For some reason, everyone knew to come to my house. For as much tension there had been with us in the last three years, we came to each other's aid every single time. I should have..

There was so much food at our house, we had to take it to Lavon's house. I got by while everyone was there. It helped just talking about stories of us running around together. Of course Lemon had millions of stories.

Everyone left and it was just Zoe and I again.

"Wade, it will be ok. I am here for you"

"yeah, is jack coming home tonight?"

"Do you want him here? I thought we might need a night alone."

"Whatever is fine"

"Zoe, why couldn't I get through to him. I am a freakin' terrible friend. I tried Zoe, I tried,"

She held me in her arms. I should have been comforting her.

"Have I ever told you about the time, we were fishin' out at he Lockland's farm?"

Zoe shook her head no.

"I was jealous because he had caught more fish than me. Hell ,I taught him to fish and he was catching more than me. Anyway, I broke my fishin' pole in half and threw it in the water. Then I realized it was the only one I had so I better jump in and get it. I would have to fix it. My leg got tangled in the fishin' line. I panicked, and was flailing around going under the water. Tucker jumped in with his Swiss army knife and cut away the wire. We were probably eleven or twelve at the time."

Another round of tears flowed down our cheeks. "He saved me Zoe and I couldn't save him."

"It was an accident Wade, it was ruled an accident" said Zoe

"Zo, you and I both know it wasn't an accident."

We laid in the bed and cried all night. Waking up every hour or so.

XXXXXX

I stood there staring at a beautiful hand carved, cherry casket. Mr. And Mrs Tucker, his brother Harry at it's side. This didn't seem real even though it had happened three days ago. Wade was at my side giving our condolences.

I barely knew the Tucker's but Wade had known them very well. Mrs. Tucker held on to Wade for dear life. He was trying hard to be strong but then I heard him whisper to her,

"I will never get over this."

I hugged his family. We sat down by Earl just sitting in silence. Earl wrapped arm around the back of Wade's chair and rubbed his son's shoulder. Jesse came in and paid his respects and came toward us. I wasn't sure that this was what Wade needed right now. Jesse and Wade weren't on the best of terms. He hadn't even come to see Jackson yet. To my surprise, Wade sold up and scooted past me and reached out for his brother.

Both crying. I heard Jesse say, " I am here, Wade and I am staying."

"Thanks Jess,"

They finally released each other. Jesse walked into the pew and sat by me.

Wade froze as he saw Lemon. She looked so frail. She was doubled over, barely able to stand. Brick was helping her. In a split second, Wade was cradling her. He sat her down before getting to the Tuckers.

"Lem, he loved you dearly. You were the love of his life"

"Why did I say those things to him? Why? If I would have"

"We all have regrets. He knew how much we all loved him."

I could see Wade gathering strength. We were sitting a couple of rows back but could hear the whole conversation. The pain in their voices. My heart ached for me but those two had something with George that I never had, time.

"Lem, Let's go up. I've got my girl. We are gonna hold each other up, deal?"

Lemon shook her head in agreement. Her big blue sparkling eyes, were covered in swells. They walked together . First Harry, grabbed her and hugged her.

Then Mr. And Mrs. Tucker. "I am sorry" was all she could say. Wade and lemon walked right by us, so I got up and followed them out.

"Hey, you need anything? " I said to them both

"I'm fine Doc. Lem, you?"

"Maybe bottled water?"

"Okay, I will get you one. Be right back."

I stared at Lemon and Wade for five minutes it seemed. His complete love for her. I thought I had known Wade Kinsella but this week had proven different. I had only seen a few layers. There was so much I didn't know.

I continued towards them and held out the water for Lemon.

"Thanks Zoe."

The funeral was starting. Wade took a seat next to Harry, Lavon, his friend Matt from college, AB's ex husband Jake and Jerry, another friend from high school.

Reverend Mayfair rose and said a prayer. He then said a few words about George.

"Wade, would you like to say a few words?"

Wade was going to speak? He hadn't even told me. Was this spur of the moment or was it planned? He walked up to the podium.

"Yeah, I um, want to tell you about the George Tucker I knew. Maybe some you will know some of this and others won't but I hope you will see him as I still do. The best friend a guy could have."

"We met when we were still in diapers although I don't actually remember it but both of our moms used to talk about our playdates. Which may have been our moms having a glass of wine while slept." This drew a laugh from the crowd.

"I guess my first actual memory was playing football together in parks and rec, league. We were on the Saints. I was the quarterback and he was everything else. If it was a running play then he was the running back. If it was a pos play then he was the receiver." Lots of people nodded I remembrance.

"I know that those of you that did not know us back in our younger days, might believe this but George and I were like two peas in a pod. We liked all of the same things, sports, playing outside, the same subjects at school, and even the same girl. That girl was Lemon Breeland. We were about nine years old. She was always with us. She was the center of our universe."

"Then my mom passed away. George and Lem got me through it, not over it but through it. The three of us were like Moe , Larry and Curly. We had so much fun together, even had Lemon swinging from a few trees, if I remember correctly." Laughter and a few gasps from the mourners.

"Fast forward to when we were twelvish. George had gotten in trouble for not being home on time for dinner that night so he couldn't hang out the next day after school. It was just Lemon and I down at the dock. Kicking our feet in the water and skipping rocks. I don't remember what brought it on but I leaned towards Lemon and kissed her. I know that probably doesn't shock anyone" more laughter

"She sat there quietly. Then I told her I was sorry. We left.

The next day we wee all together again. Lemon said 'Georgie, did Wade tell you he kissed me last night?'

George looked at me "If you ever do that again, I will kill you." You see at twelve years old, George Tucker already knew that Lemon was the love of his life. We all went back to just being friends and I kept my lips to myself, for awhile anyway.."

"Now we were in high school, about 16 years old. We were playing in the state baseball championship. Tucker was pitching and I was catching. Our best friend, in the stands cheering us on. I can hear Tucker now as plain as day. He calls me to the pitchers mound, presumably to talk about the next pitch.

When I reach him he says " You know that blonde haired, long legged beauty that we love so much?" I shook my head yes. " Well she is here right behind you. After the game I am asking her on a date, is that okay?" I said "yeah man, now what pitch are we throwing to this bastard so you can get out of here and start your date? And I guess we will find me a date."

"Wade Kinsella, you are the best friend a guy could have."

"Slider Tucker, throw the slider' and I walked back behind the plate. George threw the slider, got the batter out on a called strike three. We did our little fist bump, slap, clap fist bump routine and I saw George asked Lemon on a date."

"That is when I realized that life for me was going to start changing again. I would have to figure out how to be a third wheel and I did."

"We were separated for years by college and law school and then NYC but we talked at least once a week , every week. If he and Lemon were in fight. I was still hearing it in both ears. Finally all three of us were back in BluebelI , you know things are never the same a when you are young but I always told them both, and I remember telling them as recently as a few years ago that I would love them until their dying day."

Wade completely lost it. You could see him and hear him sobbing. I wanted to go to him so badly but I didn't know if I should.

Finally he choked out.

"I never thought it would be this soon. I was telling Zoe the other day , how he saved me one time. I wish I could have saved him. I love him. Umm, I'm sorry I can't go on."

At this point, I stood, I didn't care if it was appropriate. I walked up and hugged my husband and walked him out to the lobby. He needed me. I cradled him like he had cradled Lemon.

Finally, I said to him " That was a beautiful speech and a tribute to your friendship"

He cried more. "I never imagined this day."

"I know honey, I know. I am so sorry."

We sat for about 5 minutes.

"I have to get back in, being a pallbearer and all."

The service concluded. I watched as my husband and the other pallbearers lowered the casket into the ground. The hard part was just beginning.