Author's Note: Hi. Sorry for the long wait, but I hope you like the chapter. For those of you who reviewed, and have accounts, I fully intend to respond to you but things have been crazy and I haven't been feeling great (My head is throbbing.) and I wanted to be sure I updated. Longer author's note at the end, as per usual.

To Those Who Reviewed:

M,

Thank you for your review of chapter fifteen and all that came before. I appreciate your kind words and the sentiment behind them.

Yes, it is a good book and a good movie. True, true, nice catch.

Well, she is younger, and she has been traumatized recently.

Thank you.

Yeah, I just love Lemon.

Jesse is fun to right. Sibling rivalries are great fodder for the writer's fire.

Thank you again for reviewing.

Have a nice day.

Chapter Eighteen

"Hello Zoe." Brick said kindly as he opened the door for her.

"Hi Dr. Breeland. Um, I brought Lemon's homework. Is it okay if I go up and give it to her?"

"I don't see any reason why not. It is not as though food poisoning is contagious. Though, I gotta say, I can't for the life of me figure out how she did it. Lemon has a lot of flaws, but I happen to know for a fact that she is an excellent cook, and somehow, after she made George dinner, both of them … well, I suppose parenthood is full of mysteries. Anyway, go on up."

Zoe smiled awkwardly. She still felt kind of guilty about George and Lemon's food poisoning. Sure, it was Lemon's idea, and she would never have supported it, but they had still done it for her benefit.

She knocked on the door and heard a grunt of acknowledgment, "Lemon?" she asked as she entered the room. The last time she was here, Lemon was drunk/hung-over. Now she had food poisoning. Zoe decided this was not her favorite room to be in. Plus, just looking at the walls made her feel sick. They were a bright yellow, like mustard, and there were flowers painted on which, if Zoe didn't know better, she would swear were moving. There was a dresser with a vanity mirror and a huge canopy bed; every piece of furniture looked about a hundred years old. And there was yellow everywhere!

"You are truly evil Zoe Hart." A voice said from under a mess of, surprise, yellow covers.

"W-what?" Lemon wasn't blaming her, was she? The food poisoning craziness was her idea; Zoe had not even been consulted.

Lemon pushed the covers back. She looked sickly. She was pale and her eyes had dark circles around them. Her hair was a mess, but that was probably just how she looked when she got up. Her nightgown was, surprisingly, not yellow, but a pale pink. It buttoned up so high it was practically a turtleneck. The only time Zoe had seen Lemon dress so conservatively was last Sunday at church. "What is today?" she asked.

"Um, Monday?"

"And when was your date?"

"Saturday."

"Exactly. Meaning it has been over twenty-four hours since you returned from your date, and I have not heard a thing about it. Truly evil, especially when you consider all the trouble I went to to make sure you got to go. Now sit down and tell me what happened before I start throwing up again."

Zoe smiled tightly and sat on the old rocking chair, avoiding the bed. Sure, food poisoning wasn't contagious, but she did not want to get upchucked on either.

"I still cannot believe you got yourself sick on purpose just so I could go on a date."

"Well, we're friends, aren't we?"

"Yeah, but none of my friends back in New York would ever do something like that." And neither would I, she added to herself.

"Well, doesn't sound like they're real friends then. Real friends go that extra mile." Yep, that extra crazy mile, Zoe thought. Still, it was sweet. Absolutely insane, but sweet.

"Well, thank you. But you really didn't have to-"

"Pff. Please." Lemon said shrugging her off, "And you're welcome. Now tell me how it went with Jesse already. I'm dyin' here."

Zoe giggled.

"Yo, Tucker! Got your homework for ya!" Wade called. He heard the television coming from George's room. Sounded like ESPN classics. "Hey, Mighty Mouse!" he called, "Homework pony express!"

George turned the television to mute, "Mind turnin' the yellin' down a little Wade. I'm not exactly feelin' one hundred percent."

"Yeah, yeah, Zoe filled me in on all that. S'your own fault for fallin' for the craziest chick in school, and probably in Alabama."

"Hey!" George said defensively.

"Relax, I'm just kiddin' around. Geez Tucker, always forget what a whiny little priss you become when you're sick."

"Ha ha, very funny." Wade handed over George's homework and glanced at the television. "Why you re-watchin' this game? Wasn't the loss bad enough the first time?"

"Guess I figure if I watch it enough it might not seem so bad." Wade chuckled, before settling in to watch the old game with George. It was twenty minutes of yelling at guys who they knew were going to screw a play up. Wade didn't get ESPN classics. Half the fun is not knowing what's going to happen. And re-watching a game where you know The Crimson Tide's going to lose just did not make sense in his book, "Hey, so how'd it go Saturday?" George asked casually after yelling some less casual things at the television screen.

"What, we gonna sit here gossipin' like a bunch of chicks?"

"Nah, just figured I'd ask." Wade nodded, "I mean, from what Lemon said, it sounded like it would be pretty awkward. Zoe and Jesse. You and AnnaBeth and Taylor."

"Well, it was definitely interestin'." Wade said vaguely. He thought that was the end of it, but five minutes later, George started it up again.

"I gotta say, I was a little surprised by the whole thing. I mean, I thought you got over Taylor years ago."

"Yeah, well, Zoe apparently does not share that opinion. She set it up."

"Why?"

Wade shrugged, "Well, she knew I used to like her an'-"

"Whoa, wait, how'd she know that?" George asked, turning away from the television set.

"I – I told her." George looked at him, shocked, "I mean, I didn't mean to, it just sort of … well, we got that whole 'get to know you project' together, an', I don't know, it just sorta came up." Wade shrugged, trying to come off indifferent, but George wasn't buying it.

He just kept starring at Wade skeptically, and when he finally opened his mouth, it wasn't exactly what Wade wanted to hear, "So, you're tellin' me you told Zoe one of your most embarrassin' secrets … for a grade?"

"Nah, it wasn't like that exactly. It just kinda came up, and once she could tell I was hidin' somethin', she wouldn't take no for an answer. I caved, and you would've to if it'd been you. Trust me, that girl knows how to get the truth outta you."

George nodded, "So, how'd it got with AnnaBeth and Taylor?"

Wade shrugged again, "No big deal really. I mean, it wasn't a real date. I was just there to back Zoe up, ya know?" George nodded again. He was being very quiet, methodical. Wade didn't like it, "Hey, mind if we change the channel? It'd be nice to see a game where the team we like's got a chance."

"Be my guest."

"Girls?" Zoe and Lemon looked up to see Brick Breeland standing at the bedroom door, "Somethin's come up at the practice. Ya'll good here? Magnolia's asleep and shouldn't be wakin' up for a while, and Zoe, you can look after my poor sick Lemonade, right?" Zoe, assuming Lemonade was a nickname for Lemon, nodded, "Good. I should be back by seven." He waved and closed the door behind him.

"He's just leaving you here with food poisoning?" Zoe asked.

"Well, he's a doctor. He's got patients; he can't just drop everythin' 'cause his daughter gets sick."

"But what about Harley?"

"If we only needed one doctor, we'd only have one doctor. Cleary, that isn't the case."

"Still, I think-"

"Look, my daddy's had a tough year, all right. So how 'bout we drop it, and get back to your night with Jesse Kinsella."

Zoe blushed and giggled, "Well, I mean, it wasn't anything special. We just went to a movie and then to that local bar with that horribly slutty waitress." Lemon giggled at that, "It was nice. He let me get two snacks at the movie 'cause I couldn't choose. We sat next to each other and he took my hand. Then we went to eat, and he was sooo nice, making sure I got everything I wanted, and we played darts, and then we danced -"

"To what?"

"What?"

"What song did you dance to?"

"Oh, um, Crush by Jennifer Paige."

"Can't say I know that one."

"Well it's one of my favorites. In fact, I picked it on the jukebox. We made a deal that whoever won at darts got to pick what we danced to, and whoever lost paid."

"Did he let you win?"

"Hey, I resent that." Zoe responded poutingly.

"Enough with all that, what happened at the end of the night?"

Zoe sighed, "Nothing really."

"Nothin'?"

"Yeah, I mean, we drove back to Harley's, he walked me to my door. He was a perfect gentleman."

"No kiss?"

"Nope."

"Well, did he try to feel you up at any point?"

"Lemon!" Zoe said, bursting out in giggles. When she calmed down, she said, "Of course not. Don't you think I would have mentioned that?"

Lemon nodded, "Wow. So really nothing happened." She pursed her lips in thought, "Were you sending out any prudish signals?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, did you do anything to make him think you wouldn't be open to anything physical?"

"No. I let him hold my hand. I mean, mine may have been a bit sweaty, but it wasn't like I slapped him away. It was nice. And we danced."

"Close?"

"Yeah. I mean, it wasn't exactly a slow song, but … you think he read something into the song choice? Because, you know, if he did, it should imply that I want something to happen. I mean, it's kind of provocative. Well, the tune is anyway."

"Provocative?"

"Yeah, like-"

"I know what provocative is, I just didn't think anybody under thirty still used that word."

"So, you think he didn't kiss me because he thinks I'm … green?"

"Well, you are a freshman, and he is a senior. There's gonna be some stuff that he probably doesn't think you're ready for. Aside from that, boys are weird. Ask anyone."

"So, how do I make sure that he knows I want him to kiss me next time around?"

"He asked you out again?" Zoe shook her head, "Oh, Zoe."

"Maybe he just, I don't know, got shy or something?" Zoe asked hopefully.

"Yeah, maybe." Lemon said, but Zoe could tell from the pitying look Lemon was giving her that she didn't really believe it.

"Gotta say, it's good to be back in the office." Brick said as he put the medical supplies away, "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my girls, but sometimes it can just get a little … well, you know what I mean, right?"

Harley nodded, "Sort of. I should, I mean, I have a teenage daughter now." He gave a weak smile, "Of course, I didn't raise her, or meet her until a few months ago. Hell, I didn't even know about her." Harley took a deep breath and sat down on the exam table, "Brick, I gotta be honest, I got no clue what I'm doin'. I mean, what do I know about teenagers, 'specially teenage girls? I keep tryin' to bond with her, but she just keeps pushin' me away. After everything she's been through, I don't want to be too rough on her, you know? I just don't quite know how to handle it."

Brick sat down next to him, "No father does. Look at me, two daughters lookin' to make everythin' right now that Alice is gone. I don't have a clue either. But here's what I do know. I know I love those girls more than anythin'; I would do anythin' for 'em. I know at the end of the day, that is the most important thing. And I also know you Harley. You may not have had a teenager daughter until a few months ago, but you have delivered many baby girls over the years, and you been there as they were growin' up. Sure, it ain't the same. Not by a long shot, but don't tell me you don't know how to deal with teenagers, because of all the people to have this fall in their lap, I cannot think of anybody more capable. You're a good man Harley, and despite how little you know her, I can tell you love that girl. You are a gentle, caring man who actually listens when people talk. I know it's hard now, but you got the important stuff sorted. The rest will come, just give it time."

Harley nodded, "Thanks Brick."

"Now I'm not sayin' you couldn't do with some help every now and again. The town loves the whole Mr. Softy thing, but don't be afraid to get a little tough love in there."

Harley nodded and chuckled, "Okay. I'll keep that in mind."

"All right, I'll see you later." Crickett said as the girl's descended the stairs in front of the school. AnnaBeth nodded and waved. Cricket was nice and a good friend. Still, AnnaBeth missed Lemon. Yes, Crickett was not bossy and high maintenance, but she was also not very smart, poor thing, and not the best company when it came to serious things. She meant well, but she was no Lemon Breeland.

AnnaBeth sighed and scanned the grassy plain in front of the school until she found a lone tree off to the side. Perfect. She headed over to the tree, grabbing up her knapsack once she got there and taking out a stereotypical picnic blanket and placing it on the ground. Carefully, as not to wrinkle her skirt, she slid down, leaning her back against the trunk. She grabbed her lunch bag and took out half a sandwich; she had eaten the first half at lunch. She also took out a plate, which she placed next to her, putting the sandwich on it, and a napkin, which she put on her lap. Once she was set up, she opened her knapsack and took out a copy of Sense and Sensibility.

AnnaBeth liked Jane Austen. There was something so romantic about English gentlemen and ladies. Back in middle school, when she had first read the book, she liked to pretend she was the romantic, Marianne, a girl who followed her heart, even when it brought her nothing but pain, and that Lemon was the more mature, wiser Elinor, a girl who was logical and able to keep her emotions in check in order to do what had to be done. Looking at it again now, she felt she more fit the role of Elinor. Yes, she was a romantic, where Lemon was not, but Lemon had become reckless. Since her mother left, she had given into pain and self-pity. Her actions were selfish; she let her pain rule her, and cared about nothing but what she felt and how she might benefit. AnnaBeth knew she was not as smart as Lemon in some ways, but she had the selfless nature of Elinor; she knew she could put whatever she was feeling aside for the sake of somebody else. She also knew dwelling on her loneliness or blaming Lemon would help nobody, and her time could be better spent other ways. And if Lemon ever decided to resume their friendship, she would need AnnaBeth to forget her hurt and comfort her about her abandonment. It was an opportunity AnnaBeth wished for very much. She could, and would, be a good friend to Lemon is given the chance, even if Lemon had not been a good friend to her.

Smiling to herself, AnnaBeth took a small bite of her sandwich and continued reading, letting herself get caught up in the magic of the written word.

Jesse had been on his way home when he realized he left a book in his locker. As he started to turn back, he saw a girl spreading a picnic blanket beneath a tree. Only in Bluebell he thought. Once he grabbed his book he headed back out. The girl was still there. She looked kind of familiar actually; something about the girl's auburn hair stuck out in his memory. Wade's date from Saturday. He finally realized. What was her name again? She was just sitting there. Reading. There was nothing wrong with it, but it felt a bit bizarre. Jesse got the impression she was a Belle wannabe, but what would a future housewife type be doing sitting under a tree, reading what looked like a decent sized novel?

Before he could second-guess himself, Jesse approached her, "Good book?" he asked, leaning over her.

AnnaBeth jumped, "My, my, Kinsella boys sure like sneakin' up on me while I'm readin', don't they."

"I'm sorry?" Jesse asked, confused.

"It's nothin'. What can I do for you?"

Jesse shrugged, "I was just wonderin' what you were readin'."

"There is somethin' very déjà vu about this conversation." AnnaBeth said, laughing. Jesse didn't get the joke. He liked her laugh though; there was something bubbly and honest about it. It wasn't mean or fake. "Jane Austen." She said.

"What?"

"What I'm readin'? Remember, you asked -"

"Right, yeah. So, Jane Austen huh?"

"Yep." She said, holding it up.

"That for class?" he asked, settling in next to her.

"No, I just hadn't read it in a while, felt like readin' it again."

Jesse studied her, curious. Here was a fairly popular, though slightly plain looking future Belle, who spent her free time reading for pleasure under an old tree outside the high school. Those things didn't seem to all go together.

And she wasn't so plain, he realized. Yes, her body left something to be desired, but she was only fourteen or fifteen. Some girls just develop later. She had a nice face though, round and innocent. Her smile was pretty, warm and welcoming as were her green eyes, and her hair had a nice rich color to it. It looked so soft.

"Do I have something on my face?" AnnaBeth asked. Jesse realized her had been starring.

He shook his head and gave her an easy smile, "So, you're a big Jane Austen fan, huh?"

She nodded, "She just has such a way with words. Plus, everything just sounds so British in my head when I read it." She chuckled, "I guess that sounds strange." Jesse shook his head, "Do you like her."

"Actually, I've never read Jane Austen." He admitted.

"Not surprising. They can be a little girly. Still, I like them."

Jesse nodded, thinking, "Well, maybe I'll have to check 'em out then." He stood to go. "It was nice seein' you AnnaBeth."

"Likewise."

Zoe kept pacing the living room. Should she call Jesse? Would that make her look too desperate? Too green? She reached for the phone and then retracted her hand. Then she reached for it again, and this time she picked it up, but then she put it back down. What am I doing? The phone rang, making her jump. Could it be Jesse?

"He-hello?" Zoe said nervously.

"Zoe."

"Harley?" Okay, so not Jesse. "Why are you calling? Shouldn't you be on your way back? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." He said chuckling, "I am going to be a little late for dinner, so it's fine if you want to start without me."

"Oh, okay." Surprisingly, she felt a little disappointed. Yes, dinner with Harley was awkward, but as much as she always wanted to get out of it, the fact that he made so much effort to make sure they ate together was kind of nice. It made Zoe feel like she mattered.

"But, while I have you here, I was wondering what you thought of amusement parks."

"What? Um, their fine." That was weird. Truth is, Zoe was never to crazy about amusement parks. She didn't get why you would pay money to get scared. However, that was the old Zoe. The new Zoe had a lot of living to do, and amusement parks tend to be very lively.

"The reason I ask is, I was hoping we could take a daytrip this weekend. Spend some time together."

Oh. So it was one of those things; he wanted to bond.

"Um, can I get back to you?" Zoe asked, feeling awkward.

"Of course. We can talk tomorrow after you get back from school. I just thought I'd put it out there."

Zoe nodded. Then she remembered she was on the phone and spit out a quick "Right, sure," before hanging up.

Harley wants to bond. Well, he has a right. Still, it didn't make it any easier. It wouldn't be like spending time with her actual dad, where every outing had a lesson. What was Harley like on a daytrip Zoe wondered? Would he, like her father, point out all the medical things to her? She had never been to an amusement park with her father, but she could just picture how it would go. He would have explained to her which rides were more dangerous and why. He would tell her stories about patients he had treated who had had freak accidents at amusement parks. She knew it wasn't normal. It wasn't what dads usually did. Still, she had loved it.

Stay strong Zoe, she told herself as she shook her head, refusing to cry. That wasn't her. That wasn't what Zoe Hart did. No tears. She had better things to do with her time.

Wade had stayed at the Tucker's for a couple hours. It was fun, except when George brought up Zoe or Taylor or Jesse or Saturday. Mostly they had just watched television, so all in all, it had gone all right. Now he had to go home; he really didn't want to. Wade slowed. No reason he couldn't take his time, enjoy a stroll.

"Wade!" Wade turned, surprised to see Agnes, the owner of and baker for The Butter Stick Bakery heading towards him. "Wade, glad I caught you."

"Hello Ma'am. "

Agnes chuckled, "Oh, don't call me ma'am. You'll make me feel old."

"Sorry."

"That's quite all right. Listen, I heard you were looking for some part-time work, a way to make some extra cash."

Wade's cheeks reddened, "Where'd you hear that?"

"Oh, Greg over at The Dixie Stop mentioned it." She said dismissively, "Anyway, the reason I ask is that this week is always my busiest of the year, and I could use an extra hand."

"This week?"

"The week before the Sweetie Pie Dance. People coming in buying pie after pie after pie, it's a wonder they don't put me out of business. I still don't know why they decided to have it so late this year, February's nearly over. But, I'm babbling. Anyway, like I was saying, if you have the time, I could give you five twenty an hour. How does that sound?"

It sounded like minimum wage, not that Wade was picky. It wasn't as though he made a lot more working as Earl. It would be a good opportunity to make some extra cash, and less strenuous than 'his' other job. The only issue would be if the schedules conflict; he couldn't afford to lose any hours or, worse, get canned. If the schedules didn't conflict …

"Um, can I get back to you? I gotta, um, I gotta check in with my dad about it. Make sure he's cool."

Agnes nodded, "Of course, just get back to me by tomorrow morning, and, if your dad is okay with it, you can come here after school and start your first shift."

Wade nodded, giving Agnes a grateful smile. When he got home, Earl was in the basement knocking back bottles. Wade still couldn't figure out where the old man got them from; the only money they had was what Wade brought home, and he kept a good eye on that. Shaking his head, he helped Earl up, cleaned up the mess Earl made, helped Earl clean himself, and put the old man to bed. As he watched his father sleep, Wade thought about what Zoe said a couple weeks back, "the fact that you do that for him … I think that's kind of amazing." It wasn't amazing. It wasn't anything really, just something he had to do. Still, as he replayed her words in his head, a smile broke out across his face.

Zoe leaned against her locker, trying to keep her eyes open. As opposed to being sad last night, she had decided to check out the local library. Since coming to Bluebell, she had let her medical education go slack a little. Even the time she spent at Harley's Practice that first week had been mostly spent in Mrs. H's office. So she checked out the medical volumes. There weren't a lot. Bluebell's Library was okay, but it didn't have the text's she needed. No, Zoe needed real medical texts. She had spent an hour arguing with the librarian about what sort of book she needed. Zoe had finally settled for the only books the librarian could find for her, even if they weren't really what she was looking for and when the library closed, she had headed home disappointed.

She figured Harley might have something, but if he did, he didn't keep it at home. So, she read the texts on medicine and science from the Bluebell Public Library, wishing she had access to something better.

For the first time it occurred to her that living in Bluebell with it's backwards thinking could be toxic to her future career prospects. The thing about Zoe, once her mind latched onto something, it just took off. And then, of course, she couldn't get to sleep. She had tossed and turned all night, worrying about the experience she wasn't getting, the quality of the education she was getting, and picturing what and admissions officer would think when he read the words Bluebell, Alabama.

"Mornin'."

Zoe jumped, "Lemon, you scared me."

"I do that sometimes." Lemon said, grinning mischievously.

"Shouldn't you be home resting?"

Lemon shook her head, "Nope. All better. Guess I got a good immune system. George wasn't quite as lucky, but he should be okay in a day or so." Zoe nodded, choosing not to voice her opinion on Lemon's last statement, "I could say the same to you. You look exhausted."

Zoe shrugged, "I was up late last night."

"Oh, it wasn't about Jesse was it? Zoe, if he's just gonna brush you off then he isn't worth your time. Jake Nass just transferred over from Filmore High, he's cute and a football player, you could-"

"No, no. I'm fine. I wasn't up because of Jesse. And besides, he didn't brush me off exactly. He just didn't kiss me goodnight or ask to go out again."

"Well, he's right there if you want to give it another go." Lemon said, nodding in Jesse's direction. He was surrounded by a bunch of friends, presumably seniors like him. Zoe had never been the bold, go-up-to-a-guy type, especially when he was with all his older cooler friends, but maybe new Zoe could be like that, "Try to work The Sweetie Pie Dance into the conversation. It's this weekend. They're cuttin' it pretty close havin' it this close to March, but I guess as long as it's still February it's okay, even if it is the end of February."

Zoe nodded, trying to get her nerves under control. She took a deep breath, and marched over to Jesse and his friends.

"Hey." She said, trying not to sound as nervous as she felt. She could feel herself blushing and hoped it was not that noticeable.

"Zoe, hi." Jesse said, smiling warmly at her. She relaxed a little. He was so nice.

"So, um, I had a good time Saturday night."

"Me too."

"Good."

When he didn't say anything, Zoe wasn't sure what to do. She stood there kind of awkwardly for a few seconds hoping, praying that some clever words would pop into her head, "I went to the library yesterday." She wanted to go hide. What was wrong with her? That was off topic and completely random. Plus, the library? Could she be any lamer?

"Yeah?" he asked, looking at her curiously. He probably figured she had a point. The idea that she could be just babbling mindlessly had clearly not occurred to him.

"Yeah. Um, it was kind of a bust. The library here doesn't have the best selection." That's great Zoe, insult his hometown. That'll make it better. It had gotten so much easier talking to him when they were playing darts. What had happened? She was being a worse spaz than she had been when she first met him.

"Well, I'm not a huge reader, although I did just start Pride and Prejudice. I'll admit, it's kinda interesting, albeit, a little slow going."

Wow. A guy who reads Jane Austen. How often does that happen? Zoe wasn't a huge Austen fan, she was more into science than literature, but she still found it impressive that Jesse would read something by her, and even more impressive that he felt comfortable admitting it in front of his friends.

"Yeah, I guess." That was intelligent.

"Jess, you coming," One of his friends said, motioning to him.

"Yeah, just a sec." Jesse called over his shoulder. Then he turned back to Zoe, "Listen, I gotta get to class, but it was great seeing you."

"You too." Well, that went well.

"Hm … maybe Buttercream or, I don't know, Key Lime? I don't know. What do you think she'd like?"

Wade rolled his eyes at the indecisive customer. Why did people make such a big deal about this stupid town dance? Did they really think a girl would turn them down because they got Boysenberry instead of Blueberry? It seemed to Wade that if a girl was planning to go with you, she wouldn't change her mind at the last minute because you brought her the wrong kind of pastry. And if she did, she probably wasn't worth it.

"Uh, personally, I like the Key Lime." Actually, Wade preferred the Buttercream, but the Key Lime was more expensive and he was working on commission.

"Okay yeah, Key Lime." Wade went to get a box, "But wait, what if she's allergic?"

"Then she won't eat it." Wade stated matter-of-factly.

"But she has to eat it."

Wade sighed. If she said yes, what did it matter if she actually ate the pie or not? Of all the crazy … "Isn't it the thought that counts?" he tried.

"But if she's allergic, the thought is that I'm trying to poison her. That's not a good thought!"

Wade half expected the man to lung across the table and grab him. Why did love make people so crazy?

"Why don't you just get both?"

"Yeah, yeah I guess I could do that. I mean, what are the odds that she'd be allergic to both?" Wade started to pack the pies up, "Unless she's allergic to pie crust!"

"Well, if she's allergic to pie crust, I'm pretty sure you're screwed. But that's kind of unlikely." He placed the two boxes on the table and punched the prices into the cash register. "That'll be $14.25."

"What? That's outrageous!"

No, this conversation is outrageous. "Sorry dude, I don't make the prices. Take it up with Agnes if you got a problem."

Sighing, the man nodded and took out his wallet. Finally Wade thought. He felt like he'd been having this conversation for the better part of an hour.

The bell on the door jangled. Great. Another freak trying to woo somebody with pie. This job was proving to be a lot more trying than Wade had anticipated, and his shift wasn't over for an hour or so. He tried to remind himself how good it would feel when he got that on the best fake smile he could manage, Wade turned to the door.

"What can I …" he stopped, surprised.

"Wade? I didn't know you worked here."

Wade tried to gather himself. He hadn't seen Taylor since the night of their… whatever it was, and he had hardly expected to see her coming into The Butter Stick today.

"Yeah, um, it's new." He said awkwardly.

"Smart. Getting some part time work. I was thinkin' of lookin' into somethin' like that."

"Yeah?" Moron, Wade thought, chastising himself. Why couldn't he think of anything else to say? He was usually a lot smoother with girls. But then, Taylor wasn't just a girl. She was like an actual person who also happened to be a very attractive girl. Normally it was one or the other. The girls Wade "went out with" were just attractive girls, and Lemon was like an actual person, but he didn't usually encounter girls who were both. Except maybe Zoe, but that was a whole other can of worms, and he couldn't keep his head straight as it was. Taylor was standing there smiling at him, her strawberry-blonde hair cascading neatly down her shoulders, and he just kept thinking about when she had leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. It had been so quick and simple, but it had been nice. Her lips had been soft and her breath had been warm. He had liked it, and watching her now, he kept thinking about what it would be like to kiss her for real, on the lips. No, she would kiss him. He was sure of it. She was brave; she didn't let nerves or fear of judgment stand in her way, and he liked that. She wasn't one of those girls who waited around for the guy to kiss them. She would want to kiss him first. That is, if she wanted to kiss him at all. Would she? What had it meant that night? Was it a thank you for the nice time kiss, or did she like him?

"-so I thought that bein' a dragon slayer would be a more promisin' career than witchcraft-"

"Wait what?" Wade sputtered.

Taylor laughed, "Wow, you checked out for a while there. I was wonderin' how long it would take for you to come to."

Wade chuckled awkwardly, "Sorry, I guess I just …" he didn't really know what to follow that with.

"It's fine." Taylor said waving her hand dismissively, "We all need to fall off the world sometimes."

He shot her a grateful smile, "So, lookin' for a pie for that special someone?"

"Not quite. Pickin' up an order for the charity bake sale down by the church."

Wade nodded, trying to hold back a smile, "Yeah, that should be back here. Give me a sec." He turned to look around for the charity bake sale order of pastries. "So," he called over his shoulder, trying to sound casual, "That mean you, uh, already gave a pie or, you know, got a pie?" Stay turned around. Don't look at her. Don't let on you actually care about the answer he mentally coached himself.

"No, I haven't gotten one. And I certainly wouldn't give one."

"Why not?"

"Well, between you and me, I find the practice a little silly. I mean, I'm all for gestures, don't get me wrong, but I hardly think it's much of a gesture if everybody's doin' it. Besides, whether or not you go to a dance with somebody should hardly depend on whether or not they bought you baked dough and filling. No offense."

"Why should I be offended?" Wade asked, turning around.

"Well, you work in a pie shop."

"Oh, that, well, that's really more for the paycheck. Honestly, I think your spot on. I may not know every love story, or any really, but I doubt any great love was ever lost because some dude didn't pick up desert." He placed her order on the table, "Here ya go."

"Thanks." Wade nodded, "How 'bout you?"

"How 'bout me what?"

"Anybody ask you?"

"Not yet. I'm not really the Sweetie Pie Dance type."

"That's too bad."

"Well, I mean, I didn't really want to go, so …"

"Right." She smiled, "Guess it is a little mushy. Still, even a mushy movie can be fun with the right company." Wade blushed. "Here you go." She said, placing the money on the counter and picking up the box of pastries.

"You need a hand?"

"Thanks but I got it." He nodded, "See you around, Wade." She waved and walked out of the shop. Wade stood there for a minute. He kept thinking about Taylor; what she had said just now, and what she had said that night. How smart and funny she was. How pretty she had smelled when they danced at The Rammer Jammer. Then, before he knew what he was doing, he was placing his apron on the counter and running out the front door after her.

"Taylor! Hey, wait up!"

She stopped and turned.

"Wade?"

He took a second to catch his breath, "Taylor, I …" She was watching him, "I, uh, I was just, I … well, I was wondering, seein' as you're not goin' with anyone else, and I'm not goin' with anyone else, if maybe you'd, I don't know, wanna go to the dance with me?" He took a deep breath. When did asking a girl out get so hard? Of course, he usually didn't ask girls to dances; he asked them to do other things. And he usually didn't care much for the girls he asked to do other things.

She stood there, mulling it over, "Well, that depends on two things." He held his breath, "One, Did Zoe have anything to do with you askin' me?"

Okay. That was a bizarre question, "What, no, I -"

"Good. Question two, will AnnaBeth be accompanying us?"

Wade smiled awkwardly, seeing what she was doing, "Well, I don't know if she'll be there; knowin' how that girl feels about pastries, I'd say she's likely to make an appearance with someone, but she wouldn't be comin' with us."

Taylor smiled and nodded, "In that case, I'd love to."

A smile broke out on Wade's face, "Yeah?" Taylor nodded, "Cool. I'll pick you up at six?" She nodded again. "Great. Right. Well I should -"

"Wade!" he turned to see Agnes storming towards him. Shit! "What were you thinkin', leavin' the counter unattended like that?"

"Oh, that, I was, uh -"

"He was helping me carry these." Taylor interjected.

"Well, next time, get somebody to cover the counter."

Wade nodded. He had the urge to say 'yes ma'am,' but then he remembered she didn't like that, so he kept silent.

"I think I can carry these the rest of the way. But thanks."

"No problem."

"I'll see you for the dance." Taylor called over her shoulder.

Wade blushed, and Agnes eyed him curiously. She looked over at Taylor, then back at Wade.

"Listen, I really am sorry. I swear it won't -"

Agnes shook her head, giving him a knowing smile, "Don't worry about it, Wade. Everybody get's a little crazy this time of year. When nerve finds you, you use it before it disappears on you leavin' nothin' but a pile of scared kitty-cat bones."

"Excuse me."

"It's not easy to pluck up the courage and ask the girl." She clarified.

"What? No, I wasn't -"

"Of course not. No, you were just helping a pretty girl carry her purchase. Perfectly innocent." Agnes said, still wearing that grating, knowing smile. "I'll let it go this time. But you best get back to work."

Wade gave a polite smile and headed back towards The Butter Stick Bakery. He didn't like the way Agnes was looking at him, or that she was making assumptions like she knew him. Still, there was a small smile tugging at his lips, and even Agnes's knowing smiling couldn't seem to make it go away.

"Great seeing you?"

"That's what he said."

"Oh Zoe …"

"Can we please change the topic?" Zoe and Lemon were hanging out after school, working on their homework. Well, Zoe was anyway. Lemon hadn't touched hers it seemed.

"To what?"

Zoe sighed, trying to think of something, anything to talk about, other than her utter romantic failure. Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Hey, does your dad have any medical texts from, like, his college years?"

Lemon looked at Zoe, confused, "Why would you want to know a thing like that?"

Zoe shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant, "I was just looking for some reading material." Judging by her skeptically raised eyebrow, Lemon did not find this an acceptable reason. "It's the sort of stuff I would read back in New York. I want to be a doctor, remember?"

"My, you are serious about that, aren't you?" Zoe nodded, "Don't you think it's a little early to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life?"

Zoe shook her head, "I've known since I was nine. I figure, if you know what you want, what does it matter how old you are. It's no different then falling in love really; whether you find it at fifteen or fifty doesn't matter, so long as it's real. And I have a stronger affection for the medical profession then I ever have for some silly crush."

"Maybe that's why things didn't go so well with Jesse." Lemon said absently. Zoe looked down, "Sorry. I don't always think first."

Zoe nodded, giving Lemon a reassuring smile. After all, what right did she have to be pissed; when it came to foot-in-mouth disease, she was similarly stricken, "So, do you think he has any?"

Lemon thought for a minute, "Probably. They wouldn't be up to date though. Why don't you check the local library?"

"I did, but they have nothing on the college level, which are really the only medical books worth studying."

Lemon paused, "Well, we'll just have to get you some college medical books then. I've been needin' a getaway anyway."

"What are you talking about?"

"The only way to get college medical books is to go to a college."

"Bluebell has a Community College?"

"No silly, but The University of Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, which is only five or six hours away by car."

"Well, Harley did suggest a day trip." Zoe said, thought more to herself.

"That sounds fantastic. Suggest going to Tuscaloosa for a game or something, then sneak off."

"I don't know if I could do that…"

"Of course you can. And I'll help. Daddy and I could use some time away too. I'll take care of it."

"The last time you said that to me, you gave you and George food poisoning."

"And didn't you have a good time?"

"Well, yeah but-"

"Then it's settled. From now on, just trust me."

"I wouldn't dare not to."

Wade tried to get his face back to normal as he climbed the stairs to George's room. It wasn't that he didn't trust George; he just didn't feel like being interrogated. Plus, he didn't want to make to big a deal about it. In Wade's experience, building stuff up and getting excited about didn't usually end well.

"Wade." George greeted, nodding from his place in bed.

"How long you gonna be out sick? I got better things to do than run over your homework everyday."

"Yeah right." George said snorting. Wade sat and turned to the television. George was watching some Black and White movie it looked like.

"What the hell is this?"

"It's called Modern Times."

"Well, it don't look too modern."

"It's funny. Trust me." Wade shrugged, "And Dr. Breeland says I should be just find by weeks end."

"Well I should hope so. I don't even want to imagine what kind of massacre would happen if you told Lemon you had to skip out on the Sweetie Pie Dance."

"Actually, Lemon and I aren't goin' this year."

"Seriously?" Wade asked, stunned.

George nodded, "She and her dad got some weekend road trip goin' on, so she asked me to watch Magnolia."

"So, you're tellin' me I'm the only one goin'?"

"You're goin'?" George asked, his eyes buggin'.

Oops, "Yeah, well, ya know, I mighta kinda asked Taylor." George just stared at him, "Shut up."

"So," Zoe started as she pushed her peas around in her plate, "You remember what you said about taking a trip together?" Harley nodded, "Well, Lemon and I were talking, and her and her dad were thinking of going off to Tuscaloosa to see Alabama's Crimson Tide Versus California State Fullerton on the 28th, and I thought it sounded like fun. You know, we could make a weekend of it. Leave Friday, check into a hotel. Plus, Lemon said you went there for Undergrad, so you could show me around the school. I mean, who knows, I might want to go there some day."

Harley watched her stunned. Zoe and Lemon had discussed the plan at length, the arguments Zoe could make to try and make her case, and judging by Harley's expression, it seemed to be working. Never doubt Lemon Breeland. Zoe thought.

"I didn't know you were into football."

Zoe shrugged, "Well, I'm not an aficionado or anything, but I like it. Plus, Lemon said Lavon Hayes used to live here, and since her dad was his doctor he can score us great tickets and I might even get to meet him, which would be pretty cool."

Harley smiled, "Seems you have it all worked out." Zoe shrugged, "Isn't The Sweetie Pie Dance that Saturday?"

"I think so, why? Oh, did you have a date?" It seemed a weird question to ask. In the short time since she'd met him, Zoe had never really thought of Harley dating. Luckily, he just chuckled.

"No, but I thought you might have wanted to go with someone."

"I haven't even been here a whole month. Who would ask me?"

"Jesse Kinsella?" Harley asked knowingly.

Zoe nearly choked on her potatoes, "What? Why, why would you think that?"

Harley chuckled again, "Well, you did go on a date with him last Sunday?"

"How-?"

"It's a small town Zoe. People talk." Zoe hung her head, "It's okay for you to go out on dates Zoe. I'd prefer if I didn't have to hear about it elsewhere, but I have no plans of locking you away in a castle."

She shot him an awkward smile, "Well, I don't know if it's likely to happen again." Before he could ask a follow-up question, Zoe decided to bring the conversation back around, "So, what do you think? I mean, of going to Tuscaloosa this weekend?"

"Well, Dr. Breeland and I try not to be out of town at the same time, bein' the only two doctors, but I suppose I could try to contact an old friend of mine who lives in Daphne. If he can come and fill in … that sound like a fun weekend."

"Thank you." Zoe said smiling. Before he could change his mind, she jumped up and grabbed her plate, "I'll do the dishes."

Author's Note: Okay, so a lot of this is set up for future chapters (The Sweetie Pie Dance And The Wilkes-Breeland Weekend away), but we have some real stuff in there too.

According to this website:

rolltide dot com slash sports slash m-basebl slash stats slash 1998-1999 slash bama12

There was an actual game February 28th 1999 between the Crimson Tide and California State Fullerton, which was lucky for me. And yes, Lavon will be making an appearance, though it might not be how you think.

I have plan for what happens to the characters this weekend, and I am very excited.

Information on what minimum wage was in 1999 comes from this website:

infoplease dot com slash ipa slash AO774473

Modern Times is a Charlie Chaplin film. It is a social satire. Personally, I don't find it all that funny, but it's good for that sort of humor. I guess I'm just not into slapstick.

I hope you liked this chapter and am anxious to hear your thoughts. Again, I will respond to reviews as soon as I can.