Chapter 8

George wanted to get up and leave. That was the reaction he had feared. Lemon looked like she was going to faint at any moment. And George didn't like the fact that Lavon's feelings were so important to her.

"I told him not to tell you anything. I didn't want you to have to explain everything to him about the baby." George clarified. He had to say something. He wanted Lemon to break out of this stupor.

"Okay," Lemon breathed, her eyes fixed on something only she could see. Then she closed her eyes briefly before turning to George with a slightly clearer gaze. "Why did you tell me anyway?"

"Because it wouldn't be fair to Lavon to tell you about my feelings and forbid him to tell you anything. And the child doesn't change that. If you want to be with Lavon..." George broke off. He lowered his eyes to the tabletop before he could continue. Looking at Lemon made it a thousand times harder. "If that's what you want, then you shouldn't think you can't because of the baby. I'll still take care of the baby. I don't want you to ignore your feelings because of me. I want you to be happy."

George raised his head again. Lemon seemed on the verge of crying. Her eyes glistened wetly. She didn't say anything in response to George's little speech. Instead, she was deep in thought. George couldn't stand it any longer.

"I think I'd better go now. I'm sure you have a lot to think about."

George pushed the chair back and stood up. His hands were shaking, but he did his best to suppress it. He turned around quickly, even though he doubted Lemon would notice anything just yet.

"George wait." Lemon said at that moment. She had also stood up and now grabbed George's hand to stop him from leaving. Slowly, George turned back around.

"I don't want to be together with Lavon." Lemon said seriously. She looked him firmly in the eye and shook her head slowly to confirm her words. "I don't feel anything for him. And that's not going to change. I can't imagine getting together with Lavon. Really."

George wanted to answer something, but wasn't sure what.

"Believe me, please." Lemon murmured softly.

"I believe you." George finally replied. "You just seemed so shocked. Like you... I don't know." He sighed and looked at Lemon questioningly.

"I was shocked." Lemon answered calmly. "Because I knew that meant I had to hurt Lavon. Again." She turned her head away from George. He could tell she was fighting her emotions. "I feel sorry for him. He really doesn't deserve to get hurt. Lavon's a great man. Just not for me. I will have to break his heart for the second time."

George had to make an effort not to look too relieved. It wasn't that he didn't care how Lavon was doing. After all, he was his best friend. Nevertheless, the relief that the attempt with Lemon hadn't failed before it had even begun was overwhelming for George. However, he also realized how unhappy Lemon was.

"It's not your fault." He told her quietly.

"Unfortunately, that doesn't really make it any better." Lemon sighed. A tear rolled down her cheek. At this, Lemon lowered her head, her eyes falling on her hand. She was still holding tightly to George. She stared at their hands for a moment, then took a deep breath and slowly took her hand away.

"Thank you for telling me. I'd best talk to Lavon tomorrow. It's better if he can't get his hopes up any longer."

Now seemed to be the time for George to really leave. "So, good luck tomorrow."

"You would have minded, wouldn't you? If I had gotten together with Lavon?" Lemon suddenly wanted to know.

George faltered. "Yes." he confessed quietly.

Lemon looked at George for a moment. He wished he could actually see what she was thinking. Lemon, however, didn't seem to want to say anything more. Without responding to his answer, they said goodbye.

Lemon felt terrible just standing outside Lavon's door, knowing what she had to tell him. The door opened. When Lavon saw her, a smile appeared on his face. Lemon wished it wouldn't be there.

"Hey Lemon, good to see you. Why don't you come in?" Lavon said immediately, beaming.

Before Lemon could answer, she had to clear her throat to get rid of the lump in there. "Hello."

Then she followed Lavon into the kitchen, where he immediately offered her something to drink and pulled open cupboard doors to bring her something to eat.

"Lavon" He didn't respond, so Lemon said a little louder. "Lavon, can you just sit down and listen to me. I won't be here long."

Lavon paused his search. Then he followed Lemon's instructions and came to her. "Is everything okay?" he asked with a furrowed brow. Lemon swallowed. At least the joy was gone, she thought to herself ironically.

"No." She stated simply. "George, he told me, well, he told me about your feelings."

Lavon gasped in shock.

"You can't hold that against him." Lemon took a deep breath and forced herself to keep looking at Lavon. "I'm pregnant. By George. That's why he didn't want you to talk to me."

Surprise, confusion, and shock alternated on Lavon's face. "Wow," he mumbled.

Lemon continued before Lavon could say more. "I know how you feel and... I'm so sorry, I don't think this makes sense between us."

Lavon blinked several times. He had deep wrinkles on his forehead and was now slowly opening his mouth. "Why? Is it because of..."

Lemon interrupted him. "It has nothing to do with the baby. I can be with anyone I want. No matter who the father of my child is. I know that."

"But you don't want to be with me." Lavon concluded dejectedly.

"I'm sorry," Lemon whispered. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She was hurting him. Obviously. And there was nothing she could do about it.

"It's okay." Lavon mumbled, even though he looked anything but. "I think it's understandable in your place. I realize you don't want to make the same mistake twice. I've never stood a chance against George."

His words made Lemon's breath hitch. Quietly, she told him, "I was really in love with you then. You were more than just an affair for me. But now... Those feelings just aren't there anymore."

"Are you going to try again? George and you?" Lavon asked.

"Honestly, I don't know," Lemon replied. "Maybe..."

"Then you have to know I'm not going to ruin this for you guys." He said it so sadly that it choked Lemon's throat. When she'd been miserable, Lavon had picked her up, and in gratitude, she'd acted like that. "I just kind of thought that maybe the reason none of my relationships work out is because no one can get near you." Lavon added, more to himself.

"I'm really sorry," Lemon reiterated. "I just can't imagine getting back together with you. If I could possibly get back together with someone, then it would be..." Lemon broke off as she realized what she had just been about to say.

"Then it would be with George," Lavon finished the sentence for her.

With George. Lemon could barely comprehend what had just happened. She hadn't implied anything of the sort to George. She hadn't even realized she was thinking that way until she almost said it.

"I guess there's nothing more to talk about here then." Lavon said quietly into the silence that had spread between them.

Lemon wanted to give him a comforting hug, but she was well aware that it would make things worse rather than better. She stood up. Lavon accompanied her to the door.

"Oh, and Lemon?" she had already stepped out the door when Lavon spoke again. "Congratulations. I wish you both the best of luck."

Once again, Lemon had to hold back the tears. It just wasn't fair. She had probably never really been fair to Lavon before.

"Thank you." She managed to say tonelessly. "I'm sure you'll find happiness soon. You're a great person."

For a brief moment, she placed her hand on Lavon's arm, then turned and walked away without looking back. She didn't want to see Lavon standing in the doorway looking sadly after her. At the same time, the visit had also achieved something. Lemon was no longer only clear about what she didn't want, but also what she did want.

George was clearly in a bad mood as he walked across the park on his way to work today. He knew it was silly, but the fact that Lemon was having an honest conversation with Lavon was anything but pleasant for him. Even though he knew Lemon didn't return Lavon's feelings. George trusts her. Nevertheless, he would prefer her not to be with Lavon.

Lost in thought, he didn't notice that someone was coming towards him. It was only when he collided with the person that he was abruptly torn from his thoughts.

"HEY!" his counterpart hissed angrily.

George staggered briefly before regaining his balance.

"George, look out!" said an indignant Zoe, who was standing opposite him.

"Sorry" mumbled George "I didn't notice you.

"A little tip: open your eyes next time." Zoe said, shaking her head. "Whatever. How are you?"

"Oh, you know. I'm fine." George replied evasively "I'm glad to meet you. I wanted to tell you that I'm happy for Wade and you."

"Thank you," Zoe said, a smile appearing on her face.

"So how did it go last night?" George wanted to know, "I suppose people had a lot to say to you."

Zoe laughed. "True. But it wasn't as bad as I expected."

That was good news. George realized that the relationship between Wade and Zoe was not directly comparable to Lemon and him. But he hoped that if people didn't overreact to Wade and Zoe, there was hope for them too.

"You disappeared pretty quickly." Zoe continued, "I hope you don't think that's weird or..." she stopped and looked at George.

"No. No, not at all. I was just a bit tired, and I thought I'd get a chance to talk to you in time." George explained quickly. He hoped that Zoe would be satisfied with this explanation. She nodded in understanding. "Anyway, I think it's about time you guys got it together." George continued.

"Oh, and something else. Do you know what's going on with Lemon?" Zoe asked suddenly.

George froze at the question. "Why? What's wrong with her?" he asked cautiously.

"That's what I don't know. But yesterday Wade was kind of... I don't know. I'm already starting to worry about her. I really should stop doing that." Zoe frowned at herself, confused. "I just thought you might know more."

"No, I'm sorry." George replied, trying to block out his guilty conscience at this lie.

"Well, it's not that important. I'll go to work then. See you!" With that, Zoe said goodbye and continued on her way to the office.

George also walked on. He didn't get far before his cell phone rang.

"Hello?" he answered the call.

"George. It's Lemon."

She sounded like she had been crying. George stopped, tense.

"I wanted to ask you... So after I just talked to Lavon..." George's tension rose. "Do you think we could go somewhere?"

George couldn't get an answer out. It was pretty clear what Lemon was getting at. Still, he couldn't quite believe it yet.

"You mean go out, in the sense of a date?" he asked uncertainly.

"Sort of, yeah," Lemon mumbled, equally unsure. George smiled.

"I'd love to." He answered the question. "I'd suggest we go somewhere out of town where no one knows us for now?"

"Good idea." Lemon agreed.

"All right!" said George with barely suppressed excitement. "I'll look for something nice. Tomorrow evening?"

"Okay," Lemon returned "Um, well, see you then."

"Until then." George said goodbye as well.

There was a broad smile on his face as he hung up. The day had gotten a lot better in a short time. A date. George had no idea what had led Lemon to make this decision, but he was happy anyway. He would actually go on a date with Lemon.