Be Friend With Her

On the way back to District 36, Amanda and George talked about several things.

"Is there a road to District 36 that can be traveled? The bus driver said it's closed because of the heavy snow," Amanda asked.

"There is an alternative route that can only be used by cars. The bus won't be able to enter that lane."

George then asked about Amanda's interest in going to the city center when it was snowing.

At first he thought she was going there to buy heaters, as they were rare where she lived.

"I just went to the hospital to check my pregnancy. Because the first time I did it was at the hospital in the city center. Every subsequent checkup, I have to go back there..." Amanda explained.

"I see. So how did the checkup go? Everything okay?" asked George.

Amanda nodded. "Yes, everything is fine. The doctor even told me the sex of my son, he's a boy."

"A boy?!" George was surprised by the expression so happy that the car he was driving almost went the other way.

"Slow down, George. You could kill all three of us..." Amanda said.

The man apologized, he was just happy to hear that. Amanda must have also felt happy to know that her son was a boy.

Hearing George's answer, Amanda just smiled and nodded. In her heart she hoped that reaction was the one William gave when he found out about this.

"So have you thought of a name for him yet?" asked George again.

"Hmn... Not yet. Considering I only found out the gender yesterday. So I haven't thought of a name for him yet," Amanda replied.

"A name for a child is very important. It's best to think about it carefully."

The two continued their conversation until they finally arrived in District 36. George drove Amanda to the front of her house. Fortunately, there were many men working around the 36th district, removing snow with their tools.

"Here we are," said George.

"Thank you for taking me home, I really owe you, George."

"No need, it's my job as Sheriff to help people. Let me help you carry your things."

George and Amanda got out of the car. The man put Amanda's things in the back trunk while Amanda unlocked her house.

While she was unlocking, a woman suddenly approached Amanda with a very worried expression.

"Amanda!!!" she exclaimed and grabbed both of Amanda's shoulders and hugged her. "Oh my God... I was so worried that you hadn't answered my calls since yesterday. I even checked inside and you weren't there either. I was so worried something had happened to you!" the woman said.

"C-Camille... I just got back from downtown. I left yesterday and was only able to come back today," Amanda explained.

"Really? I almost called the sheriff to look for you. I thought you were missing."

Amanda explained what happened yesterday and today until she was finally driven home by George.

"Take it easy, Camille. I've delivered Amanda safely," George said.

Hearing that, Camille felt calmer. Her worries changed after Amanda told her it was a boy.

The middle-aged woman immediately looked happy and grasped Amanda's hand. "Oh my gosh, congratulations Amanda! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed with a happy face.

"Thank you, Camille. Then I have to go to my house," Amanda said.

"Oh sure. Get some rest. If you need anything, just call me directly!" Camille walked back to her house.

Amanda chuckled and went inside. George went inside to put Amanda's things away.

"Have a seat, it's cold outside. I'll make some tea," Amanda said.

"If you don't mind."

Amanda invited George to sit on a chair at the dining table and she boiled water to make tea. This was the first time George had entered Amanda's house. Previously he had only arrived at the front of the house.

She took off her jacket and scarf and turned on the space heater she had bought earlier. In a few minutes, the kitchen, which was cold, was warmed by the appliance.

"Oh it's working fine," Amanda said as she poured hot water into the teacup.

"Right... Good then, you won't have to feel cold anymore."

She placed two cups on the table and enjoyed her tea. George drank his tea and felt warmer than before.

"So you live alone here?" asked George casually starting another conversation with Amanda.

He wanted to see her tell her story and listen to Amanda's soft voice.

"Yes, for now until my son is born. What about you? Do you live alone too?"

"Yes, you're right. I live alone after my sister got married five years ago. Our parents passed away a long time ago, so now it's just me alone," George explained.

"Oh... I'm sorry I asked you a question like that," Amanda said.

"It's okay. I'm an adult anyway, I'm 30 years old. I can live with myself," George replied again.

Hearing that, Amanda felt calmer knowing that. George then asked Amanda about her family. She replied that her family was still alive, but they were far away from where she was.

That's why she can't see them often and only updates them by phone sometimes. For a moment George was silent as he listened to Amanda's story.

Amanda was pregnant and had to be away from her family, her boyfriend had died and now Amanda had to bear it all alone.

'She must be very lonely. Bearing all the burdens alone...' the man thought.

He felt more and more like he wanted to be the one to bear the burden together with Amanda. He wanted to lift the weight of the burden Amanda had as a man and someone who was always there for her.

"You are so amazing, Amanda. I admire you," George said.

"Hmn? What have I done?" asked Amanda confused.

"You were away from your family, you lost the person you loved forever, the father of your baby. Now you have to raise your child alone. You're doing great," George said with a warm smile.

Amanda smiled at George's words. What he said was true, but it was a deliberate decision she made to stay away from them. She didn't tell her family about her pregnancy, she left William and her job, and her life in Zondalia just to raise her child.

She just wanted to be able to live peacefully with the son she was carrying. No matter what she had to go through. Amanda was determined to hold it all together.

"Thank you George. I'm glad to hear it from you," Amanda said, returning George's smile to her.

Seeing that, George was happy too. He felt he could get closer to Amanda by knowing more about her.

Their conversation that day was like a way for him to get closer to the woman he liked and hoped to be with one day.