CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A couple days later, Gordo and Miranda visit. Jo is reading Lizzie some of her get well cards and other mail. It's 2 1/2 weeks after the accident.

Jo: This one's from Nana. Dear Elizabeth, I hope this letter finds you doing better. My women's group is pulling for you. All of us made squares for this quilt. I hope you like it. I know those hospital blankets aren't very comfortable, so we wanted you to have a little something special. Grandpa sends his love. Love, Nana. Jo pulls the quilt out of the package and holds it up. Oh Lizzie, it's beautiful! Would you like me to put it on you?

Lizzie: Sure. Can you describe it for me?

Jo: It's a log cabin quilt, done in different shades of blue. On the back, Nana and the other women in her group have stitched your name, the date, and their names.

Lizzie: Rubs her hands along the quilt. It sounds beautiful. Can you read another letter?

Jo: Sure. This one's from Lanny.

Lizzie: Wow!

There's a knock at the door. Miranda and Gordo are at the door.

Miranda: May we come in?

Lizzie: Miranda?

Miranda: Yeah, it's me and Gordo.

Lizzie: Come in.

Jo: I'm going to go get a bite to eat. I'll be back in a few.

Lizzie: Okay.

Jo: Gives her a hug. Be nice, she whispers in Lizzie's ear, and then she leaves.

Lizzie: Come closer. It's okay. I won't bite.

Miranda: How are you? The pair move to the side of her bed.

Lizzie: Let's see. My left leg and right arm are in a cast. I've got an IV and an NG tube in the evenings because I can't eat anything yet. I've got a catheter because I can't get out of bed. My heart stopped multiple times, and I had to be put on a ventillator to breathe. And, oh yeah, I wake up from a 2 week coma to discover I can't see a damned thing. Other than that, I'm great. How 'bout you?

Miranda: I'm okay.

Gordo: No complaints here.

Lizzie: So, how's things going? How's school? Did Mr. Escobar get in trouble for mowing me over?

Gordo: Let's see. I'm working on a new documentary for my Radio, Television and Film class.

Miranda: Kate's still doing the advice column for the e-zine. Claire keeps giving Mrs. Langley a hard time over it. What a witch!

Lizzie: What about Mr. Escobar?

Gordo: He got fired.

Lizzie: Fired?

Gordo: He was charged with wreckless driving and endangerment and the school thought he was wreckless as well.

Lizzie: Wow. Changes the subject. So, Miranda. What's this I hear about you and Ethan?

Miranda: Smiles proudly. Yeah. We've had a couple dates. Get this, we double dated with Kate and Larry Tudgeman!

Lizzie: No! No way! Kate and Tudge?

Miranda: Yeah, truth is stranger than fiction.

Lizzie: Wish I could've been there for that!

Miranda: Actually, we all had fun. Kate and Tudge are actually cute together.

Lizzie: Hmm, Tudge cute. Well, he was a fun date, actually. So Gordo, have you been on any dates lately?

Gordo: Of course not! I'd never date anyone but you.

Lizzie: Well, you can date anyone you'd like.

Gordo: The only person I want to date is you. He kisses her on the cheek.

Lizzie: Pulls away. How could anyone want me? I'm blind! I'm not worth anything now.

Miranda: How can you say that? You're our friend!

Gordo: I love you. It's not about whether you can see or not. I love YOU.

Lizzie: But...

Gordo: I love you, Lizzie McGuire. I don't want to date anyone but you.

Lizzie: I love you, too.

Jo comes back in the room.

Miranda: We gotta go. Homework.

Gordo: Plus, we don't wanna tire you out.

Lizzie: Oh, you haven't.

Miranda: We'll be back in a couple days. Bye.

Gordo: I'll see you later. Gives her a kiss and leaves.

Lizzie: Bye. She turns toward the door and a tear escapes her eye.

Jo: Notices the tear and strokes the back of her daughter's head. Honey, are you okay? Lizzie sniffs and shakes her head. What is it, baby?

Lizzie: It's just. It's just.

Jo: It's just what?

Lizzie: It's just. Sniffs. Oh mom! She throws her arms around her mother. Jo holds her daugher and does not say a word. Mom, how can Gordo still want to date me?

Jo: Why?

Lizzie: I'm blind, mom.

Jo: What's that supposed to mean?

Lizzie: I can't date him! I can't see a thing! I can't do anything.

Jo: Puts her hands on Lizzie's shoulders. Listen, just because you're blind doesn't mean you're helpless. Lizzie turns her head away. Jo continues. You're the same strong young lady you were before this happened.

Lizzie: It didn't just happen! I was mowed over by a car and went flying! Mr. Escobar hit me with his car and sent sent me sailing. Then, I hit the ground and now I'm blind!

Jo: A look of shock spreads across her face. How much do you remember?

Lizzie: All of it! I remember you begging, no, pleading with me to wake up. I remember you crying on dad's shoulder, or falling asleep, draped across the bed.

Jo: Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry.

Lizzie: I wanted to wake up so badly, but I just couldn't! Cries into her mother's arms. Jo holds her daughter.