Flight 511 to Miami, Florida exploded not more than ten minutes before. No survivors found.
Max stood and stared at the television, seeing the fiery explosion over and over as it replayed, but not comprehending until Nancy Parker's voice uttered those words that sent him into oblivion.
"Oh my God! Jeff, that's Lizzie's flight!"
Chapter 3a: Unspoken Grief
Flight 511 from Roswell, New Mexico was on its way to Miami, Florida that fateful afternoon…
The passengers of this flight could not have known that this would be their last day...
They boarded the plane, unaware of the danger ahead…
Federal agents have been called to the site of the explosion…
No evidence has been found of what might have caused this tragic explosion…
Coast guards have been searching day and night in hopes of finding traces of any survivors…
No leads on what may have caused this flight to crash…
No survivors have been found…
…as the search continues, we hold the victims in our hearts, and pray for those who may have survived…
…three weeks since this awful tragedy…
…remains of the plane found in the waters of the Gulf…
…Our deepest sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims, please know that you are in our prayers...
…we have received a list of passengers from this misfortune…we hold their memory in our hearts and pray for them in the next life…
…Adams, Melissa. Houston, TX.
...Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston. Roswell, NM
… Langer, Brian. Miami, FL
...Norris, Lacey. Roswell, NM
…Parker, Elizabeth. Roswell, NM
…this beautiful tribute for the innocent victims of Flight 511 was held today as many gathered at the coasts of the Gulf, sending out candles on floats and throwing flowers into the deep waters…
…hopes of finding survivors are dwindling…
…God bless the victims and their loved ones…
>>>>>< br>
Two months. Six weeks. Sixty-one days. No matter how one referred to that specific length of time, all would have to agree that that was a long time. But for the city of Roswell, New Mexico, time had seemed to stop completely as the days wore on, and the search for any surviving victims continued. But for a certain group of teens and a grieving family, time seemed to move to quickly. Because each day that went by, the hope of finding their friend or daughter, slowly vanished, and as the sun rose each day, with its beauty, the truth became more apparent. She was gone.
>>>>>< br>
Searing pain, so unbearable shooting through him as memories flashed in his mind. Kyle Valenti, uncrossed his legs and sat up, frustrated and miserable. Even Buddha could not help in keeping his mind focused. Screw meditation. Kyle thought bitterly. How could he find inner peace when he had just lost one of his best friends, almost sister?
Kyle…I don't think we should see each other anymore.
He had lost her back then. She had broken up with him to only turn around and run into Max Evans's arms. He hadn't let her go then, and now he knew why. Because he couldn't. Liz Parker was the only girl he ever loved, and up until then, he couldn't see that his love for her was merely a brotherly affection. It had started the first time he had met her.
Flashback
A little boy stood in the shades of an old tree, his head bent, so that others could not see his tears. They would have teased him for being a baby. Crying at his age. But they didn't understand, they didn't know what it was like to lose their mother. They didn't understand how much it hurt. So lost in his grief, he didn't hear her soft footsteps nor did he see her approach until he saw them hem of a purple dress, and his eyes trailed up the figure to meet the warmest doe eyes he had ever seen, and for a moment he thought that they had a burgundy tint to them. Standing in front of him was a small little girl, about his age, but shorter than he, her eyes looking over him curiously.
"Are you ok?" Her voice was soft and gentle, no mockery present. Kyle was surprised. She was truly concerned for him, and now as he stared at her, his eyes filled with tears, and he duck his head in shame.
But her sweet voice carried to him, "It's ok to cry." He looked up to see her looking up at the sky, sort of in longing. "Grandma Claudia says that your tears are like the rain. When the earth has suffered because of the things we do to it, the rain comes and heals the land with its cool touch. Just like tears heal your soul."
Snapping back to reality, she turned to him and held out her hand. "I'm Liz."
"Kyle."
End Flashback
Even then she had been wise, even for her full five years of living. And when he had taken her hand, she had taken his love. When Max took her away, Kyle couldn't let go of that constant love, and …well began to stalk her in a way.
And here he was now, crying even his old age, but this time he wasn't ashamed. Tears heal your soul. That's what she had told him back then. Back then she had helped him, had held out her hand in his grief. But now she was gone, no longer able to aid him. Just like he had lost his mother all those years ago, he had now lost his sister, but this time…this time no one was holding his hand, giving him the strength to surpass the sorrow.
>>>>>< br>
Jim Valenti stood in the doorway, watching as his grown son, who hadn't really shed a tear since his mother's death; break into tears over the memory of his lost friend. Kyle wasn't the only Valenti that had lost someone in Liz; Jim was also at lost. Liz Parker was like the daughter he had always wanted, the daughter that he had lost when he had lost his wife.
Flashback
It had been a few weeks since his wife's untimely death and funeral. She had died giving birth to their daughter, who in the end did not survive and had joined her mother. Kyle had been hit harder than he, refusing to eat and crying all night for his mother and lost sister. It hadn't been up until a few days ago did Kyle began to revert to the child he once was, although not completely because now he knew what death was. Jim wondered what had brought about this change his son, but said nothing of it. Until the day his son came home with a newly found friend, the one, Jim thought, who had helped his son when he himself could not.
Kyle ran inside, followed by a little girl, no older than Kyle, but much shorter, much more frail. Her doe eyes looked up at him, and she softly smiled and whispered, "Nice to meet you Mr. Valenti. I'm Liz Parker."
Parker…Parker? Oh! "You're Jeff and Nancy's daughter!"
Liz nodded her head in affirmation, "Daddy and Mommy send their condolences."
She had murmured the word so easily, and in that instant Jim looked into her eyes again, and in them he could see wisdom. Such ancient eyes on such a young child. His daughter would have looked similar to her. The thought saddened him, and Liz instantly saw this. "What's wrong Mr. Valenti?"
He merely shook his head, as Kyle ran back into the room. "Dad! Dad! Can Lizzie meet mommy and Lily?"
Jim looked at his son in shock, since the funeral, Kyle had refused to go back to the cemetery to see his mother. "I thought you didn't like the cemetery Kyle."
"I don't. I didn't. I want to say goodbye to mommy so she could go to heaven." Kyle answered, and Jim looked at him in confusion.
"A soul will not pass into heaven until it has accomplished everything on the mortal plane. Sometimes it is because they weren't able to tell someone how much they loved them, sometimes it's because they didn't fulfill their purpose in life, and sometimes it's just because they couldn't say goodbye to the people they love. The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven." Liz softly explained.
Again the flash of burgundy, and the ancient eyes.
But now they were saddened with unspoken grief.
End Flashback
She had been gentle, eccentric, and she had spunk about her. Liz was kind and always willing to help, but was also a little spitfire. Just like his Annette had been, and what his daughter would have been. Through this, Jim had gained a daughter, not to replace his other one, but to bring comfort to his son and himself.
Walking over to Kyle, he wrapped his arms around his son, and for the second time, father and son grieved for the family they had lost.
The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven.
>>>>>< br>
Dawn stretched over the horizon with fingertips of rose floating out into the golden sky, wherever the light touched, the darkness rushed away quickly, back into the shadows. The sounds of the sweet melodies of the passing birds filled the once silent air, and a breeze passed through, gently blowing through the green trees, causing the leaves to rustle. It was a beautiful day, such beauty was rare, but even nature could not bring pleasure to everyone, and even the light could not touch nor chase away the darkness that had settled on the grievers' hearts as they mourned the memory of Roswell's very own All American Girl. For even nature could not erase the knowledge that today was the day that it was finally over. Not even nature could take away the fact that one Elizabeth Parker was no longer going to return, that she was actually gone and would never see the light of day again.
>>>>>< br>
"Now Sheriff Valenti and his son, Kyle would like to say a few words." The minister announced as he nodded his head at Kyle and Jim. Kyle stepped up silently to the podium. Kyle's face was solemn as he looked around the church, clearing his suddenly dry throat, keeping his tears at bay. One might not have noticed he was grieving if not for the slightly fallen eyes which only sparkled with loss.
"Liz and I have known each other for a long time, we've been through so much together. She was my first friend that wasn't a guy, my first crush, my first kiss, and my first girlfriend…but she was also the first female since my mother's death that understood and cared for me. People say that you'll never know how much someone means to you until they're gone, and they're right. I never knew before now, maybe somewhere in my subconscious I did, but I never felt or understood my feelings towards Liz until now, and it is simple really.
The fact is I love her. I love her like the sister I lost along with my mother, and that may have been the reason I felt so connected with her since the day we met. I remember my mother's death, and I remember the pain and how much it had hurt. The day I met Liz, I was alone, crying for my mother, and I didn't want anyone to see…because I was ashamed. I was ashamed of my tears, and I was ashamed because I felt like I was letting my mother down. I can still remember the way she had came over to me, sat next to me and comforted me even though she didn't have to and I can still hear the words she had said to me.
It's ok to cry.
Grandma Claudia says that your tears are like the rain. When the earth has suffered because of the things we do to it, the rain comes and heals the land with its cool touch. Just like tears heal your soul.
Then she held out her hand to me and helped me pick up the pieces…" Kyle's words trailed off, and he choked softly, and then continued, not caring anymore.
"I loved her, and I still do. I know I'll never forget Liz Parker. She just has that effect on you, once she touches you, once she holds out her hand to you, you just never want to let go, and I didn't…but the time has come to let go of her hand, but this time I won't have her wisdom or kindness to guide me through the grief. Rest in peace Liz, I'll miss you."
Kyle stepped back, looking all about drained and he looked over to his father, who squeezed his shoulder in comfort and then took his place at the podium.
"Today we all grieve loss. Daughter, friend, niece, cousin, student. All those words and more describe Elizabeth Parker, but I would like to add another. In the past eleven years, I have watched my son and Liz grow together. And over these past years, Liz has become like a daughter to me. I watched with pride and joy as Liz bloomed into a beautiful and courteous young woman, right before my eyes, and for me it was as if I was watching my own daughter grow, watching my own daughter laugh. And everything in my being tells me that if Lily were alive today, that she and Liz would be the greatest of friends. The first day I met Liz. She was a petite girl, small, quiet, and seemingly frail. I remember thinking about her eyes, how her eyes seemed so wise, so ancient on such a young girl, but I was never fooled. Liz was an intelligent child, and there were times when it seemed like I was speaking with another adult, someone even older than I, and this wisdom only blossomed, as she grew older. The ways she spoke of things, the tone of her voice, that distant look in her eyes portrayed innocence, yet at the same moment I saw the look of tragedy and sorrow of loss, and this look was even more overwhelming than the innocence. I felt a pull towards the purity, as if I needed to shield her so that she would never lose that innocent sparkle. And she never did, as she grew older, I could see she did not need my protection. Her strength continued to amaze me as I watch her pull through sorrow, pain, and things many have never ever experienced.
Now even in death, I can still see those ancient eyes, beautiful, innocent, and wise. I can still hear her soft voice, soothing and calming even the greatest of rages." Jim paused in his speech and cleared his throat before continuing.
"A soul will not pass into heaven until it has accomplished everything on the mortal plane. Sometimes it is because they weren't able to tell someone how much they loved them, sometimes it's because they didn't fulfill their purpose in life, and sometimes it's just because they couldn't say goodbye to the people they love. The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven.
Those were her own words, the words of a five-year-old girl. And now as we remember Liz Parker, and her presence in our life, let us hope that she will be able to pass into heaven. I know of no one else who deserves this more than she."
tbc…
A/N: Sorry this part is so short, but I wanted to get this part out to you because it's been a while since I've updated. I'm sorry for that because I'm just writing as I go along. I have a basic concept and idea, but the rest is up to me while I sit in front of my computer. So what did you think about Kyle, Jim, and Liz's relationship? Was it that bad? I don't know, it's just that I always thought of Kyle and Liz as close friends. I dunno. So comments? Should I continue?
Max stood and stared at the television, seeing the fiery explosion over and over as it replayed, but not comprehending until Nancy Parker's voice uttered those words that sent him into oblivion.
"Oh my God! Jeff, that's Lizzie's flight!"
Chapter 3a: Unspoken Grief
Flight 511 from Roswell, New Mexico was on its way to Miami, Florida that fateful afternoon…
The passengers of this flight could not have known that this would be their last day...
They boarded the plane, unaware of the danger ahead…
Federal agents have been called to the site of the explosion…
No evidence has been found of what might have caused this tragic explosion…
Coast guards have been searching day and night in hopes of finding traces of any survivors…
No leads on what may have caused this flight to crash…
No survivors have been found…
…as the search continues, we hold the victims in our hearts, and pray for those who may have survived…
…three weeks since this awful tragedy…
…remains of the plane found in the waters of the Gulf…
…Our deepest sympathy for the families and loved ones of the victims, please know that you are in our prayers...
…we have received a list of passengers from this misfortune…we hold their memory in our hearts and pray for them in the next life…
…Adams, Melissa. Houston, TX.
...Mr. and Mrs. Huddleston. Roswell, NM
… Langer, Brian. Miami, FL
...Norris, Lacey. Roswell, NM
…Parker, Elizabeth. Roswell, NM
…this beautiful tribute for the innocent victims of Flight 511 was held today as many gathered at the coasts of the Gulf, sending out candles on floats and throwing flowers into the deep waters…
…hopes of finding survivors are dwindling…
…God bless the victims and their loved ones…
>>>>>< br>
Two months. Six weeks. Sixty-one days. No matter how one referred to that specific length of time, all would have to agree that that was a long time. But for the city of Roswell, New Mexico, time had seemed to stop completely as the days wore on, and the search for any surviving victims continued. But for a certain group of teens and a grieving family, time seemed to move to quickly. Because each day that went by, the hope of finding their friend or daughter, slowly vanished, and as the sun rose each day, with its beauty, the truth became more apparent. She was gone.
>>>>>< br>
Searing pain, so unbearable shooting through him as memories flashed in his mind. Kyle Valenti, uncrossed his legs and sat up, frustrated and miserable. Even Buddha could not help in keeping his mind focused. Screw meditation. Kyle thought bitterly. How could he find inner peace when he had just lost one of his best friends, almost sister?
Kyle…I don't think we should see each other anymore.
He had lost her back then. She had broken up with him to only turn around and run into Max Evans's arms. He hadn't let her go then, and now he knew why. Because he couldn't. Liz Parker was the only girl he ever loved, and up until then, he couldn't see that his love for her was merely a brotherly affection. It had started the first time he had met her.
Flashback
A little boy stood in the shades of an old tree, his head bent, so that others could not see his tears. They would have teased him for being a baby. Crying at his age. But they didn't understand, they didn't know what it was like to lose their mother. They didn't understand how much it hurt. So lost in his grief, he didn't hear her soft footsteps nor did he see her approach until he saw them hem of a purple dress, and his eyes trailed up the figure to meet the warmest doe eyes he had ever seen, and for a moment he thought that they had a burgundy tint to them. Standing in front of him was a small little girl, about his age, but shorter than he, her eyes looking over him curiously.
"Are you ok?" Her voice was soft and gentle, no mockery present. Kyle was surprised. She was truly concerned for him, and now as he stared at her, his eyes filled with tears, and he duck his head in shame.
But her sweet voice carried to him, "It's ok to cry." He looked up to see her looking up at the sky, sort of in longing. "Grandma Claudia says that your tears are like the rain. When the earth has suffered because of the things we do to it, the rain comes and heals the land with its cool touch. Just like tears heal your soul."
Snapping back to reality, she turned to him and held out her hand. "I'm Liz."
"Kyle."
End Flashback
Even then she had been wise, even for her full five years of living. And when he had taken her hand, she had taken his love. When Max took her away, Kyle couldn't let go of that constant love, and …well began to stalk her in a way.
And here he was now, crying even his old age, but this time he wasn't ashamed. Tears heal your soul. That's what she had told him back then. Back then she had helped him, had held out her hand in his grief. But now she was gone, no longer able to aid him. Just like he had lost his mother all those years ago, he had now lost his sister, but this time…this time no one was holding his hand, giving him the strength to surpass the sorrow.
>>>>>< br>
Jim Valenti stood in the doorway, watching as his grown son, who hadn't really shed a tear since his mother's death; break into tears over the memory of his lost friend. Kyle wasn't the only Valenti that had lost someone in Liz; Jim was also at lost. Liz Parker was like the daughter he had always wanted, the daughter that he had lost when he had lost his wife.
Flashback
It had been a few weeks since his wife's untimely death and funeral. She had died giving birth to their daughter, who in the end did not survive and had joined her mother. Kyle had been hit harder than he, refusing to eat and crying all night for his mother and lost sister. It hadn't been up until a few days ago did Kyle began to revert to the child he once was, although not completely because now he knew what death was. Jim wondered what had brought about this change his son, but said nothing of it. Until the day his son came home with a newly found friend, the one, Jim thought, who had helped his son when he himself could not.
Kyle ran inside, followed by a little girl, no older than Kyle, but much shorter, much more frail. Her doe eyes looked up at him, and she softly smiled and whispered, "Nice to meet you Mr. Valenti. I'm Liz Parker."
Parker…Parker? Oh! "You're Jeff and Nancy's daughter!"
Liz nodded her head in affirmation, "Daddy and Mommy send their condolences."
She had murmured the word so easily, and in that instant Jim looked into her eyes again, and in them he could see wisdom. Such ancient eyes on such a young child. His daughter would have looked similar to her. The thought saddened him, and Liz instantly saw this. "What's wrong Mr. Valenti?"
He merely shook his head, as Kyle ran back into the room. "Dad! Dad! Can Lizzie meet mommy and Lily?"
Jim looked at his son in shock, since the funeral, Kyle had refused to go back to the cemetery to see his mother. "I thought you didn't like the cemetery Kyle."
"I don't. I didn't. I want to say goodbye to mommy so she could go to heaven." Kyle answered, and Jim looked at him in confusion.
"A soul will not pass into heaven until it has accomplished everything on the mortal plane. Sometimes it is because they weren't able to tell someone how much they loved them, sometimes it's because they didn't fulfill their purpose in life, and sometimes it's just because they couldn't say goodbye to the people they love. The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven." Liz softly explained.
Again the flash of burgundy, and the ancient eyes.
But now they were saddened with unspoken grief.
End Flashback
She had been gentle, eccentric, and she had spunk about her. Liz was kind and always willing to help, but was also a little spitfire. Just like his Annette had been, and what his daughter would have been. Through this, Jim had gained a daughter, not to replace his other one, but to bring comfort to his son and himself.
Walking over to Kyle, he wrapped his arms around his son, and for the second time, father and son grieved for the family they had lost.
The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven.
>>>>>< br>
Dawn stretched over the horizon with fingertips of rose floating out into the golden sky, wherever the light touched, the darkness rushed away quickly, back into the shadows. The sounds of the sweet melodies of the passing birds filled the once silent air, and a breeze passed through, gently blowing through the green trees, causing the leaves to rustle. It was a beautiful day, such beauty was rare, but even nature could not bring pleasure to everyone, and even the light could not touch nor chase away the darkness that had settled on the grievers' hearts as they mourned the memory of Roswell's very own All American Girl. For even nature could not erase the knowledge that today was the day that it was finally over. Not even nature could take away the fact that one Elizabeth Parker was no longer going to return, that she was actually gone and would never see the light of day again.
>>>>>< br>
"Now Sheriff Valenti and his son, Kyle would like to say a few words." The minister announced as he nodded his head at Kyle and Jim. Kyle stepped up silently to the podium. Kyle's face was solemn as he looked around the church, clearing his suddenly dry throat, keeping his tears at bay. One might not have noticed he was grieving if not for the slightly fallen eyes which only sparkled with loss.
"Liz and I have known each other for a long time, we've been through so much together. She was my first friend that wasn't a guy, my first crush, my first kiss, and my first girlfriend…but she was also the first female since my mother's death that understood and cared for me. People say that you'll never know how much someone means to you until they're gone, and they're right. I never knew before now, maybe somewhere in my subconscious I did, but I never felt or understood my feelings towards Liz until now, and it is simple really.
The fact is I love her. I love her like the sister I lost along with my mother, and that may have been the reason I felt so connected with her since the day we met. I remember my mother's death, and I remember the pain and how much it had hurt. The day I met Liz, I was alone, crying for my mother, and I didn't want anyone to see…because I was ashamed. I was ashamed of my tears, and I was ashamed because I felt like I was letting my mother down. I can still remember the way she had came over to me, sat next to me and comforted me even though she didn't have to and I can still hear the words she had said to me.
It's ok to cry.
Grandma Claudia says that your tears are like the rain. When the earth has suffered because of the things we do to it, the rain comes and heals the land with its cool touch. Just like tears heal your soul.
Then she held out her hand to me and helped me pick up the pieces…" Kyle's words trailed off, and he choked softly, and then continued, not caring anymore.
"I loved her, and I still do. I know I'll never forget Liz Parker. She just has that effect on you, once she touches you, once she holds out her hand to you, you just never want to let go, and I didn't…but the time has come to let go of her hand, but this time I won't have her wisdom or kindness to guide me through the grief. Rest in peace Liz, I'll miss you."
Kyle stepped back, looking all about drained and he looked over to his father, who squeezed his shoulder in comfort and then took his place at the podium.
"Today we all grieve loss. Daughter, friend, niece, cousin, student. All those words and more describe Elizabeth Parker, but I would like to add another. In the past eleven years, I have watched my son and Liz grow together. And over these past years, Liz has become like a daughter to me. I watched with pride and joy as Liz bloomed into a beautiful and courteous young woman, right before my eyes, and for me it was as if I was watching my own daughter grow, watching my own daughter laugh. And everything in my being tells me that if Lily were alive today, that she and Liz would be the greatest of friends. The first day I met Liz. She was a petite girl, small, quiet, and seemingly frail. I remember thinking about her eyes, how her eyes seemed so wise, so ancient on such a young girl, but I was never fooled. Liz was an intelligent child, and there were times when it seemed like I was speaking with another adult, someone even older than I, and this wisdom only blossomed, as she grew older. The ways she spoke of things, the tone of her voice, that distant look in her eyes portrayed innocence, yet at the same moment I saw the look of tragedy and sorrow of loss, and this look was even more overwhelming than the innocence. I felt a pull towards the purity, as if I needed to shield her so that she would never lose that innocent sparkle. And she never did, as she grew older, I could see she did not need my protection. Her strength continued to amaze me as I watch her pull through sorrow, pain, and things many have never ever experienced.
Now even in death, I can still see those ancient eyes, beautiful, innocent, and wise. I can still hear her soft voice, soothing and calming even the greatest of rages." Jim paused in his speech and cleared his throat before continuing.
"A soul will not pass into heaven until it has accomplished everything on the mortal plane. Sometimes it is because they weren't able to tell someone how much they loved them, sometimes it's because they didn't fulfill their purpose in life, and sometimes it's just because they couldn't say goodbye to the people they love. The soul will be reborn and remade continuously until they reach that final goal, whatever it may be, and only then can they be at peace. Only then could they enter heaven.
Those were her own words, the words of a five-year-old girl. And now as we remember Liz Parker, and her presence in our life, let us hope that she will be able to pass into heaven. I know of no one else who deserves this more than she."
tbc…
A/N: Sorry this part is so short, but I wanted to get this part out to you because it's been a while since I've updated. I'm sorry for that because I'm just writing as I go along. I have a basic concept and idea, but the rest is up to me while I sit in front of my computer. So what did you think about Kyle, Jim, and Liz's relationship? Was it that bad? I don't know, it's just that I always thought of Kyle and Liz as close friends. I dunno. So comments? Should I continue?