Kate Sanders hadn't changed one bit since high school. Her hair and
makeup were still impeccable, her wardrobe still one to be envied, her skin
had kept its perfect bronze, and her smile was still as white as ever. She
stood in the doorway smiling at Lizzie, waiting for the conversation that
Lizzie and her mother were sharing to halt. She didn't have to wait long.
Lizzie voice trailed off mid sentence and she sat staring, mouth slightly
opened at Kate whose perfectly manicured fingers wiggled in a small, timid
wave. Jo turned her head to see what had so obviously distracted her
daughter.
"Kate!" Jo declared, "how wonderful to see you!" She then proceeded to rush over and enclose Kate in a hug. After a few seconds the embrace ended and Kate strolled up to Lizzie.
"Oh, Lizzie, I'm so happy to see that you've recovered." Lizzie smiled nervously in response. Sure everyone said that Kate had changed, but how could she be sure.
"Ugh, please don't look at me like we're in middle school Lizzie. I'm not here to make fun of you, or joke your outfit...I'm here to apologize. You were one of my best friends and I sold you out, I sold myself out." Kate paused as a look of shame washed over her face, she lowered her head towards the ground and continued in a hushed voice: "I though you were dead Lizzie, and I couldn't bear what I had done to you, I thank God that I didn't lose you without saying goodbye. All through middle school I missed you, really I did. I'd look over and see you and Gordo and Miranda, all laughing and being goofy. All I did at lunch was make fun of people. "Kate paused to wipe a tear from her eye. Jo, obviously noticing that this was a private conversation, handed her a tissue and quietly slipped out the door.
Kate dabbed at her eyes delicately, in order to prevent the smearing of her mascara. She then cleared her throat and began again.
"In addition to an apology, I also need to thank you. Your accident, opened my eyes. It made me realize that we only have a short time on this planet...and I decided that I wanted to spend mine in a way that I could be proud of. I...I joined the peace corps and also started a scholarship in your name you've done so much for me Lizzie, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing something for me..." she trailed off and bit her lip softly as she shuffled around in her purse searching for some unknown object. After a few moments of awkward silence it appeared as though she had found what she was looking for. She sniffled and managed a weak smile as she handed an envelope to Lizzie.
Lizzie weakly lifted her arm to accept the envelope. It was sore from physical therapy. Just one slight lift left her arm feeling like it was lit on fire by a hundred unseen matches. But, already she could feel herself gaining more flexibility. Taking the letter from Kate's hand she realized to her embarrassment that there was no way she could conjure up the strength to tear it open. She immediately blushed.
"umm Kate would you uhhh mind if ..." her voice trailed off
Kate smiled and removed the envelop from her hand. With one swift motion of her finger nail she had torn it open to produce a single white card from inside the envelop. The front of the card was embossed with light pink writing. Lizzie read aloud:
Katelyn Olivia Sanders and Lawrence Englebert Tudgeman Invite you to join in their exchange of vows at their service of matrimony On july the fourth in the botanical gardens of hillridge. Service begins at 6.
Lizzie sputtered, it was all she could do to hold back a laugh. "TUDGEMAN!" she squealed.
Lizzie was surprised to see a prideful smile cross Kate's well make-upped face. "Oh, Liz, he's so sweet and wonderful and smart, and most of all caring. It took me awhile to look past the greasy hair and pasty complexion, but when I did, I found something resembling Brad Pitt, we've been dating for about two years when we both signed up for the same location for the Peace Corps. And..." She pointed out, "He's gotten a lot ...better. He washes regularly and actually changes his shirt!"
Both girls began laughing and for a brief moment their eyes met. The tension melted out of the room like the icing rolls off a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Just one look and Kate knew that all had been forgiven. She smoothed her skirt with her hands and then lifted one to clasp Lizzie's.
"Liz, I want you to be my maid of honor. I really do. You made me who I am, and I want you to be standing up there with me for the most important day of my life."
Lizzie smiled widely and took a deep sigh.
"So what do you say?" Kate asked hopefully.
"I'd be honored" Lizzie said in between her smile.
Kate reached over and gave her a quick hug before she reached into her ponderous purse, yet again. This time she whipped out her cell phone, requesting Lizzie's number at the hospital. Lizzie recited it as Kate struggled to type it in on the tiny numbers.
"Well, I'd better be going, I'll call to tell you about the fittings for the dresses and such, but I'm late for my own fitting so I'd better jet. Larry's going to be so happy that you accepted." She swelled with joy and gave Lizzie one final hug before skipping out of the room.
About five minutes after Kate left Sam and Jo entered the room. Lizzie's guess was that they had been waiting just down the hall until Kate left.
"Hey kiddo" Sam said ruffling her hair as he walked over to her bed.
"Hey dad" Lizzie replied.
Jo soon joined him at the bedside and they also exchanged greetings.
"Lizzie, babe," her mom began "I know I already bought you some clothes but I really need to know some other things that you may need so that I can go ahead and take care of them today while Kelin's out of town"
"Why'd you have to wait until he's out of town, does he not want you spending time with your own daughter?" Lizzie spat the words from her mouth as if they were poison.
"No, of course not, I just...think it would be a good time because I have the car all to myself." Jo scratched the top of her head nervously. She knew damn well that the only reason she wanted to go today was because she was planning on going shopping with Sam. Kelin was an extremely jealous person, if he heard that she had been alone for Sam, even if it was just grocery shopping, he'd be pissed."
"Lizzie please be nice to your mother, she doesn't deserve this."
"I guess your right" Lizzie said begrudgingly
Lizzie named all the things that she could think of that she needed and then proceeded to tell her parents excitedly about Kate's visit and her upcoming nuptials. Both were surprised, yet happy. Just as Lizzie was explaining about how she was to be the maid of honor the telephone rang. Her mother scooped it up and held the receiver to Lizzie's ear.
"Hello?" she said cheerily "Hey! It's me Miranda." "Oh, Hey!" "Look I'm coming over for lunch and I'm bringing someone with me" "Who!" Lizzie demanded, she knew exactly who she wanted it to be, but somehow she doubted that Gordo would be accompanying Miranda. "It's a secret "Miranda hummed and then promptly hung up the phone.
Lizzie laid her head back on her pillow and waited for Miranda and her mystery guest.
"Kate!" Jo declared, "how wonderful to see you!" She then proceeded to rush over and enclose Kate in a hug. After a few seconds the embrace ended and Kate strolled up to Lizzie.
"Oh, Lizzie, I'm so happy to see that you've recovered." Lizzie smiled nervously in response. Sure everyone said that Kate had changed, but how could she be sure.
"Ugh, please don't look at me like we're in middle school Lizzie. I'm not here to make fun of you, or joke your outfit...I'm here to apologize. You were one of my best friends and I sold you out, I sold myself out." Kate paused as a look of shame washed over her face, she lowered her head towards the ground and continued in a hushed voice: "I though you were dead Lizzie, and I couldn't bear what I had done to you, I thank God that I didn't lose you without saying goodbye. All through middle school I missed you, really I did. I'd look over and see you and Gordo and Miranda, all laughing and being goofy. All I did at lunch was make fun of people. "Kate paused to wipe a tear from her eye. Jo, obviously noticing that this was a private conversation, handed her a tissue and quietly slipped out the door.
Kate dabbed at her eyes delicately, in order to prevent the smearing of her mascara. She then cleared her throat and began again.
"In addition to an apology, I also need to thank you. Your accident, opened my eyes. It made me realize that we only have a short time on this planet...and I decided that I wanted to spend mine in a way that I could be proud of. I...I joined the peace corps and also started a scholarship in your name you've done so much for me Lizzie, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind doing something for me..." she trailed off and bit her lip softly as she shuffled around in her purse searching for some unknown object. After a few moments of awkward silence it appeared as though she had found what she was looking for. She sniffled and managed a weak smile as she handed an envelope to Lizzie.
Lizzie weakly lifted her arm to accept the envelope. It was sore from physical therapy. Just one slight lift left her arm feeling like it was lit on fire by a hundred unseen matches. But, already she could feel herself gaining more flexibility. Taking the letter from Kate's hand she realized to her embarrassment that there was no way she could conjure up the strength to tear it open. She immediately blushed.
"umm Kate would you uhhh mind if ..." her voice trailed off
Kate smiled and removed the envelop from her hand. With one swift motion of her finger nail she had torn it open to produce a single white card from inside the envelop. The front of the card was embossed with light pink writing. Lizzie read aloud:
Katelyn Olivia Sanders and Lawrence Englebert Tudgeman Invite you to join in their exchange of vows at their service of matrimony On july the fourth in the botanical gardens of hillridge. Service begins at 6.
Lizzie sputtered, it was all she could do to hold back a laugh. "TUDGEMAN!" she squealed.
Lizzie was surprised to see a prideful smile cross Kate's well make-upped face. "Oh, Liz, he's so sweet and wonderful and smart, and most of all caring. It took me awhile to look past the greasy hair and pasty complexion, but when I did, I found something resembling Brad Pitt, we've been dating for about two years when we both signed up for the same location for the Peace Corps. And..." She pointed out, "He's gotten a lot ...better. He washes regularly and actually changes his shirt!"
Both girls began laughing and for a brief moment their eyes met. The tension melted out of the room like the icing rolls off a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Just one look and Kate knew that all had been forgiven. She smoothed her skirt with her hands and then lifted one to clasp Lizzie's.
"Liz, I want you to be my maid of honor. I really do. You made me who I am, and I want you to be standing up there with me for the most important day of my life."
Lizzie smiled widely and took a deep sigh.
"So what do you say?" Kate asked hopefully.
"I'd be honored" Lizzie said in between her smile.
Kate reached over and gave her a quick hug before she reached into her ponderous purse, yet again. This time she whipped out her cell phone, requesting Lizzie's number at the hospital. Lizzie recited it as Kate struggled to type it in on the tiny numbers.
"Well, I'd better be going, I'll call to tell you about the fittings for the dresses and such, but I'm late for my own fitting so I'd better jet. Larry's going to be so happy that you accepted." She swelled with joy and gave Lizzie one final hug before skipping out of the room.
About five minutes after Kate left Sam and Jo entered the room. Lizzie's guess was that they had been waiting just down the hall until Kate left.
"Hey kiddo" Sam said ruffling her hair as he walked over to her bed.
"Hey dad" Lizzie replied.
Jo soon joined him at the bedside and they also exchanged greetings.
"Lizzie, babe," her mom began "I know I already bought you some clothes but I really need to know some other things that you may need so that I can go ahead and take care of them today while Kelin's out of town"
"Why'd you have to wait until he's out of town, does he not want you spending time with your own daughter?" Lizzie spat the words from her mouth as if they were poison.
"No, of course not, I just...think it would be a good time because I have the car all to myself." Jo scratched the top of her head nervously. She knew damn well that the only reason she wanted to go today was because she was planning on going shopping with Sam. Kelin was an extremely jealous person, if he heard that she had been alone for Sam, even if it was just grocery shopping, he'd be pissed."
"Lizzie please be nice to your mother, she doesn't deserve this."
"I guess your right" Lizzie said begrudgingly
Lizzie named all the things that she could think of that she needed and then proceeded to tell her parents excitedly about Kate's visit and her upcoming nuptials. Both were surprised, yet happy. Just as Lizzie was explaining about how she was to be the maid of honor the telephone rang. Her mother scooped it up and held the receiver to Lizzie's ear.
"Hello?" she said cheerily "Hey! It's me Miranda." "Oh, Hey!" "Look I'm coming over for lunch and I'm bringing someone with me" "Who!" Lizzie demanded, she knew exactly who she wanted it to be, but somehow she doubted that Gordo would be accompanying Miranda. "It's a secret "Miranda hummed and then promptly hung up the phone.
Lizzie laid her head back on her pillow and waited for Miranda and her mystery guest.