Author Note: Okay I am not going to put Matt and Miranda together or Melina and Matt because everybody wants Matt and Miranda, Matt and Melina, or Miranda and Larry. Geese, that is a lot of M's. So Miranda is going to marry a made-up character. I am sorry if you don't like this, but if you don't like this then don't tell me to change it, because I am not going to change it. Now please read and enjoy the story. Thanks! (Oh and Matt and Melina are already married in this chapter, so sorry if you want the whole shebang with them!
Miranda was pacing the living room floor frantically and threw up her hands in frustration. Lizzie however breathed a sigh and put her hand on her forehead. Miranda was making her crazy, after all she was engaged and was getting married in a month! Her fiancé, Eric, wanted to get married soon, so she agreed and decided to hurry up with the wedding.
"I am getting married in a month and I don't even know how to set up a wedding," declared Miranda.
"Well maybe you should get some help. After all isn't that why I am here? Honestly Miranda, you are going to have a lot of help with this wedding," suggested Lizzie.
"What do you mean help? Like an idiot's guide to setting up a wedding. I don't think so Lizzie! The only help I will be getting is from you and my mother."
"What about Kate?"
"Well yes."
"And Melina. Remember her and Matt are married and she already has some experience. Aren't you two friends, when you and Matt dated?"
"That was a terrible experience, no offence Lizzie."
"None taken."
"Okay so I will have some help with my wedding, but not a lot. What I need you to do is find me someone to be my wedding coordinator oh and don't forget the cake. I completely forgot about the Kate and.."
"Don't forget the person you are marrying," joked Lizzie. "Listen Miranda, I have to go to the grocery store to get some supplies for Abby's project and some groceries. But I promise I will call you."
Lizzie walked out of the house with Miranda calling over her shoulder to not go. Lizzie just shook her head and went to the grocery store.
Meanwhile at the grocery store, Lizzie was picking out some supplies when she met one of her neighbors, Ms. Landers. In town, she was known for her gossip and scandalous rumors that she makes up. She wasn't necessarily a bad person, but just when it came to gossip, she was the first one to jump in and Lizzie didn't know that her chat with Ms. Landers would affect her future.
"Lizzie dear," Lizzie heard a voice and turned around. She produced an inward groan, but covered it up by a fake smile.
Ms. Landers was in her fifties and her skin was perfect. She didn't have any wrinkles and she could pass for a person that was twenty years younger. Rumors went around in the town that she had plastic surgery and Lizzie could quite agree with this. But she told Lizzie that she always had good posture and never stayed out in the sun too long. One of her tips to Lizzie was to never raise you eyebrows, which would prevent wrinkles.
"Hello Ms. Landers," she greeted.
"Have you heard about the new girl, Kate Saunders?" questioned Ms. Landers. "I heard that she was…"
Lizzie listened to the woman who was criticizing her friend. She was simply disturbed by Ms. Lander's thoughts of this woman so she quickly piped in.
"Ms. Landers, I am sorry to interrupt you, but I don't want to hear any of this hogwash about my friend. She just moved in and I really don't want to hear any made information about her," Lizzie said as she held her tongue so she wouldn't say anything else that would make Ms. Landers get the impression that Lizzie was a malicious person who didn't care about anybody but herself.
"My dear, you shouldn't become friends with Kate," smiled Ms. Landers. "I heard that her behavior is outlandish!"
Lizzie could fell heat rising throughout her body when she was able to let it go. "Ms. Landers, only you would make up something like that! Now have a good day!"
She turned around and the stomping of her feet echoed throughout the grocery store. She quickly paid for her groceries and exited the grocery store with a full temper.
That night Abby, Michael, and Lizzie gathered around the dinner table to have their dinner. Lizzie noticed that her children were both quiet and wondered about their peculiar behavior.
"Abby, Michael, you haven't touched your food or even made a peep at the dinner table. Surely you would be fighting and that isn't what I am hearing right now," said Lizzie.
Michael gazed nervously at Abby who just stirred her peas in a circle. Lizzie noticed this and cried, "What do you know that I don't?"
"Mum please don't be mad at us," said Michael.
"I won't, but it depends on the situation. If you got into anymore trouble, then I guess I would," said Lizzie.
"Our neighbor spread the word around that you were having anger management problems and it had to do with you Daddy's divorce and also how he is in jail," whispered Abby as she was looking at her peas.
Lizzie looked at Abby and then Michael. "Who told you that?"
"Ms. Landers. She said that she 'heard' this news from someone, but we suppose that it was she who made up those rumors. After all her reputation is quite terrible and everybody knows her as the town gossiper," Abby told her mother.
"Oh no! You shouldn't of discovered that news. Whatever they say about your father or our family, just ignore them. And if they ask you a question about your father, tell them it's none of their business," instructed Lizzie.
Abby finally looked up from her peas and Michael went back to staring at his plate.
"Mom?" asked Abby. "Why did you keep that news from Michael and I? You knew that we would figure it out one way or another."
"The only thing a mother would do, which is to protect her children," smiled Lizzie. "Let's forget about this and finish our dinner. "
"You aren't mad at us!" exclaimed Abby.
"No, and a mother's secret is that she could never be mad at her children. But don't tell anyone," winked Lizzie. Abby giggled and their dinner was quite pleasant.
Lizzie went to bed and began to think about Ms. Landers, Carl, and more things. How did Ms. Landers know about that Carl was in prison, contemplated Lizzie. The only one who knows that is Kate and Miranda. Wait! I knew Miranda or Kate wouldn't say anything, so she must of overheard. I will have a talk with her.
The next day Lizzie went to Gordo's without thinking about what happened a couple of weeks ago. When she went up to the door and knocked on his door, she just realized what had happened. She couldn't go back into the car and drive off, because Gordo was standing there shirtless in the doorway.
"Oh um, I think I need to go back to the car. Goodbye," Lizzie said nervously and started to make her way back to the car before she felt a tug on her shirt.
"Relax Liz, I'll get on a shirt," he told her, but she could tell he was a little bit embarrassed.
Did he just call me Liz, she thought? The last time he called me Liz was after Rome. Could that mean.. No! Just ignore these stupid thoughts about your best friend and move on.
When Gordo was fully dressed he led her to the kitchen for a mini-breakfast. He got out a cup of coffee and poured it into the mug. Lizzie could smell the aroma of coffee and the warmness of the mug against her fingers. She left out a pleasant sigh and went back to what she was saying before.
"Gordo. Have you heard the rumors that have been buzzing around Hillridge about me?" she asked.
"No Liz," lied Gordo.
"Gordo you are lying and I can tell it. Tell me the truth," she ordered.
"Okay the truth is that I have heard everything. Everything about Carl into jail and how you are a mad woman who needs anger management. I also heard from Kate that she said you were crazy and I guess I could agree with that," joked Gordo.
"GORDO!" cried Lizzie. He set down his mug and gave a grin.
"I was kidding. No need to get yourself worked up. But listen don't listen to them, it's just town gossip that will wear off in a couple of days," comforted Gordo.
"Thanks, but town gossip is bad. People exclude you from their parties once they have heard bad things about you and that means no parties for me," pouted Lizzie.
"Is that all you care about is what people think about you?" questioned Gordo.
"No," lied Lizzie.
Gordo raised his eyebrows.
"Fine, the answer to your question is a yes," confronted Lizzie. "Now what do I do?"
"The only thing there is to do," said Gordo.
"Besides ignore it!"
"Then I guess you have to face Ms. Landers. I bet that would be fun. But listen, no matter what I will never believe the rumors and neither will any of your friends. Now come one and cheer up. Plus, isn't Miranda getting married soon?"
"Yes, aren't you and Eric going to have a man's night out."
"Yeah, he asked me to be his bridegroom since he doesn't having any siblings or close cousins. And his best friend has cancer so he asked me."
"Bet you feel honored."
"I guess."
"Oh the humble Gordo."
Gordo laughed and Lizzie knew that old times were back. She completely forgot about the awkward moments with Gordo that she was having and went back to the fun moments that they both shared in their childhood years.
After the visit with Gordo, he bid her goodbye with a hug and she drove off to talk to Ms. Landers. When she arrived at her house, she slammed the car door and stomped off to knock the door. She opened the door with a shocked expression on her face.
"Ms. Landers, I am going to have a civilized conversation with you and please no outbursts are allowed," she said.
She nodded nervously. "What are you talking about dear?"
Lizzie groaned and thought she was about to explode. "Why did you tell my children that I was mad and don't tell me that you don't know what I am talking about."
"Oh dear, I guess I shouldn't of discussed the encounter that we had in the grocery store," piped Ms. Landers.
"So you didn't spread that rumor that I needed anger management?" asked Lizzie a little bit calmer.
"No, you are my neighbor and I would never make up something like that. Sure I make up some things, but I would never make up something about you," admitted Ms. Landers.
"Then how did the rumors spread around?" questioned Lizzie.
"Well I told Shirley, your other neighbor, that you appeared to be mad about something and I felt somewhat sympathy towards you. So I guess she told somebody something different and then in the end, people had heard different things and put it all together to invent a terrible lie. It's happened with me too," said Ms. Landers.
"Well I am sorry I accused you," Lizzie said, but there was still bitterness in her voice.
"Oh my dear, it is quite okay. I am the one who should be sorry. From now on, I will try to control my mouth and not spread anything else. If I do, then.." Ms. Landers carried on.
Lizzie listened to her here and there because Ms. Landers was telling Lizzie one of her famous, boring stories. Lizzie looked at her watch and made up an excuse of going to a party. Ms. Landers apologized again and waved to her.
One problem solved, another problem to deal with, thought Lizzie.
Author Note: So what did you think? I have 90 reviews! Isn't that so cool. Thank you guys so much. Please review. Thanks. I have about 5 more chapters. I think.
