DEAR LIZZIE,
A/N--This is a companion piece to Jo's Loss and Moving On After Loss. Rated T. Taken from Miranda's POV. Begins five years after Lizzie's suicide and includes flashbacks.
CHAPTER 25
FIVE YEARS AFTER...
Miranda Sanchez Gordon sat in the study at her desk. Pictures of family and friends graced the shelves at the back of the desk. There were pictures of her parents and sister, her in-laws, children Lizzie and David Junior, and of her wedding. She picks up a picture of her wedding party, noting the attendants. Melina Bianco, soon to be Melina McGuire was her maid of honor. Kate Sanders, Veruca and her sister Stevie were her bride's maids. Marin McGuire and Miranda's daughter, Lizzie were the flower girls. It was such a happy day, but someone very important was missing.
Lizzie McGuire.
"It's been five years and I still miss her. Dammit, why did she do it?" She put her wedding photo down, and picked up a photo of the infamous trio: Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda. That's the way it always was since preschool. Until their freshman year in highschool. Until that awful Wednesday. She looked at the picture and smiled. They were so young. It was a picture of the three of them on their first day of high school. She and Gordo met Lizzie at her house, so that Jo McGuire could take them to school. Jo, ever the photographer, took a series of pictures chronicling their first day of high school. After they returned home, Jo presented each of them with a framed photo. Miranda always kept her photo on her desk. Now that she and Gordo are married, hers still sits on her desk.
She puts the photo down and picks up a photo of her daughter, Lizzie McGuire's namesake. In order to honor their best friend, she and Gordo decided to name their firstborn after Lizzie. Sam and Jo were thrilled. "Lizzie would have loved you, mija. I wish the two of you could have met." She puts the photo down and takes her daughter's journal out of the desk drawer. Keeping her family's tradition, she started journals for each of her children the day she found out she was pregnant with them. Miranda chronicled special occasions and so-called ordinary events alike. Today was definitely a special occasion. She takes out a pen and begins to write...
Dear Lizzie,
You were named after our best friend Elizabeth Brooke McGuire, otherwise known as Lizzie McGuire. You know the McGuires, since you and Marin are best friends and your brother, David, is friends with Brooke and Ben. Sam and Jo are their parents and Matt's their older brother. Lizzie is their older sister. She died before Marin was born. No, correct that, she committed suicide before Marin was born. Neither her family nor we know why she did it. Suffice it to say, her death brought your father and I together. With all that said, here's the story. It begins five years ago. I can't believe it's been five years. It seems so long ago, and also like yesterday...
The day before Lizzie McGuire killed herself was like any other day. It was a Tuesday, I think. The three of us were freshmen at Hillridge High School. Matt was in sixth grade at Hillridge Intermediate School. Your father and Lizzie had been dating since they kissed during their eighth grade trip to Rome. That's another story for another time; ask your father. Anyway, I wasn't able to go because I had to go to Mexico with your grandparents and your Aunt Stevie to see my grandmother. She was very sick and not expected to live, so my folks withdrew me from school for the last few days. So, I missed graduation and the trip. I felt a little left out after that. I know Lizzie and your father didn't mean to exclude me, but they shared something I could never share.
Where was I? Oh yeah, Tuesday. Lizzie and I were in the same English class, and the three of us had Chemistry together. Other than that, we didn't have any classes together. We had a project due in Chemistry in a couple days. It wound up being really good, and our teacher allowed your father and I to turn it in late due to Lizzie's death. Thanks to your father, we didn't blow up the whole school. Lizzie and I got back our reports on The Red Badge of Courage. Talk about a boring book. YAWN! Anyway, I made a C+ on it, but Lizzie made a D. She was a good student, but for some reason, Miss Fields didn't like her. Lizzie was always an A or B student, and English was normally one of her best classes. She was really bummed about the grade, but she gathered the courage to ask Miss Fields if she could talk to her about it. "I'm sorry, Miss McGuire, all grades are final, and before you ask, no, I don't give out extra credit. If you want a good grade in my class, you have to apply yourself. This isn't junior high, and your paper read like a seventh grader wrote it. Now, if that's all, I've got another class. Good day, Miss McGuire." Ugh! I couldn't stand that teacher.
The three of us were assigned the same lunch, so we got to eat together, just like we had the last few school years. Lizzie was bummed about the paper, and had a speech all prepared to give to her folks, but she wasn't devastated or anything. Her grades were good in all her classes, and even with the D, she had a solid B in English. Lizzie didn't put the pressure on herself for all A's as I did; to her, it was water off a duck's back. I'm not saying she didn't appreciate A's or frown at C's or lower, but she didn't make a federal case about them. In fact, she was excited yesterday. Isabella had called her over the weekend and offered her a recording contract for the following summer. That meant she was going to jet off to Italy the next summer. If anyone should have been bummed, it should have been your father; she was going to be gone the entire summer.
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
Lizzie: Can you believe Miss Fields?
Miranda: I know. That was so unfair! I thought your report was good.
Lizzie: Me too. I worked all night on it!
Gordo: At least you don't have Mr. Chase. He's a slave driver.
Miranda: Aw, come on, Gordo. You know you've got an A in Honor's English.
Gordo: Changing the subject. How 'bout we go to the Digital Bean after school to celebrate Lizzie's recording contract?
Miranda: That's a great idea! I'm sooo jealous! Lizzie blushes. Nah, really, I'm happy for you! I can't wait until your first CD comes out.
Lizzie: Guys, I haven't even recorded one song yet. How do you know it'll be good? I might wind up being a flop.
Gordo: Yeah, right. Miranda, she was so hot on stage. Lizzie, you're a natural.
Miranda: I could design your wardrobe for your first music video.
Gordo: And I could film it.
Lizzie: I wouldn't have it any other way. Anyway, you are coming to dinner tonight? Mom's cooking a big dinner for me to celebrate.
Miranda: Of course!
Gordo: When have I ever turned down a free meal at your house, or your mom's cooking?
Lizzie: Well, there was the tuna noodle casserole?
Gordo: Shivers. Well, there's always a first time.
END FLASHBACK
Lizzie had a steady boyfriend, your father, an upcoming recording contract, and was carving out a really good niche in high school, so her life seemed to be going well for her. After school was out, we all went to the Digital Bean to celebrate her upcoming recording contract. Then, her mom fixed a really great dinner to celebrate. Jo's quite a cook. Sure, her tuna noodle casserole bites, but she makes amazing pasta. Matt was in his usual form, cracking jokes at the table and chronicling the day's pranks. I know you've heard stories about his pranks; he's grown up a lot since then. I think dealing with his sister's death, the births of his younger brother and sisters, his mom's cancer and dad's job loss, plus his own upcoming parenthood and marriage have really made him grow up a lot.
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
After they finish eating, Jo goes into the kitchen. When she returns, she is holding a cake. Matt begins taking pictures. Jo sits the cake in front of Lizzie. It is a white sheet cake with red flowers adorning the edges. The flag of Italy graces the center, as do the words "Congratulations, Lizzie." Lizzie's eyes brighten and Matt, Miranda, and Gordo applaud.
Jo: Congratulations, sweetheart!
Sam: We knew you could do it!
Lizzie: Blushes. Thanks!
Jo: Our little girl's gonna be famous.
Gordo: Don't forget us "little people" when you become a big rock star.
Lizzie: Oh, I won't forget you. I'm taking you with me. She gives Gordo a kiss.
Matt: Ewwww! Get a room you two!
Gordo: Just wait until you turn fifteen. You'll have a girlfriend, and you'll enjoy making out.
Lizzie: Blushes hard. Thanks. Right in front of the 'rents!
Jo: Oh, stop it. You make us sound old. Suddenly, she turns pale.
Sam: Looks concerned. Are you all right?
Jo: Yeah. Beads of sweat pool on her forehead. I just got a little woozy.
Sam: Let me get you some water, honey.
Jo: Sits down. Okay.
Miranda: If it's okay, I'll cut the cake. Jo nods. Miranda serves the cake, giving Lizzie the first piece. Here you go! Remember, I want to design your outfits you'll wear on stage!
Lizzie: Thanks! Of course! You're definitely my favorite designer.
END FLASHBACK
After dessert, we did our homework and then her mom drove us home. I couldn't believe that the ride home was the last time we'd ever see Lizzie alive.