Chapter 39

Matt goes to Rome

Lanny, Melina and I are having fun in Rome. Even after the stunt Lizzie pulled when she was in Rome, Hillridge Junior High still takes 8th graders to Rome. Ms. Ungermeyer was brave enough to take my group to Rome. Yeah, she's still the principal at Hillridge High School. Unlike when Lizzie was in Rome, mom and dad won't be making any emergency flights over, so I'm free to have as much fun as I wanna.

Graduation was a blur. Even though mom's sick from cancer, well, actually, she's really sick from the damned chemo, she still went to my graduation. Dad got Mrs. Garrett to baby sit Marin and the twins, so that mom and dad wouldn't have to keep up with them. It was a risk for mom to come to graduation, because her immune system is shot to hell. Also, she had just gotten home yesterday, from one of her 24 hour doses of chemotherapy. Still, she came. She's self-conscious about the way she looks. She lost all her hair, so she either wears a scarf or a wig. She's also thin and gaunt, with dark circles under her eyes. She has a hard time getting around because she's so sick.

Mom was so weak, and struggled to walk. She looked like a gentle breeze could have blown her over. Dad offered to get her a wheelchair so that she wouldn't have to walk or stand so much, but she refused. "I'm not an invalid. I can walk on my own," she insisted.

Mom was just as weepy at my graduation as she was at Lizzie's. She's so sentimental at times.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Jo: My baby boy's growing up so fast! A tear escapes her eye.

Matt: Mom. He moans and rolls his eyes.

Sam: We're really proud of you. As the famous philosopher….

Matt: Interrupting. Dad, please. No quotes from old dead guys.

Lanny joins Matt.

Jo: Hi, Lanny. How are you?

He blinks.

Sam: Are you nervous about giving the class address?

He looks downcast.

Matt: I'm sorry. I didn't know you had laryngitis! That's awful!

Sam: Leans toward his wife. How can ya tell? Jo grins.

Mr. Escobar (yells from the background): McGuire!

Matt: I guess he means me. He kisses his mom on the cheek.

SEQUENCE ENDS

Like Lizzie, I wind up giving the class address. I never ran for any student government office, but the class voted to have me deliver the address. Unlike Lizzie, I managed to get through it without tripping over anything, knocking anything down, or looking like a deer in headlights. In fact, my address was sheer genius! I topped off my speech with an airhorn which was hidden in my gown. The class broke out into applause, chanting, "Matt! Matt! Matt!" I could see mom and dad sink a bit lower in their seats. I think they were embarrassed. Hey, it was my graduation. I wanted to have fun.

At the airport

Mom and dad took me to the airport the next day. Mom insisted on walking in with me, even though she was still exhausted from coming to graduation.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Jo: I can't believe my baby boy is going to Rome for two whole weeks. She dabs a tear with a tissue.

Matt: Why not? Lizzie went.

Sam: And she snuck out and pulled a huge stunt. I'm warning you now. Don't even think about pulling anything over there.

Matt: Looking innocent. Who me?

Jo: Right, Matt.

Sam: Just behave yourself.

Melina: Walks up and wraps her arms around him. I'll make sure he's good. Looks at Matt. You WILL be good, won't you?

Matt: Of course, sweetheart.

The four walk up to the crowd of students gathering. They see Lanny and his family, and join them. Ms. Ungermeyer is already addressing the students.

Ms. Ungermeyer: Listen up, kids. We're going to the greatest city in the world. I'm not going to put up with any shenanigans. She looks over at Matt. That especially goes for you, McGuire. I'm on to you.

She finishes her speech, and the airline calls for boarding. Sam and Jo hug their son (Jo hugs him a little bit longer than usual), and send him on his way.

Jo: Oh, my baby!

Sam: Let him go. You're squishing him.

Matt: Mom, I can't breathe!

Jo: I love you, honey.

Matt: I love you too. I'll be back in two weeks.

SEQUENCE ENDS

Finally, in Rome!

The flight was fun. Lanny, Melina and I sat together and raised hell the whole time. Finally, we were away from our parents. We could do whatever we wanted. Ms. Ungermeyer thinks she's so smart. She hasn't tangled with Matt McGuire yet.

We did our share of sneaking out here and there. We didn't play sick like Lizzie did. What an amateur. She never got the hang of pulling stunts. Instead, we would sneak out at night and have a night on the town. Rome's great at night. The Trevi fountain is beautiful all lit up. Yeah, I know I've been in Rome before, but this is the first time I was in Rome with my two best friends.

One night, we ran into Isabella Parigi. We were at the Trevi fountain, and I heard a familiar voice. I looked over, and saw Lizzie standing nearby, with cameras around. There was a band by the fountain too. "That can't be Lizzie. She's dead." I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, so I rub my eyes and look again. There she was, all grown up, almost 18 years old, willowy, blonde, tanned, and healthy. "But that can't be Lizzie. I saw her dead, all covered in blood. I was at her funeral and saw her casket being lowered in the ground. There's no way!" Melina knocked me out of my haze.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Melina nudges Matt in the ribs with her elbow.

Matt: Ow! What was that for?

Melina: You're staring at that girl. I thought you were with me.

Matt: I, I am, but that girl looks just like Lizzie.

Lanny nods.

Melina: Yeah, she does. Begins thinking. Didn't you say that Lizzie was mistaken for an Italian pop star when she was here?

Matt: Uh, yeah. Could that be her?

Melina: Let's go find out.

The trio approaches the Lizzie look alike.

Matt: Isabella?

Isabella: Yes?

Matt: It's me. Matt McGuire.

Isabella: Matt McGuire? She studies him over, as if she can't place him.

Matt: Yeah. My sister Lizzie performed with you at the IMVA a few years ago. Remember, she was mistaken for you?

Isabella: Yeah. I remember. How is she?

Melina: Angry. Look chick, whaddya mean, how is she?

Isabella: Who are you?

Melina: I'm Matt's girlfriend. What's it to ya?

Isabella: I haven't heard from Lizzie. I just wondered what she's up to.

Lanny growls.

Melina: Of course you haven't heard from her. She's dead.

Isabella: Appears shocked. Dead? When?

Matt: Two years ago. We wrote you and told you. Didn't you get the telegram?

Isabella: Looking agitated. I don't remember. Looks over at the camera crew, who was ready to get started shooting. Look, I've gotta finish shooting this video. She hands him a card. Here, we need to talk.

Melina: I'll say you do. And what's with the blonde hair?

Isabella: I know you snuck out of your hotel. Can you sneak out tomorrow?

Matt: Yeah.

Isabella: Well, I'll have my driver come get you, JUST you, not your friends, around 8.

Matt: My friends are coming too. See you at 8.

Melina: And you've got some major explaining to do, missy.

Lanny frowns.

SEQUENCE ENDS

We snuck out the next night and met Isabella's driver. He pulls the limo up to this huge house. It was so big; it looked like a castle. I couldn't believe she lived there. I wondered if Lizzie would have been rich like her if she'd lived long enough to come back to Rome, like she'd planned. Would she have made it in the music business? She was really good when she sang at the IMVAs. When we got out of the car, our jaws dropped.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Melina: Whoa! This is tight!

Lanny: Blinks.

Matt: Yeah, I could get used to this too.

The trio enters the house. Isabella greets them at the door.

Isabella: Ah, Matt! It's good to see you again. Come in, sit. She shows them to the parlor, and they each take a seat.

Matt: Let's cut to the chase. First of all, why do you seem like you have no clue that Lizzie died. My mom wrote you. Second, why the blonde hair?

Isabella: I never received the letter. In fact, I only heard from Lizzie once or twice since she left Rome.

Matt: That can't be. Lizzie said she had a recording contract with you the next summer.

Isabella: What exactly did she say?

Matt: That you had called her and invited her to come to Rome to record some songs with you. She said you wanted her to come back the next summer.

Isabella: I'm sorry, but that just isn't true. I toured the next summer. I wasn't even in Rome.

Matt: Did you even call or write to her?

Isabella: Yeah, I wrote, inviting her to one of my concerts when I was touring western Canada. I was gonna pay her way, because I thought it would be fun to sing together, but I didn't offer her a recording contract.

Matt: Then where did she get the idea that you had offered her a recording contract? She said you were gonna help her begin her solo career.

Isabella: I wish I knew. I was gonna surprise her with the opportunity to record a couple tracks with me, but that's all. I'm sorry. When did she die?

Matt: She killed herself in January, two years ago. The January after her trip to Rome.

Isabella: Her face falls. I'm so sorry. Why?

Matt: It's complicated. He explains what he knew.

Isabella: I'm so sorry that happened. I wish I'd tried harder to stay in contact with her. I thought she was a good singer and had great potential. I really am sorry, Matt.

Matt: Uh, huh.

Melina: So, what's with the blonde? You look just like Lizzie.

Isabella: I wanted a change. I just enjoy changing my look every once in awhile.

Melina: It looks like you're trying to be Lizzie.

Isabella: I'm not. I just like the blonde.

Matt: Right. Whatever.

Isabella: Changes the subject somewhat. How's your family?

Matt begins to give her the history of his family since Lizzie's suicide….

SEQUENCE ENDS

So Lizzie never had a recording contract with Isabella. Why did she tell us she did? What else did she lie to us about? It's like I don't even know my own sister anymore.

The rest of our trip to Rome was a bust. Fortunately, we came back home a couple days after meeting up with Isabella. Ms. Ungermeyer never found out we snuck out. As usual, we raised hell again on the return flight back home.

Back in the US

Melina's family picked me up from the airport and dropped me off at my house. Mom had her three hour dose of chemotherapy yesterday, and was more nauseous than usual. She was sleeping on the couch when I got in.

SEQUENCE BEGINS

Jo: Opens her eyes partially. Hey, Matt. Come over and talk to me.

Matt: Unsure. Okay. He gives his mother a light hug. How are you feeling?

Jo: I'm okay. I wanna hear about your trip. How was Rome?

Matt: Good.

Jo: I hope you took lots of pictures.

Matt: Yeah, I'll load them on the computer in a little while. This is for you. He takes a wrapped package out of his suitcase and gives it to his mother.

Jo: Opens the package. Thanks, sweetheart. She pulls out a silk scarf. It's beautiful. She puts it on. I love it. She gives her son a hug.

Matt: Thanks. Melina helped pick it out.

Jo: So, did you have a good time?

Matt: Yeah.

Jo: You didn't pull any stunts, did you?

Matt: No more than usual.

Jo: Matt?

Matt: I didn't pull any stunts.

Jo: Breathes a sigh of relief. I never received a call from Ms. Ungermeyer, so I guessed that you behaved yourself. She snuggles down in the couch.

Matt: Mom, I need to go unpack. I'll let you get some more sleep. I'll check on you in a few. Okay?

Jo: Her eyes are already closed. Mmmkay, she mumbles.

SEQUENCE ENDS

Matt goes to his room. "Mom looks awful, worse than she did before I left for Rome. Is the chemo even working? I don't wanna lose my mom. I can't lose my mom." He sighs, and begins to unpack. "I think I need a smoke." He finds his stash and lights up, being careful that the smoke goes out the window.