Chapter 5

Lizzie spent an hour with her brother on the couch. Although he would never admit it to any of his friends, he needed his older sister more than anything that night. He was more scared than he had ever been in his life.

But she needed to call Miranda and let her know what was going on. Miranda was just as much family to the McGuire's as Gordo was. Dialing the number she pondered over how she would deliver the news.

"Ring, ring," the phone rang as Lizzie listened for Miranda's voice on the other line. "Hello?"

"Um, hello, Miranda?"

"Yeah, Lizzie? Is that you?"

"Yeah,"

"Hey, what's up, chica? Are you ok? You don't sound so good."

"Actually, I'm not so good, Miranda. Um, Miranda, my, my mom is sick."

"Sick? What kind of sick?" the teenage girl asked with confusion.

"Miranda…" Lizzie's voice trailed off as she began to cry again.

"Lizzie?"

"Miranda, my mom has breast cancer."

Miranda was silent for several moments. Tears had begun to fall from her eyes freely as well. Mrs. McGuire was as much Lizzie's mom as she was hers. How could strong Mrs. McGuire have cancer? But she had to be strong for Lizzie; she had to be the strong best friend.

"Lizzie, I'm so, so, so sorry. Sweetie, I'm s sorry. What can I do for you? Please, is there anything I can do?"

"No, not right now, but thank you. I just knew I had to tell you."

"Well thank you, but forget about me. Take care of yourself and your mom."

"Thanks, Miranda." Lizzie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Lizzie realized how lucky she was. She had amazing friends. She knew the coming weeks and months were going to be difficult, more difficult than she could imagine, but Gordo and Miranda would be there for her; they would be there for her mom. She could get through anything with them.

"Have you told Gordo yet?" Miranda questioned, pulling Lizzie from her thoughts.

"Yeah, sorry I told him first, he had come over to drop something of and…"

"It's ok, Lizzie. I don't care. How'd he take it?"

"Really well, and he acted so sweet." She paused as she thought about what he had said.

""I just want-I just, just want you to know, that, that I really care about you, and your family. I want you to know that I'll do anything I possibly can to get you through this; I'll do whatever I can for your mom. You're family is practically my family. I promise, I'll be there for you throughout the whole thing.""

She smiled to herself. "Miranda, he told me how much he cared about me and my family and that he would do anything to help us. Miranda, he was so sweet."

"Sounds like it." She responded, allowing her friend to go on.

"He was so sweet. He didn't push me, but it was so easy to talk to him. I mean…"

Lizzie stopped speaking when she heard laughter from the other line. "Miranda!" she exclaimed. "My mom is sick, and I'm telling you how I feel, and you're laughing at me!" Lizzie had become red in the face.

"Wow, Lizzie, I'm sorry." She said through audible giggles. "I'm just laughing at how you're talking about Gordo. When are you two going to get over yourselves and just go out? You've liked each other since the seventh grade."

"What? I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh Lizzie, yes you do."

Lizzie smiled to herself; maybe she did. "I pleed the fifth. But I do have to go. I want to check on Matt before I attempt to do some of the mound of homework, we were unjustly assigned on the first day of school."

"Ok Lizzie, but think about what I said."

"Ok, but there's nothing to think about."

"Night, Lizzie. Oh, but please send my best wishes to your mom. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers."

"Thanks Miranda"