Chapter 13

Lizzie looked down at her phone. What had she just done? Why had she just yelled at Gordo? He hadn't done anything wrong. He was just trying to be there for her; to be there for his girlfriend.

"Why am I such a jerk?" Lizzie asked out loud.

Tears began to pour from her eyes. She couldn't hold it in any longer. Grabbing her pillow, Lizzie buried her face in her pillow and cried out. Fear consumed her whole body and she shook uncontrollably.

Lizzie's sobs masked the sound of the doorknob turning. She had not heard her mom enter the room. Gently, Mrs. McGuire rubbed her daughter's back. She knew without question what the cause of the tears was. She hated putting her daughter, her entire family, through such pain.

"Lizzie," she whispered softly.

Lizzie sat up to face her mom. "Mom! I…"

"Its ok, Sweetie."

"Mom, I yelled at Gordo. I'm just so scared and …"

"Lizzie didn't finish her sentence. Her mom had enveloped her in her arms and rocked her back and forth. Lizzie felt guilty. She should be comforting her mom, not the other way around. But at that moment, there was nothing she needed more but then to feel the warmth of her mother's arms.

"You can talk to him tomorrow. I have no doubt that he'll forgive you in a second. He cares for you more than anything. And I'm sure he understands what you're going through. He knows you're frustrated. He's a great guy, Lizzie."

"I know," she said through sniffles. "Why'd I get so lucky? I have an amazing mom, an amazing dad, and an amazing boyfriend."

"I'm just as lucky, if not more. I have an amazing husband, and two amazing, amazing children. I couldn't have gone through any of this without you guys."

"I love you, Mom!"

"I love you, too Sweetheart!"

The two women embraced each other for several moments. As always, Mrs. McGuire had been there exactly when Lizzie needed her. What would happen if she wasn't there in the future? The idea brought tears to her eyes once more.

The next morning, Lizzie left for school early. She stood anxiously in front of Gordo's locker. She wanted to apologize for the night before. She had barely slept the night before. She felt so guilty for what she had said. And she still couldn't shake the fear from the past evening. The idea of losing her mom had not left.

"Hey," Gordo said quietly as he viewed Lizzie in front of his locker.

"Hey, Gordo," extending her arms, she offered a hug. Willingly, he embraced the petite teenage girl.

"Gordo, I'm so, so, so sorry for last night. I was just frustrated. My mom had just broke the news, and I was scared, and…"

"You don't need to explain. I understand."

"But Gordo, I was so rude. Please forgive me!"

"I forgive you," he kissed Lizzie on the lips.

"Gordo, I can't promise I'm going to be the easiest to deal with for awhile. I'm so scared. My mom's news has really got me thinking. I don't know what I would do without her."

"I understand. I wish I couldn't do something for you all."

"Me too. I feel so helpless."

"Wait! When is your mom going to have the operation?" a light had lit up in Gordo's mind.

"Um, in two weeks, why?"

"I have any idea." Gordo danced around excitedly. "yes, it's not much, but it's something I can do for your mom."

"What? What?"

"Ok, here's the plan…"

A/N:

Haha, cliffhanger.