Chapter 9: So Much for Calm Before the Storm

Gordo got into his Honda and stared out the window. Tonight was so far from what he had envisioned. He was ready for a much needed night of R&R with his girlfriend and good food.

Starting his car and putting it in gear, he caste one last look at the Sanchez house and drove off. He was going to have it out with Lizzie, tonight.

Lizzie sat in her car, crying her eyes out. She could not comprehend a single thing that happened. Miranda and Gordo are probably off with Isabelle, she thought bitterly. Lizzie could almost imagine some leggy blonde all over Gordo. Slamming her hand on the wheel she cursed Gordo, Miranda, Isabelle, and herself. She certainly got herself into a fine mess. Prom was sure going to be a blast now! Lizzie was pulled out of her thoughts by the opening of the passenger door.

"McGuire, it's time we talked. I will listen to your case but only if you listen to mind and do not hold anything against Miranda," Gordo declared.

Lizzie looked up in surprise and confusion. Wanting to make the situation a little better, she said okay and let Gordo into her car.

"I'm not sorry about what I said, Gordo. I am sorry that I let you get away. I still am in love with you. Please, lets give this a chance. Please," Lizzie pleaded grabbing on to Gordo's hands.

"I love her, Lizzie. I am in love with her. I think I may have been all my life. You can be a real selfish bitch sometimes, Lizzie. And I have never held that against you, but pleading with me now, makes me dislike you to the point of disgust. You have never cared before. Hell, you were with Danny Kessler one week after we broke up. One fucking week! We were together for almost 2 years! 2 years! And it only took you one week to move on. I loved you, Liz. I had loved you so much. You were my first love. Now, I have found someone I feel could be the love of my life and you are asking me to give it up? I have dated many girls since you, but this girl makes all the others irrelevant."

"Exactly, Gordo! I am loosing you to this other girl! We're best friends and I don't know anything about this girl. She is probably not even good enough for you!"

"She is the best thing to ever happen to me! Gordo shouted. By now the two best friends and ex loves were standing outside of Lizzie's black SUV.

"You told me I was the best thing!"

"You used to be! But I love her Lizzie! I love her. Can't you be happy for us?"

"No! How can I be happy for someone who is taking you away from me! Someone I don't even know!"

"Because you are our best friend!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Lizzie growled.

"Miranda Isabelle Sanchez is the girl I am in love with. She is the girl I have been seeing for the last two months. I love her, Liz and she loves me. Just accept it as a true friend would and be happy. We have never denied you your happiness," Gordo confessed.

Lizzie felt as if she had been slapped in the face and kicked in the stomach.

Miranda was Isabelle…Miranda Isabelle Sanchez... Miranda was the one Gordo was in love with. Miranda her best friend for almost 18 years. Miranda the girl who knew all her secrets. Miranda the she trusted with her life. Miranda.. The one she had poured her heart out to was the mystery woman. Lizzie could feel her heart breaking at all of her many realizations.

"You son of a bitch!" She spat at Gordo, lunging at him. She back handed him and ran into her house. Tears were threatening to spill down her cheeks as she threw herself into the bathroom.

Jo McGuire stood outside of the door. She placed her forehead against the cool wood. Jo said a silent prayer for her vomiting daughter. She could hear Lizzie's anguish sobs and knew her worst fears had come true.

"You aren't going to end things with Gordo, are you?" Kate asked with concern written all over her face. Upon hearing the events of the evening, Kate broke out a quart of chocolate ice cream and marshmallows. The once enemy was surprised to receive a tear-filled call from Miranda, but was touched to know that Miranda had trusted her enough to call.

Miranda fell quiet to the question. "No. I won't. I thought about it. I even wrote out what I was going to say, but I love him, Kate. I have always loved him. Lizzie is my best friend, but I love myself more. I cannot throw away my happiness for others. I've don't that for too long."

Kate put down her spoon and pulled her friend into a hug. "Where's Gordo?"

" I have no idea."

"Do you think he went to talk to Lizzie?"

Miranda sent her bowl of ice cream to the ground at the thought.

Oh no! After tonight how the hell am I going to deal with Lizzie?

Gordo sat on the front porch of his house. He had to call Miranda to warn her about Lizzie. Sighing, he rested his head on the top of his knees.

"You're our son, David. You know we won't charge you if you need to talk," his mother, Roberta Gordon teased from the front door.

"I've been dating Miranda for almost 10 weeks now. We've been sneaking around, mostly hanging out at her house or working on play stuff. We were almost caught today by Lizzie. Liz showed up Miranda's and threw a fit over "Isabelle." Miranda wanted to keep things private until we told Lizzie. So, I told Lizzie I was dating a girl named Isabelle. I just never said it was Miranda Isabelle. Tonight everything hit the fan. After Lizzie upset Randa, I went to confront Lizzie and she lost it. So did I.I told her that Miranda was my girlfriend and that I was in love with her," Gordo explained quietly. "I just lost all control, but the way she was attacking Miranda. Yeah, she didn't know it was Miranda, but if your best friend was happy, shouldn't you be happy for them?"

Roberta looked at her only some with sympathy.

"I'm sorry, honey. Have you spoken to Miranda?"

"No. She is going to be so upset with me."
"Why did you and Miranda keep your relationship a secret?"

"Miranda didn't want to upset Lizzie. She wanted to talk to her before saying anything. Miranda and Lizzie have been friends longer than I have with her. She didn't want to hurt her best friend. Miranda was suspecting that Lizzie still had feelings for me. I told her she was crazy."

"Honey, how do you feel about Lizzie?"

"I don't like her right now, but Lizzie is my best friend and I do love her. I am just not in love with her. I haven't been in a long time."

"And Miranda?"

"I'm in love with her, mom. I think I may have always been. Miranda has always been able to get me. I've never felt like I didn't have to be anything I am not. For our first month anniversary she made me curly fries. Actually made them herself! Its just little things she does that makes me go wow. I am so lucky to have a girl like her in my life."

Roberta walked back into the house and grabbed the umbrella and held it out to her son.

"Go pick up Miranda and bring her over. I have a coffee cake in the oven. It will be ready when you get back."

Gordo pecked his mother on the cheek and rushed to his car. Roberta Gordon watched her son drive off. The Gordon's were not always around due to their practice, but they adored their only child .After three miscarriages, they had almost give up hope for children, then God gave them a beautiful baby boy. Roberta smiled at the memory of Miranda and Gordo at her sweet 16. Gordo had been Miranda's escort. They were a striking pair at the top of the stairs of the Hennessey ballroom. They had almost resembled royalty as they had entered the ball room. Miranda had looked so beautiful in her sage gown. Though she had never said it out loud, Roberta always hoped that David would see what was in front of him with Miranda. Lizzie never seemed as suited for him as the brunette did. Smiling softly to herself, Mrs. Gordon closed the front door and returned to the kitchen. Where was that husband of hers to shares the news with?

"Thanks, Kate. Thank you so much," Miranda gushed.

"Anytime, Sanchez," Kate replied with a grin. "Don't worry, everything will work out. Just call Gordo. Lizzie will come around. She can be selfish, but she isn't a complete bitch. That is my job!"

"Thanks again, Sanders."

"Speaking of Gordo," Kate said as a black Honda pulled into the drive way. Kate and Miranda shared a quick hug before Kate skipped off to her red BMW.

"Come home with me, please Randy," Gordo requested from the bottom of the front porch. Miranda nodded in response. After retrieving her jacket, purse and locking up her home, the pair climbed into Gordo's car and were off to his house.

"Gordo, wait," Miranda said finally breaking the silence between. Gordo paused in mid motion of getting out of his car.

"Did you talk to Lizzie?" she asked timidly, all ready knowing the answer.

"Yes, I did. Can we talk about that inside?"

"Okay," Miranda shrugged and got out of the car.

Gordo caught Miranda by surprise as he pulled her to him and kissed her with all the passion he could muster after the long day. Miranda groaned into his mouth. She knew one thing was sure and that was that she loved being kissed by David Gordon.

"Don't ever stop doing that," she muttered against his lips.

"I won't."