One nerd comes to terms with the death of an inspiration, and idol, and an icon

THE GALAXY LOST A STAR

Mission, Lunchroom

Eric turned the corner to the lunch room and his eyes focused on the red head who was staring at her phone in one hand and gently poking the leftover Chicken Parmesan they had cooked last night with the fork in her other hand. Eric grabbed his lunch out of the fridge and tossed it into the microwave to heat up.

He sat down across from her while he waited. She looked up from her phone and gave him a small smile, but he knew behind the smile was something else.

"What's going on in that head of yours, Rockstar?" Eric asked, giving her a reassuring smile.

Nell sighed gently. "I can't believe she is gone." She said, setting her phone down.

Eric took a glance and saw the picture of the two of them with Carrie Fisher from San Diego last year.

He gave a gentle nod. "I know. I am still in shock. All the reports said she was stable."

The Microwave dinged and Eric got up to get his food. He sat back down, opening the bottle of water and taking a drink.

"She was such a huge part of my childhood I can't really imagine how things will be without her" Eric said.

"She was more than just a huge part of my childhood, she was a huge part of my adulthood too." Nell replied, taking a bite of the chicken.

Eric raised an eyebrow, showing that he wanted her to continue.

Nell sighed again. "Carrie Fisher was more than just Princess Leia to me. She was a woman that I strived to be like, both on the screen and off. Princess Leia may have been written as a smart mouth, don't-take-any-guff-from-anyone, headstrong young woman on paper but Carrie breathed life into that role. She gave life to Princess Leia. And no matter how hard I think I can't think of a single actress that could have done that role better." She paused to take a drink and a few bites of food.

"She threw shade at every male character she met. Most women were swooning over Han and she insulted his ship, people cowered in fear of Vader and Tarkin and she didn't back down, even when Alderan was destroyed. And when she was made to wear an outfit that was supposed to be humiliating she strangled the overgrown slug with the chain that bound her." Nell continued.

Eric, deciding to let her control the conversation, agreed with her. "She was nothing short of amazing."

Nell continued. "And then came Episode VII. Regardless of the problems I had with the movie my favorite part was her. Leia was a woman who lost everything. Her brother disappeared, her husband left her, her son fell to the Dark Side, and her government was under threat. But did she back down? No, she was at the forefront of the fight, not as a Princess or a Head of State, but as a General. Even if she was the last one standing she was going to fight."

Eric nodded in agreement.

"Off screen she was a powerhouse. She fought against the stigma of mental illness. She was vocal about her fight against bipolar disorder. She fought against stereotypes of people with mental problems. If I can be half the woman she was I will know I've done well in my life. She was an icon, she was a sex symbol, she was an inspiration, and she was my idol." Nell said.

"I'd say you are on a good track to do that" Eric said.

"I bought the Slave costume because I felt amazing wearing it. I felt sexy, I felt like I was in control. The outfit that was supposed to demean women empowered them. It's been over 40 years and it's still super popular." Nell said.

Eric, thankful that Nell understood how she felt and didn't think like other guys when she wore it to conventions, nodded.

"I already miss her so much." Nell said, her voice trailed off.

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force, Mourn them do not, Miss them do not." Eric said.

Nell broke a smile. "Thanks, Yoda." She said.

They stood up and went to the sink to do their dishes.

"How about this. Let's power through our work for the rest of the day, get some take out tonight, you change into your costume and we will marathon the Original Trilogy to honor the star the galaxy, both far, far away and near, lost." Eric said

"That sounds like a perfect idea. I love you sometimes, you know that right?" She said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"I know." He said.

"Nerf herder" She said, playing punching his arm.

Short little tribute to Carrie Fisher. RIP Carrie. The Force is with you...always.