She is gone. All I’m left with is memories. She is gone. Its funny how one moment the three of us were laughing, Brandon at the point of having to run to the bathroom, me crawling on the floor dying feeling like my lungs were about to collapse. She was just looking at us like we're some kind of rare species. “Okay stop! Ya, stop its the last twenty minutes.” I got myself off the floor only because I knew how important it was for her to finish this the cheesy, super romantic yet full of twists novela. She never once lost hope. She knew it was going to happen. Yet she never let it seem like it hurt; she was strong for us even when it was impossible. It was hard seeing her like this. I hated seeing her on that bed everyday all day long, especially knowing how much she loved to be outside. Her face lit up when the doctor came in with “great” news, she would be allowed to be outside for thirty minutes a day. My face completely darkened, I knew the only reason they would allow that was if they had lost all hope of her surviving, at least not any more.  

I was six when I met her. I lived my toddler years in Guanajuato, Mexico. In Guanajuato school usually starts at the age of five. There are three levels of kindergarten. After being a bully in the first level I guess karma got to me and I got bullied in the second year of kindergarten.  Usually the bullying would only be my classmates making me trip or calling me names. Things escalated just like they normally do and I found myself with a bad case of gum in my hair. Not just a normal case of it but the worst case ever seen at school. About six pieces of gum per ponytail. I had to cut my hair, I would reach out only to feel my back without the blanket of my hair. The next day at school everyone was making fun of me. There was one kid who was pushing me at recess and out of nowhere some boy runs and tackles him. The boy gets up and I notice his a couple inches taller than me. He walks away and I ran after him to thank him. 

His name is Brandon. Since that day in kindergarten we have been practically inseparable. We grew up together, supported each other no matter what, and without even realizing it years had passed. He was 13 and I was 12 years old. Of course with us being friends, we liked going to the park or simply to the store together just to hang out and talk. Going out together to the store or the park ment we obviously had to meet each others parents. He was scared of my mom because she looks mean and honestly she does but, the moment they met my mom was super nice. It fazed me, you see my mom had never been that friendly with any of my friends but the instant she met Brandon it was like a totally different person. She even said to him,”I hope I see you around a lot more!”. Later we went to a family party, I thought it was going to be awkward but everyone seemed to get along with B. I was nervous about meeting his parents because he never really talked about them so I had no idea what to expect. Being nervous was ridiculous, his mom was super nice, she was funny, and just her presence lifted any rooms atmosphere. Lucia. That was her name, Lucia. 

Lucia, was and still is the best person I have ever met. She had great features, she had a small narrow nose and small plump lips. Always smelled like a mixture of chocolate and sweet coffee. We became really close in a matter of days, she was the easiest person to talk to. She always teased me about how I tell her everything and maybe even more than I tell my own family I would just laugh and tell her no. Truth is I did. I told her things I just couldn’t say to my family, or my friends, and even Brandon. We teased Brandon so much, about him being jealous that we were so close. He would just laugh and say that he was okay with it as long as we didn’t embarrass him with each other. Lucia was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, the doctors only gave her one more year to live. She was strong and held on. Even when she was feeling horrible she would put a smile on her face. She would always be there when Brandon and I were not feeling right. I remember Brandon and I got into the biggest fight we had ever had we didn’t talk for days which was horrible considering that we had talked everyday of our lives. I was in my room wrapped into  taco with two blankets over me watching videos being depressed when she called me and asked me to come over. I did even though I knew Brandon would be there. She had two months left of that year the doctors had given her. We had a tradition to watch novelas every sunday. We watched the novela and she made me and B apologize to each other. “ I simply can’t let my two favorite people give up on each other.” is all it took for Brandon and I to forgive each other for everything that we had done wrong since the day we met. 

The tradition kept going. We had watched more five novelas in the year she was diagnosed. She would say that they should make one of her since she had out run death. The amount of novelas piled on, 7..10..18..26 and finally the big 30. During episode 36 she had to be rushed to the hospital. Episode 58 doctors told us to say our goodbyes. Then episode 73, “I'm not leaving until we finish this.” She was still fighting. Episode 89 “ We’re about to reach the end and she still doesn't understand that he's in love with her for real.” always complaining like if the actress could hear her. Episode 96 “I just want them to marry already.” we all laughed. I don't want you to leave I knew I wasn't the only one to think that, I knew was too. Episode 99 came and there was just one more to go. Just stay a little longer. Last episode, the one and only 100. She let us watch it with her while laying down next to her one on each side of her, hugging her. During the last 10 minutes, she said “Promise to always stay together, to always be there for each other, no matter what, just promise.” I promise. “I promise” was what Brandon said “Sure I’ll stay with this crazy girl”. Rolling my eyes I said “I promise to stay with this weird guy.” We all laughed even though we were all holding back tears. Last 3 minutes, “ I love you both with all my heart”, “we do too” . She hugged us tightly,”They finally got married”. During the rolling credits her hands went limp, her chest stop moving up and down, her last breathe gone. 

It smells like wet soil but there’s also a beautiful sunset. We’re standing right next to you, Lucia. Brandon brought roses and sunflowers your favorite flowers. We customize your tombstone and it reads, Lucia Suzana Ramirez Rodrigez, loving mom, to two. Even though brandon was your only child I always thought of you as my second mom and you acted the part too. The quote reads “ Even when everyone has given up, I’m not and neither are you.” it’s your favorite part of episode 76. We miss you and I don’t think that emptiness is ever going away. I have important news. We fought badly, just two days ago. He left again, I had no news of him for those two days. He came to my house and now we’re here with you and we’re good. We solved it, we’re keeping our promise.