I do not own Life With Derek.

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On the last day of summer, Lizzie and Edwin sat on the back porch, swinging their legs over the edge and devouring the last of their popsicles. During the last seven days of August, Lizzie had done a lot of musing about that summer. She had decided that she had experienced a cherry popsicle summer, filled to the brim with soccer games and Saturday morning cartoons, rollerblade races and squirt gun wars. She vowed that she would never forget any of it. The way her heart leapt when she heard the all-familiar whistle, the way it fell back down when he called her sister.

Lizzie finished off the last of her cherry confection and sighed, her vow running through her head once more. So many times had she sad at this very spot with Edwin, sometimes talking and laughing, others in silent remeniscing, but always with popsicles in hand. Lizzie truly wanted to remember it all, right down to the "me time" they shared, and the close encounters in the games closet that left her breathless. Sure, she had a lot to worry about this year; the first day of school, a new soccer season, confusing feelings that piled up inside and left her dizzy...but she didn't need to worry about that now. Not while the setting sun was bathing the lawn in its golden rays and the sweet taste of cherry was melting in her mouth.

"Cherry popsicle summers are the best kind," Lizzy said aloud, and Edwin beside her nodded. Only he would understand, Lizzie thought.

The Davises next door were having an end-of-the-summer barbecue. Lizzie could hear the music and Dimi's laughter.

Suddenly, someone attending the get-together let go of a bright red balloon. Lizzie watched it drift up and up, swiftly at first and then more lazily. She watched it become a tiny dot of red against the sky, and only then did she get up to go inside, and swallow the last bit of cherry popsicle in her mouth.