Julie Stoddard has been Lilly's best friend since age 5 when she saw Julie getting teased on the playground due to the fact that she couldn't run fast. Growing up, they spent countless hours at the Livery swimming in the River, planning and building forts, and waging war on friends and foes alike. They also spent countless hours in Lilly's bedroom listening to music and reading books - mysteries mostly. In later years, they began writing stories and poetry strictly for themselves and a few close friends. One day, they even wrote letters to their childhood crushes, sealed them, and simply tucked them away to be opened when they were old and gray. Both have vast collections of journals.
* Possibly use some stories of childhood memories of Sara Rang - sheep, socks, boys, and coasters. :D
As a child, Lilly's bobbed red hair, sky blue eyes, and freckles were in stark contrast to Julie's blonde hair and brown eyes. Where Julie was short, chubby, and unathletic, Lilly was muscular, tall, and latently athletic. In fact, as an early teenager, she always worried about being taller than the guys in their class and slouched in order appear shorter.
All throughout her school days, Lilly seemed to be an enigma to her classmates. On one hand, she was shy and reserved most of the time. However, if anyone crossed one of her friends, her temper, and eventual wrath, was notorious! More than once she served detention as a direct result of defending her friends. In addition to being feisty, she also had a reputation, like Julie, of being studious. In fact, one of the main things that drew Julie and Lilly together was a love - nothing less than a passion - for reading and writing. Both girls had dreams of becoming writers.
Unfortunately, as they grew older, Lilly and Julie grew apart. It would take the death of a friend to bring them together again.
At 28 - quickly approaching 29, Lilly still dreams about becoming a writer. After high school, she pursued a degree in business. Even though she never outgrew her dream of becoming a writer, she is a pragmatist at heart. She is a woman of varied talents and dreams. During her later high school years, she began to dream of creating several different businesses.
However, her college years taught her several things. While in college, she spent her summers living and working in Austin, Texas. At last, she had found a place where she could pursue anything her hear desired! Creativity just seemed to be in the air. Soon, however, circumstances beyond her control led her home.
After graduation, her first job leads to complete disillusionment with corporate America and business in general. She comes home to rebuild her life and reclaim her childhood dream of becoming a writer. In the process, she resurrects her friendship with Julie.
When all is said and done, it is Lilly that is most changed by the occurences of the summer before 5th grade - The Legend of Rifle River Mills - and changes most throughout the book. It is through her that Julie - and the reader - learns the true Legend - a story of love, loss, redemption, and eventual resurrection. Through Lilly and Julie, the reader learns of the inner turmoil caused by the Legend. It is Lilly who is the first to interest the children in the Legend.
