Making It Up As We Go Along

20. Forgiveness, Can you Imagine?

June 22, 2021
Nellie's POV
Over the past three days, what Lizzie said really stuck with me.  She was doing everything she was for me. While I hadn't forgiven her yet, I started talking to her again and I felt really guilty for what had happened. She had been trying to do anything she could for me. She didn't have to do what she did, she didn't have to give me a chance for a better life. She did not have to take me back.

I sit quietly as Lizzie is sleeping in the front seat, Milo Greene's 'Adult Contemporary' album playing.

"Dad-I uh mean Robbie, can I talk to you about something?" I look down as he responds.

"Nellie, you can call me dad, it's okay. Also, yes. You can talk to me about anything sweetie." I look over at Lizzie, who was still sound asleep and start. "I feel bad about how I've treated Lizzie. I know you both are doing for me what you shouldn't have to do. I know she didn't have to do what she did, I just feel really guilty about it and I'm sorry." He nods.

"It's okay Nellie. You need to apologize to Lizzie though. We get to Los Angeles in 2 days, use that time wisely." I nod as he parks at the hotel we are staying at for the night.

"Wake up Lizzie." He shakes Elizabeth awake and gets our things. Elizabeth and I wait in silence as Robbie checks in and then we go up to the top floor.

"Woah, this room is nice. You can see all over the mountains from here!"I tell Robbie. "Y-yeah." Lizzie says. Lizzie lays down on one of the beds and falls fast asleep.

I go shower and get ready for bed. Before I go to sleep, I go and tell Robbie goodnight. I hug Robbie and then place a kiss on Elizabeth's forehead.

** Dream **
I wake up, standing on the sidewalk with all my things thrown out onto the ground. Lizzie and Robbie were standing inside the house, arms folded out in front of them.

"W-why are you kicking me out on the streets?" I cry, looking into Lizzie's angry green eyes.

"You don't care about us, so, you're not our child anymore." I sob at Lizzie's reply and plead with her. "M-mom please. P-please! I don't want to live on the streets!"

"Good luck then. I did so much for you, so much that I didn't have to do!" The entire space fills as Lizzie's family all laughs evilly as a hole starts forming in the sidewalk underneath me. As more people come into the space I fall down into the hole and into nothingness.

** Dream Over **

I wake up crying as someone brushes a strand of my hair out of my eyes.

"Shh. Nellie, it's okay. It's just a dream." Lizzie echoed softly. I hugged her tight and cried into her. "I-I'm so sorry for the way I treated you Lizzie. I-I know you didn't have to do what you did. I forgive you."

"Thank you. I'm sorry I upset you Nellie." Lizzie hugged me and I smile up brightly at her. "I-it's okay mom. I love you."

"I love you too Nellie."

Lizzie and I sit there cuddling for a while until I fall back asleep.