With Love, Silvia. [✔️]

Chapter 33 Forgive and Forget

The morning of the funeral, Erica asks me a question. 

"Silvey, I know it's very last minute, but I was wondering if you'd like to say a few words for Rodger."

"Ok. Anything that he would have made him happy." I tell her, and get to work. 

There is lots of people in the church. They're all in black, and there's lots of teary eyes. Emma, Erica, Owen, and Emily sit in the first pew. I'm at a small podium, decorated with orchids and a single picture of Rodger in the middle. 

The people look at me expectantly, and my knees wobble a little. I wasn't used to public speaking. 

"Hello, friends and family." I start. "I'm Silvia Track, Rodger's godsister, and well, friend." I glance down at the paper with my speech on it. I've already memorized it, though. 

"Only three months ago, I moved into the Hanson house. Let's just say Rodger and I didn't start off on the right foot. At first, I didn't know why, and for a while, I still didn't. But after some time, I realized. It's change. I realized that I felt these strong emotions, wanting to push others away when I really needed them, all because of the rapid change in my life. Many of you know, my mother was killed. All I wished for, when I first found out she was dead, was someone to pour my emotions out to." I stop to clear the lump ring in my throat. "And it took time, but I found it."

I look into the crowd of people. Dad is in the back. looking to me with encouraging eyes. 

"In many ways, Rodger helped me. The first time we ever spoke was after the fire in our home. He was hospitalized-and... and, well... We made some sort of a peace offering. It was silly, a signed football card was all it took to win my way into his heart." tears are welling up in my eyes. "But he taught me something very valuable." I take a deep breath, and say the last part of my speech. 

"He taught me to forgive, and forget. He taught me that not all friends are obvious, but in a way, we can all look out for each other." 

There is clapping, lots of it. Erica nods to me and scoots over on the pew so I can sit down. 

It comes to me that I always ended up here in Hollow Springs when tragedy happened. I found it strange that a place so beautiful, was lead to me by sadness. 

I listen to Erica's speech, and some of Rodger's close friends share some words. Before I know it, it's time for the burial. Rodger's coffin is lowered to the ground, and I hug Emma close. 

We both stand there and look at the flowers decorating the ground, as farewell gifts from friends and family. It's cold, so we huddle close to each other. Neither one of us wants to go home, or face reality. Just stay here for a bit, and get lost in our own thoughts and memories. 

I'm not sure how long we sat there, but after what seemed like hours, I saw Wes pull up in his car. He was at the burial, not the service at the church, but we didn't talk. I wondered if he knew I was there. 

He got closer to us, and Emma gave a sad smile. 

"Hey, Emma. Silvia." he says and nods to us. 

I tighten my grip around Emma's shoulders. 

"Wes." I say, and watch him shift his gaze toward Rodger's grave. 

"Do you, want to, uh..." 

"Talk?" I finish for him. 

He smiles. 

I look to Emma. 

"I can give you a ride home. And me and Silvia can head over to the cafe." Wes says to us. 

I glance at Emma, and she nods. 

"Okay." she says softly. 

We all walk back to his car, at first separately, but I put an arm around Emma's shoulder, and without missing a beat, Wes puts and arm around me. 

Maybe Wes realized that it was time to forgive and forget. I truly hoped he did. Because I liked him as a friend, and maybe even more. The thought warmed my body. 

And for the first time, I feel okay. 

Just a little bit, okay. 

HELLO.

I am so terribly sorry for theses delays. I know updates with me are inconsistent, but as this story comes to a near end, (or maybe not. I may write like twenty more chapters because I love this story.) It's getting harder to find ideas.

But hey, let's all forgive and forget ;) (ok sorry for that lame joke) and I pinkie promise there will be more chapters. 

-alexa_writes. 

ps. thank you for all the votes and reads! We're almost to 600 reads! That is AMAZING! I bet we can get to 1k by the end of the summer! Keep reading and voting!