Adapting and Conquering (The story of Bertha's rise and fall)

Chapter Twenty-Two

I take a deep breath at the foot of the steps leading up to the door of my house, knowing that I have to start making amends. I walk up the stairs and unlock the door.

Billy is sitting at the couch, watching TV. As soon as he sees me he jumps up, knocks over a lamp, and starts stuttering. "Hi-hi Bertha. You can change the TV to whatever channel you would like. Just- don't tell mom I was watching TV. She'd kill me. She says it's only for you because you're actually a good kid... I don't know why she hates me!" His eyes start to fill up with tears and he looks away.

My heart breaks at what I did to my brother. "No, it's okay Billy. You can keep watching whatever channel you want. I'll go talk to mom and tell her that it's not fair to treat you like this."

His eyes lit up. "Really! Thank you!" He runs to me and hugs me, but then jumps back. "Sorry." he mutters.

"No I'm sorry Billy. I was a terrible sister. I didn't stand up for you... I just let her bully you. This is my fault. Forgive me?"

He smiles and says "Yeah! I'm sorry that I acted like a little brat before."

I return the smile and pull him back into a hug. He squeezes back. "I forgive you Billy. I was worse than you were anyways, But you're my brother and I will always love you."

After I convince Billy to resume watching his show, I go to my parents room and find my mom laying on the bed. When she sees me she jumps up and asks "How was your day sweetie!" She says it in more of an exclamation than a question, as if afraid that I'll start crying again, like on Sunday.

"It was fine." I reply.

"Tell me all about it!" She says, and pulls me onto the bed.

I hesitate. It's been forever since she's cared about my day, but then I remember Billy. He was just so miserable.

"Actually... Let's get Billy, and we can both tell you." I reply, looking into her eyes.

"Are you sure? He hasn't been acting like a good boy lately."

"That's only because you've been neglecting him. And that's because you were neglecting me. You have to learn to love both of your children, at the same time."

She looks at me and her eyes fill with tears. "I'm sorry. I'm not very good at parenting..."

"Well you're learning." I reply, smiling at her. "Now let's get Billy."

For the first time in more than a year, we were sitting at the table, laughing and talking like a true family. My mom apologized for treating both of us badly, and she promised that both of us will equally receive love from her, she has enough to share.

Then my Dad came home from work, and we all cooked dinner together as a family. We all laughed when I accidentally spilled pasta sauce on Cooper, our dog. When Billy wanted more pasta, instead of making him get it himself, my mom took his plate and got it for him. We all congratulated my mom on how good the dessert tasted. We actually felt like a family again.

Before bed, I sat down with my dad and filled him in with everything that had been happening recently. He smiled and said "Well I'm glad that you are trying to make amends. I'm sure that everything is going to work out perfectly in the end. Just know that whatever you do, we'll love you no matter what."

"Thanks Dad!" I threw my arms around him and covered him in tiny licks and purred until he was covered in slobber and my throat hurt. Just kidding. (Or am I?) I gave him a hug instead.

I went to bed feeling very content, and I fell asleep right away.

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AUGHHHHH! What do you guys think? I just remembered there's this weird sentence two paragraphs above this that me and my friend threw in for laughs.... oh well. I'll keep it lmao.

Tell me what you think right here! I'd love to have feedback!