-Riley Mattews sat on a swing at a local playground, swaying just slightly back and forth. As she sat on the swing, she saw many mothers walking around with their children. Some moms were pushing babies in strollers or holding them. Other moms were holding the hands of their toddlers as they walked around. While other moms were playing various games and/or talking with their older children. Riley felt partially happy inside to see so many mothers spending time with their children. However Riley also felt sad inside knowing she wasn't one of those mothers. Suddenly Riley was nudged by a little girl standing next to her.
Little Girl: Hey miss. You lonely?
Riley: Huh?
Little Girl: You look sad. My name's Amy.
Riley: Oh. Uh, hi there Amy. My name's Riley. And I'm just... thinking.
Amy: Thinking about what?
Riley: Just older girl stuff.
Amy: Well do you wanna play instead? I've got a Frisbee if you wanna throw it.
Riley: Um, okay. Where's your mom?
Amy: Close by. Now come on. Catch it.
-Amy then threw a Frisbee right into Riley's face. Riley fell back a bit and then jumped up.
Riley: Hey, no fair./p
-Amy then took many steps away and then she and Riley began to toss the Frisbee back and forth to one another. After about a half hour of this, Riley sat down.
Riley: Okay. I'm getting a little exhausted.
"Amy: Me too. Which is why we need ice cream.
"Riley: But the nearest ice cream stand is on the side of the park.
Amy: Then lets go there. We'll still be in eye view of the playground.
-Riley and Amy then began to walk towards the nearby ice cream stand. As they did Amy grabbed Riley's hand.
Amy: You hands seem shaky. What's wrong?
Riley: I'm just... still feeling a little shooken up. I did something awhile back. Something awful. Something I regret.
Amy: Did you hurt somebody?
Riley: Well... honestly... yeah.
Amy: But are you sorry about it?
Riley: Yes. With all my heart I am.
Amy: Then I'm sure they forgive you.
-Riley smiled and within a minute, she was buying ice cream for herself and Amy. Afterwards, the two began to play on the playground. They pretended to be female pirates, astronauts, super heroes, and princess. Hours went by, and the two enjoyed each other's company a great deal. Eventually the two sat down a picnic table together. Riley got out from her bag some crayons and paper.
Riley: Here's some coloring stuff I have if you'd like.
Amy: I'm gonna draw a picture for you. But no peeking.
-Amy then put Riley's bag near her paper as she drew. Riley smiled as she began to began to draw a face on her paper. Amy then stood up and looked at Riley's drawing./p
"Amy: Watcha drawing?
Riley: Hey. What are you doing?
Amy: Looking at your picture.
Riley: So you can look at my picture but I can't look at yours?
Amy: Yep.
Riley: Well, if you're wondering... it's a picture of my daughter, or rather... what I think she would've one day looked like.
Amy: You're a mom?
Riley: I was. And then something happened... and I wasn't.
Amy: That's sad. Do you miss her?
Riley: Well, I never even got the chance to know her. It's complicated but... I wish I hadn't made the choices I did. I mean, I wasn't ready to be a mom but... I wanted to be. And if I could tell her now how I feel, I'd ask for her forgiveness for what I did.
-Amy then put her picture in an envelope and she handed it to Riley. Riley accepted it as Amy stood up.
Amy: I'm sure she does forgive you. Now if you excuse me, it's time for me to go.
Riley: Go? Go where?
Amy: Back home.
-Suddenly a large white light appeared behind Amy. Amy began to walk into it as Riley stood up confused.
Riley: I don't understand. What's going on?
Amy: Don't worry. I'm going to a good place now.
-Amy's body then began to rise up and slowly disappear into the white light.
Riley: But who are you? What's happening?
Amy: That's not important. What is important is that you know I love you and forgive you... mom...
-Riley's eyes suddenly became very wide and suddenly Riley saw herself sitting up in bed. Riley looked around realizing she was in her bedroom and it was night time. Riley then hung her head low.
Riley: It was a dream. Just a...
-Riley suddenly raised her right hand and saw an envelope in her hand. Riley's eyes widened a bit as she immediately opened the envelope. In the envelope was a child's drawing made of crayon depicting a sketchy picture of herself standing next a sketchy picture of a little girl. Riley's eyes then moved downward as she saw beneath the drawing were just six words written in crayon. The words were: Me and my Mom, Love you. Tears began to appear in Riley's eyes as she smiled and held the picture close to her heart./p
Riley: I love you too. Thank you.
THE END
