A few weeks later, Cory gave the class a project. It was called the forgiveness project. He had the class write a letter to someone who hurt them. In the letter they were supposed to forgive that person. Maya wrote to her father. He showed up at Topanga's shop and wanted to talk with Maya. Kermit told Maya she wasn't the reason why he left. He left because he wasn't responsible, he couldn't be a good parent, and he could support her and Katy. Riley overheard Maya tell her Kermit she wasn't angry at herself anymore; however it was hard for her to forgive him because he left.
A few hours later, Maya was up in Riley's room sitting in the window. They had a talk about what took place.
"Maya, I overheard you talk with your dad outside," admitted Riley. "And the talk you had with my dad."
"What did you hear?" asked Maya.
"I heard everything," admitted Riley. "I heard you tell my dad that you were afraid that you'd fail the project. But, you didn't fail. You were able to forgive yourself."
"Mr. Matthews, says it takes time to forgive someone," answered Maya. "After I had the talk with Kermit, I don't want nothing more to do with him."
"It does take time to forgive someone," answered Riley. "It's just going to take you a little longer."
"Well, at least you didn't laugh when I told you my father's name was Kermit," added Maya. "I remember when mom told Shawn that Kermit left her, he laughed."
"Why'd he laugh?" asked Riley.
"He thought she was referring to Kermit the frog," answered Maya.
"Really?" asked Riley.
"Yeah, really," answered Maya. "My father's name is really Kermit."
"I know that," replied Riley. "I remember in class when we studied the 60's, you studied May Clutterbucket."
"That was my grandma," added Maya. "You remember that. Your great grandma, my great grandma (Roise McGee), Farkle's great grandfather, and Lucas' great grandfather all met in December of 1961."
"I remember that Maya. Farkle's grandpa was the one who took the pictures of our grandparents," replied Riley. "Have you ever heard from May Clutterbuckett?"
"No, never. I've never received a thing from her," admitted Maya.
"Not even a Christmas card or birthday card?" questioned Riley.
"No," answered Maya.
"Did I ever tell you that we don't hear from my mother's parents?" asked Riley.
"You told me a while back," responded Maya. "I remember that you said your mother ran away from home, after moving to Pittsburgh. Your dad was missing Topanga and he was getting ready to get on a plane and fly to Pittsburgh. He didn't have to go to Pittsburgh because Topanga ran away from home to be with your father. I remember that Topanga got to stay with her aunt, until after high school."
"My mother grew apart from her parents," answered Riley. "When my parents were engaged, mom's parents announced they were splitting up. Which almost caused mom not to marry my father. Dad and Shawn went to talk with mom's parents. After dad and Shawn talked with mom's parents, they came to talk to mom. My grandma was able to talk to mom and she convinced her to not let their relationship come between her and my dad. After mom and dad married, they don't hear from my mom's parents very much."
"I'm sorry," said Maya. "I know it hurts."
"It does," confessed Riley. "But, I've got dad's family, my mom, my dad, Auggie, you, Katy, Shawn, Farkle, and Lucas. My father and Shawn said that Mr. Feeny said sometimes you make your own family and they don't have to be blood related."
"I never knew that," gasped Maya. "I don't even consider Kermit my father. I don't consider his children as my siblings. And I don't consider his new wife my step mother."
"That is understandable," replied Riley. "They are ones missing out, not you. There is nothing wrong with you. There is something wrong with them."
"What would that be?" asked Maya.
"They've missed out on getting to know you," replied Riley. "You're a good person Maya. You have a lot going for you and you will be something big one day."