This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “The Unbridgeable Canyon” Down in the Dirt v218 (4/24) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Limits of Imagination the Down in the Dirt January - April 2024 issues collection book		get the 422 page January - April 2024 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Please Forgive Me

W.L. Peterson

    After an exciting day at work, Lisa returned to her luxury penthouse building. She walked towards the elevator smiling, and thinking about the great news she received today. After only being at her law firm for 3 years, she was named as a junior partner. As the elevator doors opened, Lisa walked in and thought to herself, nothing is going to remove this smile from my face today.
    As she turned to press the button to take her to her floor, Lisa thought she saw a familiar face in the distance. No, it can—t be, she thought to herself. Are my eyes deceiving me or is that really Shannon?
    Shannon was Lisa—s former best friend. They had known each other since the second grade and did everything together. From grade school to undergrad, they were inseparable like sisters. However, right before graduating, Shannon betrayed Lisa in the worst way.

***
    During the last semester of their senior year, Lisa was working as an intern and would ask Shannon to turn in her assignments for her. Lisa gave Shannon her dissertation to turn in, however, for reasons unknown, Shannon turned it in as her own work.
    When Lisa found out, she was furious and cut Shannon out of her life completely. She vowed never to speak to her again. This betrayal could never be forgiven.

***
    But now, approaching the elevator, was in fact Shannon. Lisa couldn—t believe her eyes. It—s been 10 years since she last saw her.
    Shannon got on the elevator with Lisa. Lisa pressed the button. They were the only two on the elevator.
    Shannon said, “I—m sorry, will you please forgive me?”
    Lisa ignored Shannon and kept a smile on her face. The elevator stopped between the 6^th and 7^th floor. This cannot be happening right now, Lisa thought to herself. Realizing the elevator is stuck for now, this is a confrontation that she must face.
    The smile finally left Lisa—s face, “The nerve of you,” Lisa said. “After ten years, now you want to apologize after almost ruining my life?”
    “I—m so sorry, Lisa,” Shannon said. “Please let me explain. I have missed you over the years and my soul won—t rest unless I make peace with my sister.”
    “Your sister?” Lisa said. “My sister would—ve never stolen from me. But, since you seem so eager to explain, I will give you until they can get us out of this elevator, then never contact me again!”
    “Okay,” Shannon began. “During your internship, my mother had gotten very ill. She—s a proud woman and didn—t want anyone to know what she was dealing with. She had cancer.”
    Lisa—s facial expression changed from anger to concern. “Cancer? What do you meanÉshe had?”
    “Yes,” Shannon replied. “She lost her battle.”
    “Oh my god, Shannon!”
    “No Lisa, you have to let me finish,” Shannon said. “The day you gave me your paper to turn in is the day she passed away. Confused, I accidentally turned in your paper as mine. I—ve tried to contact you over the years to explain but you never returned any of my calls or emails. So, I decided to come here and tell you in person.”
    “Why didn—t you tell me then, when she passed away?” Lisa asked. “You know I would—ve understood. Instead, you left school and then tried to contact me years later. I really felt betrayed, but now I understand. I—m sorry you went through that alone.”
    The elevator shook and showed signs of possible movement.
    “I left school because I decided to switch from law to medicine and become an oncologist. I wanted to dedicate my life to fighting the disease that took my mother away,” Shannon explained. “While in medical school, I met my husband Paul, and we have a little girl named Lisa.”
    “You named your daughter after me?” Lisa asked as tears built up in her eyes.
    “Yes, we did,” Shannon replied as she smiled. “She knows all about her aunt Lisa. So, I asked you again Lisa, will you please forgive me?” Shannon asked with tears in her eyes.
    “Of course, I forgive you!” Lisa said while crying. “Of course, I forgive my sister!”
    The two best friends shared a long overdue hug. Could this be the best day of Lisa—s life? Promotion and now a reunion with her best friend?
    At this point the elevator doors began to open.
    “Miss are you okay?” a man asks.
    “Yes, we—re fine” Lisa replied. “Aren—t we Shannon?”
    To Lisa—s surprise, Shannon was gone.
    “What happened to the other lady in the elevator?” Lisa asked.
    “Ma—am, you—re the only person that was stuck in there for the last 20 minutes,” the man replied.
    At this moment, Lisa—s phone rang. Startled, Lisa answers the phone, “Hello?”
    “Is this Lisa?” the man asked on the other end of the telephone.
    “Yes, this is Lisa.”
    “This is Paul, Shannon—s husband.”
    “Paul?”
    “Yes”, Paul replied. “Shannon wanted me to say thank you. I—m at the hospital and she just passed away from her battle with cancer. She always told me she couldn—t leave this world without making peace with you. Thank you for giving her peace. Now her soul can rest.”
    Lisa dropped her phone in terror.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...