It happened 18 years ago. Penny, daughter of Beth’s husband, John, was only seven. She should’ve been 25 this week, but sadly, she lost her life. Whenever Beth would see Penny’s clothes in the house, she would remember the past, and feel a sharp pain in her chest.
While Beth was crying, 17-year-old son of her and John, Eric, brought some books while they were packing some stuff and asked what to do with them.
Beth was holding the dress from 18 years ago. She was wearing that sundress, as it was her favorite.
Then Eric showed a teddy bear and asked if that belonged to his late sister. As memories brought Beth back, she was at the amusement park once again.
Beth took Penny to amusement park since that day was Penny’s birthday. She was seven years old now and she wanted to ride some toys.
Then her husband entered into the room and brought Beth back. He asked that if she will wear that dress, as he surely remembered the dress and that day.
Then John asked something he never did before.
“How did you survive when my daughter didn’t?”
“My seatbelt protected me, remember?”
“Mom? Dad?”
“It’s nothing baby,” Beth turned to her son, “Let’s keep packing.”
John still had some questions.
“Why are you still keeping that dress? Doesn’t it remind you the day our days were cursed?”
“It’s just— It’s a reminder.”
“Does our daughter’s death need a reminder?”
John was crying. It was time for him to hear the truth as Beth thought. She then explained that the roller coaster had a malfunction, and just before the ride started, Beth left the ride because she had a panic attack.
John’s daughter Penny was alone when she fell from the ride after their seatbelts didn’t hold their clip.
“I didn’t know about the seatbelts. I swear I didn’t know,” Beth said in tears. John didn’t have the strength enough to look at Beth’s face.
John then started to talk.
“I’m not angry at you Beth. I’m heartbroken. I’m heartbroken because you kept this burden on your own shoulders all this time. You should’ve told me. I wasn’t there too. None of us could save her. You didn’t do something wrong.”
John hugged to his wife as they were both sobbing.
While John thought that Beth didn’t do something needs forgiving, Beth was sure that she can never forgive herself.
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