Doing away with the Doormat status

I've always hated confrontation, and in many cases will avoid it to my own detriment.  It's just so much easier to walk away from a difficult situation than it is to face it, with all the discomfort that comes along with it. The unfortunate thing about walking away is that by doing so I'm often cheating myself out of what I deserve, along with the beautifully relieving feelings that come from resolution.  I'm also frequently left with feelings of resentment and anger which can take a long time to dissolve.  I'm quite sure nothing good can come from harboring such feelings.

Yesterday I got a call from a guy who was, until recently, was a roommate of my neighbors across the street.  Let's call him....Bubba.  Bubba had an unfriendly parting when he moved out and so he, inspired by a multitude of ulterior motives which he disguised as nobility, informed me that the neighbors were the ones responsible for the hit and run accident my poor car suffered seven months ago.  Bubba was in the backseat of their car when it occurred.  To clarify, my car is technically totaled, being of little value to begin with, but I haven't had the funds to get it fixed.  It's missing a headlight and the hood only opens with a great deal of effort and trickery.  Now, these hit and run neighbors are people who I frequently talk with.  Neighbors who I talked to about my car being hit, in fact.  They had plenty of opportunity to own up the the accident and take responsibility.  They've opted not to.  When I first got the call from Bubba, I responded by saying that I was glad to know the truth so that I knew what kind of people I was dealing with in my neighbors, but that I was just going to let it be and not say anything.  I didn't want to stir up the pot and cause friction with people who I know will most likely be my neighbors for many years to come. 

Then last night I had a dream.  In the dream I talked to the neighbors about what had happened and they responded well, took responsibility, and got my car fixed.  It was such a fabulous and empowering feeling!  I woke up wondering why on earth I should just let them walk away from their responsibility while absorbing the loss myself JUST to avoid upsetting them.  It seems fairly ridiculous, doesn't it??  So, as you may have guessed, I've decided that I have to go have a conversation with the neighbors.  Ug.  I get a belly ache just thinking about it.  But, the sooner the better...right?  Maybe I'll call them right now.  Maybe...