Page 60 of The Journey That Never Ends
They all broke out into laughter.
“So, what will happen next?” Elana looked at her grandmother.
“Well, after the wedding, Ronald and I are going on a nice long honeymoon to Alaska.” Grandma Cecilia grinned. “Don’t worry about a thing. Once you get back from your journey, you can let me know what your final decision will be. Elana, I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
Elana looked at her grandmother. “Thank you. Without you making me go on this trip, I would have been trapped under the thumb of my parents for the rest of my life.” She reached for her grandmother’s hand. “And thank you for teaching me that it’s not impossible to start over in life. Life really is a journey that never ends.”
EPILOGUE
Elana traveled around the States for close to six months with Jack at her side. She never thought she would be so happy under the blankets during a snowstorm with Jack to keep her safe and warm while snacking on Cheetos. She had stopped at a pawn shop in a small town and bought a cheap guitar. She would play songs to Jack while they sat around the campfire at night. At each stop, Elana made sure to capture the scenic view on her drawing pad. By the time she arrived back at Ronald and Grandma Cecilia’s house in Montana, she had close to two hundred drawings.
Grandma Cecilia had informed her that her housekeeper in South Carolina, Anna, had taken Winston, her dog, and was enjoying helping to raise her grandchild. Anna promised to visit in the summer with her family.
Her grandmother also started wearing glasses. She told Elana that her doctor said she couldn’t see squat, which would account for her mistaking a racoon for Winston that one time.
Her grandmother had also bought some property near Billings where she was going to open a second manufacturing building for the company. She told Elana that that was why she had been sending her money to Montana. It wasn’t being sent to Ronald. It was to establish a business banking account so she could open a second location.
Elana sat down with her grandmother, and they went over the ins and outs of business. Grandma Cecilia was pleasantly surprised at the innovative ideas Elana had for advancing the business. Elana finally relented and accepted the position of CEO if her grandmother agreed with new marketing ideas she had for the company. Grandma Cecilia agreed.
Her father tried fighting Grandma Cecilia in court. But he lost. Next came the foreclosure on the house along with losing his position at the company. Soon after, his wealthy friends disappeared from his life.
Her mother couldn’t bear the shame and quietly divorced him. It seemed her father wasn’t the only one hiding a secret. Her mother quickly moved in with a wealthy real estate agent in Florida.
Her sister Elizabeth rapidly distanced herself from their parents and moved to Charleston to start an interior decorating business. Brianna soon followed. and it seemed she soon became one of Charleston’s top real estate agents.
To their credit, Elizabeth and Brianna, would contact Elana from time to time. Never did they ask for money. They also sent her a long letter asking for her to forgive them for how they had treated her over the years and hoping for some kind of reconciliation. Grandma Cecilia invited them for Christmas. Time would tell.
Elana didn’t let the position of CEO rule her life. She still took long trips in the VW van with Jack and learned to let go of things she had no control over.
Most importantly, she was happy and at peace.
And if Jack could talk, he would say she no longer smelled like worry. She smelled like joy.