It was late in the evening when Elise and the twins got back home. Grandmother was seated lazily on the bench at the back yard watching the beautiful sunset. She marvelled at the wonderful life that God had gifted her even after the death of her husband. She had taken good care of their children making sure that all of them got educated, it was now an individual's decision to find a job and support themselves. She had really tried her best, looking back at the situation she had been left in.
Eva and Adam quickly rushed to grandmother excitedly. They had brought her back to the present with their endless shouting describing their experience back at aunt Jennifer place. Their uncle Jeremy had been away and only returned the moment they prepared to leave, but since they got a chance to see that baby and hold him, they could not hide their excitement.
The two happily narrated their encounter to grandmother as they laughed heartily. Elise felt herself getting emotional as she knew she would dearly miss them, but this was something she had to do.
" Eva and Adam I think that's enough, why don't you go inside and share the same with aunt Charity, I'm sure she would love to know how it went. I just have something to talk to grandmother about." Elise said and the two immediately stood up and skipped as they headed into the house, by now Charity was already in the kitchen so they knew exactly where to findher.
Grandmother Caren who had already noticed the sudden change in Elise mood couldn't help but ask what had gone wrong.
"Grandmother I just received a call from work and it's definitely not good news." Replied Elise. This added to grandmother's concern.
"Did you lose your job even before you started." Grandmother asked nervously.
"It's not like that grandmother, I was informed that I had to move to the company house allocated to us since our schedule will be packed as we get started, there will be many training sessions as well just to ensure that we got what they required. So I'll have to move out of the house and live there" Elisesaid watching the changing expression on grandmother's face.
It really broke her heart that she had to lie to her, but this was something she had to do, she couldn't be a free loader all her life. She had to learn how to be independent no matter how hard it was.
"Why don't you just explain to them that you are comfortable working from home, I'm sure they would understand ." Grandmother said in a sad tone. She really did see that coming and didn't know how to react to it.
"Trust me grandmother I already tried, but they just said it was their policy and if I was nolonger interested in the job they were ready to find someone else. So I just have to follow their instructions." Elise said, trying as much as possible to convince grandmother.
" Is that so! Since we can’t do anything about it, just do as they say, I'm sure they would let you go back after your work schedule lightens." Grandmother said. She knew that nothing could possibly change the situation.
She couldn’t protect Elise all her life, she had to experience life by herself from now onwards. Her only consolation was that Elise was a really responsible girl, even when she was at college far away from home, she never caused her any troubles.
"So I'll be leaving tomorrow early in the morning to get settled and know my way around the city, it wouldn't be nice if I got lost when having an important meeting." Said Elise, she was glad that grandmother finally allowed her to go,not like she left any room for arguments.
Caren however had mixed feelings about this, how come Elise was suddenly called to be informed of the fact that they had to stay at the boarding house. However much doubt she had she didn't want to argue with her but let her do as she pleased, only praying that nothing bad would happen to her.
That night the mood around the dinner table was very tense, except for Eva and Adam who chipped in with stories of their visit earlier the rest had stayed quiet.
Pavel who had just lost his job had no appetite but joined thefamily dinner all together. Charity however ensured she avoided grandmother Caren's piercing gaze, she could tell that she already doubt Elise story and it was somewhat connected to her. All through the day she had ensured to escape from her, not letting herself in grandmother's sight.
In the same manner everyone went to sleep, Elise however spent the better part of the night packing her stuff, tears streamed down her face as she imagined how much she would miss being home. These feelings brought in the thoughts she had burieddeep in her heart, the loneliness that could at times consume her soul. She had always yearned for a father's affection throughout her entire life, now that she would begin work, did it mean that she would never experience all these in her life. She imagined how life could have turned out for her if her parents never abandoned her. Elise had these thoughts in mind till she drifted off to sleep.
Grandmother who had gone to Elise's room to have the final chat with her noticed her staring absent-mindedly into space with tears streaming down her face, she decided not to interrupt her andwent back later. She found her already asleep on the bed, grandmother covered her withthe blanket and switched off the light, it broke her heart that her dear granddaughter suffered so much in life, not knowing one's parents was a huge burden that she wouldn't know how to lift off her shoulders.
Early next day Elise was the first to wake up, she didn't want to leave when everyone had been awake as she would get too emotional, since her stuff was already packed, she took a shower, got dressed and carried out her bag from her room. She made her way quietly into grandmother's room. She was surprised to find that she had been wide awake.
Elise made her way as she whispered to grandmother asking why she had woken up that early. Grandmother however had not gotten any sleep since the heartbreaking sight of her granddaughter the previous night. There was nothing she could do but just watch.
"I'll be leaving first before the children wake up, I'm sure Adam and Eva won't let me leave easily, so I had to escape the trouble." Elise whispered to grandmother who had already sat up on the bed.
"Alright dear, youjust go ahead, but you have to promise me that you will take good care of yourself, and please visit us wherever you are free." Grandmother said as she closed in to hug Elise who had sat on the bed with her.
"I'lI definitely take good care of myself, and visiting you guys is a must, I will also ensure to call you everyday, just to show you that I'm doing alright." Elise responded, tears threatening to escape from her eyes.
"Take this, I know it's not enough but it would help you till you get paid." Grandmother Caren said to Elise handing her a brown envelope she just took from the table beside the bed, she had prepared this for her, hoping she would accept it.
"Grandmother if whatever is in there is money then I won't possibly accept it, I know how much you need it here so just keep it, don't worry yourself too much. We were promised an allowance the moment we started working, plus the company would cater for everything once we start working." Elise responded. No matter how much she became short of money she wouldn't bring herself to take from grandmother, she had lots of people to feed since everyone around her didn'thave steady income. It was a good thing that the payment she will be receiving would enable her assist grandmother. Elise and grandmother said their goodbyes and Elise went out, not daring to look back as tears started
streaming down her face. She was now on her own, to face the world. With only afew dollars in her pocket she had to find a place to stay and feed herself for the rest of the month.
Elise made her way to the road passing by the river that she always cooled down her body after her morning routine. She felt so sad knowing that she would miss that life for a while now. While she was lost in her own world waiting for the bus, a car slowed down when approaching her but sped off immediately.
"Sir, I just saw the lady waiting for the bus, what should I do, she had luggage with her." Reported the guy from the car.
" Just follow her and report back to me where she's headed." Came the reply from the other end and the phone went dead immediately.