The Path to You

Small drifts of snow blanketed the edge of the roads. The day promised to be sunny and with any luck, the snow would melt quickly. She drove into the heart of town, sighing in resignation when she couldn’t find a parking spot anywhere on the roundabout. Cutting across the lanes, she waved apologetically as the motorist behind her laid on the horn.

Parking behind Bender Grocery, she walked around to the front. She hadn’t had a key to the back door since she quit right before starting college. Several people stood in line and she waited until everyone was checked out before approaching the counter.

She waited for Marianne to look up from the register. The shriek Marianne emitted when she looked up caused her mother to run out from the back room. Shaking her head, Mrs. Bender smiled at them as Marianne attempted to drag across the counter into a hug. She smiled at her friend’s mother.

Hi, Mrs. Bender. A face full of hair and the rough edge of the counter lodged against her midsection made it difficult to answer.

Good to see you, Elena. All right dear, let her go. Marianne let go reluctantly and she took a deep breath. It’s time for your lunch break anyway. Why don’t you two disappear for a while?

Marianne needed no further prompting. Thanks, Mom!

She had to run to keep up with her friend, who dragged her into the storeroom and gave her a proper hug.

How long have you been home?

"Only a few days. I was going to come see you yesterday but Mom had me helping make sugar cookies.

Ah, the famous sugar cookies.

Elena reached into her purse and pulled out the small bag containing several of the iced bells and Christmas trees. She laughed as Marianne’s eyes lit up and she took the bag gingerly, placing it in a cabinet.

I hate to be you when your mom finds out you took some of her cookies.

Smiling Elena handed Marianne her coat from the rack and motioned toward the door.

I’m good. She had them bagged up and ready to go. No thieving necessary.

The girls walked around the building to the sidewalk. Without speaking, they turned toward the deli. It was once a used bookstore but the newest owners had turned it into a bookstore carrying new and used books, a coffee shop, and a deli. It immediately became the go-to place on the square for a quick bite to eat.

They ordered their food and Elena ushered her friend toward a table in the back. While partially obscured from view, she could just make out the rest of the tables and the front door over the short bookcases. All of the taller shelves flanked the side walls while the smaller shelves helped define reading areas around the room.

I can’t believe we graduate in a semester!

Elena sighed. Elena had chosen to go to Bryn Mawr College while Marianne had opted to stay in Memmitsburg and attend Gettysburg College down the road in order to help her parents at the grocery store.

I’m ready to have my evenings free again. Not that I had a packed social calendar before college.

Her friend gave her a familiar look; a look that said she wasn’t as much of a hermit as she made it sound.

What about Scott? I thought you two were getting cozy lately?

She stopped the exasperated breath threatening to escape.

We were. He wanted me to go home with him for Christmas, but you know how that would have gone over with my parents.

Marianne grimaced. Good luck with that. You don’t sound real disappointed about not being with him though. What gives?

No matter how long apart, she never had been good at hiding anything from her best friend.

Well, let’s just say I would have been home for Christmas anyway. He sent an email breaking up with me last night. Apparently his girlfriend….

The one he broke up with before dating you because she was such a party animal?

Same one. Elena smiled before continuing. They met up at a party and realized they were still in love with each other and wanted to give their relationship a second chance.

Her friend made a face and she giggled.

Good riddance. If he doesn’t have the decency to at least call and tell you, then you’re better off without him.

Her slight guilt at not feeling more bereft by her break-up instantly dissipated with Marianne’s words. Evidently he hadn’t been emotionally invested in their relationship either.

Looking simultaneously at their watches, they threw away their trash and headed back onto the square. At the corner across from the grocery, Elena spotted Mrs. Herr heading straight for them. Gritting her teeth, she knew she would have to talk to the woman.

Ah, Elena, Marianne.

Hello Mrs. Herr, they chorused.

Mrs. Herr’s brow raised before she squinted, staring at Elena.

Good, I see your parents have finally told you.

Told me what?

Mrs. Herr frowned but didn’t explain.

Since you’re in town, you’ll be having dinner with Alec on Saturday. He’ll pick you up at seven.

I can’t go out on Christmas Eve! And why would I have dinner with Alec? We haven’t spoken in years.

I’ll let your parents fill you in. Do not keep my son waiting.

Before Elena could protest further, the woman skirted around them on the sidewalk and strode down the block.

Elena stalked off, rage coursing through her. The nerve of that woman! Marianne trotted up beside her.

What the hell was that about? Why would you go out with Alec? You can’t stand his Neanderthal ass.

She slowed her pace when she realized Marianne practically had to jog to catch up to her. They reached the store and rushed inside, beckoned by Mrs. Bender from inside the store.

I have no idea, but I’m going to ask my mother as soon as I get back to the house.

Marianne quickly took over the spare register to ring up those waiting in line while Elena walked the aisles helping customers find items. As she helped people find stocking stuffers and chocolate chips and flour, she picked up the few items on her mother’s list. By the time she made it up to the counter, there were only a few people left in the store and she set her items to the side. Nodding, she pushed her items to the center of the counter. Marianne rang up her purchases and Elena bagged them.

I better get this stuff back to the house. Let me know when you’re off. We’ll get together before I go back to Bryn Mawr.

They hugged across the counter again, though this time she was able to breath.

Will do. Let me know what she says about Mrs. Herr.

Elena walked out the front, bracing herself against the sudden chill. The wind had picked up while she’d been in the store. What in the world would possibly make Mrs. Herr think she would go out with Alec? No way would her parents allow her to go out on a date on Christmas Eve. Her sister Amalia and her family would be at the house. They always opened one gift as a family Christmas Eve.

She pulled into her parents’ driveway and smiled at the fogged kitchen window. Her mother would be baking and cooking until Christmas. Elena kicked off her snow boots in the mud room, handing the bags to her mother who appeared in the entryway.

Laying the change and receipt on the counter, she sat in one of the kitchen chairs.

I ran into Mrs. Herr.

Her mother went back to kneading the dough for a pie crust but she didn’t miss the tensing of her mother’s shoulders that had nothing to do with making the crust.

And?

The woman is delusional. She seems to think I would be willing to go out on a date with her son.

Bits of flour drifted off her mother’s hands and onto the floor as she turned to look at Elena.

What did you say?

She didn’t miss the hopeful note in her mother’s voice.

I would have said no if Mrs. Herr had given me the chance. She seems to think you and dad were supposed to tell me something. She said Alec will be here Saturday to pick me up for our date.

Her mother’s cheeks went pink, the only indication of sudden anger, before turning back to the counter. Dusting her hands with more flour, she continued making the pie crust.

I’ll have your father talk to her.

Mom? What is going on?

Removing the half-full cookie tin from her mother’s hand, Elena caught the slightly wrinkled digits in hers before her mother could reach for anything else.

Tell me.

The fluorescent light overhead caught a few strands of gray in her mother’s chocolate brown hair that Elena had never noticed before. Had they been there the last time she’d been home?

We waited as long as we could to tell you. We wanted you to enjoy college without any additional worries. Elena, you’re engaged to be married.

Elena dropped her mother’s hands and took a step back.

What? What do you mean engaged? How?

Her mother moved away from her then, sinking into one of the dining room table chairs.

Your senior year of high school, before you turned eighteen. We told Mrs. Herr you would finish college before we told you. But when you kept talking about this Scott person, we decided we would tell you when you came home so you didn’t do something….

Elena ignored the unspoken implication.

But you didn’t tell me. Mom, please tell me you didn’t arrange a marriage with Alec Herr.

Her hands fisted and she forced herself to flatten her hands against the marble counter top. She caught her reflection in the gleaming surface and worked to control her anger.

He’s a fine young man, Elena. You used to be friends.

Exactly! Elena couldn’t stop the edge of hysteria from creeping into her voice. "Used to be. I really hope you’re not serious. You couldn’t have picked a worse person! Not to mention, how is this even legal? I’m twenty-one, about to be twenty-two. This has got to be some sort of sick joke."

Her mother looked insulted by her comment.

I would never joke about something as serious as marriage, Elena.

But Alec? How could you? The urge to pace couldn’t be contained any longer. She made a few laps around the island in the center before stopping in front of her mother.So, when is this marriage supposed to take place?

Elena, I would rather wait until your father gets home to go over the details.

Her grip tightened and she longed for the harsh edges of their old Formica top. She wished for just a slight edge of pain to take her mind off this travesty.

You want me to wait another four or so hours to find out any more? Is there anything you’re comfortable telling me? I mean, you can’t just tell me I’m engaged and leave it at that.

The normally unflappable Greta fidgeted in her chair. Elena ignored the second twinge of guilt. Her mother had just dropped a life-altering bombshell on her, she was entitled to be upset.

Please wait for your father. We’ll tell you as much as we can.

Stepping away from the counter, Elena took off the apron she’d forgotten she’d donned for baking. The waded material sat stark against the dark counter.

I need…. She stumbled over her words. I’ll be back for dinner.

Alec Herr pulled into the driveway of his parents’ two story Victorian and tried to ignore the tightness squeezing the breath from his lungs. He’d used the excuse of buying a house and getting it ready for his impending marriage as a way to escape the confines of the Herr mansion. The house had been in the Herr family for six generations and he knew they expected him to take it over when they moved out or died.

A shudder moved through his muscles. With his luck, he’d be haunted forever by his mother’s ghost if she died in that house. He felt sorry for whoever did move into it. He knew his sister Kimberly and her husband refused to live there.

Taking a deep breath, he let himself into the house and wiped his feet before locking the door. Habit.

You’re late.

The dignified reproach greeted him.

Mother, I’m here exactly when you asked me to be.

Not one for public, or any, displays of affection, Verena Herr barely responded to her son’s entrance beyond remonstration for his perceived tardiness.

I saw Elena Tinsmann in town today. She was with that Bender girl. You need to have a talk with her about her attitude.

He really wished his mother didn’t go out of the way to irritate those around her. Alec tried to tamp down his irritation. He’d tried warning his mother that his future wife wouldn’t be easily swayed or controlled

What did you say to her.

His mother whirled around. Do not take that tone with me. You two are engaged and she needs to act in a manner representative of the station she will be taking in the community.

If I see her while she’s home, I’ll talk to her about it.

You’re taking her to dinner on Saturday. I told her to be ready by seven. I expect you to take care of this, Son.

Saturday? His mother expected him to take Elena out on Christmas Eve? Oh, her parents would just love that. The Tinsmanns were very adamant about how they celebrated the holidays. Christmas Eve and Christmas morning were for family only.

Elena said no to dinner, didn’t she? That’s why you called me over here.

She glared at him in response. Yep, Elena had succeeded in pissing off his mother. He tried not to let his true feelings show. It was about time someone stood up to her.

I didn’t give the impertinent girl the chance. You’ll be there to pick her up promptly. I guarantee her parents won’t try to change it.

Alarm bells went off in his head but he knew better than to ask about business matters. That’s exactly what their engagement was to his mother. A business transaction. He’d seen a redacted version of the contract with a simple comment of ‘you don’t need the rest of the information yet’ from his mother. At the time, he hadn’t fought it because the thought of marrying Elena hadn’t been as terrible as his parents thought it would be.

Now he might need to find out how much Elena knew about the situation and to see if he could get his hands on an original copy of the agreement. Something about his mother’s statement didn’t sit well with him.

I’ll be there.

His mother looked at the clock over the stove.

Might as well stay for dinner. Your father wanted to talk to you about the bank.

Alec did groan at that. He’d gotten away with working part time for the last few years. Luckily between what he’d saved and what he’d inherited from his grandfather, he’d had more than enough to buy a house and start fixing it up for his bride-to-be.

The surge of excitement at the thought surprised him. Elena Tinsmann held a special place in both his heart and memory. She was also the source of some of the things he regretted most in his life. Things he hoped to rectify, if she let him. His mother saw the smile he’d been unable to hide in time.

Good, I told him you were more than ready to work full time but your father didn’t think you had the capacity to do it. Says you spend too much time with the customers chatting and not enough time selling.

I’ll stay. I wanted to talk to Dad about work anyway.

With any luck he could stay part-time for now, but he knew he would eventually need a way to support his wife until he found something better.

A stern look from her mother stilled Elena’s tapping foot. She’d already finished the stew and bread her mother had served for dinner, which now sat like a brick in her stomach. It would be very difficult to sit quietly until her parents finished their meals.

Her parents’ nightly routine normally comforted her but tonight it only served to shred her nerves even thinner. Smothering the urge to pace, she sat with her hands folded in her lap waiting for them to excuse themselves from the table.

When her father pushed his chair back, it took supreme will not to jump up along with him. He refilled his coffee and went to the living room, as was his usual routine. Her mother followed him; Elena knew immediately they would talk about the arrangement. Greta never left a dirty kitchen after a meal.

She took up her spot on the end of the couch and waited. Her father took another sip of his coffee before he turned to her.

I understand your mother told you about the engagement this afternoon.

Elena nodded, barely biting back the questions swirling through her mind.

I know you feel we should have told you sooner, but we also knew how much energy and concentration your schooling required. We wanted you to be able to enjoy your college experience. We’d planned to wait until spring break to tell you, but your latest relationship appeared serious.

Is it legal? I didn’t agree to this and now I’m an adult. Won’t that nullify the contract? How is this possible in modern society, especially in the United States?

Her parents looked to each other, her father answering for them both.

The contract is good until one year after you graduate college. If not fulfilled, the breech stipulations go into effect.

She scooted toward the edge of the couch. Did you have a lawyer look at the contract?

Both her parents nodded and she felt at a loss. Of course they’d had a lawyer look over the contract before signing. Her father was very cautious when it came to legal matters. Hanging her head, an overwhelming feeling of defeat coursed through her and she couldn’t have stopped her last words if she tried.

Didn’t you think it might be a good idea to ensure I could even stand the sight of my intended groom before throwing my life away?

Her mother flinched, but her father’s expression remained the same. Stoic and resigned.

You were childhood friends. We knew you hadn’t spent much time together before college but just figured you’d developed different interests. We didn’t assume it meant you’d had a falling out of any sort.

Elena leaned back against the couch. I wouldn’t exactly call it a falling out. It was more I got tired of being harassed and bullied.

Both parents stared at her.

Elena, what do you mean? Why didn’t you tell us you were being harassed? Her mother’s face went deathly pale.

It wouldn’t have mattered, Mom. You couldn’t be at school with me. They didn’t do anything within a teacher’s hearing anyway. I just got tired of being called a tease, a slut, and a few words I won’t even repeat in front of you. It all came to a head before prom. Remember my date got sick? Well, he didn’t. Supposedly Alec put together a pool; whoever got me to go to prom with them got the money. Double that if they ditched me the night of. Some people said the pot was up to two thousand dollars by prom night.

The ensuing silence made her itch to get up and pace. She’d taken up pacing in college because it helped her think. Right now, a walk would do wonders for her nerves but she knew their discussion wasn’t finished.

Only you can control how you react to him, Elena. Her father adjusted his glasses. When you go out on Saturday, I would like you to at least make the effort to be civil, no matter how he treats you. If his demeanor hasn’t changed, then I will have a talk with the boy.

Saturday? She leapt from the couch and did pace. "Mom! I thought you would get me out of dinner. Amalia and the kids are coming over. I don’t want to be stuck at some restaurant with him."

Her father shot her a stern look and she reluctantly reclaimed her spot, though she stayed perched on the edge.

I’m not happy about it, but your time home is limited and we’re trying to make the best of this situation. As I said, how you react to the situation is completely up to you.

Elena’s hands shook. Anger, frustration, and something close to betrayal all warred for her attention.

I…I’m going to bed.

Her parents didn’t stop her, which spoke volumes. For some reason, they believed they were doing what was best for her and couldn’t see they were possibly destroying her life. A few choice phrases ran through her mind but were things she would never, ever say to her parents, no matter how angry she might be with them.

Her legs felt like lead as she trudged up the stairs to her room. It was still early, but the discussion with her parents did nothing to alleviate the despair she felt about this situation. Her father was usually a reasonable man when it came to family matters. She didn’t understand why he seemed so set on marrying her to Alec.

There was no way to amicably get out of dinner with him, so she would go and see if he had changed any since they’d graduated. If he hadn’t, well she didn’t know what she’d do then.

Staring at the ceiling, she sighed. It would be a long holiday break indeed.

Elena tried to keep busy. She helped her mother with the last minute cleaning around the house, made lunch, and visited some of her friends in town for the holidays. With the extended hours the Benders kept at the grocery, she wouldn’t get to spend much time with Marianne until after Christmas.

Her sister, niece, and nephew were putting their gifts for the family underneath the tree in the living room. Jakob and Brigit smiled conspiratorially at each other and she wondered just what they had done. The siblings constantly played practical jokes with their gifts. Their gags were always harmless and a constant source of entertainment as the family tried to guess what they had engineered.

Her mother called them in to the kitchen to wash up for dinner when a car pulled into the driveway. Instead of coming to the door, the driver laid on the horn. She didn't have to look to know it was Alec. Guess he hadn't changed. A gentleman would have come to the door to collect her. Amalia and her mother came to the window to see who was in the driveway.

Why doesn't he come to the door?

Because that's who he is, Mom. It would inconvenience him to get out of the car.

You don't seem surprised, Sis. Amalia stared out the window at him.

Elena shook her head and reached for her coat. Might as well get out there before the neighbors got annoyed. There were other families trying to enjoy their dinners.

I'll try to be back as soon as I can. I don't want to miss the kids opening their gifts.

We already told them they'd have to wait until you returned. They didn’t seem to mind.

Amalia stood in the doorway, watching. Elena made her way down the path, avoiding the few remaining icy patches. Alec sat in the driver’s seat and a wall of sound assaulted her as she opened the door. The interior smelled like new leather mixed with expensive cologne