Elsa's Predicament

Sequel to Shades and Elsa Wants To Live.

Ever since she took on family responsibility, Elsa felt the convenient thrust of financial and emotional burden upon her tender shoulders. The shift of responsibility took place so suddenly and subtly that by the time the reality dawned upon her, it was too late. However, in return for a 'home' for Sheldon, she never did really mind. It was always an opportunity to repay her parents for the way they had stood by her through the most difficult times. And they welcomed the help with open arms. Life seemed to pave the way, well in advance, for every new twist. It always happened. When she battled the kleptomaniac streak within, time seemed to hold still every time she indulged. She was never caught red-handed initially and when she was, there was always some guardian angel around to take care of the situation. There just had to be a higher power taking her through the irrevocable forces of her inherent nature. Why? She asked many times, but ended up feeling grateful for the protection.

Now years later, looking back across the sands of time, once again she was grateful. She had coped with financial issues larger than her little life. She had sailed through turbulent waters like a professional. How on earth did those gigantic responsibilities get taken care of. Yes, without a doubt, that was it...'taken care of'. What else could it be? She had struggled no doubt, but well shielded, behind some kind of a buffer. There was for sure some higher power that was keeping her from succumbing under pressure. Father earned a meager pension and mother was adamant to keep the lifestyle quality they always enjoyed. It was annoying at times, more so since mother always seemed to have an expense at hand that made sense only to her.

Elsa had handled her son's education in the best schools. She was determined that Sheldon would have nothing but the best. He deserved it. Her tryst with finances seemed to come from some past life...if there ever was one. What gave her the strength to affirm the expensive hospitalization of both her parents, one after the other, without batting an eyelid? What made her risk loans to ensure that the lifestyle at home never suffered? What drove her to finding vocational alternatives, to take care of liquid funds? Who was feeding her head with all the information and strength?

Elsa had evolved. She had been the focus of a metamorphosis, from caterpillar to butterfly. Yes, she had broken through the shackles and come free. She believed and affirmed faith in the power of goodness and the presence of guardian angels... all around. They had been with her and watched over her. Elsa had emerged from mommy's broken girl to the 'man' of the house. She had unknowingly and then knowingly taken over all responsibility. Now there was a new-found sense of freedom. She was actually empowered by her zest to earn and learn, to live life on her own terms. Ryan's fickle mindedness didn't seem to affect her as much as it used to before. She had reversed the roles. Not Ryan, it was Elsa who was taking him for a ride!

As much as she had clasped on to the relationship initially, now he was openly showing dependency. Even when he popped the question of marriage, it was always never more than a joke. Elsa knew that now, she was 'risk-proof'. She felt that way. If things between Ryan and her worked out for the best...good. Even if things soured, she was confident that even now she was very capable of picking up the strings and moving on. What Elsa weighed now was not whether or not she would survive another broken relationship, it was whether or not Ryan was worth it at all! He didn't seem to add up to much despite the new dependency that had crept in and the indulging spree he would get into. Elsa was wearing the pants! And, she hated weak men, especially those who allowed the weakness and dependency show.

In her relationship with her parents and siblings everyone knew who was in charge and capable of taking sensitive decisions. The home and their lifestyles amply showed who was the boss. Elsa called the shots. And, she was most humbled by the fact. What had become of the scared, timid and 'lost for words' awkward girl? She didn't care. Why should she? She was destined to emerge victorious over all those who scorned her and ridiculed her and with that amazing grace on her side, there was no scope to lose. For Elsa, life was a battle and she was winning! The eventualities of every situation came face to face with her every morning. She felt empowered. Her life was hers, to lead it the way she wanted. In fact, she even noticed the impact she had on men, who would otherwise be suitors, if it were not for her introvert nature and the inescapable 'Sheldon' situation.

Elsa was everything a woman would want to be when she kissed 30 good-bye. With Ryan, the roles had reversed ever so subtly. Not Ryan, nobody was going to take her for a ride. As she spoke to other men, interacted with women of her age and younger and even as she interacted with seniors at work, she could analyze the influence she was having on them. She had somehow learned to read between the words and lines. And, she was never wrong. Every single time she envisioned 'something more' to a conversation or interaction with her male acquaintances, and if and when she desired, she got them where she wanted them. In every situation... intimacy, the power game at work or within the social network. Elsa had learned to play with fire and not get burnt!

Of course, she had slowed down in the game and rules now, more than before at least, but she knew one thing for sure, nobody could take advantage of her without her will. Male or female. Nobody. This again brought strength to her thoughts and a skip in her step. Elsa was no less the lioness that Adams had popularized. She roared with a surge of energy each day. And, now it seemed pretty much like pay back time. She didn't think it necessary to spill every bean of her personal indulgences on the rebound to Ryan. What business was it of his? He had a life of his own beyond her and she reciprocated by creating one for herself. The beauty of this relationship and her attitude was that there was no room for remorse. She loathed the fact that he never made her a part of that special niche he had for his family and friends from the Hoity-toity society. In a way, marriage seemed a good way to teach him a lesson in responsibility and sensitivity.

Sheldon too knew his mother's worth. He shared a beautiful relationship with her. She was his pal. When he had slumped that Christmas night, at a mere 16 years, on grass, she helped him out of the bathroom and into bed. Elsa had tucked him in and stroked his head. Her baby was experimenting and needed support. They had a long talk the next morning and instead of nagging and calling up the homes of his friends, she invited them over for tea and they all simply spoke about what had happened. The boys and girls knew that they could trust Elsa. She had invited an old acquaintance from the rehab to be a part of the conversation and it worked. Not only did Sheldon make a promise he kept, but so did the others. However, one of them succumbed to pressure from the faculty and 'confided ' to one member. This so-called educated adult had in turn spilled the beans to the principal and Elsa, along with other parents, was called. Elsa stood up for Sheldon and the other children. She applauded their honesty. That tea and the interaction with Old Sam seemed to have given them the strength to accept their folly and hold their heads held high, in the light of their promise. She was so proud of Sheldon.

Elsa could see now that she had empowered everyone who came into her sphere of influence. Times were difficult on a daily basis no doubt, but overall, as a phase, what a great one this was! Elsa was healing...emotionally, financially and in her understanding of the world. Another year and she would have paid off all her debts. Her money would then be hers. All hers. And, she was making quite a neat sum. Elsa dreamed a new dream now. She knew that she was the best in her vocation. It surfaced in the form of promotions, envy, appraisals and increased attention at work. She dreamed of spear-heading into entrepreneurship. She wanted to invest, with all her returns after a year, into a business that Sheldon could handle later on. Why should Sheldon have to rough life out? Her baby could do with some indulgence after having to sacrifice so much. Of course he didn't know it, but it was there and she remembered. Should she allow this empowerment to ripple on in the form of risk? Should Elsa play along with Ryan? Should she begin the set up she dreams of? What do you think.

Culminated in Elsa Rests - The Story Told.