Elena was sitting at the breakfast table in the Granas Church with mother and father Carius.
"Elena I have a letter for you dear."
"Thank you, I haven't had mail in such a long time."
She turned it and read the inscription on the back.
"Ryudo"
That was all it said, it didn't reveal where it had came from but she could tell it was in Ryudo's handwriting.
She opened it carefully, as Mother Carius prepared to light the stove.
"Dear Elena, I have great news in telling you that I will be returning soon, and only to you. Please don't tell Millie you heard from me, I want to let her down softly, you know she can be damn moody at times!
I am about to send her letter now.
I will meet you at your hometown for dinner tonight. We can discuss things farther,
Your dearest friend,
Ryudo"
- - -
Elena, tucked it back in the careful envelope and slid the letter back in. It was a small envelope so she put it in her dressing gown pocket. It was a heavy dressing gown because of the cold winter months, Elena quite liked it because pink was her favourite colour.
"Ah, breakfast!" Said father Carius.
"Thank you," Elena smiled
"What are you so happy about Elena, its only bacon and eggs?"
"I guess I'm just excited because it is snowing outside."
"Yes, it was quite heavy when I saw it this morning, snow up to my knees!"
The church was very different now. It wasn't a church anymore, the front of the church was the living room and the back of the church was the dining area. Elena's room was to the right and up the stairs, and her parent's room to the right and up the next floor.
Elena loved her room, she had a big double bed in the middle up against the wall, cream and blue striped wallpaper with white flowers and a large window that see could open in the summer to catch the cool breeze from the mountains.
After the dishes were made Mrs. Carius said; "Elena, go and make your bed, and straighten up your room a bit, I need to go for the shopping with your father, watch the house for us dear, ok?" She shouted as Elena headed up the stairs."