''SHE HAD A STROKE. SHE'S GONE.''
The unexpected death of Tabitha's grandmother, Ruth, deals a blow to her small family--one that comes just as Tabitha is ending things with her long-term boyfriend.
Reeling from these two life-altering losses, Tabi...
I told Ana I was thinking of starting a diary, and she surprised me with this beautiful journal, so I have no excuse not to try it. Maybe someday I'll have kids and grandkids, and they'll read this thing. I hope the family secrets will be funny and not tragic. And if no one ever reads it, well, my therapist said journaling is a good idea, so there's nothing to lose.
Everything that happened here still feels unreal. The impact on Royal's family is what you would expect. I've visited Aunt Mary Ellen a couple of times. She asks about him. Last time I was there, her son James was with her. We talked for a while. I was afraid it would be awkward, and it was, but he didn't seem to resent me. That's what I was afraid of. He seems like a good man. I think they'll be okay.
Royal was lucky: he survived his heart attack. I hope his health is good enough to see him through the trial, although when I saw his mug shot on the news, it didn't look like he was doing well. In any case he's waiting for trial from a jail cell, and that's what he deserves.
It will take time. I gave everything I had to the police and told them I suspected that he did something to Gran. There was the grief of having Gran's body exhumed for the autopsy. As much as I feel in my gut that Royal is guilty, I'm bracing myself for the new grief when we learn the truth, one way or another, about how she died.
As for Anna Elvers it was sixty seven years since she was last seen. Everyone thought she had run off with a boyfriend or gone to a maternity home to have her baby and never come back. But she never got that. She never even got the chance to hold the baby she was so excited to have. She was in the woods here, buried under a dog's headstone.
Not any more. They recovered her body right where Royal said it would be. The autopsy showed her cause of death was blunt force trauma. Most of her clothing had decayed, but her jewelry survived. There was a heart-shaped necklace engraved with "My sweet Annie."
It's all still a dark cloud hanging over us, but in the end, Anna was laid to rest in the local cemetery. Anabel and I went to her memorial service. It was sad that no one still living had real memories of her, but I was able to give some of Gran's sketches to her family and put flowers on her grave.
Life goes on. It's terrible and it's beautiful.
I decided to stay in Gran's house. Still getting used to the small town life again, but I like it, for the most part. I got a job as a teller at the bank and it's nice to see people every day. It helps me remember I'm a part of the Real World. I've gotten to know some of the regular customers, including Edith Melgreen, Gran's friend. Most people respect my privacy, even though pretty much everyone knows my connection to Royal and Anna Elvers and everything that happened out at Gran's house.
In other news, Porkie's doing great. The vet gave her this medicine I can mix into her food that's supposed to help with her joints. I was skeptical, but I actually think it's working. She can get up and down the stairs without help, which she does a lot since Ana is here to use the studio at least twice a week and stays over almost every other night.
It's too soon to ask her to move in. I know that. But my Google history is full of searches about introducing pets to each other and whether an old dog and a herd of cats could get along. I'm thinking the cats could have the upstairs at first, and Porkie could stay on the ground floor, since she needs to get outside, but I don't think she would appreciate not being able to sleep at Ana's feet. She has a favorite human for sure.
Now I need to shower and get ready to go. There's an art and crafts fair today in Eldora, and Ana has a booth for the first time ever. I have to show up early so I can be her first customer. She's selling a couple of original paintings and a bunch of prints, postcards, and stuff. Mom and Tim are going to get some snail mail soon.
Bye Diary. Until next time (whenever that will be).
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Dearest reader, I hope you enjoyed unraveling the mystery of Anna Elvers's fate with Tabitha and Anabel. In the end, Anna got justice.
I appreciate you for reading this story! Stay safe out there.
