Survival

Chapter 56

Elsa was sitting on the couch, reading a book when Mrs. Corona enters and grabs her bag that was sitting on the coffee table. She snatches it and darts to the kitchen and comes back with a file in her hands.

As Mrs. Corona adjusts her coat she looks at Elsa and informs her, "Sweetheart, I'm running a little late for work but Rapunzel should be home from school any minute, okay. Mr. Corona won't be back until nighttime and I won't be back until much later."

Elsa nods her head in understanding. However, she does feel guilty. The only reason both parents are working strange and complex schedules is due to Elsa's medical bills.

The Corona's are more than financially stable but her medical bills have not been kind. And this is without the cost of therapy––something Elsa needs to eventually do.

Mrs. Corona must have sensed what she was thinking because she sits on the couch despite being in a hurry. Something that Elsa realized not so long ago is that the Coronas, no matter how busy they are, they will always make time for her and Rapunzel. That is one of the reasons she admires them.

Elsa meets Mrs. Corona's warm and affectionate gaze as she consoles her, "Elsa, I'm really good at reading people. Don't blame yourself for the craziness this family is a little under. Our lives a little busy at the moment. But it's not permanent." She smiles at her and strokes her hair. "You don't have to worry about anything."

"Okay."

Mrs. Corona places a kiss on Elsa's cheek and gets up from the couch. She was about to leave for the door when she turns back to her as if an afterthought hit her. She looks at Elsa with her brows scrunched in thought. "How about the whole family taking a small vacation for the weekend? We have a house by a lake and it's very lovely there. We'll get way from the busy town and relax for a few days."

A house on the lake?

Elsa has never been to one before. Well, if she is being honest, she hasn't been to many places. Normally, she would be hesitant to go but...a weekend away would be nice. To go somewhere secluded and clear her mind would actually be great.

Felling excited, Elsa looks up and agrees, "That actually sounds great."

Mrs. Corona beams at her and again walks to her and places another kiss–-this time atop her head. "I'll see tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning."

Mrs. Corona tucks Elsa's hair behind her ear and nods.

And then she walks out the door.

•••

Rapunzel came home around three o'clock. She was shivering by the time she entered the door and shrugged off her jacket and placed it on a hook by the front door.

She makes her way to the living room where Elsa lays with her head resting on a pillow. She looks up as Rapunzel walks in and greets her.

She plops down on the couch next to Elsa. "Did Mom leave for work?"

Elsa nods her head, "Not too long ago."

"Mhm."

Elsa felt something wrong and turned to Rapunzel to find her frowning at her phone.

"What's wrong?"

Rapunzel turns to her and complains, "There was a last minute rehearsal scheduled later this evening and my dance team is barely being informed." She rubs her temples in what Elsa can assume is annoyance.

"Why don't you go?"

"I won't return home until late and I can't exactly leave you alone for hours. Dad won't be home until late at night."