Eleanor reached the old wooden park bench very quickly.
A thin woman was leaning against the wooden back rest.
She wore a faded winter coat covered in dark patches.
Her shoes were worn out at the front toe edges.
Eleanor stopped right in front of the sleeping woman.
She recognized the shape of her sister's nose immediately.
Eleanor: Clara is that really you sitting there?
The woman opened her eyes very slowly and blinked hard.
She looked up at Eleanor's bright sparkly silk dress.
A look of deep shame crossed her tired face.
Clara: You were not supposed to see me like this.
Eleanor: Why did you send Leo inside alone?
Clara: I needed you to take him for good.
Eleanor: What are you saying to me Clara?
Clara: I am very sick and I have no money.
Eleanor dropped to her knees in the cold damp grass.
She wrapped her arms tightly around her frail younger sister.
Clara began to cry softly against Eleanor's warm shoulder.
Leo stood next to them holding his mother's sleeve.
Eleanor: Why did you never call me for help?
Clara: Dad said you all hated me forever.
Eleanor: That was a terrible lie he told everyone!
Clara: He told me never to come back home.
Eleanor felt a sudden surge of deep anger inside her.
Their strict father had lied to both of them completely.
He had told Eleanor that Clara ran away voluntarily.
He had told Clara that the family wanted nothing more.
He kept them apart to control the family business estate.
Eleanor wiped the tears from her red running eyes.
She looked straight into Clara's tired brown eyes now.
Eleanor: You are coming home with me right now.
Clara: I cannot afford any medical help or treatment.
Eleanor: I have enough wealth for both of us.
She helped Clara stand up from the wooden bench.
Leo held onto Eleanor's shiny dress with two hands.
They walked back toward the warm lighted building together.