Chapter Eight

    September 20, 2004

    My Dear April,

    I was so very pleased to receive your letter.  I do remember your mother, Carol.  We had so much fun playing tea party as children that Auntie Irene had a difficult time getting her to leave. 
    I would dearly love to see some of the family letters you have found in the little wooden chest.  The Ashley family has been heavily involved in the preservation of Charleston history for several generations.  If there is any way that some of those letters could join some of the other family pieces at the museum, I would be most grateful. 
    And as far as coming to visit is concerned, you are family and welcome here anytime.  I believe we have much to talk about.  I look forward to having you here.
   
    Many Blessings,
    Alice Thornton

    "Can you believe it's almost October already," Patrick asked as he came through the coffee shop door.  "Where is the time going?"
    "Time isn't going anywhere.  We are the ones moving through it," April quipped.
    "Nerd alert," he teased in response.  "So, Ms. Einstein, what's new in the fourth dimension with you?"
    "Got a letter from Charleston over the weekend.  I've been invited to come visit."
    "Exactly what you had hoped for."
    "Yes," she confirmed.  "What would you like this morning?  I just ground some fresh beans from by Seattle supplier."
    "Earl Grey, please."
    "What is it with you and tea," she asked as she put a bag in his cup to steep.
    "Habit I guess," he mumbled as he dug through the papers in his bag.
    "Sandy thinks we would make a great couple, but how could I possible love you if you won't drink my coffee," she joked.
    "Well, Sandy cant be right about everything.  I'm sticking to my tea.  Thank you," he smiled up at her as she put the cup down on the table.  "So I'll go on refusing your coffee and you'll go on refusing to love me.  It's worked out fine so far."
    April couldn't help but laugh in response.  The idea that the two of them would ever be together was ridiculous.
    "So when do you plan to go to Charleston?"
    "I can't decide.  Part of me wants to go right now.  But then the logical, more reasonable part of me remembers that I only have a little more than a week of vacation time left for this year, and I don't want to be stuck working here  in the shop when the campus is nearly as dead as a cemetary."
    "So, all that means what?"
    "All that means is I will probably wait until Christmas break to go," she responded with a tinge of defeat.
    "Perfect, that means I can keep my promise to your mom and go with you."
    "You aren't serious."
    "A promise is a promise."
    "There's no way I'd hold you to that.  And Mom couldn't either.  What I do with my vacation time is my business, not hers."
    "I know, but I want to.  This whole thing has my curiosity blazing as much as yours.  And who knows, maybe you'll turn out to be related to someone insanely wealthy and then I'll have to rethink whether or not I can live without your love."  He couldn't resist one more crack.
    "More money wouldn't change the fact that you won't drink my coffee and I, therefore, cannot love you.  But if you really want to come with me, I guess I wouldn't mind."
    "Then we have plans for Christmas break."