Searching for a Home

By Susan Hudson Chellis

Father O'Malley pulled up a chair and sat close to Anna. As he pressed his lips  together Anna's heart started to race. Something was wrong, very wrong. 

The next few minutes would be with her for the rest of her life. As she heard Father O'Malley said, "There's been a plane crash." From that moment, Anna Abbot'

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Aug 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781638371427

Susan Hudson Chellis

Susan Hudson Chellis was raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She attended Bishop England High School and then later graduated from the MUSC School of Allied Health. After working for a Charleston surgeon, she received a scholarship and attended The College of Charleston. She married her husband, Stephen and moved to Summerville, SC. Susan hopes that when you read this book you will fall in love with the City of Charleston like she did many years ago.

Book preview

Chapter One

Anna looked across her room and saw a large cruise ship entering the Charleston harbor. Out her bedroom window the scenery was different every day, sometimes there were large container ships and other times there were tall sailing ships. She loved her bedroom and had helped her mother with decorating it, from the initialed covered headboard to the three mirrored vanity. As she got out of bed, she looked over at the Windsor rocking chair with her uniform hanging on it, a skirt and a white blouse. Anna was excited as she went down the stairs of their new house to join her parents for breakfast. Her grandmother was coming to stay while her parents went out of town for a few days on a trip with her dad’s company. She loved her Granmee and was looking forward to spending time with her. She rushed downstairs to have breakfast trying not to make too much noise as she ran down the wooden plank stairs. As Anna looked across the table, she noticed her mom writing down instruction for her to follow while they were gone. As she stared out the kitchen window, she noticed that outside spring was visible, the daffodils were out, and the carpenter bees were buzzing around the porch. She had always been told that carpenter bees did not sting but thought that unusual since they were strong enough to put holes in wood.

Her parents were getting ready to leave on a trip to the Bahamas. As usual Anna was to stay with her grandmother who was coming home that same afternoon from England. Eleanor Abbot had been living in London for the past year working for the US embassy. She oversaw protocol for visiting diplomats. She was coming home for several weeks to stay with Anna and spend some time with Anna’s parents when they returned from their trip. Eleanor still had a house in Charleston on Queen Street that she shared with her husband until he died some years before. Anna’s grandfather was raised in Charleston as a boy. His roots went back several generations that could be traced back to colonial times. He was a member of the sons of the American Revolution as well as other longtime organization. After graduating from college, he joined the service and was stationed in Germany where he worked with the US Ambassador. His connection through those years kept him in the diplomatic service. He always talked about going back to his boyhood city of Charleston. It was after his anticipating his retirement that he purchased a home on Queen Street. Eleanor Abbot was looking forward to settling down and finally calling someplace home. But the itching got to her, as she called it, after losing Anna’s dear grandfather she became restless. She packed her bags one day and went to stay with her sister in England. When she was offered a job as a PR person for the ambassador to the US, she decided to take it. She was offered a position to work for a gentleman who happened to be a friend of her late husband. She oversaw the social functions at the

American embassy in London. It was a task that came easily to her. Anna had not seen her in four months and missed her immensely. Anna’s mother favored her mother, Eleanor, in her looks and mannerisms. As Anna looked at her mother from across the kitchen table that day, she only hoped she would one day be as beautiful as her mother and her grandmother.

There was an excitement in the air not so much because her parents were leaving on vacation, but they were looking forward to a much-needed rest. The family moved into their new home only three weeks earlier and everyone had worked hard to get to the point of feeling comfortable in their new home. As Anna sat at their new kitchen table, she breathed a sly of relief and smile at her mom who returned the smile. Her parents had Anna and her brother involved in the entire process of building the house. They were there every evening checking on the progress of the house. On the weekends everyone got busy on picking up the bricks on the ground or cleaning up the trash left by the workers. It was a work in progress her mother said. As Emily looked at her pretty girl, she realized she was not so little anymore. Anna was growing up to be a wonderful young lady, a child any parent would be proud of. You’d better get ready for school. Are you packed yet? Cindy asked. I’m ready mom. Anna went upstairs to gather her books. Her suitcase was packed and ready for her parents to drop it off at gramme’s house before they left for the airport. Anna was unaware of her good looks and still a little awkward for 16 years. She considered herself too tall at 5’ 8" and felt odd at times with her dark reddish hair. Her hair was an auburn color and with the greenish eyes she felt she was odd looking. She wished she could have been a blonde like her friend Gail or even more brownish but not red. Her mother said she was blessed with the Abbot’s auburn hair as well as her mother’s greenish-hazel eyes. There was not much to think about when it came to dressing for school the usual uniform was the order of the day. She dried her hair as quickly as she could and put the rest of her makeup in the overnight bag. Not that she wore that much makeup just some eye shadow and a little blush. The plan of the day was to go to school and go to her grandmother’s house after school. Eleanor Abbot’s house was within walking distance of the school, just five short blocks and a quick walk on Queen Street. Her house was your typical Charleston single house, painted a shiny white with Charleston green shutters. Anna’s grandparents bought the house when her grandfather retired, and they decided to stay in Charleston close to their daughter and grandchildren. Eleanor Abbot had moved 18 times with her husband of 38 years while he was in the diplomatic service for the US government. The Abbott’s met people from all over the world and made so many close friends. Anna’s mother, Emily, learned how to speak five languages and had been to 24 countries while traveling with her parents. Anna’s grandfather had only lived 18 months after his retirement. He became sick only two months after he officially retired, and Eleanor nursed her husband for the next sixteen months until he died of lung cancer. There was an age difference between Anna’s grandparents of fourteen years and to Anna he always seemed old. With her husband having the position he did it gave Eleanor the experience she needed for the job she held in London.

Anna was always excited to stay with her grandmother. Gammie, as she called her. Her mother said she was spoiled by her Grandmother. There were special things Grammie would always do for Anna. She always took the children shopping when she came home and out to dinner at a special restaurant. On these evenings out with Eleanor Abbot would catch up on each one of her grandchildren and if they were having any problems, she had hoped they would feel free to talk with her about them. The tradition of spending time with each child came from Anna’s great grandparents. Anna’s grandmother came from a large family of seven children. Her parents would treat each child to a special night in order to spend time with child. They did this once a month no matter what circumstance they had. There were times when money was in short supply so they would do simple things like a picnic with homemade lemon-aid and sandwiches. These outing where different with Anna and her brother. Her grandmother wanted her grandchildren to grow up knowing some of the world she had encountered through her years of travel. Anna’s mother, Emily, had experienced this by growing up in so many places and assisting her mother on many social occasions. But since Emily and Joe married the only chance, they had for travel was to visit Eleanor’s sister, Weeza, in England. Anna had packed a dress for their night out but had hoped that maybe she would have something new to wear. It had been six months since Anna had seen her grandmother. Eleanor’s job kept her busy and as she always said it kept her young. It was a position she had held before and was very accomplished at her job. Even with her getting up in years, she was full of energy. It was a two-year assignment, so she rented a flat in London. During the week she would stay in London and when the weekend was free of commitments, she would visit her younger sister in the country. Her sister lived about 45 miles to the south of London near Canterbury. Eleanor’s sister Louise, whom everyone called her Weeza, had three sons whom Anna adored. They were fun loving boys who always made Anna feel special. Charles Edmond Weston was 23 years old, a tall young man with reddish brown hair and a strong jaw. He was his father’s son. Sir Charles Fritz Henry Weston had inherited the Weston estate from his grandfather. He was a slender tall balding gentleman that was soft spoken. When engaged in conversation with another individual his attention was centered on the individual he was speaking with. He made you feel that you were the only person on earth. Some found his quietness as a sign of snobbery but those that knew him realized it was just his manner and respected his ways. He seemed to like to have Anna around especially since he never had a daughter. His ability to be able to tease her in such a way that made her feel good about herself was a comfort to Anna. She liked just being around her uncle. Their second son was George Fritz henry Weston. George was your typical middle child, a chronic joker, with a smile that was the spit image of his mothers. George was the best looking of the three boys with his strawberry blonde wavy hair and blue eyes. But you could not forget John Frazier Weston; at only ten years of age, you could tell he would break some hearts in his day. With them living so far away she could not see them as much as she would like to. She would go during the summer months and stay for several weeks. It was at Weston that Anna became such a fine equestrian. Her Aunt and uncle bought her a horse on her eleventh birthday. When her mother could not get away to visit her relatives in England then her grandmother would take her or there were times when she went by herself when she got older. She felt close to her Aunt Weeza with the feeling being mutual between them.

Anna quickly packed up her remaining things and carried her suitcase downstairs for her mother to drop off at her grandmother’s house before leaving for her trip. Her parents were still putting things in order before leaving and things seemed chaotic. The trip would only be for a few days, but her mom told her whether you were leaving for two or ten days you still had to bring the same things except not so many clothes. Her parents were going on a business trip her dad her won through sales at his office. Her mother was usually not so thrilled about going on one of these trips connected with business but with the house complete she looked forward to relaxing on a sandy white beach with her feet splashing in the turquoise water. The timing was exactly right. They had just move into their new house only two months ago and Emily was exhausted from all the work. This would give her a rest she needed and the change of scenery. She would say sometimes you need to get away from things in order to get a new outlook on life. Anna assumes she meant the house; she had been picking out colors and materials and moving furniture for what seemed like months now. She said she needs to regroup, and this trip would help her do just that. They were going to the Bahamas and would be staying in a condo right on the beach. Anna’s carpool was blowing the horn; she quickly kisses her mom on the cheek and told her to have a good time. Her mom told her to be good and to listen to her grandmother and to mind her manners. Anna called to her dad who came running out and gave her a big her. He kissed her on the cheek and said, love you little girl. she ran out the door to Gail’s car and quickly got in. Anna noticed that the seasons where changing, there was a new and different smell in the air. The wisteria was blooming, and the azaleas were about to pop out. She loved this time of year and so did her mother. Her mother finished a master gardening course the year before and had designed the yard herself. She took great pride in her ability in planning her garden. A great day, Anna thought summer would be here soon and she was planning to visit Weston for several weeks.

The new house was located just over the bridge from Charleston in a town called Mt. Pleasant. The small town still had the small town feeling even though it was growing by leaps and bounds. The neighborhood where Anna’s parents built their house was in what the locals called the old village. Even though the house was not on the Charleston harbor you could still see the ships coming and go from the kitchen window. The bottom floor had a three-car garage and a game room which had the main story set high above the house directly across the street. The main floor contained not only the kitchen, but a large den connected to the kitchen, a separate large dining room, master bedroom that had a study connected to it. Emily decided not to include a formal living room since it was never used in their other house but instead designed a study off the bedroom that was accessible from the foyer. On the third floor there were two bedrooms that had their own full baths. In Anna’s bathroom her mother found a cast iron claw foot tub that was installed next to the window so Anna could watch the ships come in and out of the harbor. Charleston shutters were installed as window treatments for privacy. Anna would still fix a bubble bath and light her favorite candle and watch the many ships in the harbor. Her brother Randy was off at college and Anna had the upstairs completely to herself, at least for the next few months. She had only been in the house for a short time but already loved her private upstairs.

As like any other morning traffic was always slow going from Mt. Pleasant to Charleston. It took forever to get over the Ravened Bridge, but they still arrived at school on time. Living in Mt. Pleasant and going to school in Charleston presented a bit of a problem. There were days when you would arrive 30 minutes early and then there were days when you would be late. It was hard to plan but Gail, who she carpooled with, usually tried to be early. Her morning classes were the same as always except for difficult English test. She went into her ten o’clock French class with her friend Maggie and sat down where they always sat towards the middle of the classroom. Her teacher Mrs. Sullivan was one of her favorite’s teachers and this was the second time she had her for French. Class started with all conversation being entirely in French. This was Anna’s third year of French and was quite easy for her since she had started taking it in grammar school. After class was in session about 15 minutes Mrs. Horton, the guidance counselor, knocked on the classroom door. Mrs. Sullivan excused her and went out of the room for a while. She came back in the classroom and shut the door slowly with a strange look on her face turned and asked Anna to go with Mrs. Horton to Father O’Malley’s office. Mrs. Horton’s office was upstairs next to Father O’Malley’s office who was the principal of Anna’s school. Anna had never been called to his office before and the summons was usually for those in trouble. Father O’Malley was a large man with dark brown thin curly brownish hair and gray sideburns. He always had a stem look on his face which made most of students deathly afraid of him. But Anna having never met with him before she did not know what to expect, which was not the same in her brother’s case. As she walked up the stairs to his office Mrs. Sullivan and Mrs. Horton were on each side of her. Something must be terribly wrong from the looks on their faces. Neither teacher said a word while they walked up the stairs to the principal’s office. Anna could not recall doing anything wrong, well not major enough to go to Father O’Malley’s office. Mrs. Thomas, the PE teacher, came walking up to Anna as if to say something. But Mrs. Sullivan looked at Mrs. Thomas and shook her head. Was she in trouble? What was going on? This was all so strange to Anna; it did not make any sense. She was a straight a student and could not recall anything she had done to be in enough trouble to see Father O’Malley.

As Anna entered Father O’Malley’s office there was another student sitting on the sofa in his office. Mrs. Sullivan asked Anna if she knew Jason Ramos, Anna shook her head. Anna had recalled seeing him around school, but he was a freshman and would not have had any classes with Anna. She said hello and sat in the chair next to where he was sitting there was stillness in the room that made Anna’s hair stand straight up on her arms. Mrs. Sullivan left the office and closed the door behind her. She looked at Jason and asked if he knew what was going on. He said, "are we in trouble?’ but Anna told him she could not recalled doing anything worthy of a visit to Father O’Malley’s office. At that point Mrs. Sullivan came in with a glass of water for both and told them Father O’Malley would be there shortly. Anna and Jason sat there for what seemed like an eternity before Father O’Malley’s came into the office. Mrs. Sullivan and a young man Anna had never seen before followed Father O’Malley. Mrs. Sullivan and the young man sat down on the sofa in the office as Father O’Malley pulled up a chair and sat close to Anna and Jason. Father

O’Malley facial expression was more grave than usual. As he pressed his lips together Anna’s heart started to race. Something was wrong, very wrong.

The next few minutes of time would be with her all her life. She would recall every word of what Father O’Malley would say to her. As he spoke the next few words to Anna and Jason, Anna thought she was having a terrible dream; it was like she was there but felt separated from it. She noticed every detail of the room as if to escape from what was happening. That maybe what he was saying was somehow a lie. She felt that she was not really sitting there. She felt a numbness in her hands, her feet felt like they weighed a ton. She could not move and thought if she tried to get up, she would fall. Father O’Malley went on there was a terrible plane crash your parents, Anna and your mother, Jason, were listed as passengers on that plane. He did not know if anyone was injured or if there were any fatalities. He introduced the gentleman standing there as Mr. Gibson from the airlines. We would be riding with him and Mrs. Sullivan to the airport to get some more information. Father O’Malley said he would be following us in his own car. as Mr. Gibson got up from his chair, Father O’Malley looked up and gave him a rather stern look and said, I would like to say a pray now for everyone’s safe return. Mr. Gibson sat down slowly as if he wanted to hide. Father O’Malley grabbed Anna’s hand with one hand and then grabbed Jason’s hand with his other hand. Please Lord brings these parents back to these children he went on as Anna thought there had somehow been a terrible mistake. She thought about her parents at the breakfast table, her mother looking over at her while she wrote down information about the upcoming weekend. Anna thought about watching her mother hands, her mother’s beautiful hands. How could she never see her again? She thought about her dad kissing her goodbye. Surely that was not the last time she would see them.

As they left the office together and walked to the car Anna felt like she was all alone in the world. It seemed like she noticed things she had never noticed before. Small things like the distinctive smell the school had how badly it needed to be painted. It was like she was trying to think of anything but the fact that something could have happened to her parents. She felt as if she would faint or be sick to her stomach. Her grandmother was flying home today too. What if something happened to her and her parents? Anna could tell the word had spread around quickly among the teachers. As they all walked, they were like a parade walking down the hall. eyes were upon them, faces had expressions of sorrow for those who had heard the news and for the ones who had not there was resentment in Anna’s heart when she heard the laughter of her fellow students. The bell had just rung and there were students in the halls, the whole school was changing classes and going about their business. If only she could be one of those students going along like she just like she was only an hour go. Mrs. Horton and another teacher were walking in front of them and asking everyone to move. It was as if they were clearing the way for both. This added to the fear Anna felt, she thought they must know something she did not. She would not look at anyone directly, she was afraid she of what she may see in their eyes. She followed Mrs. Sullivan, Jason and this strange looking man to the back parking lot of the school. They would ride together to the airport in an official car that was provided by the airlines. She wanted to ask questions but did not know if she wanted the answers. The ride from downtown Charleston to the airport took forever. The man seemed to drive so slowly. They stopped at every light ad seemed to get behind a car that was moving so slow. Anna sat in the front seat with Jason in the back; she could hear him sobbing quietly. It seemed like hours before they arrived at the airport. The car entered the bottom of the parking garage and parked in a restricted area as a woman approached and opened the car doors. As much time as she had been to the airport in Charleston she had never been to this area. They were under the main terminal; it was dark and sterile. There other official looking cars parked there but void of people. Jason and Anna were the last to get out of the car, as if to they could put off what they were about to hear. She thought of her mother, her beautiful mother. She was so excited about getting out of town, having a rest….

Emily was excited about the upcoming trip. She was so exhausted from the process of building a new house. The contractor they had worked with seemed perfect at the beginning but as time went by and changes were made things got worse. They agreed that if any changes were made the difference in the expense would be calculated upfront, but this was not always the case with this man. Finally, after going back and forth they had reached a settlement on the final price and closed several months later than expected. Emily felt like it was a tug of war between everyone. From the contractor, workmen and yes even her husband. They were glad to finally be able to move in. Except for missing some time with her mom, the trip was perfect timing for to get away. She and Joe just needed some time alone. She would be able to spend some time with her mother when they returned. Her mother would be home for two weeks and they were only going for five days so she put any guilt out of her mind. She knew how much her mom like spending time with Anna; she could spoil her like she always did. They were extremely close; it was a relationship that was good for both. Emily did not mind that her mother spoiled Anna so because along with that she also was a good guidance for her. She felt that she exposed Anna to experiences that would stay with her forever. She took her to fine restaurants, museums, and the symphony. It was sort of like a reinforcement of her own values. Her husband Joe had been raised in a fine home, but his parents lived so far away, in Washington State, that they rarely saw them. He came from a family of six children, a big difference from Emily’s upbringing, being an only child. But they both came from families that had good sturdy values.

Emily had packed some things she had from last summer and bought some new things that were just out for spring. She figured the trip would be an opportunity for a lot of shopping when she got there, and she could buy anything else she needed. She had put off her usual keeping up with the new seasonal styles because of how busy she was with the house. Before leaving she had her hair cut to a different style than she usually wore, got a pedicure and changed her makeup to a new mineral makeup. She was tired of picking out colors of paint, lighting fixtures, counter tops and all the smaller incidentals of building a new home. She needs seem to be put on the back burner. Now was some time just for her and Joe. For some reason just knowing they were getting away made things more intimate between them even before they left. She guesses it was that way for most couples but for them it refreshed the way they had always felt about each other. Theirs was a good marriage, one with a great respect for each other. They were both raised in good homes and had the example of their parent’s marriage. She knew everyone had their rocky times but there is she fewer than their friends. When she asked her mother what her parent’s secret was, her mother told her to keep her priorities in line, god, yourself, your husband, and your children? Emily looked at her mother as if she were surprised by the answer. She smiles at her and then explained, You have to put God first then the other things will fall into place, you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else. I am not saying a selfish love but a love that is a humbling love, and then you will have the right kind of love for your husband and someday your children that you will have. When you put the love, you have for your husband along with the duty you have to your marriage you will receive grace. It was a simple statement her mother made and one that Emily had to remind herself through the years. they were times when she loved her husband more than at other times and time when she loved him but did not like him, other times when she found herself putting her children above his needs. So, she reminded herself about the order of things in her life and things would change for the better. At times she and Joe would lose a sense of closeness they once had, with running kids here and there, socializes more than usual, but eventually they would get back to where they were. So, with the regular up and down times things got back into place. She reminded herself of the statement her dad would say, Emmy you never know when life will throw you a curve ball. he would always come up with funny sayings and for some reason he was on her mind today. Her dad was several years older that Emily’s mother. After working for the government for so long he decided to retire and went back to Charleston. At times something small would remind her of him and this was the case today as she looked out the window at Anna. Who was leaving for school she was tall like her dad and had the Abbott’s hair and eyes? She took after her father in personality, their mannerism was so much alike.

Emily was watching Anna get into Gail’s car on her way to school and realized what a young woman she was becoming. Emily thought she would turn some heads but hoped she would wait a while to do that. Joe came up to and kissed her on the top of her head and asked if she was ready to have a little fun., how about now? but he just laughed since they were already behind of getting things together for the trip. Well, it will give you something to look forward to, huh? Joe just smiled. Emily walked around the house making sure all was in order. The windows and all the doors except the front were locked. Suitcases were in the car, along with Anna bags. They were too stopped by her mom’s house and leave Anna things with carol Mims, her mother’s good friend and house sitter. They had plenty of time to get to the airport and check in. it would be a short flight to Florida and then a chartered flight to the Bahamas where they would be basking in the sun and finally relaxing.

As they were ready to leave the house Emily smiled to herself, she felt proud as she looked around the house that she had accomplished so much. It was her own designs especially since she had picked out everything herself and had not had the help of a decorator like so many of her friends. But she wanted it to be her taste and hers alone. Of course, with things like Anna’s room she let her pick out the color and with her son’s room she did ask his advice. Her son Randall was off at Clemson, but he would always have a room in their home no matter how old he was. With all most two years under his belt, he was a fine young man, one to be proud of.

As they arrived at the airport, they parked their car in the long-term parking and proceeded to the entrance of the airport. When they entered the parking garage elevator they ran into the Carters. Ed Carter was the top salesperson in the company and with his personality you could see why. He had such an outgoing personality and a remarkable memory. End was about the same age as Joe, but his wife was a good bit younger than Emily. Nicky was about the prettiest woman Emily had ever seen. She had jet black hair with brownish hazel eyes and a bone structure of a model. She had an olive complexion, but you could not distinguish which cultural background she came from. Joe had once said she was of Russian decent, but he was not sure either. Her clothes were impeccable and were always up to date in fashion. Beside her great looks and clothes Emily thought there was always something missing there. She usually seemed flighty, never pleased with anything, although most times very friendly. They were constantly moving from one house to another. It seemed when they would get settled in one, they would buy another one. But today she seemed different; she was friendly and seemed excited about the trip. Nicky even asked Emily about her children, usually she never inquired about anyone, usually only talking about herself. She told Emily that Ragan, their daughter, was doing well at college and they were planning a shopping trip when she got home from the trip. Ragan was a sophomore at an all-girls college located in the upstate of South Carolina. She was just as her mother if not more so and seemed to be her daddy’s girl.

Joe and Emily went to the check in desk to make sure everything was ready to go. Their luggage was checked in and they would be boarding soon. As they went through the gate they ran into Cindy and Peter Bennett who for some reason, did not seem to be happy to be there. Emily asked if everything was alright, and Cindy replied fine and practically throwing her bags in the seat next to her and sitting down. It was clear Cindy was upset by something and Emily thought best it she left her alone. Peter had not worked for the company awfully long and was in the accounting department. Joe said the man who was supposed to go was ill and they asked Peter to take his place instead. He was to make a presentation of the company assets at one of the meetings and was given a short notice to do so. Emily knew Cindy from years back since her father taught at the Citadel, a military college in Charleston. Though they were never friends, they had met on several occasions while in their teens. Emily remembered Cindy as being so pretty when she was young but instead of keeping herself up, she had gained weight and still wore her hair the same as she always had. With her weight gain she always wore full longer dresses which Emily thought made her look older and larger than she was. Emily thought that maybe the angry had something to do with her husband since she did not seem to speak to him. He was not retired military but was in the army for a good while. he still wore his hair in a crew cut style and wore about the same clothes every time Emily saw him, navy blue pants with a thin belt, a light blue shirt sleeve shirt. Emily knew more history than she wanted with the two of them but for some reason things seemed more strained that normal. She felt sorry for Cindy but tried not to let her know. Cindy always acted as if she did not want to be there. She hardly spoke to anyone on the two previous occasions when Emily saw them, the office picnic and the last Christmas party. Emily tried to include her in things, but Cindy would give excuses not to join in their conversations. Emily looked over at Joe speaking to some business acquaintances had that familiar feeling. She watched him as he spoke, his mannerisms, the way he laughed. She really did love him so and was so much still attracted to him. Of’ course he was older now, but he had aged so well. He still had it, she thought to herself.

Joe met Emily while he was a senior at the Citadel, she was a junior at the college of Charleston, majoring in education with a minor in French. At first, he thought she had been raised in Charleston her whole life but found out her father’s job had the family travel a great deal. When he met Emily, she had just lost her father who had died from a long bout with cancer. Emily was close to her father and would still get teary eyed when she spoke of him. Joe had the feeling that her mother was not happy on the idea of the two of them getting serious but seemed to get better about it as time went on. It was not so much that she was rude or anything she always seemed very courteous, but he could tell she was not thrilled with their relationship. He went by one day when he knew Eleanor was home alone and asked her for her blessing to marry Emily. She surprised him by saying yes. They were married in a June ceremony at the citadel chapel with a reception at the Hibernian hall in downtown Charleston. They had a large wedding with Emily’s uncle from England giving Emily away. Joe’s parents were able to come but the only sibling to come was his older brother need. Joe’s side of the church was not quite as full as Emily’s. The first years of their marriage was spent away from Charleston. Joe had been at the citadel on an ROTC scholarship and owed the navy four years after graduation. As luck had it, they spent the last two in Hawaii where they had their first child, Randall, at the naval hospital in Honolulu. Emily’s mother came and stayed for the first two weeks, but Emily seemed to find her purpose in life with her new baby boy. The importance of things changed for her. She never knew she could love anyone so much. Times were hard for a while after Joe got out of the service. She found herself pregnant again when Joe was discharged from the navy. Timing was not the best, but he landed a sales job and found out he had a way with selling. Emily had Anna four months after Joe started his new job, just after his health insurance kicked in. they managed to get by and now as she looks back on that time as some of best times for them. Struggling made them closer instead of further apart. His great personality and good looks got him record sales and his way up to his present-day position as vice president.

Joe liked these business trips, especially the ones when he could take his wife with him. it has been so hectic the last couple of months, with building the house and the last-minute goals to achieve at work, it would do him good to get away, he looked over the shoulder of his fellow colleagues and saw Emily looking for something in her purse, he laughed to himself, she was always losing something. From the first time he saw her he knew he how he felt. She was walking down king street carrying books and as usual not watching what she was doing. She bumped right into him, dropped everything and started laughing. He liked the fact that she could laugh at herself. ‘Their first date was supposed to be dinner and a movie, but they ended up staying at the restaurant and talking the whole time. The owner asked them to leave so he could close. He saw her every moment he could, but he was worried about his four-year commitment he had to the navy and was not sure she would want to marry him and move away. He was so impressed by her. With her father being in the diplomatic service she had traveled all over the world. She spoke fluent French and could carry on a rather good conversation in German and Italian as well. He felt she was too good for a farm boy from Washington State, but he was head over heels in love with her. He was so nervous when he