Fort Sumter

So here it was, our first night to stay in our new 1840 Charleston home.  We had been in Charleston for two whole days, but given the moving chaos, opted to stay in a hotel. 

Amidst boxes and boxes, we carved out a civilized space in the living room where I served my best BLT (our friends Branwen and Steven had send us a wonderful gift basket from Ted's ButcherBlock, which contained some amazing artisinal bacon) and  glasses of our favorite wine (La Vieille Ferme....$15.00 for a screw top 2 liter bottle that rivals, I am serious, most good Pinot Noirs around) but I digress>
As Bill literally beamed, viewing the sunset over the water right out our living room window, he said what I deemed the quote of the day:  "I am awestruck that I live in viewing sight of Fort Sumter." 

I was so happy for him.  A long-time Civil War buff with, if truth be told, tremendous sympathies not for the cause but for the misjudged and valiant struggle the South endured. He was now in a house that had lived through the war.  And, given the age of the house, we pondered what that family who were here the very first night of April 12 did and thought when their view of Charleston harbour clearly revealed the battle that started the terrible Civil War. I was silent as I watched his face think about it.  Being silent comes very hard to me, and lord knows many retorts came to my head, but I am old enough to know that sometimes, regardless of my self-loving wit, keeping quiet is the best for Bill.  And too, I was filled with pleasure that we could arrange our lives so he could experience this. 

Then, another look overtook his face.  One of horror.  I said, "What? What's wrong", though panic did not set in.  I"ve been married to him long enough (almost 20 years) and know that you never know how big or how small the issue that might be to case this face.  It could be that he senses a leak in the gutter or it could be that he has a premonition of worldwide famine.  So, again I waited.  (You have to wait with Bill, because sometimes the brain/computer is on just a bit of the delay mode and if you interupt or ask again, you risk unravelling the whole thought. I have learned that patience for the electricity to flow is usually rewarded with the response. This was one of those times.)

He said, a tad bereftly, "Oh no.  I misspoke.  That is not Fort Sumter that we are looking at at all.  No.  Oh my gosh.  How could I have been so wrong.  It is Fort Moultrie."

Whew I silently thought.  But 'whew' I didn't say.  That would have been a mistake.  Instead, I took his head in my hands and gently told him that 99.9% of the family and friends who will visit us will never know the difference and that it was still an incredible view."  He agreed, though I could tell  he was a bit dissapointed.  Luckily, that passed quickly and his mood brightened as he realized that he was still only twenty steps from the ocean and that was a visual gift he would have daily. Plus, twenty more steps and he would indeed be viewing Fort Sumter!

And so, it seemed to me, that he still deserved the quote of the day and we wnet to sleep in our new/old Charleston home!

Sending love,