“Butyouforgotstanding-in-linetime.” saidSarah.
“Okay,” Drewsaid.“Weneedtoaddabout15minutesformailing.”
“So, what'sthetotaltimewe'dspendtogivesomeoneapresent?”
Drewdidthearithmetic.“Twohoursand34minutes.”
Ilaidapieceofstationery, anenvelopeandapenbesideeachchild'scocoacup.“'llhaveusingit.”
Silencereignedasthechildrengatheredtheirthoughts; softpenscrathesfollowed.“Done.” saidEleanor, pressingherenvelopeclosed.
“Me, too.” echoedSarah.
“Thattookusthreeminutes.” Drewsaid, sealinghisletter.
“Isthreeminutestoomuchtoasktothanksomeoneforathoughtfulgiftthatmayhavetakentwoandahalfhourstochooseandsendtoyou?” Iasked.
Thechildrenlookeddownatthetableandshooktheirheads.
“It''llwanttowritethank-younotesformanythings.”
Drewgroaned.“Likewhat?”
“'shomeorthetimesomeonetakestogiveyouadviceoncollegeapplicationsorcareers.”
“Didyouhavetowritethank-youswhenyouwereakid?” Drewasked.
“Absolutely.”
“Whatdidyousay?” -younotes.
“Itwasalongtimeago.” Isaid.
ThenIrememberedUncleArthur, mygreat-grandfather'syoungestbrother.I'dnevermethim, , , wholivednextdoor, satdownwithhimandwroteout $, tellinghimwhatI'dspenthischeckon.
WhenIwenttoschoolinMassachusetts, , hetoldmehe'dalwaysenjoyedmynotes.
“Yourememberthem?” Iasked.
“Yes,”hereplied.“I'vesavedsomeofmyfavorites.” Hewavedtowardahighboybythewindow.“Wouldyougetthepacketoflettersoutofthetopdrawer?” heasked.“It'swrappedinribbon.”
Ifoundanoldletterwithmyhandwritingandreadaloud: “DearUncleArthur, 'llhaveawonderfultime, , Faith.”
“Anddidyou?” heasked.
