The week after the ball felt like nothing changed. During the day William went out of his way to avoid me, and when he did talk to me it was short sentences. I fear that I may have pushed him too far out of his comfort zone. Charles on the other hand believes that William is just embarrassed and will get over himself soon. Oh how I hope he is right.

Charles and Margaret have slowed down now that the ball is over. But Margaret still comes in to see us almost everyday. I like her company because it has been a while sense I have seen Mary and I have been wanting a woman friend. Although she has been rubbing me the wrong way lately because of how often she asks about William and me. But she stopped yesterday when Charles told her to after I started getting short with her.

She'll be coming in any minuet now, today. There has been no customers today and Charles has been badgering me all day. Right now he is leaning with his elbows on my desk rambling on about nothing.

"I guess having no customers is a good thing." I say when there is a pause between Charles' stories. He looked at me surprised. "Because that means no one, or not a lot of people have died." I try to elaborate. Charles sighs a little bit.

"Maybe. But who cares if no one dies? A day without death is a sad and boring day." I laugh a little at his comment.

"What are you, the Grim Reaper?"I say, still laughing. Charles smiles at me.

"No, but he is always welcome here. In fact he loves this place! Stays here all the time." Charles says as he continues the joke.

"Oh really, where does he stay than? Because if he stays here so often, how come I have never seen him?" I ask. Charles thinks for a second and soon his face lights up.

"William's office! That's why he doesn't want you in there." We both laugh.

"But last time you said I couldn't go in because he kept bodies there." I joke with him. Charles goes to open his mouth again but the door opens. We stop talking right then and turn around to see who walked through. It was only Margaret.

"Hello my dear."Charles says to her and goes up and gives Margaret a kiss on her pretty cheek.

"Hello Charles, Anna." Margaret says with a smile. "I stopped and picked up the mail for you. There's some for the office and some letters for you, Anna." She hands me a handful of mail and continues to talk to Charles. I flip through the letters and sort them between ones for the office and me, William never gets letters so I don't even look for them. Then I realize that I have a small collection and I look to see who they're sent from, although I already have a guess. Sure enough I have a letter from each of my sisters, James, and one from Mother. I start to panic and wonder if someone died. I look up to see what Charles and Margaret are doing.

"I think you might need to make a new sign, all the paint is chipping on the current one." Margaret says. I need to respond to that, I need to pretend like nothing can be wrong.

"Yeah sure, I can get some paint tomorrow." I say in a strained voice.

"Are you alright, Anna?" Charles asks. His face is full of concern. I didn't realize I was that bad at hiding worry.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. I just have four letters from my family, and that cannot be good." I say in a rushed voice while trying to stay calm.

"Oh well we'll give you some privacy then, dear. Goodbye William, have a nice evening!"Margaret said before ushering Charles out the door. I also saw her flip the sign on the door from 'open' to 'closed'. I see my chance and grab my letters and rush upstairs to my room.

Something in me tells me to open my sister Emma's letter first, so I do. I sit down at my little desk and begin to read.

Dear Anna, you will never believe this most wonderful news, I am getting married! I don't know if you remember Robert Lavender from before you left, but he proposed and I am to be married soon. In fact, in a week and a half. I know it is short noticed but he wanted a short engagement. I won't bore you on other news, but I thought you would like to know this. Also you are most welcome to come to the wedding. And if you do, I would be honored for you to be a bride's maid. -Your excited sister, Emma Heaven P.S, Mother already has a dress made if you come.

Of coarse Emma is getting married. I can only take comfort in that no one died. But now I will be the only unmarried girl. But I can't let the one letter discourage me too much, I still have three more. I grab Mary's next and tear it open and begin to read.

Dear Anna, as you hopefully know by now, Emma is to be married. She has been raving on about it for the past month. I do not know why she waited till the last minuet to write to you, yet here we are. If you hadn't guessed yet, I am writing to you to ask you to come home. I know you could care less about me, but do this for Emma, please. Also I though you might like to know that my little Henry has been asking about you a misses you. -Your sister, Mary Care

But I don't even allow myself time to think before ripping open James' letter.

To my dear sister Anna, I am sure you know the news, so I won't repeat it. But I want you to come home. The house is lonely without you and I cannot imagine a marriage without you here. I am sure you wouldn't want to be home because of Mother and you don't want to see John, William, or Mary with their spouses and children. But please remember I am here, and how thoroughly disappointed Emma will be if her older sister doesn't come to her wedding. Also remember that I am still not married and will not be bringing a date, so you won't lose me. -Your brother who is still standing by your side, James Heaven.

Reading James' letter almost made me cry. But I still had one more to get through, Mother's.

To my daughter Anna, I will get right to the point. I swear if you do not come home, you may never see this house again. I cannot control my other children, but I can still do so with James, and if you want any more letters from him, you must be at this wedding. -Your mother, Martha Heaven.

Well reading that was it, it sealed my fate. I don't want to go to Emma's wedding, but I don't have a choice now. If Mother stops James from writing, I won't have anyone else. And It is not that I don't want to support Emma on her big day, I just don't want to see her. So I will go. I will go for James and Emma.

I get up and leave my room to find William. Luckily he was right in the living room reading a book. I go in the room and clear my throat. William looks up at me and I begin nervously.

"I am terribly sorry, but I must leave for a week. My sister is getting married and my family wants me home. May I please get off work?" He looks at be for a second before speaking.

"Of coarse you can go. You will just have to convince Charles to cover for you." I smile a William and said a silent thank you and left the room. I went to my desk and began to write just one letter.

To my sister Emma, Yes I will be at your wedding. I will come for a week before and stay two days after. You can tell Mother for me to calm down, I promise I will come. And yes, I would be a bride's maid. I will see you soon. -Your loving sister, Anna Heaven