They parked their bicycles outside of Ella’s Sweet Shop and went inside to their favorite booth by the window.
“Hey, hey, what’ll it be today?” asked Carolanne as she came to their booth.
“Hi, Carolanne,” said Ashley. “I didn’t know you’d be working today.”
Carolanne was an early education major at the university and was working as a teacher’s aide in the Donnybrook Elementary School. “You know me,” said Carolanne. “I’m always ready to work! Now, what brings my two favorite customers in today?”
“Wow,” said Josh. “We’re really your favorite customers?”
“Sure!” said Carolanne.
“I guess that’s because we in here a lot, right?” said Ashley.
“Well,” Carolanne laughed. You two are here quite often. But, I also like hearing about the mysteries you’re always working on. Do you have a mystery today?”
“Welll,” said Ashley. “We sort of have one.” She told Carolanne about finding the initials carved in the tree.
“My goodness,” Carolanne exclaimed. “You two find something to investigate even when you’re not looking!”
Ashley and Josh just shrugged their shoulders.
“Oh well, “said Josh. “I guess we’re just lucky that way!”
“What are you going to do now?” asked Carolanne.
“We’re going to go to the library tomorrow and see if Kathleen can help us find out who those initials belong to,” said Ashley.
“Isn’t the library open on Sunday?” asked Carolanne.
“Yes,” Josh answered. “But, Mrs. Daniels works on Sundays.”
“She really doesn’t like helping kids,” said Ashley. “We’d rather wait until Kathleen is there.”
Kathleen Gorman was the reference librarian and had helped Ashley and Josh with Ashley Enright Investigations in the past.
“I see,” said Carolane. “Now, what can I get for the two of you, the usual?”
“You bet,” said Josh enthusiastically.
“O.k.,” said Carolanne. “One cheeseburger and chocolate shake and one tuna melt and milk coming right up!” Carolanne left to go to the kitchen and place their order.
“So, Josh,” Ashley said as she leaned over the table. “Tell me about your latest comic book.”
Josh was a talented young artist who liked to draw comic books featuring super heroes. Ashley always laughed to herself because Josh didn’t realize that all of his super heroes had the same initials that he did: J.S.
“Well,” said Josh leaning over the table. “Josiah Strikefeather is a native American who helps the American soldiers during the Revolutionary War.”
Ashley smiled to herself at the name ‘Josiah Strikefeather.’ “Does he have super powers?”
“He doesn’t need them,” Josh said proudly. “He uses his knowledge of nature to help our soldiers plan their battles with the British soldiers.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ashley.
“He can predict the weather by looking at the moon and sky and the behaviors of the animals,”
said Josh.
“Obviously, you’ve been paying attention in Social Studies class,” said Ashley. They had just finished learning about the Revolutionary War in school.
“I guess so,” said Josh. “I guess I must pay more attention than I thought!”
Ashley laughed. Carolanne brought their lunch to the table and both she and Ashley laughed as Josh took a huge bite of his cheeseburger.
“Sorry,” Josh said sheepishly as he wiped his face with his napkin. “I just couldn’t wait any more!”
“We know, Josh,” said Ashley. “As you always say, you’re a growing boy!”
