THE SANCTUARY (17 page)

“When was that? I don’t recall us ever going to their village,” Liz said.

Lydia laughed as she recalled what happened when they visited the island years ago. “Julia and I came back that fall when your parents sent you to boarding school because of that incident at Camp Yemassee. That was the best summer, wasn’t it? Anyway, it took me nearly a week to talk her into stealing the boat. We had to do a report on the Gullah for school, how they were brought over here from Africa as slaves to work the rice plantations, and how they brought their traditions with them. I came up with this brilliant idea that we needed to visit the island and interview some of the Gullah descendants living here. I thought we would get extra points or credit on our report. Well, the old motor on the skiff wasn’t exactly powerful. It took forever for the little boat to chug up the river and reach the island.”

Lydia had whipped up a batch of Lowcountry rum tea to enjoy during their first sunset. Liz had assured her that she was up to a few sips of the CGFs’ favorite cocktail. Lydia took a long swallow of the refreshing drink before continuing with her story.

“We must have used up all our adrenaline by the time we reached the island because we fell asleep! We were so hungry by the time we arrived that we decided to eat the fried fish sandwiches and Coca-Colas we had packed for the trip home
. And then we just zonked out.
It was like an hour and a half before we woke up. Julia was absolutely panicked and ready to leave that instant. She was afraid her father would discover the boat missing before we got back. I refused to leave until we completed our mission. We took this trail that snaked through the marsh and into the woods before it ended at the outskirts of the Village. We saw this cluster of houses, capped with rusted tin roofs and every single front door was painted a brilliant, unusual shade of blue. We later learned that color is called indigo-blue, and it was used to ward off these really evil spirits called boo hags. As you know, the Gullah and many inhabitants of the Lowcountry believe that if you paint your doors and window trims indigo-blue, the boo hag can’t enter.”

“So what happened?” Liz asked.

“As it turns out, we were lucky to get out of there without getting hurt.”

“What happened?” Liz asked.

“I got my little point and shoot camera out and started taking pictures. I was starting to think better of trying to interview the Gullah. I decided that the photos would be good enough when Julia goes over and introduces herself.”

“You’re kidding!” Liz exclaimed.

“Nope. Her curiosity got the better of her. She forgot to be scared! She was trying her best to communicate with the boys when a woman came running out of one of the little houses. She was yelling and waving her arms. We didn’t know what she was saying, but it was obvious she was not happy we were there. And then the other adults saw Julia and started shouting stuff I couldn’t understand and gesturing. Julia looked like a deer caught in headlights. ‘Run!’ I yelled, and she came out of her trance. She turned around and ran towards me. I scrambled to my feet and hightailed it back to the trail. We ran like a boo hag was after us! We didn’t stop until we reached the boat. We shoved off, jumped in, and started paddling like crazy. When we finally got home, our parents were waiting, and they were not happy. We were grounded for three weeks. Julia swore that she would never go along with another crazy plan of mine
ever
again,” Lydia said.

They laughed and tried to recall how many times Julia said that over the years.

Fourteen

SONYA

S
onya was furious when she saw the house. There was no sign of construction. What happened to the addition that Mike was supposed to be handling during her absence? Or was he too busy getting busy with his young sweetie?

By the time he got home, Sonya was fit to be tied. She was already distraught over Liz. She didn’t need this. She was ready to let him have it with both barrels. She had called the store and his assistant practically stuttered when Sonya demanded to speak to Mike.

“Uh, well, he’s not here right now.”

“Where is he?”

“What? I…I think he’s out making a delivery or something.”

Sonya knew that was a crock since Mike never delivered furniture. It was the middle of the day and he wasn’t at work or home, so where was he? She knew.

“Hey, sweetheart. I didn’t expect you until later this afternoon. You obviously made good time on the road. I wish you’d have let me pick you up at the Charleston Airport instead of renting a car. I’m glad you’re home. I really missed you,” Mike said, bending to kiss her.

Sonya turned her head so that his kiss landed on her cheek and not the lips.

“Where’s the contractor?”

“I didn’t hire him.”

“Why not?”

“We don’t need him.”

“Oh? Are you and your stuff going somewhere else?”

“I need you to come with me,” Mike said as he tried to pull Sonya to her feet.

“Just tell me. I’m not in the mood for games.”

“It’s not a game, more like a surprise. If I tell you, it’ll ruin the surprise. Come on. It will only take a half hour or so.”

Sonya finally stood up and followed her husband out to his car. She didn’t speak as they drove, but Mike didn’t seem to notice. He kept up a running monologue the entire time. She was silent, contemplating how to confront him about what he had been up to. She was still undecided when he pulled off the road into a large parking lot on the outskirts of downtown.

“Where are we and why are we here?”

“Just read the sign,” Mike instructed.

“Ellis Home Furnishings and Design Center.” Sonya turned to Mike and asked, “What’s this all about?”

“We’re expanding, that’s what. I’ve outgrown the old store. It’s just too small. That’s why I’ve got so much stuff at our house. Besides, customers are asking for help with interior design. I’ve been sending them down the street to Mark Beck, but then I thought why not expand my operation instead of sending business elsewhere? So I talked to Mark, and we decided to become partners. His lease is up at his location in three weeks and mine is up in two months. We looked around and found this great storefront. We’ll merge our businesses in the next few weeks. The partnership has so many pluses, including a cash infusion and a partner who can handle things when I need time off.”

“So you’re not having an affair?”

“An affair? What gave you that idea?”

“I’ve tried to call you several times at home and at your store while I was out of town and never could reach you. Your employees always sound suspicious when I ask them about where you are.”

“I’ve been working my ass off trying to get the new shop ready for us to move into soon. It needed so much work. That’s why I haven’t been home or at the store. And I threatened their lives if my employees spilled the beans to you. I wanted it to be a surprise. Surprise!”

“Well, I’m certainly surprised. But I bet my surprise will trump yours,” Sonya said.

“Let’s have it,” Mike said.

“We’re going to have a baby,” Sonya said.

Mike whooped and hollered almost immediately. “Are you kidding me? A baby?
A baby?
I thought you couldn’t get pregnant?”

“That’s what I thought, too. The doctors didn’t say I couldn’t get pregnant, but I had given up on the idea. I just figured that my eggs must be all dried up, or it wasn’t meant to be. Wouldn’t you know that when I finally stop trying and turn forty, that’s when the stork makes a delivery?”

“I am so happy, darling. Hello, baby,” Mike said as he rubbed Sonya’s belly.

“I don’t know yet whether it’s a boy or girl,” Sonya said.

“I don’t care so long as there are ten fingers and ten toes,” Mike said.

Fifteen

JULIA

“J
ohn? I’m home,” Julia said, setting her bags down in the front hallway. His truck was in the driveway, and he was expecting her, but she didn’t see or hear anyone. She was about to get worried about the overly quiet house when she heard their greeting.

“In here, Mom!” her kids screamed from the side porch.

As Julia entered the room, her husband and kids yelled, “Welcome home!” There was a huge handmade banner, as well as a bunch of balloons and a lovely chocolate sheet cake with thick white icing from Trestle’s Bakery.

“What’s all this about?” Julia asked.

“We missed you and just wanted to make sure you knew it,” John said, leaning down to kiss his wife. “Truth be known, I never realized how much you do every day. I guess I just took you for granted. I’m sorry about that. Like I said on the phone, I’m going to do better by you and the kids. I’ll even attend one of your therapy sessions if you want. Hey, I really like your new hairdo.”

Julia appreciated how hard John was trying. They had had a couple of good talks on the telephone. She knew it was going to take time and patience, but at least they were headed in the right direction. They had agreed that they were both willing to do what it took to make their marriage work. To that end, she was going to get their sex life back on track starting that night.

Since they weren’t sure exactly what time she would arrive, John had planned make-your-own sandwiches for dinner. The older kids got to pile on whatever meats and cheese they wanted from a deli platter that included lettuce, tomato, pickles, and condiments. Afterwards, they pigged out on cake and ice cream. Throughout the meal, Julia noticed that Marla and Bobby took charge of their younger siblings. John must have had a talk with them. It was nice to see that he was already making good on his word.

“I think the children like you in charge more than me,” Julia said later to John. “They’ll want cake and ice cream every night for dinner. And they outnumber us.” She unpacked while he sat on the bed and watched.

“Yeah, I think you were making this whole parenting thing way too hard. Just give in from time to time, and you’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand,” he said.

When she came out of the bathroom, Julia was wearing the slinky red dress that accentuated her full hips and ample cleavage.

“Va va va voom!” John said when he saw his wife.

“You like?” she asked as she twirled around to allow him a good look.

“What’s not to like? But I’ve never seen you wear anything like that. I like this new side of you,” John said.

“That’s good because you’ll be seeing a lot more of it. I’m starting my new diet and exercise plan tomorrow, and I bought makeup and a new wardrobe during our trip. I need to look better, not just for you, but for me too—and for work.”

“Work?”

“Yeah, we’re going to shake things up around here. I’m going to work for Daddy, and you’re going to keep at this Mr. Mom thing for a while. We’ll hire some help if we need it, but she’ll be some grandmotherly type, at least sixty. When I get our residential development division off the ground in the next year or two, I’ll need a good man to head it up. Know anyone?”

“Are you serious? How did you know that I have wanted to do something like that? Actually, I want to build the first green community—you know, as in eco-friendly—in Georgetown County. These places they’re calling eco-friendly in the Lowcountry are a joke. They barely meet watershed requirements. We need to find a way to blend all this new construction with our natural habitat and eco-system rather than just bulldoze everything in our path. I’d like to see solar panels installed on the homes and use recycled building materials. You can’t believe all the ideas I’ve got. I’ve had some great discussions with Chuck Morris, who’s the superintendent for Palmetto Construction Company. He’s also become a good friend, and I could do something like this with people like him helping me. Furthermore, he’s tight with some key people, such as Ed Simmons at Carolina Conservancy.”

“I absolutely agree, and I think you’ll be great at it. There’s a chunk of waterfront acreage that we’ve been using for growing timber, but I was thinking that it would be perfect for Rutledge Plantation. We could call it Reynolds Plantation, but I think I could get Daddy more excited about this project if we use my family name.”

“I don’t care what the hell we call it as long as I’m involved. You know, I’ve got some ideas about how to preserve woodlands and wildlife by incorporating them into the project so that they’ll actually be one of the main selling points. We can have footpaths and trails with wildlife viewing stations and signs describing indigenous plants and animals,” John said.

“I’m already sold. Now come over here and schmooze your new boss,” Julia said.

“I can handle that. All night, if need be. I’m ready to please.”

“I’ve had a long day so how about just the next fifteen or twenty minutes?” Julia said.

“You’re the boss,” John said.

“Say it again, Sam.”

“You’re the boss, and might I add the best looking one I’ve ever had,” John said.

Julia had promised him that things were going to change, but still she could tell that John had been pleasantly surprised with her initiative and their lovemaking. And so was she!

Later that night, Julia was on her way downstairs to get a glass of water when she saw a shadowy figure at the end of the hallway gesturing to her. It was the same woman she had seen the night before she left on their road trip.

She knew it couldn’t be her oldest child but felt compelled to call out, “Marla?”

As Julia made her way towards the petite figure, it disappeared. She opened the door to the girl’s bedroom and found her sleeping soundly. Who was this spirit and why was she revealing herself now, after all these years in this house?

“Mama,” Julia whispered and then smiled at the idea that her mother was watching over her. She knew what she had to do. Quietly she groped her way down the steps, refusing to turn on any lights that might drive restless spirits into the ether.

She picked up the phone and used the lighted buttons to see the number she had to dial, even though she wasn’t sure how she knew without hesitation what that number was.

She heard the recorded greeting on the answering machine. “Miss Ella, this is Julia Reynolds. I’ve been giving it some thought, and I’ve decided that I would love to be on the historic preservation committee. I’m going to work for Rutledge Corporation soon, so I’ll be busy learning the ropes, but I can assure you that I will find time for this important cause. In fact, I’d like to talk to you about setting up a special projects fund on behalf of our company. I think our first endeavor should be Hampton Plantation. So, just give me a call when you get into the office and get this message. Goodbye,” Julia said as she returned the phone to its cradle.

“It’s done, Mama,” Julia spoke into the darkness before going back to bed. “Don’t worry, I’m going to save Hampton Plantation and help preserve other historic sites in this area. And John and I are going to be all right. I’m going to make sure of that, I promise. Thanks for watching over me. I hope you’re finally at peace, Mama.”