Charlotte looked at him, “Who on earth knows me that would be on Johns Island?”
Declan grinned, “It’s a surprise. You might not remember her. But she remembers you. I only cried on her shoulder drunkenly over you about a dozen times.”
Charlotte went through the very small rolodex of people it could be in her mind but came up with nothing.
“Alright,” she said. “I have no guesses. Can you at least tell me what Angel Oak is?”
“You don’t know what Angel Oak is?” Declan asked, incredulous. “I’m genuinely surprised. It’s one of my favorite things about this place.”
“Is it a tree?” Charlotte said.
“Not just any tree,” Declan replied. “It’s the oldest tree east of the Mississippi. Some say it’s 1500 years old. Some say its only 700 years old. Everyone agrees though-it’s old as hell, and there’s a magic about it. You’re going to fall in love. Hard.”
Charlotte couldn’t imagine what could be so incredible about a tree. Sure, Charleston had some beautiful ones. Live oaks with the hanging Spanish moss; it was all very romantic and all. But if you’d seen one live oak, you’d seen them all.
How wrong she was.
********
Angel Oak was something out of a fairy tale. It’s long, thick branches were the circumference of most trees’ trunks. They stretched out beyond its own massive trunk, reaching out for something that Charlotte would never be able to imagine.
“This is like something out of Tolkien’s imagination,” Charlotte said as she shut the door to Declan’s car, staring up at the imposing oak. “You’re right. I love her.”
“I knew you would,” Declan said as he walked around the rear of the car to meet her, taking her by the hand. “She’s very special. You know, the Gullah say the spirits of the Kiawah guard her at night.”
“The Kiawah?” Charlotte asked as they started walking towards the tree.
“Yep. Native American tribe that used to live on the island. Before my people came and ruined things for everybody,” Declan winked at her.
“How do you know this?” Charlotte said. “And what is Gullah?”
“Damn. You really didn’t live in Charleston long enough if you don’t know about the Gullah,” he said. “Geechee is how we know them around here. They are the descendants of African slaves. They have a unique culture and way of life. They’re a small community now, they used to live up and down the Carolinas, but now they live primarily here in the lowcountry. And you’ve seen them, selling their sweet grass baskets up and down Meeting Street near my house.”
“Oh!” Charlotte said. “Yes! I love those baskets.”
“And you’ve also met a Gullah woman. And that’s who we’re here to see today. She’s waiting for us over at the picnic tables.”
Charlotte was lost. Who could this be?
As they approached a table, a thick waisted black woman stood up to greet them, her smile broad and warm, her arms outstretched.
“Declan!” she said.
“Antonia!” Declan exclaimed leaning down to hug her.
Oh, yes! Now Charlotte recalled her. Antonia had been the DeGraff’s housekeeper and chef when Charlotte visited. She was older now and a little bit heavier, but Charlotte recognized her immediately.
“Hello, Antonia,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, sweet Charlotte,” Antonia leaned forward to embrace her. “I’m so happy to see you. When Declan told me how you’d find one another again, it made my heart so happy for you both. He’s told me so many things about you over the years. His heart has always been broken over you.”
Declan sighed, “Antonia. You’re making me sound a little pathetic.”
Charlotte laughed, “I like it. Tell me more.” She threw her elbow into his side. “I can’t help but get a little pleasure out of knowing you were pining away for me.”
“Oh he was!” Antonia said. “But now fate has thrown you together yet again. There are no coincidences when it comes to love.”
“Coincidences are just God being anonymous,” Charlotte said out loud and both Antonia and Declan looked at her in shock.
“Oh my. That’s some wise words there, Charlotte,” Antonia said. “And it’s true too. I think you might have been Geechee in another life. Just like Declan.”
Declan laughed, “You’ve been telling me that since I was a kid.”
“Well, it’s true,” Antonia said. “Not that Geechee believe in reincarnation. But sometimes I think it’s possible. And what I know, is that you have been with one another in many lifetimes. And now this one.”
Charlotte wasn’t sure what to say to that. She had no idea what would happen with her and Declan. But Antonia seemed so sure.
“Well, anyway,” Declan said, clearly embarrassed. “I came here to make sure arrangements were made and everything should be okay.”
Antonia nodded, “Yes. I’ve talked to who needed to be talked to. We will do it like with your mother. All is okay.”
“What’s going on?” Charlotte asked.