As Charlie Ann pulled up to the old garden shop, memories of the times she and Aunt Shug spent there flooded her mind. Despite all the changes in Willoughby, the old garden shop was still the same – right down to the glass door knob on the front door.

Charlie Ann rushed in to find the place exactly as she remembered. She paused briefly to take in the sights and smells. As she stood there, a familiar voice asked “can I help you?”

“Miss Caroline?!” Charlie Ann asked. She had to be sure.

“Do you remember me?”

An elderly figure of a woman came closer to her.

“Why, you’re Shug’s niece, aren’t you?”

“Yes!” a thrilled Charlie Ann replied. She was amazed and relieved that Miss Caroline remembered her.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you!” said Miss Caroline.

“Ten Years” Charlie Ann replied.

The two made their way to an adjacent sofa to talk awhile.

“What brings you to town?” asked Miss Caroline.

“I’m here to see my Aunt Shug. She called me last week and sounded down so, I decided to come visit.”

“Shug was one of my best customers” Miss Caroline recollected. “Now with all this growth, I don’t see too many of my regulars anymore. I figure it’s time to retire and let the place go!”

“I know” Charlie Ann said. “That’s why I’m here”.

Charlie Ann excitedly shared her idea with Miss Caroline.

“I want to buy the Garden shop. I know I can fix it up and make it thrive like it used to!”

Miss Caroline paused for a moment and, through a voice mixed with disbelief and laughter said, ”You want to buy my garden shop?” Honey, there’s no more business here. It’s all going to the new strip malls. Why do you want it so bad?”

Charlie Ann struggled to put her thoughts into words.

“Some of my fondest memories are here. I want to preserve the old shop and keep it like it is.” No matter what happens in this town, I will still have a piece of the past to remind everyone how things were.”

Miss Caroline smiled softly. “I hope you know what you’re getting into,” she warned. After a brief silence she added, “I was hoping someone would want to buy my shop and keep it up. All my children are grown and have moved away. I was so afraid it would be torn down and lost. It’s good to see some of the younger folks wanting to keep our past alive.

“So, what to you plan to call this shop you just bought?!”

Charlie Ann’s heart leapt at the news. “’Lady Hillington’s Garden Shop’” she said.

“Hmmm”, said Miss Caroline. “That was one of your Aunt’s favorites.”

Trey Feeley is a long time Fort Mill resident who currently resides in Regent Park. He has a BA from Belmont Abbey College and an MBA from Pfeiffer University.