The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted (4 page)

He looks unsure with my decision
but rises with me. “Can I at least walk you back to where you came from? Where
did
you come from?”

What a
strange question.
“I’m just next door,
almost there.” My eyes move towards Rose’s estate. “I’ll be okay, I promise.”

“You’re Rose’s granddaughter.”
His voice changes but I can’t make out the tone. He’s confident in his
assumption. And disapproving? I shake the thought away – now is not the
time to try to understand anything.

I nod my head. “Yes.” I turn away
slightly, but sneak a look at him from under my eyelashes. “I should go.”

I turn toward the place I’m
forced to call home before he can argue and disappear from his sight.

Maybe I was slightly rude to
just take off like that, but this situation is much too strange to explain to a
complete stranger – a stranger whose name I didn’t even ask. But it
didn’t matter. Something told me I would be seeing him again soon.

Night passes without another vision or dream to
wake me in a cold sweat. A disturbing thought. In my exhaustion from recent
events I expected the dreams to come. In a strange way, I
wanted
the
dreams to come. I thought if they came to me I could begin to understand them.
What struck me the most in both my vision on the beach and nightmare in front
of my vanity mirror, was my appearance. The girl in the mirror looked like me,
but different. Like a porcelain doll, with my skin so clear, eyes so bright and
hair so perfectly placed around my face. And the necklace – I don’t know
what to think about that green stone necklace, but I was wearing it in both
illusions.

The most disturbing thought on my mind now is that
in my dreams and visions I look happy. Maybe someone is telling me something.
Maybe the dreams mean that I will find happiness in this small town. A picture
of the boy next door crosses my mind and I wave it away, knowing those thoughts
are only distractions.

Disappointment accompanies me downstairs as I take
my seat at the breakfast table across from Rose. Her breakfast plate is clean
with the exception of a piece of toast.

Charlotte places a hot plate in front of me and
pours a glass of milk. “Thank you,” I respond without taking my eyes off of
Rose. I realize I’m fearful of her being angry with me. The cold shoulder I got
from her when I returned from my late-night walk last night doesn’t help. “I’m
sorry I’m late for breakfast.” My eyes are turned down to avoid her
discontentment.

“Nonsense.” My eyes shoot up. “We’ll get our
routine down soon enough. Besides, this time is troublesome, I can imagine. You
need whatever rest you can get.” Rose smiles brightly at me. I let out a breath
of air in relief.

I wonder whether or not I should tell Rose about
the strange events of last night. Maybe she can help with whatever is going on
in my head. Maybe I need to see a shrink.

“Did you have a nice night? Charlotte says you went
for a walk on the beach?”

I nod, stabbing a piece of egg from my plate. My
appetite hasn’t been great lately. “My walk was nice. The beach was –
peaceful.” My answers are short, I know, but I’m still debating what to say.

“This might sound strange,” I start again, “but
– I fell asleep on the beach last night. When I woke up it was dark, and
that’s when I finally came to dinner.” I continue to spill the rest of the
story, speaking fast, but making sure to catch every important detail in hopes
that someone will have answers.

Rose and Charlotte catch each other’s eye and I
wonder what this silent exchange is supposed to mean. “Yes,” Rose answers. “You
were all out of sorts when you came home last night. We thought maybe you’d
gotten too much sun.”

Charlotte chimes in now, agreeing with Rose. “You
were definitely out of it. The sun is so hot in the afternoon and that, mixed
with the salt air, is all one needs to zone out.” Her smile reminds me of one
worn from a mom on a black and white sitcom.

I nod slowly, not sure if I agree with her or not
but secretly relieved they don’t want to put me in a straitjacket.

Rose catches my eye, knowingly. She understands.
“I’m going to wash up. Church in an hour.” She stands. “Would you like to come
with me, Katrina?”

Caught off guard, I look up with a shake of my
head. “Um. No thank you.”

We haven’t had the religion discussion. My mother
never took me to church growing up. It’s not that I wouldn’t go with her in the
future. I’m just not sure what to expect or how to dress, or what to do.

Rose walks off without a word and I’m left to my
food. Charlotte is now sitting across from me in Rose’s seat. She gives me a
little smile. “Don’t worry Kat. Everything is just new to you here so it’s all
coming as a shock. Rose and I will take care of you so there’s no need to worry
about a thing. Just relax, enjoy your time here and don’t be afraid to make
some new friends.”

I frown. “What if it’s not that easy? What if no
one here likes me? I’ll be the new kid in school again. No one likes the new
kid in school.” I think back on my brief time in public school.

Charlotte tilts her head, giving me a tender look.
“Oh Kat, don’t be so insecure. Have you seen yourself lately? You’re the girl
everyone will want to be around. The guys will drool over you and the girls
will be so jealous of you they will want to be your friend just to find out
your beauty secrets.” She winks at me now. I find myself smiling back.

She leans in closer as her eyes shimmer, as if made
of glitter. “Besides that, you seem like the sweetest young woman I’ve ever
met.”

I don’t know what I would do without Charlotte’s
boost of confidence. I know that she’s being kind but I am encouraged by her
words. And she’s right. I shouldn’t be so insecure. I’m in a new place. No one
has to know that I have never really had any friends.

“So, what’s on the agenda today?” I ask perking up
a bit.

“Well,” she starts.
“Afternoon tea is served at noon. From there I believe Rose is going to give
you the tour of her side of the house.

Charlotte summons me down to the great room for
afternoon tea. I decide to dress up for the occasion in a simple green
sundress, gold sandals, and my gold heart necklace given to me by my mom before
she died.

“Sit, sit.” Rose gestures me to the couch across
from her. I take the seat, curious as to what this is all about.

“How are you doing, Katrina? It can’t be easy
making the adjustments that you are forced to make.” I wonder if Rose will
always be formal with me? I suppose I’m the same with her. I just can’t imagine
myself ever calling her
Grandma
. It would feel too foreign.

I think for a second before answering. “My mom is
gone, I don’t know anyone here, and I’m living with my grandmother whom I have
never met until now. It’s all a bit – unsettling.”

Rose nods and to my surprise, smiles. “We have a
lot of catching up to do.” I see her relax into her chair, as I remain rigid in
mine. “I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, Katrina. I know you may find
this hard to believe but we were once very close.”

“Then why haven’t I met you until now?” I’m
surprised by my own boldness.

Rose doesn’t seem to notice. She shakes her head
now, looking far off into the distance. “I tried to keep a relationship with
her. But she wanted nothing to do with me after your father…” She sighs. “She
was like a daughter to me. I raised her as if she
was
my daughter and
I’ve never stopped loving her, all these years. I understood her reasons for
– everything. But I never stopped thinking about her and loving her just
as mothers do. When I heard of her passing, I was heartbroken.” She stares at
me now. “I am still heartbroken, for her, and for you.”

As touched as I am by Rose’s confessions I know
that there’s much more to the story than she’s letting on. I find my voice
again. “I never questioned my mom too much about your relationship with her. I
just always assumed she had a good reason for keeping you all at a distance.
But now I’m curious. You say you understood her reasons. What were her
reasons?”

Rose sighs. “I understood her reasons and I
respected them. I think after you spend some time here you’ll understand too.
Things are different in this town and with our family especially. She just
didn’t want to be a part of the life we lived. She didn’t want to live here
anymore. It’s not that I never made an effort to see you both, but once she
made her decision she stuck to it. She refused any type of relationship with
me, your grandfather, and eventually your father.”

Rose takes a breath, allowing me to take in what
she’s said. Then she continues, “I didn’t want to lose either of you. The
moment I got to hold you in my arms I knew you carried a special light. But the
moment she had you, all she wanted to do was protect you. And for whatever
reason, she thought that she had to cut off all ties with our family to protect
you.”

“But why? Who was she protecting me from? She never
said anything bad about you.”

Rose sways slightly, and takes her time to answer
my question. “Your mother just wanted the best for you. This isn’t the town for
everyone. Our families – traditions – aren’t for everyone. Your
mother thought that this town – your father, and me especially –
would have a negative influence on you.” Rose, again being vague, takes a sip
of tea as if she’s just made all the sense in the world.

“But what about now? Don’t you think me being here
would go against my mothers wishes?”

Rose sighs, then shrugs. “Your mother was afraid of
a destiny that could not be altered. You would have ended up here no matter
what. I’ve always known this. I guess that’s why I didn’t fight her too hard. I
knew one day you’d be right here where you belong.” Rose’s cryptic answer
leaves me with a million questions but Rose holds up her hand before I can
continue my questioning. “Not now, Katrina. You will have your answers in time.
I promise.”

This frustrates me since now I’m more confused then
ever. And then it hits me. My grandmother is going senile. She doesn’t look her
age but she sure is acting it now. Maybe I can talk to Charlotte about it. I’m
sure Charlotte will know what to do.

As Rose continues to speak I watch her mannerisms
in an effort to see if there are any other symptoms I should be aware of.

“You know, when your grandfather died, I thought I
would never be the same. He was my best friend my entire life and then one day,
he was taken from me. I understand what you are going through now and I just
want you to know that I’m here for you.”

Thinking of my grandfather brings sadness to me as
I remember the brief story Charlotte told me yesterday. “I’m very sorry to hear
of how he died. My mom didn’t tell me the story. Did she know?”

Rose sighs and nods. “Yes, your mother sent flowers
and a card. I know that she must have been devastated, even if she didn’t show
it.” Rose tilts her head, sadly. “It makes me sad to think you never knew your
grandfather. He was an amazing man. He was a wonderful father, a giver to the
community, and a natural born leader. He was the best husband I could have ever
wished for.” Rose turns her head, as if in deep thought of her late husband.

“How did the fire start?”

Rose looks at me with surprised eyes, as if she’s
shocked I dare ask the question. “We never were able to figure out how it
started. George and I were out at the local market. We came home and there was
smoke so he ran inside to figure out what was going on and he got caught
between some shelves in the library. Thank heavens help arrived and found him
in enough time to pull him out and revive him. But he was never the same. His
lungs were severely damaged.”

Rose looks at me before continuing. “One year
later, on the anniversary of the fire, he had a heart attack. Old man was just
tired of fighting it.”

My breath catches in my throat. “My mom had a heart
attack.”

Rose is saddened by my words, but I can see that
the coincidence has already played on her mind.

“Yes, the same way your mother died. If it weren’t
for the fire – there was just too much smoke. He wasn’t ready to die.”

“My mom wasn’t ready to die either. Young, healthy
people shouldn’t have heart attacks.” The thought angers me. “What does it
mean?”

Rose gives me a half-hearted smile and closes her
eyes. “I’ve been trying to figure that one out too. Our family – there
are many attributes that come with the Summer family name.” She pauses, as if
considering carefully what she’s about to say. “I’m not sure if their deaths
are related but I do know that you are a part of it.”

A
part of it? Part of what?
“What do you mean?”

Charlotte chooses this moment to enter the great
room, carrying a second tray. “Would you like your tea in your den now, Rose?”

“Yes, please.” Rose stands. “Katrina will have a
cup as well.” She looks at me now. “Follow me.”

Speechless, I stand and follow my grandmother down
the hall to the corner most part of the house. There, a den is tucked away
under a smaller set of stairs.

She sits behind the desk, and then gestures for me
to take a seat on the opposite side. A quick glance around the room tells me
everything in it is hundreds of years old. The room is filled with statues and
glass cases holding all sorts of objects that I can’t make out from where I
sit. The ceiling is high; a glittering chandelier hangs from the middle of the
room.

“This side of the house is definitely the most
lived in.” She laughs. “I just can’t stand all the stairs so I tend to keep to
this one area.”

I nod. “I wondered about that. It’s not every day a
15 year old gets handed a master bedroom of a mansion.”

Rose grins. “I hope you are enjoying it. It’s a
beautiful room but it’s just not for me.”

It doesn’t make sense to me but nothing about a lot
of this makes sense so I decide to postpone the subject. “It’s different. But
it’s quickly growing on me. It’s nice to wake up to the beach every morning.
And the rest of the house is something else. Charlotte gave me the tour. The
place is so tidy that it looks like you just moved in.”