The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted (9 page)

“Tomorrow night?” He asks.

I nod and turn before
he can see how giddy I am. I flee into the cover of Summer Estates.

Summer Library
is quickly becoming my favorite room in the house. Some days I spend time
skimming the wood paneled bookcases. Other times I just come here to sit and
think under the sunlight.

The book selection is filled with classic
literature from the works of Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Joyce, and the list goes
on and on. There’s a special Greek Mythology section and that’s where I spend
most of my time, skimming through fragile, mesmerizing pages of each one.

Every story I read is either an interpretation or
reinterpretation of stories, but with each one, I learn more. There is only one
book I am able to find on the Wiccan religion. I read it just out of curiosity.
The next time anyone asks me if I’m a Wiccan, at least I can understand what
I’m answering.

Wiccan beliefs aren’t as outrageous as I once
thought. I realize now that a lot of my predisposed views were way off. They
didn’t worship Satan, sacrifice babies or cast dark evil spells on anyone that
crossed their paths. They are actually decent human beings that strongly
believe in preserving the earth. The only difference is just as Rose has
already told me. Wiccans worship the gods and goddesses. It’s more of a
spiritual existence.

I sink down into the oversized chair. Thinking of
Wicca brings up an image of Alec. I smile. I look forward to our nightly runs
and how playful he can be. Every night we’d end our run with a cool down jog
from the community beach to the shore. From there we’d walk back to our homes.

I laugh out loud as I think of last night’s sand
ball fight. I came back to Summer Estates covered head-to-toe in sand. Luckily
I was able to clean up the residue before heading to bed. But at breakfast this
morning, I wondered if my grandmother knew about my escapades. She was grumpier
than normal and excused herself almost as soon as I sat down.

The knock on the door pulls me out of my daydream.
I sit up straight in my chair and look towards the figure in the doorway. Rose
stands there with a curious look on her face. “You’ve been spending a lot of
time in here.” This isn’t a question.

I nod. “Is it time for dinner already?”

Rose shakes her head stepping farther into the room
now. “No, a few hours still. I just wanted to check on you and chat about our
celebration tomorrow.”

That’s right, I think to myself. I’ve almost
forgotten about the Summer Solstice celebration tomorrow. At least Rose has
given up calling it my 16
^th
birthday party. “Are people actually
coming? I don’t even know anyone.” I think to invite Alec, but then I remember
his reaction to the books I purchased and think better of it.

Rose looks too excited to hear what I’m saying.
“You’ll meet a lot of people tomorrow. Neighbors, friends of the church, and
others who want to partake in the Solstice celebration. Isn’t that great? Guests
should be arriving around noon. We’ll have some tea, appetizers, lunch and then
some dessert. You can open presents after everyone has left. All you have to
worry about is having a good time and the day should go perfectly.”

“You really didn’t have to go through all that
trouble. Is there anything I need to do?”

“Nope, Charlotte is at the store right now grabbing
a few last things. Just look presentable tomorrow. You bought a dress for the
party didn’t you?”

I nod my head. From what I’ve read so far, this is
a perfectly reasonable reaction to someone readying to celebrate one of his or
her favorite holidays. And it is Rose’s birthday too. She does have a right to
be excited.

Rose sits in front of me, placing her hands on her
knee. “Tomorrow – will be a big day. And I’ll be right there by your side if anything happens.”

My face scrunches together. “What do you mean?
What’s going to happen?”

She smiles and I can’t help but think that this
Rose is a bit more carefree than the one I’ve gotten to know over the past two
weeks. It must be the excitement of the Summer Solstice upon us. “Nothing dear.
I just want you to have a great time.”

Rose turns to leave and then hesitates and turns
back to face me. “One more thing, Katrina.”

My heart sinks into my chest.
She knows
. But
she’s smiling. “I don’t want you to think that by going for your runs every
night with that Alec boy that you’re pulling one over on me. I know what you’re
doing. I know that you’ve made a friend. But I want you to know that I am okay
with it. What I’m not okay with is the sneaking around.”

There’s a warning in her voice in an undertone of
her words. Guilt seeps through my veins. I’ve never been the type to sneak
around and I’m not sure why I thought I should start now.

She leaves me to my thoughts. I think back on the
significant things that have happened since coming to Apollo Beach. The
nightmare on my first night here, meeting my strange grandmother who knows much
more than she’s letting on, the vision on the beach, my improved hearing at the
Island Bar and Grille, the brooding waiter, and Alec. It all seems connected
somehow.

When the silence settles in, I sink deeper into the
overstuffed chair, made of crimson fabric and handcrafted wood trim, and
daydream. I imagine the next time I will see Alec. And I think about Iris, the
one who’s claimed him. She is the typical popular teen girl who gets what she
wants. Head cheerleader. Blonde bombshell. Why she has taken up such a
disliking to me is a mystery all in itself. And it’s not surprising that the
first guy I meet in this strange new town just happens to have a flock of girls
around him.

Not fitting in seems to always be my problem. I’ve
always been so awkward and unapproachable, which is why my interest in guys
never went any further than friendly banter on the basketball court.

It’s different talking to Alec, like I have more
self-confidence. But maybe it’s not just with Alec. Maybe these were the
changes that Rose had talked about. I’m growing up. The changes taking place
could surely be those in a maturing teen.

But what about my dreams? How do I justify those? I
suppose with my mom’s passing, moving to a new city, and making the transition
from homeschool to High School could all play a part in my illusions. The dream
could just be some kind of sign that life here will be different – I will
be different. As for the vision I had that day on the beach, I can’t begin to
explain that one. The flashes of bright white light were so vivid and painful
with each stab. Sure, they could pass for a headache, as Alec believed them to
be. But the vision that accompanied the light was much too real to ignore.

Today marks the 16
^th
year of my life, a
milestone that Rose believes to be cause for a celebration. It’s finally time
for me to make my entrance to my party. I pause at the top of the grand
staircase, taking one final look in the full-length mirror at the top of the
stairs. Charlotte helped me get dressed, despite my resistance. And with simple
touches like mascara and blush, my long eyelashes are accentuated and my
cheeks, rosy. Light eyeliner defines my silverish-blue eyes, which are becoming
more silver with every day that passes.

It’s my hair that really strikes me though. The
length alone has grown so fast over the few short weeks I’ve been here and it’s
down past my shoulders in curvy locks.

During my research I made an effort to understand
more about the day my grandmother holds so special. The Summer Solstice, June
21
^st
, is the first day of summer. It’s also the longest day of the
year as the sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon. Since spending
hours upon hours in the library I’ve read about all varieties of stories of the
Summer Solstice and the celebrations. In general, it is a time when social code
is temporarily shifted, as servants share in the merriment as equals. In some
cases, their masters even serve them.

Rose’s wild stories and crazy imagination is
getting the better of me. My dream last night was just like the first, upon
arriving at Summer Estates. The girl in the glass shattered the same vase.
Everything about the dream was exactly the same – except that the evil
smile in the mirror belonged to my grandmother. This time it was her who raised
her hand to make the vase burst in mid-air.

I’m disappointed that my questions are still
unanswered after as much reading as I’ve done. What does any of this have to do
with Rose’s obsession with Ancient Greek culture and our family history? At
some point today I plan to confront Rose. She
will
tell me everything
she knows and she will explain all of these mysteries that she’s been keeping
from me.

I run my hands down my ribs, waist, and then
finally my upper thighs, all covered in my simple green chiffon, baby doll
dress that reaches a couple inches above my knees. With a deep breath, I turn
and look down the semi-spiral staircase that flows into the great room.

It’s as if I’m overlooking a scene from a Mardi
Gras parade. Explosions of color decorate the great room. Wild-eyed at the
scene before me, I take my first jumbled step down the staircase. I’ve never
worn heels before.

Party guests are dressed in enthusiastic colors of
sequence, masks, face paint, headpieces, and feathers – lots of
feathers. Costume jewelry sparkles
so brilliantly it blinds me as I make my descent.

Generous arrangements of food and beverages are
scattered around the room. A folk band plays spirited music from the corner of
the room. White flowers of all types are sprinkled about in various
arrangements.

I arrive at the bottom of the steps and notice that
strangers stare at me now. Their smiles cause me to look away as they welcome
me to my own party. I’m so queasy by the sight around me that I lose my balance
as I reach the bottom. My feet land wobbly on the marble floor but Rose is there
to catch me before I topple over. My eyes sweep the room. If anyone notices
they are polite enough to look away.

“Katrina, you look beautiful.” She gives me a quick
kiss on the cheek and smiles proudly. “Happy Birthday, dear.”

She holds up a headpiece made of a base of branches
and wild white flowers. She places it on top of my head without asking my
permission. She leans back, a bright smile on her face as she takes in my
entire appearance now. “Perfect.”

“Thank you.” My smile is forced, but I say nothing
of the discomfort for fear of bursting her happy bubble. “Happy Birthday to you
too, Rose.”

As Rose moves away from me and onto her guests
others approach.

A gray haired woman with a long white gown, brown
belt, and slippers stands in front of me now with a grandiose smile. “You must
be Katrina! Rose has told us so much about you.” She places her arms on my
shoulders, pulling me slightly forward to touch my cheek with her lips. My body
jerks towards her. Her grip is strong. I peek over her shoulder in our embrace
and notice that she carries a bow and arrow. My eyes grow wide. “My name is
Darla French and this is my husband Darryl.”

I give them both a tight-lipped smile – my
best effort.

“So nice to finally meet you, Katrina.” Darryl
takes my hand, raising it to his mouth to kiss. His outfit is toned down to
cloth shorts and a white linen button up. That’s more like it, I think to
myself. But his face is covered in glittery gold face paint, resembling a mask
that just covers his eyes and nose.

“Please, call me Kat.” Struggling for
something interesting to say, I finally ask. “So, how do you know R- my
grandmother?”

Darla speaks with such excitement about her role at
Summer Island. She’s one of the original members of Apollo Beach.
Elder
,
is the word she uses. She met Darryl at a committee event and they’ve been
together about five years.

She’s hard to get away from but soon enough someone
is pulling me in another direction. It’s as if Rose handed out instructions on
how to greet me. They all have the same outline. One – greet me with
their full name. Two – introduce me to their significant other. Three
– inform me of their role in the community. And then I ask how they know
Rose. That’s the end of all conversations.

It takes some time, but I’m soon free to navigate
my way around the room of ornate madness. Everyone is engaged in animated
conversation revolving around unrestricted improvements, future installments,
and something about the reflection of values that should govern a society
– I hear this and quickly choose to tune out the politics and focus on
getting through this day.

My head is spinning by the time Rose opens the door
to the outside patio. It was getting a bit claustrophobic in here. I edge my
way to the back of the room where the white grand piano sits. I duck behind it
and take a seat on the bench, eager for a break from the celebration. I’m
seeing first-hand how important a role Rose plays in the community. Almost
everyone I come across boasts about Rose and her overwhelming contributions.

Elegant is the word to define my grandmother as I
watch her interact with her friends. She floats around the room, never losing
her sincerity and grace. Her laughter glides through the air, and I imagine it
tickling the white flower petals that sit atop the piano. It’s infectious to
watch and I catch myself smiling too.

“Do I finally have the privilege of speaking to
the
Katrina Summer?”

My shoulders lift slightly at the interruption. But
within two seconds I’ve guessed who the voice is next to me. I look up to face
him. A flutter builds in my stomach and my shoulders relax instantly. Alec
Stone is handsome. After seeing him so many nights in workout clothes,
sometimes shirtless, my heart can’t help but race at the sight of him now.
Dressed in dark jeans, a light green button down and sports coat, he is simply
gorgeous.

There’s a bemused expression playing on his face
that makes me smile. “Alec.” I say his name, unable to hide the sigh that
escapes me. I’m sure my relief is obvious. He’s the only familiar face in the
room. I scramble to stand up next to him. His green eyes have flecks of gold in
them. I’m just happy he’s not dressed in a ridiculous costume.

“What are you doing here?” I’m embarrassed by my
question as soon as it’s out of my mouth.

He doesn’t hesitate to answer, in spite of my
unintentional rudeness. “I guess you could say I crashed your party. My parents
were invited. Neighbors and all.” He shrugs. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m
here.”

With this I laugh. Finally, this party might just
be sufferable. “I’m glad you came.”

“Happy
Birthday, Kat.” His voice is soft and comforting as his shoulder brushes my
arm.

“Thank you.” Heat rises to my cheeks. In an effort
to distract my emotions I glance around slowly before speaking next. “You are
the only one here that I know, besides Rose and Charlotte.”

Alec makes a sympathetic tone and shakes his head.
“You’re new here. It looks like all of Rose’s friends and admirers made it
though.” His expression changes, a twinkle in his eyes as he speaks next. “So,
Summer Solstice celebration eh?”

A light laugh escapes me as I enjoy the
significance. “So, now you know I’m not full of it. I told you, Rose is into
this stuff.” I lean in closer and drop my voice to a whisper. “Maybe Rose will
perform some of her witchcraft for us.” I give him a wink.

Alec’s face twists apologetically. “Sorry about
that. I really didn’t mean anything by it. I guess it’s pretty exciting for
Rose. Both of your birthdays on the Summer Solstice and all. That’s some
coincidence.”

I shrug, unaffected. “I guess so.” I think to tell
him about how this is the first year I’ve actually celebrated my birthday on
this day but I stop myself.

He looks at me now, eyes curious, waiting for me to
say something, but Charlotte interrupts us.

“Kat, there you are. You look so beautiful sweetie.
Happy Birthday.” Charlotte, whom I barely recognize, wraps her arms around me
and gives me a warm hug. I look her up and down. She looks stunning in her gold
and silver glittered facemask. Her dress is a long, flowing, light blue
ensemble. Her short blonde hair perfectly frames her face. If someone were to
sculpt a statue of Charlotte she’d look believable as a goddess.

I smile up at her happily. Now that Alec is here,
things don’t seem as bad. “Everything looks wonderful. Thank you so much for
putting it all together.”

Charlotte waves her hand in front of her face to
dismiss my gesture. “Trust me, it was nothing.” She looks to Alec and tips her
head. “I remember you. Alec right?”

Alec reaches out a hand to shake hers. “Alec Stone,
that’s right. My parents are over there.” He points to a couple across the way
and I have to take a second longer to examine them. They look nothing like Alec
at all. They are an older couple. The man is short and stocky, the woman is
tall and skinny and they both have gray hair. I find it refreshing that they
haven’t gone costume-crazy either but they look out of place in their regular
clothes.

“Oh yes, the professor and his wife. Charlie and
Brenda, is that right?” Charlotte has her ah-ha moment and Alec is pleased she
remembers. I can see it in his features.

“Well, enjoy yourself, Alec. We’re happy to have
you. Kat, I’ll see you in a bit.” Charlotte walks away and immediately bumps
into someone else to chat with.

Alec leads me to the refreshment table, adorned
with fruit baskets and more flowers and a sculptured centerpiece of Goddess
Hecate. He reaches past me and grabs two plastic wine-shaped cups. A pink,
watery substance, probably punch, flows from a three-tiered cement-textured
fountain. He scoops up enough for each cup and hands one to me.

I turn to him gratefully and smile. “I’ve been
dreading this day –.” My confession catches him off guard and his face
becomes bright with confusion, but a smile still lingers on his face. “Until
now.” I say this and as expected, Alec relaxes again and even smiles.

“Well then good. I’m glad I came. You should have
invited me though.” He’s teasing but I feel as if I need to respond.

“You’re right. I should have.”

Again, he smiles as he pulls something out from
around his back that’s shiny, red, and wearing a bow.

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” I say with
surprise, unable to take my eyes off of it.

Rose approaches us from my left side, timing as bad
as ever. “So what do you think?” She waves her hands around proudly.

I give her a nod of genuine gratitude. “It’s
beautiful, thank you Rose.”

I watch as Rose’s eyes light up when she spots the
present I’m holding “Oh, I’ll take that.” After snatching it from my hand she
looks up at Alec and gives him a wary look. “Hello young man.”

“Hello Rose. Lovely party you’ve thrown.”

“Thank you, dear. I do hope you enjoy yourself. But
why don’t you two start mingling? There are a lot of people dying to get to
know you, Katrina.” I can’t help but notice how vibrant Rose looks in her white
short-sleeved dress. It has a sort of sash made from the same cloth draped
diagonally across one shoulder and down to her left hip.

Perhaps seeing Rose in her natural element, among
all of her friends has changed my opinion of her somewhat. She’s not my
estranged, lonely, grandmother, I once believed her to be. No. She’s as
charming as socialites come and she maintains a large group of admirers with
ease.

Rose leans in so only I can hear her. “You feeling
okay?” The question makes me squirm. Why would she ask that?

I nod emphatically, wondering if I’m pale or appear
sick. “I feel great.” It’s the truth.

Rose nods her head, smiles and flitters away to the
nearest couple and I look up at Alec with a smile. “I guess we should mingle then.”