by K. K. Allen
Rose is just happy that I’m wearing new clothes. She compliments my black running shorts and hot pink tank top that Charlotte chose for me then turns in for the night. Charlotte stays up to clean but she is adamant that I leave her to do it alone.
Alec and I meet in front of his house. He greets me with bright and challenging eyes. “Alright, let’s see if you’re as good at running as you are at pool.”
I laugh, knowing I can hold my own. We stretch before taking off into the night. I follow Alec’s pace as we start with a light jog down along the coast. As our jog speeds into a run, a smile spreads across my face. There’s something about the night breeze along the coast that energizes every bone in my body and brings buoyancy to each advance.
I keep up with Alec as we run side-by-side. He takes me down past the private beach and out into the community streets. We run under the buzzing streetlamps along the sidewalks of the stunning homes.
My thigh and calf muscles tighten and release with each stride. I am stronger with each second that passes. Usually at this point in my runs I start to get tired but it’s as if I could go for miles.
Alec takes us in and out of the small intercostal neighborhoods outside of ours and I’m suddenly curious to see a map of Apollo Beach. It’s as if we’re making a star in our path.
Alec doesn’t begin to slow down until we are back on our community beach. I slow down with him and look at him for the first time since the beginning of our run. He’s sweating and breathing heavily. I assume I should be just as tired – but I want to keep running.
Dejected, I slow to a walk with him. He’s looking at me now. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I make a face, twisting my lips into a hesitant smile, my eyebrows raised. “I guess I just have a lot of energy tonight?”
Alec shakes his head. “We just ran five miles and you haven’t even broken a sweat.”
I laugh. “I’ve been running a lot.”
“You are superhuman woman. Come on.”
He pulls me towards the shore and kicks off his shoes. His brief touch on my hand leaves goose bumps all over my body. He slides his shirt off his back and it lands in the sand. I turn my eyes away quickly once I realize I’m staring. I peek up at him now, trying not to look directly at his toned chest and abdominal muscles. I slide my shoes and socks off and meet him down at the shore.
Half of Alec’s body is under the water now and I go to meet him. He splashes me gently, his eyes never leaving mine. I laugh and cup my hands in the water in retaliation. But before I can release the water and splash him back, there’s a hungry rumble in the sky.
We look up just as a bolt of lightning strikes in the distance and a shower of rain pours down on us. As if reading each other’s mind, we take off for the shore and stumble our way out. Alec runs ahead and scrambles to grab our things. We trip along the shore’s edge to our homes. The sound of our laughter is barely audible over the tropical storm that pours down on us. His hair is sopping wet, rain dripping down onto his face. I want to reach out to him and wipe the drops away but I restrain myself. “Thanks for the run,” I shout. The wind whips my hair around my head.
“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 16th 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 mu
ch 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.
Chapter Six
Today marks the 16th 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 21st, 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 final
ly 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.
