The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted by K.K. Allen Read Free Book Online

had an issue with my
mom then wouldn’t he want to be there for me?
    When my mom had told me the story of how she met my
dad, I always thought it was odd. To this day, I know there is more to the
story than she lets on because Grace never wanted to explain the details of
their breakup. All she would say was that she did what was best for me at the
time and she didn’t regret a thing.
    While looking at the last album in my hands, things
get too overwhelming. I set the book down and take a few moments to calm myself
down.
    Rose gives me space for a moment and then asks the
question that’s been lingering in the air. “If you have questions about your
father Katrina, I can answer anything you want to know.”
    I know she is being sincere as she offers this to
me, but it’s not what I want. Not now. It’s almost been 16 years without
knowing him, so there has to be a good reason why he hasn’t been in my life.
And although I do have questions, I choose to dismiss them for now.
    I politely shake my head in answer to her question
and look away. I’m grateful for Rose’s ability to move on with no additional
questions or prying.
    Rose walks me around the room. She begins to show
me the statues from her trips to Greece. I pinpoint my favorite statues right
away of Greek goddesses. Greek Goddess, Hera, stands with a peacock below her
gold skirt, a crown atop her head, and real gold wraps around her body. I
remember this from school too, but the bronze nameplate on the stand below the
marble figure confirms that I am correct.
    Inside the glass cases are ancient artifacts and
Rose points out the pendants one by one. The Greek Owl, Cross, Horse, Sun and
dozens more. All of them have stories that Rose explains briefly, but I am
barely listening. I am too curious at this point in her fascination with Greek
culture. When she finishes her story telling, I ask.
    “Why were you two so obsessed with all of this
stuff? I mean, it’s beautiful, but why such a collection?”
    There is something unsettling in Rose’s features,
but she explains evenly. “Because, it’s in our blood. It’s a part of our
ancestry. Your grandfather and I just wanted to understand it all, as you
should. We wanted to understand ourselves and where we came from.”
    Suddenly, Rose becomes more animated. “If you look
at our name, for instance, you’ll learn that Summer stems from S-O-M-E-R in old
English times. After the Norman Conquest all names were changed to Norman
French names. Your mom didn’t realize this when her and Paul named you but even
your name has a deeper meaning, which relates to our ancestry. Katrina derives
from the Greek Goddess Hecate.”
    “Who was Hecate?”
    “She was associated with witchcraft and other forms
of the underworld. But she was also known as a guardian, protector of
everything newly born. Unfortunately the reputation of Hecate has been greatly
misconstrued over time. But if you do the research, you’ll discover that the
only evil she ever inflicted was to save herself and her family from harm.”
    “So what does your name mean?”
    “Kind.” Rose shrugs. “Not so fancy, I know. But I
think it has a nice ring to it.” She winks at me. “Come, sit. There is more to
discuss.”
    “What is that?” My eyes are locked on a glass case
in the corner of the room near the window. It rotates slowly as the sunlight
streams in on it, making the facets of the bulky, odd-shaped crystals glow. If
you were to pluck one of the rocks from the other crystals it would look
exactly like the necklace from my dream – a thin rectangular dagger.
    Rose is almost hesitant before answering this one.
My eyes are glued to the glass case in wonderment. “That is an amethyst
crystal.”
    I don’t know much about rocks, but I have seen
pictures of amethysts before and they’ve always been purple. “Green?”
    Her eyes widen. “You recognize it?”
    I hesitate, but shake my head. I don’t want to
bring up my dreams for fear that Rose