The Equinox

by K. K. Allen

  “Sure,” I say with a grin. “Hey, have you heard from your friends that rescued the manatee? Do you know how he’s doing?”

  Johnny stops unwrapping the paper casing from the napkins he’s holding. “Yeah, they say he’s doing great. They’re going to keep him another couple weeks before releasing him but he’ll be fine, thanks to you.”

  I shake my head. “No, you’re the one who knew exactly what to do. That manatee was lucky you were there.”

  He looks at me with an amused glance before folding his arms across his chest. “Don’t volunteers help? Come on, I want to get out of here.”

  My heart sinks. The last thing I want is to get out of here. I swing my legs over the counter and hop down. My feet land right in front of his and when I stand I’m surprised by how tall he is. I guess I never noticed. My eyes land on his collarbone as a heavenly fragrance greets my nostrils—Johnny’s familiar scent of sun-kissed beaches, and just a hint of sweet pineapple.

  Being this close to Johnny is extremely intimidating. As my eyes flicker up at his, I catch him staring down at me. He may not be glaring at me anymore but his gaze is still intense. He looks away quickly, turning back to his napkin duties.

  Disappointment sets in. Why does he always move away from me?

  “What would you like me to do?” I ask, looking around.

  He kicks a box at his foot without looking at it. “You can fold rags and put them in that drawer over there. I know it’s not the most glamorous job but it will help.”

  I shrug. “It’s fine. What makes you think I like glamorous anyway?”

  He looks back to his own box of plastic ware now. “Don’t Summer’s like nice things? Nice homes. Islands named after them?”

  I resent his question. “Johnny. Is that really what you think of me—and my family?”

  He looks at me now. “Not anymore. I was kidding.”

  “But you did” I say this quietly as to not prolong the conversation.

  I can feel Johnny’s eyes on me but I can’t look at him. “I did think that, yes—but I don’t think that anymore.”

  “You just made a comment. You obviously still think that,” I say defensively.

  If only he understood the why behind it all; the fact that Rose and my grandfather are the reason this town still exists, and the only reason the Island has the Summer name is because it was protected by magic to be a safe house to other Solstice who seek a place where they belong. He’ll never have the chance to understand it all but he shouldn’t be so judgmental.

  “Hey,” his words are gentle. “You’re right. Sometimes, I just make stupid assumptions—but you’ve got to admit your grandmother likes nice things.”

  I sigh. He’s right. “Yes, she does, but that doesn’t mean you should think any less of her.”

  “Again, you’re right.” He smiles. “You’re on a roll lately.”

  I shake my head, trying to hide my smile. I finish folding the napkins and begin tearing down the empty boxes and placing them in a pile outside the booth.

  “Here, help me with this banner.” Johnny unrolls a large banner that says Island Dogs.

  I climb onto the ladder without hesitation and he has to grab it from below me to stop it from shaking. “Go slow, Kat. You’re going to break your neck.”

  I grin. “I’ll be fine.” I hammer in one side of the banner and then do the same to the other side.

  As I’m jumping down Johnny’s right there to make sure I land safely. His hands catch my waist and lift me the rest of the way down. My hands use his forearms as leverage. Johnny is all muscle. The feel of his large hands on me causes a tingling sensation all through body. He is incredibly good looking. Have I completely denied my eyes from seeing him until now?

  “Thanks,” I say looking up at him without actually making eye contact.

  When his lips turn up I get a peek of his white teeth so I know he’s amused by me. “You’re welcome.”

  He releases my waist and I look away, hoping my blush subsides.

  “Hey Kat.” A guy I recognize as Dan from some of the Enchanter meetings calls to me. He’s an out-of-towner so we haven’t spoken much.

  “When you two are done you should join us. We’re all making environment signs for the city. We’re over there.” He points to the large gazebo area that is set up with picnic tables for everyone.”

  I nod. “Yeah okay, thanks Dan.”

  Dan walks away but Johnny frowns. “Signs for the environment? What is that about?”

  “Environmental friendly signs.” I shrug. “I thought it would be a good idea to place them around the city to remind everyone of the things we can do to be conscious about the environment. Recycle, pick up loose trash, carpool…”

  “Ride your bicycle everywhere.” Johnny is smiling and I realize he’s teasing me which is extremely attractive.

  I return his smile. “Well, yeah.”

  He chuckles. “I didn’t know you were into all that stuff.”

  I shrug, knowing that I can’t tell him the whole story. “Well, it’s important. If we want to keep our city and bay clean, we all need to be aware so we can contribute.”

  Johnny’s eyes linger on mine. My eyes flicker up and catch them. “Can I help? Make the signs, I mean?”

  Surprised, but grateful, I nod. “Of course.”

  We walk side-by-side to the gazebo where a dozen people of all ages, led by Dan, are designing poster boards by hand with messages and reminders about the environment.

  Truth be told, I’m an awful artist. I can’t even pretend, and I’m certain my magic isn’t strong enough to make me any better, but I do my best. I take a blue marker and a poster board and begin drawing words that will help others remember to be good to our environment. When I’m done, I’m not impressed. I giggle at the hideous piece of art I’ve put together.

  Johnny looks up at me and smiles. “How’d you do?”

  I make a face and shake my head. “Not great.”

  “Show me,” he laughs, knowing I have something to hide.

  I shake my head. “No that’s okay. I think I’ll start over.”

  He gasps good-humoredly. “And waste poster board?”

  Throwing my head back, I laugh. “You had to go there? Let me see yours first.”

  “Fine.” He agrees and turns his poster board around.

  I’m expecting something similar to mine, but no. Johnny’s poster is a masterpiece. It’s a cartoon figure of a dark haired girl with silver eyes, riding the back of a manatee. The words above and below it say, They protect the environment. Do you?

  My jaw is open wide. I look from Johnny to the poster and shake my head. “Wow. That is really good.” I look closer at it, taking it from him. “Who is that girl?” A suspicion tells me it’s me, but I’m not too quick to get my hopes up. It could be anyone.

  He grins. “It’s you.”

  I stare at the poster once more, particularly at the illustration of me. The head is bigger than the rest of the body, the cheeks are exaggerated, and the eyes are wide and look like they are sparkling.

  “You’re an artist.”

  Johnny makes a face now. “No, I’m not. I just like to draw.”

  I set the poster down. “Well, you should like to draw more often. Because you’re really great at it. I wish I could keep this.”

  He snatches it away from me. “Don’t be selfish. This is for the environment.” With a smirk on his face, he rips my poster out of my hands. I’m humiliated before he even looks at it. He gives me a small smile. “This isn’t bad.”

  My mouth opens in horror. “Don’t start lying to me now. You were on a roll.”

  His smirk deepens. “Okay, it’s hideous, but it’s the thought that counts.”

  He stands up and takes our posters to the table to allow them to dry. When he returns I notice how relaxed he seems. His intensity is still there; it’s just part of him, and I don’t resent it any longer.

  “Do you have to be anywhere?”


  What does he have in mind? I shake my head. “No. Do you need me to cover your shift?” I hope this isn’t the case.

  “No,” he says smoothly. “I need to run by the energy plant to help someone, but there’s something I want to show you.”

  The energy plant? What could Johnny possibly want to show me there? I follow him anyway, curious, and I actually enjoy spending time with him. Johnny walks with purpose, telling me there is nothing more important than where he’s headed. He hides so much behind his thick exterior; it’s intriguing.

  I’m not sure why I look up when I do but my eyes land on a laughing Ava and Alec setting up the entrance of the garden maze, some sort of spooky exhibit that her father designed and suggested for the carnival. They are building it from scratch and it’s supposed to be an exotic adventure of some sort.

  “What’s at the energy plant?” I ask, turning my attention back to Johnny.

  Johnny slows down slightly so our strides are equal before answering me. “When I first moved here I volunteered at the Manatee Viewing Center, across from the energy plant.”

  I scrunch my face. “Huh?”

  “Manatees that live up north migrate here closer to winter. They can’t survive in water less than sixty-eight degrees, so this is their home during colder months. The plant takes in cold water from the bay and heats it in large boilers. The steam from the boiling water turns the turbines and condenses before pumping it back out in the bay, so the manatees are able to live here. Starting in November you’ll see hundreds of manatees migrating to the plant. In December the number is in the thousands. It’s incredible.”

  There’s an awe in Johnny’s voice that he failed to mask. I like it.

  “When I was nearing town on my trip here a couple years ago, I noticed an injured manatee. It had been hit by a boat like the one we saw last week. The manatee rescue team came and they told me about the Manatee Viewing Center and that they could use volunteers like me. I did everything, from giving tours to feeding the baby manatees. I fell in love with the big goofy creatures. They’re gentle, playful, and harmless to those who injure them.”

  I turn to him, unbelieving. “Why are people so thoughtless?” But then I remember the Equinox symbol that was branded into the manatee Johnny helped, and I know that not all accidents are thoughtlessness, but in fact, purposeful.

  Johnny just shrugs. He obviously has no words—no explanations for such awful violence.

  “Why don’t you volunteer anymore?”

  He smiles. “I do. Their season doesn’t begin here until November. I thought about going up to Crystal River for the summer. There are manatees there all year-round because the water is a constant seventy-two degrees.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  He shrugs. “Things came up here, and I liked working at the Island Grille.” He leaves it at that so I decide to leave it there too.

  I allow my eyes to linger on him as his shoulders move back and forth with each stride. He carries a hint of a smile that I can’t help but wonder has anything to do with me. We approach the gate to the energy plant. It’s closed and locked but Johnny is able to get ahold of a tall, heavyset man in a security uniform as he’s walking by.

  “Pierce,” the man says with a jubilant smile on his face. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hey Frank. The boys needed some help at the turbines, but first I was going to let my friend here get a glimpse of the manatees first.”

  Friend. The word creates a sinking in my chest.

  Frank looks around and shrugs. “Sure. Not much going on today. That’s fine.”

  I give him a bright smile as he unlocks the gate for us but I’m thrown by the way he looks back at me with narrowed, curious eyes. I pull my eyes away in discomfort and then turn to Johnny who is looking around.

  We leave Frank and cross the paved road, beside a strip of water until we reach another gate. Johnny leans up against it and points to a tall bridge on the other side of the water with what looks like an observatory. “That’s the Manatee Viewing Center. It’s all locked up now, but people come in the thousands from all over the world just to catch a glimpse of the manatees.”

  “Look” he says now, pointing down into the water.

  My eyes follow in the direction he’s pointing and I see just a few manatees floating around, their large gray backs just barely raised above water. Some of their snouts come up to take in some fresh air and I giggle.

  “Come on.” He opens the door to the gate and we reach the end of the platform and sit, our legs dangling off the edge.

  Johnny points to the nearest manatee. “This is the guy I saved a couple of years ago.

  My jaw drops. “How do you know it’s him?”

  He points. “You can’t really see them now, but his scar patterns is unique. I don’t know why but this is the only group of manatees that stick around the plant during the summer months. It’s unusual but they are welcome.”

  I look at him, amazed. Just then one of the manatees pops out of the water and raises his snout to Johnny and heads toward us. Johnny leans forward and pets the nose of the large whiskered snout and I laugh.

  He looks at me over his shoulder and smiles. “Do you want to touch him?”

  I nod and pull myself forward close to Johnny. So close that our shoulders touch. This time, he doesn’t move away. Johnny takes my hand and an electricity passes through us. I feel it up the length of my arm and I wonder if he feels it too. I can barely think straight. He brings my hand closer to the manatee’s nose. I giggle at the feel of his rough and prickly nose.

  “Why aren’t people allowed to touch them?” I ask curiously. Manatees seem to love the attention.

  “Because they get used to the attention, and when they lose their fear of humans they lose their own survival instincts, making them more susceptible to harm.” Johnny looks back down at him. “Hey buddy, I’m glad you’re hanging around today. I wanted Kat to meet you, so she could see what she helped protect the other day.”

  I pull my hand away and look at Johnny with a smile. “You saved that manatee. Not me.”

  “Shh,” he says covering his mouth with a finger. “Don’t tell my friend that. I want him to like you.”

  I smirk. “Oh yeah, why’s that?” I am teasing him now, blood pulsing through me. It’s ridiculous to entertain the thought that Johnny could like me in a romantic way, but the flirting feels good.

  Johnny doesn’t answer my question, instead he stands up and helps me to my feet. “Not too much to see here, but I thought you’d like to check it out.”

  “Hey Johnny. A mans voice from behind causes us to turn. He’s an older gentleman with white hair and a beard. “Frank told me you were here. Checking on your friend?”

  Johnny smiles. “Yes, hello sir.” They shake hands. “We were just about done here.”

  “Will you be volunteering at the Viewing Center again in November? They can definitely use you, and so can we. That job offer is still open if you’re interested.”

  Johnny nods. “I’ll let you know. Sir, this is Katrina Summer.” The man turns to me and a look for recognition crosses his features. “Kat, this is Robert Hoffman, Operations Director of the energy plant.”

  I offer him my hand which he takes firmly. “Nice to meet you.”

  Robert tilts his head at me. “Summer. Rose Summer’s granddaughter. I’ve seen you at some of the community events.” He says this and the familiarity in his face registers in my memory. I’ve seen him at the Enchanter meetings. “It’s great to officially meet you.”

  A smile widens on my face. “Thank you.”

  “Johnny, would you mind giving the boys a hand downstairs? They want to get out of here but there’s only two of them today. I can give Katrina here a little tour of the facility.”

  Johnny throws me an apologetic look. “I’ll be quick.”

  Robert’s timing is suspicious. Johnny walks off and I’m standing there alone with Robert. Is he trying to get me alone? But why?
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  “Come with me. I’ll show you where the boys are working.”

  I’m not sure what could possibly be interesting at the energy plant but it’s kind of Robert to keep me company, so I feign interest as much as possible. We walk through the doors of the main building and he leads me down a long corridor with nothing but doors on either side.

  “Did Rose send you?” He asks me once we’ve traveled almost halfway down the hall.

  I shake my head slowly, eyes wide. “No, why?”

  He lets out a sigh of relief. “We’ve had this place on lock down lately. Keeping workers limited to just Enchanters. With the Equinox running about terrorizing people, we’re on high alert. I thought you may have a message for me.”

  I don’t get it. I shake my head at him apologetically. “I’m sorry, I don’t have a message for you, but I can talk to Rose if you need something from her.”

  He just stares at me, as if contemplating if he should tell me something. What does he know? What should I know?

  “Has Rose told you anything about this place? I’m just curious.” Something in his expression triggers worry in me.

  I shake my head again, though I am tempted to lie to see if that gives me more information. “I’m afraid she hasn’t spoken a word of this place.”

  Robert looks around uncomfortably. “Okay. Well that’s good. You really shouldn’t know.”

  “Know what?” I am utterly confused.

  Robert hesitates but finally makes the decision to shake his head. “I can’t.” He begins to back up. “I’m sorry Kat. I’m sworn to secrecy. I just—I thought you knew. Since you’re who you are and all.”

  I sigh. I should have expected as much. Another secret, but this just isn’t any secret. What would Rose be keeping from me that has to do with the energy plant, and this strange man in front of me?

  “It was great meeting you, Kat. Johnny should be back soon. I do need to get back to work though.” And then he turns and scurries off, leaving me to myself.

  More curious than ever now, I give myself my own tour through the hallways. What on earth about this place could have anything to do with the Enchanter’s secret? I remember the cryptic conversation between Isaac and Rose last week, and wonder if it has anything to do with this. Is this the secret that only a few of them know?