Chapter 2Present day
The Midsummer Eve party at my parents’ house is celebrating its forty-fifth anniversary this year. My mind boggles when I think about how these four families have met here every Midsummer since my parents bought the house. Even more mind-boggling is that the original crew is still the same. No divorces, no new spouses making things difficult, throwing a monkey-wrench into cherished traditions and old friendships.
Us kids, on the other hand, are scattered to every corner of the earth and rarely come to the party anymore. Except for me and Fia, since our parents are hosting, but even Fia has other obligations now and then, like today, and I’m the only one who shows up every year.
But my parents’ house is the place to celebrate Midsummer. It’s very traditional: the cla
