Chapter two

“In 1785, the state legislature of Georgia decided to create the University of Georgia. As a son of Athena, John Milledge took the lead in finding a location. He and his committee founded Athens then he dedicated the school and city to his mother. In return, Athena blessed the campus and the school flourished. Demigods have always been able to go there without fear of monsters or evil forces. It’s a protected place of learning."

“How come I’ve never heard this before?” Josh asked.

“Well,” Demeter said, “Chiron doesn’t like to talk about college and futures in the mortal world a lot because some campers will never truly be comfortable there, so he typically tells eligible campers in their last year.”

She left it at that, and Josh was grateful. He left Camp Half-Blood earlier than most to work on a summer farm and provide money for his grandparents, along with saving up for college. Apparently that meant he missed out on actually hearing about college.

“So,” he started slowly, “I’m really going to the University of Georgia?”
Demeter nodded.

Josh let out a loud whoop and Demeter smiled.

“I have a little something for you, by the way,” she said as she pulled out a small white card and handed it to him. "Your graduation present."

“A blank business card?” Josh asked, turning it over in his fingers.

“There are a lot of demigods in Athens; some may be able to help you. Whenever you need help this card will fill with the contact information of someone in the area who can be of assistance. Take it out of your wallet anytime you need anything.”

Josh slipped it into his leather wallet then replaced the wallet in his jeans.
“Thanks, Mom,” he said quietly.

Demeter stood, and so did Josh.

“I have to go now,” she said, “but I’ll see you at the party Saturday.”

A hug and a goodbye from Josh, then she was gone. The grass where her feet had pressed into the earth wasn’t even bent.

ΔΦΔΦ

The music swelled as Josh passed over the squeaky wood floors of the auditorium. Typically graduation was held in a large civic center a few towns over, but since this was summer school there were few enough students to hold it in the gym.

As Josh took his diploma in one hand, he used the other to shake the hand of Mr. McIntyre, the principal. The man grinned broadly, and murmured “congratulations” to him as he walked off stage. Without the clear-seeing mortal, who had a demigod child of his own at Camp Half-Blood currently, Josh might never have made it out of high school. As it was he was a year and a summer late. Typical of demigods, he was always getting into trouble he didn’t deserve; some monster always attacked at a most inopportune time and left him with detention or some other form of reprimand. Mr. McIntyre, an organic farmer, knew of Olympus and the gods through his affair with Iris and so understood Josh’s predicament. He smoothed over all the mishaps, trying to make it easier for Josh and for that he was grateful.

With a loud cheer all the students crossed the stage and the crowd dispersed to their respective parties. Normally with graduation, every student has their own party and no one can go to each other’s. It being summer school, however, nearly all of Josh’s friends could make the festivities. He was never particularly close to anyone, he mostly kept to himself, but he was never cold; he was amiable, easy going, and garnered respect so a good number of people showed up in his backyard an hour after the proceedings ended.

Demeter appeared seemingly out of nowhere. As usual, she turned heads, and as usual she took no heed. Josh was blowing out his candles as she approached and Ma Carter started handing out pieces of cake. She seemed to forget to give Demeter a slice somehow, so Josh grabbed a plate and fork then head over to her.

“I’m sorry about that,” Josh said sheepishly.

“Don’t be,” Demeter said, smiling wryly. “I can’t really blame her. Your Father was a great man, and if I hadn’t been a part of his life it’s very possible he would still be alive. But it is also possible he would have died a different way, regardless. The Fates choose the date they choose and there isn’t much we can do about it. But that’s not an easy thing to explain to mortals, who always believe they can change their destiny.”

She looked thoughtful for a second.

“But that’s not why I’m here. I’m here to congratulate you on your graduation and tell you about a job offer.”

“A job offer?” asked Josh, startled and still dwelling on what Demeter had just mentioned about destiny.

“Yes, it should be coming through your email any day now. And I promise I did not throw my weight around, honestly I only know because I was gossiping with Iris. But I did check it out, to be safe, and it looks like a great arrangement. I hope you will do me proud.”

“Whatever it is, I’ll do my best.”
“Then I know I’ll be proud,” replied Demeter with a smile. After that, she left.

By late evening the party finally came to a close. Everyone filtered off the lawn and the Carters set to cleaning up. That night, Josh lay awake thinking about what Demeter had said. His father had been a great man, before the drakon attack. Josh had been only three, and his father had understood the risks of keeping a demigod. When the drakon attacked he protected his son, to the point of laying down his life. Josh could barely remember it all, he mostly remembered Demeter arriving, teary-eyed, to take him to live with his grandparents a few towns over. But he still missed his father with a pang in his heart.

And as he reflected on this, Josh’s eyes grew droopy and soon he was unceremoniously thrown into a typical demigod hyper-realistic dream.

ΔΦΔΦ

Josh blinked. He was standing on a dirt road at the entrance to a fairground in blinding sunlight. People were all over the place, setting up for a festival of some kind, but something seemed off. He couldn’t put a finger on it. His dream body walked around the stands of lemonade and hot dogs until he was right in front of a cow enclosure. In the space was a massive sow and a man with his back turned to Josh putting up a sign that read “Milk Miss Bessie--$2 to the winner.” Children were already lining up to see who could get the most milk in the bucket.

A group of men approached the pen. They were all very official looking and wore suspenders; one bearded man even checked a gold pocket watch.

“Can we speak to you a minute, Mr. Carter?”

“Sure thing, Mayor Gillis,” said the man, finished with the sign and turning around to face the group and Josh.

It was his father! He was younger, of course, but that was him, Josh recognized the handsome youth from family photos. He looked a lot like Josh: same sandy brown hair, same wide brow and square chin, broad shoulders but not huge overall in size. He wore a red shirt under jean overalls with thick brown boots. His muscular arms were tanned and he had a spot of sunburn on his neck from working in the fields. But in his face, under a ball cap, were set gentle blue eyes and a generally mild manner.

“Now, see here Leroy. I know you have been evading me thus far, but I will not allow you to decline our offer. You deserve the Citizens Award more than any other resident in all of Trutland County, with all the work you’ve done fixing up the town. Not to mention the time you spend away from your own farm helping out on others. Or the fact your greens are the best grown for miles. You’re a damn good farmer, Mr. Carter, now would you please just come on stage and accept the medal!”

“Aw shucks, Gillis. You say nice things, but these kids have a contest they are looking forward to and I can’t bear to disappoint them. Besides, you know I don’t care about medals or awards. Don’t quite care for stages, neither. I’m here for the food, fun, music and games.”

The mayor sighed and smiled, hanging the medal around the sow’s neck.

“If you insist, Leroy. I would have liked to see you properly thanked.”
“I feel thanked,” Leroy said, tipping his cap to the gentlemen as they left.

As his father started the contest for the children Josh followed the men who had left.
“They just don’t make ‘em like that no more,” murmured the bearded man with the pocket watch.
“No sir, Matthias,” said a different man. “That Leroy Carter is a farmer through and through. God bless him.”

The dream shifted to a grassy meadow where the fair could still be seen in the distance. Josh wondered why the dream had taken him there when all of a sudden the grass began to wind together very quickly. The wind picked up and the sun temporarily went behind a cloud. Then, just as sudden, everything was still. The sun came out again. And in the grass where everything had gotten so excited lay a beautiful girl. No, woman. She sat up in a pleasant blue dress with white trim and gorgeous auburn curls tumbled about her. Demeter!

She stood and brushed her skirts. Then she looked down at herself in apparent awe. She stretched a youthful hand out, gazing at it as if she hadn’t seen healthy looking, young skin in a very long time. Turning, she saw the fair, and a smile crept over her face in a way that made Josh feel warm.

The dream took him to the fair again. By now the activities were winding down and the dancing was beginning. It looked like Leroy had just packed up his event and was sitting on the end of his truck bed with his cap pulled over his eyes the way Josh’s grandfather often did. Demeter walked over, holding a pie Josh never saw her get.

“Excuse me, sir.”

Josh’s dad lifted his hat an inch to peek out and saw the pie. He pushed the brim all the way up excitedly.

“Why, hello there!”

Then he saw who was holding the pie. His expression softened.

“I mean, hello there, miss. What can I do you for?”

“My name is Demi,” she said sweetly in a drawl, “and I’m new to these parts. I want to enter my apple pie in one of the contests but I’m not sure when they start.”

Leroy frowned.
“Why, miss, the contests are already judged and done. I’m afraid you missed it!”

“Oh,” she said, not seeming too put out. “Well maybe you can try it, and say if it would have been good enough to win anyway.”

“Hard to resist that kind of offer,” Leroy said with a charming smile. “My name is Leroy Carter. I wish all new acquaintances could be made over pie.”

Demeter cut into the pie and handed him a slice. Josh’s father ate it with his bare hands, making Demeter giggle with his astounded expression.

“By the good Lord, this is the best apple pie I ever tasted!”
“I’m glad you liked it,” Demeter said smiling. “But maybe you could do me another favor, Mr. Carter?”
“Anything, Miss Demi! And call me Leroy.”

“Well, Leroy,” she continued, as the sun began to set on her honey-auburn curls. Music swelled in the near distance, and she gestured towards it. “Would you join me for a dance?”

Josh’s father took her hand.
“I could never disappoint a lady.”

Josh watched them dance. He watched them have picnics under the apple trees and fish and milk the cows and go to more fairs and dances. He saw all these things as if he were staring at a calendar of the summer flipped before his eyes. He watched his parents fall in love, and for the first time wondered why his dream showed him these things. It only made him miss his father more.

The montage of romance stopped. It was a rainy night in June. Leroy Carter stared at a ring in a velvet box with a serious expression as he sat in an armchair. As thunder rumbled frantic knocking could be heard at the door.

There stood Demeter. Gone were the blue dresses and smooth jeans of the past few months as she walked into the room in a green Greek style dress covered by a darker green hooded cloak. Her hair was piled on her head and she was adorned with gold. In her arms was a squirming bundle.

“Demi—“ began Leroy in surprise.
“I don’t have long,” she said evenly, “I’m already keeping him waiting.”

The sweet southern accent had been replaced with a crisp and proper, almost British tone.

“Keeping who waiting? Demi, what is going on?”

With a wave of her hand, a cradle appeared in the corner of the room. It dawned on Leroy what was in the bundle.

“Is that…? How could that even be possible?”

Demeter lowered the bundle Josh assumed to be him into the cradle, cooing and kissing him on the forehead. Then she turned to face Josh’s father with an expression so pained it made both Josh and Leroy pause. His heart, which he didn’t even realize had been racing, slowed back down. Thunder could still be heard outside.

“This is your son, Leroy,” said Demeter, obviously choking back tears. “This is our son.”

“Our son?” stammered Leroy.

Thunder rumbled again. Demeter stuck her head out the door and yelled angrily at the sky,
“He deserves to know more, just give me a minute!”

She closed the door again and faced Leroy, taking his hands. He wrenched them away.

“Who are you?” he demanded. “And what is going on?”
“I am Demeter,” she said in a controlled voice. “Goddess of the Harvest.”

Leroy looked incredulous. Before he could speak, she interrupted,
“I know it’s a hard story to believe but it’s true. How else could I conceive and give birth so quickly, without you even being aware? I am an ancient goddess, and I along with my family have lived alongside civilization as long as it has existed. We lived among the Greeks, the Romans, the British, all of the great empires. We dwell here now, all of us.”

“Your…family?” muttered Leroy, looking apprehensively at the lightning in the sky.
“Yes, Zeus. He is angry that I am late for the summer solstice, our bi-annual meeting in Olympus. The lord of the skies is not exactly patient. But I owed an explanation to you."

Leroy looked down.
“Did you really love me, this whole time? Or was I a distraction from your immortal life?”

Demeter looked pained.

“I love you,” she whispered fervently. Leroy looked up, hope in his eyes.

“Take me with you, then,” he said, bending on one knee and taking out the box from earlier. The small diamond shimmered in the light of the few lamps. Tears rolled down Demeter’s smooth cheeks.

“I can’t,” she barely managed to whisper. “I’m sorry. I am normally an old hag. A bitter, mousy woman with a diminishing domain and dwindling importance. My throne is unstable. My position uncertain at times. I have not been able to take this youthful form,” she brushed thick hair behind her ear, “in centuries. YOU awakened it. And once we are parted, it shall fade. I will take my true form, which no mortal may loom upon and live. If I were to make you a god,” at this Leroy gained hope again, Josh could tell, “then our son would be left alone, for I cannot grant immortality to one who has done nothing to prove himself worthy. I might be able to immortalize you, but your son would die,” she finished quietly.

Leroy gazed at the sleeping infant in the cradle with a blank face. For a moment, even though Josh knew what he must chose, he felt a little afraid. Demeter was beautiful, the choice tempting. But he knew what was right.

“I will raise him well,” Leroy said, tears in his eyes. “And I will miss you.”

Demeter kissed him passionately, then stepped back.
“Avert your eyes.”

Josh almost forgot to close his own eyes. Could he be vaporized in a dream? He didn’t want to find out.

When Josh opened his eyes again he was in a graveyard. The tombstone in front of him was his father’s. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned with a start.

It was a shade. A shade of Leroy Carter. He couldn’t speak, same as most shades, but he seemed to be trying to tell Josh something.

“You really loved her, didn’t you?” he asked his father.
The shade version nodded.
“And you want me to understand your story, but why? Why show me all this?”
The shade tried speaking but indistinct chatter came out. Out of the garble, though, Josh thought he heard the words,

“So you can let it go.”

ΔΦΔΦ

Josh woke up with a start. He just witnessed his father speaking through the grave just to tell him not to worry about his death. He had the option of giving Josh up, becoming immortal with Demeter forever, but he chose the life of his son. He didn’t regret his death. And Josh didn’t honor him by dwelling on it.

“I’ll make you proud, Dad,” he whispered. Then he settled back into a dreamless sleep.

Notes

And here is the backstory on Josh Carter! All neatly wrapped up in a dream sequence. More soon to come.