Reyna and Jason: The Praetor's of New Rome - Sacrifice

Little Girl

"Your home early Gwen. I was just making- Oh. Mi coqui. Your soaking wet. Come inside." Mr. Parker, Gwen's dad, told me as he rushed to find a towel.

The sight of Gwen's dad immediately uplifted my spirits a few points higher then it was a second ago. He reminded me so much of Ben. Tall, light blue eyes and a wide frame. The only differences were Mr. Parker's light brown hair with a bit of grey starting to highlight the ends of his hair and the so called Dad-Bod he rocked proudly.

I shuffled inside Mr. Parker's condo unit, soaking wet from the rain. Mr. Parker ran up the stairs directly to my left. "I'll get you a towel and some of Gwen's clothes! Don't move, I just cleaned these carpets!"

I waited patiently while Mr. Parker had ran up to the bedrooms upstairs. I surveyed the dimly lit condo unit before me, feeling bad for interrupting Mr. Parker in his down time. I stared at the mahogany dining table directly to my right. Reminiscing on all of late nights spent with Gwen and Jason playing board games with Mr. Parker during the first few months here in New Rome.

Across the table was the sala, or living room space where Mr. Parkers couch, love seat and television set rested. Beneath his mounted TV, I could see the glint of all his toys or "action figures" as Mr. Parker called them, displayed proudly in glass display cases.

Directly to the left of living area was a small kitchen. On the marble topped table, a small box of pizza rested wide open. The fragrance demanding I come forward and take a slice. But I respectfully stayed in place, happy to see Mr. Parker return with a fresh towel and pair of Gwen's Spider-Man pajamas.

"Alrighty sweet heart." Mr. Parker said, gently passing me the items. "I'm very happy to see you, but you are not going to ruin my carpets. So undress here and dry up. I'm going to step out of the house. In ten minutes, I'm going to knock. If I don't hear a response from you, I know your upstairs taking a shower."

I pouted. "Ten minutes is too long. I'll knock when I'm about to run upstairs."

He grimaced. "Fine. You better run, because if I see your dirty butt cheeks, I'm going to have Gwen kick them for me."

I snorted. "Who's butt are you calling dirty? Mr. Lactose Intolerant. Why are you eating pizza? Y'know that stuff is not good for you. I'm going to tell Gwen you ignored her doctors note."

He smirked. "I wasn't expecting visitors."

He raised his legs and let out a fart. "Ah, there. A little welcome home present for you."

I waved my hands. "Ugh! Your so gross! Get out of here! Second time today a fart has ruined my day."

Mr. Parker chuckled as he walked out of the room. I gagged. "Oh my gods, its following you!" I cried.

I could here Mr. Parker belly laughing outside as I undressed. The smell encouraging to me dry up quickly. Once done, I wrapped the towel around me and knocked on the door. Rushing upstairs before Mr. Parker could open the door.

I happily jumped in the shower. Relieved to take a shower in a private place compared to Camp Jupiter. I took my time, replaying the conversation I had with Jason over and over in my head. Chastising myself for not saying this or not doing that.

By the time I was down stairs, freshly bathed and wearing Gwen's Spider-Man Pajamas, my mood had taken another turn for the worst. Mr. Parker leaned over the kitchen counter staring at the Television watching Spongebob. 

"You look like your enjoying yourself." I said, trying to put a brave face while grabbing a slice of pizza.

He shrugged and then burped loudly. "This show is a guilty pleasure of mine. Ever since Gwen started watching as a little girl, I found myself watching along with her. Rewatching again when she got older made it all the better. Seeing her young adult eyes light up as a joke she never understood as a young girl finally made sense to her. Now? I just like watching it."