Changing Seasons

Nineteen

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By the time they'd woken up from their naps, it was already seven. His mom was always up fairly late and had said it wasn't too late to come by. They showered, dressed and headed over to see his parents' home.

Linda was overjoyed to see Atira, hugging her tightly, "Look at you, all grown up!" She gushed, "I'm so happy to see you two together."

She ushered them into the living room, "Do you want anything to drink? Water, soda, wine, beer?"

"I'll take a glass of wine," Atira replied, crossing her legs primly.

"Krist, do you want anything?"

He shook his head, "Nah, I'm good."

Linda returned with two glasses of wine, handing one to Atira and sitting down.

"When did Rocco get picked up?" He asked his mother.

"Oh, Marisol came by around three," she responded, "She had Lissette with her, she is getting so big."

"Was Rocco happy to see her?"

"He was very!"

"Is she Rocco's cousin?" Atira asked, sipping her wine.

"No, she's his half sister," he told her, "He's actually got three half siblings from his mom."

Atira's eyes widened, she looked like she was trying not to judge, "Oh," she replied.

Linda sipped her wine, "That's what I said too," she said, "How long are you in town for, Atira?"

"Just until Sunday evening."

Linda looked at her son, "You should both come over for an early dinner," she suggested optimistically, she glanced at Atira, "we would love to have you. Krist could introduce you to Rocco!"

Atira beamed, "That would be great," she looked at Krist, squeezing his hand, "I really do want to meet Rocco!"

Krist nodded, he had no problem going to dinner at his mom's house or really with Atira meeting Rocco eventually. However, he did feel irritated that his mom had brought the idea up without asking how he felt. He knew she was just as excited to have Atira back as he was. His concern was about rushing things regarding Rocco. He had done well at keeping the women he was involved with separate from his son, not that any of them were serious. What if Rocco became attached to someone that didn't work out? He already did not have a mother in his life, Krist was worried about it leading into abandonment issues.

"Where's Bill?" Krist asked, interrupting Linda and Atira's catch up talk.

"He's in the study," his mom responded.

Krist stood up, "I'm gonna go talk to him for a few minutes," he planted a kiss on the top of Atira's, leaving the two women to talk.

The door to Bill's study was partially open, Krist knocked, peeking his head in, "Hey, is it cool if I come in?"

Bill was seated in a leather recliner, reading a thick book, glasses low on his nose, "Come on in he motioned to the empty recliner beside him, "How is your visit with Atira going?"

"It's been good," he slumped in the chair, making himself comfortable.

"I'm glad to hear that, I hope it goes well for you. After everything you've gotten through, you deserve someone good in your life-Rocco too."

Krist nodded, "Especially Rocco." Rocco was innocent, Krist felt, he was at his core, a piece of shit person who doubted whether he deserved anything good. Not after the things he had done to other people, the hurt he'd caused.