Changing Seasons

Twenty

****

"I don't want to go home," Atira told Krist when they woke up Sunday morning.

"I don't want you to either," he sighed, stroking her hair, "You work remotely, right?" She nodded, "Can you work from here?"

Atira thought momentarily, "I could but I have to get back to my cat."

Krist looked at her, "Oh yeah, your cat...is he ok alone for the whole weekend?"

She nodded, "Yes, I've got an automatic feeder, watered and a robotic litter box."

Krist laughed, "Fancy."

Around noon they decided to get out of bed after making love twice. They showered together, Atira gathered her belongings while he shaved. They agreed to meet at Krist's parents home since Atira would be headed to Seattle after dinner. Krist had to run over to Marisol's to collect Rocco which would also give his mother and Atira time to visit, and time for him to prepare Rocco for the fact that dad's friend would be visiting.

****

Krist made his way to Marisol's to pick his son up. She and her husband, Chris, owned a modest ranch style home on the outskirts of southeast Portland. There were a few unknown cars parked in the driveway when Krist arrived. It wasn't uncommon for them to have company on Sundays following church.

Krist knocked on the door, he could hear Rocco playing with a few kids inside. Chris answered the door, inviting him inside. He was a large guy, in both height and weight. He had red hair, freckles and a full beard. A bit on the nerdy side but he was a good dude.

"How's it going?" Chris asked, "If you're hungry, we made a big batch of carnitas, feel free to help yourself."

Although he would be eating at his mom's, he couldn't turn down Marisol's cooking. She got down in the kitchen, if Krist had a wife who cooked like her, he'd weigh 300 pounds.

Krist entered the kitchen, greeted Marisol and nodded to the women sitting with her. He recognized a heavy set woman with a pretty face as the mother of Fernando's kids, Angelina.

Rocco ran into the room, Lissette in tow, "Hi dad!"

Krist scooped him up into a hug, "Hey bud."

"Can I stay the night again?" Rocco asked, hands clasped in a pleading expression.

"Please, can Rocco stay?" Lissette begged.

Krist felt guilty saying no but Rocco had school in the morning, "Sorry, Rocco, not tonight. Maybe this weekend if Marisol says it's fine."

Both kids were disappointed, sighing and walking off in exaggerated looks of disappointment. Looking at the two, there was no questioning that they were siblings. They both had the same round faces with large eyes, button noses and Karla's full lips. The only differences were that Lissette had jet black hair, brown eyes and caramel brown skin whereas Rocco had soft brown hair, Krist's gray blue eyes and skin the color of coffee milk.

Krist began making himself a plate of food when he heard a familiar voice behind him, "Shit dog, what's up!" He didn't have to even look to know it was Fernando.

Krist turned around, grinning, "Hey! What up fool!"Giving him a half embrace.

He hadn't seen Fernando in five years, since he'd gotten locked up. He looked healthy, though, like he'd been clean and working out.

"Man I can't believe you had a kid with Karla," he laughed, "pinche Pendejo."

Krist winced, "Yeah," he laughed, "What you been up to?"