Changing Seasons

Twenty-Five

****

Krist had slept the drive out to Tina's. She lived in a 5th wheel with a blue tarp on the roof at the end of a hilly dirt road surrounded by trees. There was a small, rundown house a few yards away. Several cars were gutted in the front yard, they were all older model Hondas, it was clear to Krist why they had so many.

Even though it was after ten, two young kids played on the porch of the house, running and jumping amongst heaping piles of garbage and soda boxes. The driveway smelt like dog piss and garbage, churning Krist's stomach.

Athena and a petite red haired girl ran out of the 5th wheel to greet them. Michael got out of the car, kissing Athena loudly, "Baby I missed you," he told her between sloppy tongue kisses.

"Hi, I'm Tina," Athena's cousin waved to Krist. Despite being born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she had a twangy southern accent.

Krist nodded to her quietly, following the trio into the cramped trailer. Somehow the interior smelt worse than outside. The stench of old food, feet, body odor and filthy cat box filled his nostrils. The inside had been gutted, there was a half assed attempt to make the place look homier, if that was the right word. Tina had managed to cram a raggedy leather loveseat inside, as well as a cat scratched chair and tv stand. The floor itself was filthy plywood with questionable stains. Krist noted that Tina was barefoot as though it was fine to stand in animal waste.

"Sorry 'bout the mess," Tina said, lighting a few incense as if the smell of patchouli would mask the odor.

How the fuck did anyone live like that? he asked himself. Krist had never viewed himself as a neat freak or germaphobe but felt complete and utter disgust over the filth.

"Y'all can sit down," she gestured to the seating, digging through one of the kitchenette drawers and removing a dope pipe.

"Aye, I'm gonna go sit in the car," Krist told Michael suddenly, "I'm hella tired." It wasn't a lie; even if it was, he needed out of that trailer.

Tina cocked her head, "You don't want a hit? You won't be tired no more," she laughed.

He declined, "Nah, I ain't really feeling good."

Krist stepped outside, breathing in the night air. Even if it smelt like dog and hot garbage outside, it smelt better than inside that trailer.

He climbed into the backseat of Michael's car, covered himself with his hoodie and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

He awoke to the sounds of children. Sitting up, he looked into the dirty faces of two young boys peering into the window.

"Why ya sleeping in there?" The slightly taller of the two wanted to know.

"You know my daddy?" The other asked.

Krist rubbed his eyes, "Just tired," he said, "And I don't know, who's your dad?"

"You're in his car, stupid!" the older one taunted.

Krist was confused, "Michael is your dad?" he asked incredulously, the boys nodded in unison, "Who is your mom?"

"Tina," the older told him.

Michael had kids with his now girlfriend's cousin? He didn't know Michael even had kids. Krist was confused as fuck. "You guys live in that trailer then?"

"No, we live in the house with Uncle Dennis and Grandma," the little one said.

"Grandma said we don't need to be around that shit even though Dennis does it too," the older told him matter of factly.