Changing Seasons

Thirty

****

Marisol and Krist stayed in constant contact over the next six weeks, hoping Karla had made contact with someone.

It was an overcast morning in the first week of December,  a few days prior to Rocco's, first birthday, when Marisol called.

"Can you be at my house in a half an hour?" She asked frantically.

Krist was driving to the mall where he worked as a salesperson in a cellular phone store. "Is everything okay? Are the kids okay?" His heart raced, stomach tight.

"They're safe, I have them with me", Marisol sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

"Where have the been? Are they alright?" He wanted to know.

"They're fine, they're fine. I got them now. I'll explain when you get to my house".

Krist called his boss to explain he'd gotten word on Rocco and would not be in that day. Krist tried to drive safe but it was hard to keep to the speed limit. He just wanted his son.

He parked alongside the curb in front of Marisol's home as she was unloading the kids. He rushed over to Rocco to scoop him up, fighting back tears of relief, and of anger.Both children were filthy. Rocco's diaper was overfilled and most likely hadn't been changed since the day prior.

"Chris is getting diapers and clothes for them, I wasn't able to change him there. Karla didn't even have diapers there." Marisol apologized, "They can both get in the tub, I'm sure it's been days since she washed either of these kids."

Krist followed her inside, carrying Rocco and helped him out of his soiled clothes so he could bathe.

"Did she tell you where she has been?" He wanted to know.

Marisol ran the bath water, carefully setting the two youngsters in the tub. "I didn't talk to her."

Krist cocked his head, puzzled, "So what happened?"

Marisol took a deep breath and exhaled. She explained that she'd received a call from a man called Silent who was claiming to be Karla's boyfriend. They'd all been staying at the Super Value Inn off Interstate when Karla stole his money overnight and left. He'd told Marisol that she had until checkout to come pick the kids up or he was leaving them and CPS can deal with them. Silent told her which room they were in and to "hurry the fuck up."

Marisol had rushed to the motel to pick up the children. The door was cracked when she went to knock. Cautiously, she'd opened the door and called for Lissette who was sitting on a small sofa clinging to Rocco.

Silent had emerged from the bathroom, a plume of meth smoke billowing behind him. He was high as fuck—according to Marisol. He handed her a diaper bag that was mostly empty, there were pull-ups for Lissette but no diapers for Rocco or baby wipes.

Silent had helped her load the kids' car seats into her minivan. When she asked where Karla was, he shrugged and said "Fucking bitch took my money and dipped out last night. She better hope I don't see her."

****

Atira interrupted, "Are you sure that guy didn't do something to her?"

"Marisol actually thought that's what happened", Krist replied. "I think she was hoping maybe that he had. Ya know, hoping that Karla didn't just leave the kids." Krist leaned back, arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling. "I never put it past her though."