Changing Seasons

Fifty-One

****

"We made it," Atira announced cheerfully as they pulled into a marked space.

"Finally!" Rocco shouted. Krist opened his door, helping Rocco out of his booster seat. Rocco jumped out, eager to stretch his legs. "Do we live with you now?" He asked Atira, observing her remove Jacques' carrier from the backseat.

"Not yet, Rocco, but soon." She told him.

"That means Jacques will live with us, too?"

"It does," Atira smiled warmly at him. She led Krist and Rocco to the door of her first-floor apartment, unlocking it. "Home, sweet home."

Rocco darted inside, standing in the entryway as he waited for Atira to turn the light switch on.

"Let's turn some cartoons on for you while your dad and I unload." She brought him into the living room, powering her television on and flipping to Nickelodeon. Rocco kicked off his shoes and jumped onto her sofa.

"Oh yeah! SpongeBob!"

"Dude, pick your shoes up." Krist scolded him.

Rocco rolled his eyes and smiled at Atira as he picked his sneakers up, setting them neatly in the entryway.

Once the car was unloaded, Atira let Jacques out and gave Krist a tour of her apartment. Her place was far more roomy than Krist's, with an open kitchen and large windows. She had a small guest room with a daybed that Rocco could sleep in.

"Is this okay for him? It's not too big?" She asked with concern.

"Nah, baby, it's perfect."

Atira showed him her bedroom. Krist had seen it in their FaceTime chats, but it was significantly larger than he'd realized, with a king-sized bed in the center.

"And this is where the magic happens," she laughed, waving a hand to gesture towards her bed.

"You mean, where it's gonna happen," he corrected her, grabbing her from behind, his slender arms around her waist.

Atira took his hands in hers, tightening his embrace. "I'm glad you're here." Krist nuzzled her neck, lightly kissing it.

"Gross!" Rocco yelled, standing in the doorway, hands sternly placed on his hips.

Krist released Atira, "What's up, bro?"

"What's for dinner, I'm hungry."

"What do you want, birthday boy?" Krist asked, following Rocco into the living room.

"I want burgers! And a shake!" Rocco shouted, jumping onto Atira's sofa.

Krist grabbed him by the elbow, "Dude, don't be doing that to her couch."

"It's not a big deal," Atira told Krist gently.

Rocco bounced on his bottom, smiling at his father triumphantly. Krist gave him an exaggerated scowl, playfully shaking his fist at him.

"What's good around here?" Krist asked Atira.

"I'll be honest, I'm not a big burger person, but if you want to be touristy, Dick's burgers are popular."

Krist, being stoned out of his gourd, held in an immature laugh as he fought back the urge to make a joke about everyone loving Dick's. "If you want something else, I can order you something?"

"I'm totally fine. I ate way too much at the party."

"You sure, baby, not even a milkshake?"

Atira laughed, "Definitely not."