Changing Seasons

Fifty-Three

****

"You know, I haven't actually taken you out on a real date yet," Krist mentioned as they drove southbound on I-5 the morning of Christmas Eve.

Atira glanced at him quickly, her eyes on the road, "You're right, you haven't. Jerk!" She teased.

"I am a jerk for that," he agreed with a laugh. "So, I was thinking New Year's Eve, I could take you out? There's a cruise ship in Portland that is doing a New Year's thing, it's all formal and shit."

Atira was trying to hide her smile but failing miserably. "Hmm...I'll go on one condition."

"You have conditions now?" Krist asked, arching an eyebrow. "What?"

"The condition is," she began, pausing for extra suspense, "You let me pick out what you wear. No Dickie's, nothing oversized."

Krist's jaw dropped dramatically, "What's wrong with Dickie's?" He was not the least bit offended. His wardrobe had always been something Lainey and Heather had also tried to change.

"Babe, you have been dressing like that since high school."

Krist popped his collar, "Yeah. It's comfortable and looks dope," he pointed out.

"Krist, I know you clean up nice. I wanna see you in something dressier and form-fitting," she pleaded.

"For you, anything," he grinned.

"Okay, I'll go." Atira agreed a smile on her pretty face.

Kristi gave an exaggerated sigh. "Phew! Because I already bought the tickets."

"Can I go?" Rocco asked.

"Grownups only, bro," Kristi told him.

Rocco gave him a thumbs-down and booed before talking to his robot.

****

The three of them stopped by the Vancouver apartment to leave their belongings and Jacques before driving over to Bill and Linda's for Christmas Eve dinner. The neighborhood they lived in was known in the area for its spectacular holiday displays. So much so that families from all over the county would drive through to marvel at them.

Rocco oohed and awed over the bright lights as they crept through the neighborhood and held up the robot to see. Krist pulled into his mother's driveway, parking beside Brad's black Tesla and Kali's van. Atira helped Rocco out of his booster seat while Krist gathered gifts from the trunk. Rocco darted to the front door, throwing it open and yelling, "We're here!"

The house smelt heavenly. Honey-glazed ham, turkey, and baked items filled the air. Rocco was greeted with hugs and small gifts from his family. The little boy beamed with delight, perusing the freshly baked desserts Linda had set out. Krist placed gifts under the tree as Atira began to assist Linda with the finishing of the food.

Kali and Patrick sat at the table with Bill, sipping cocktails and sharing stories. Brooke sat stiffly on the sofa, alone, scrolling through her phone.

"Where's Brad?" he asked her, not because he cared necessarily but because he was feeling pesky. He still remembered Brad and his mystery woman.

"He is in the bathroom," she replied before returning her attention to her Facebook feed. Every family function was spent with her avoiding them. Krist and Patrick had speculated that she felt superior to them as they were addicts in recovery and what Brad would deem as "low lives."

It was clear to everyone that she did not want to be there, nor did she care to engage with them. They could only assume Brad made her come along.