Changing Seasons

Fifty-Four

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"Oh my gosh, dinner was so good. I have probably gained ten pounds." Atira gushed as she helped Linda clear the table and fill take-home boxes for the family. Even though everyone had eaten their fill and then some, a few days' leftovers remained.

Linda laughed, "Atira, you're so small that you could get away with. Me," she pointed to her stomach, "Not so much."

"Oh shush, you're tiny!" Atira told her with a grin. Linda was in good shape and remained active, not that she was exactly old.

Linda glanced around the kitchen, checking to see who was within earshot. Once she decided the coast was clear, she looked to Atira. "Did Krist say anything to you about Brad?"

She shook her head, though she thought Krist's dinner behavior was obnoxious. Atira stiffened, "No, why?"

"I know Krist likes to pick at Brad, but I feel it was...a little more than normal? I don't know. Brad seemed a little off to me as well."

Atira covered a tray with Saran Wrap, "I'll ask him when I get the chance and let you know what he says."

"I'm probably reading into it too much," Linda sighed, her pretty eyes dull. "You know, I don't understand why they hate each other so much. I know siblings fight, but I thought once they were adults, it would change."

Atira had known to an extent why Krist had an issue with his brother. Still, simultaneously, she agreed with Linda that, as an adult, they should both have grown up and been able to tolerate being around one another enough to make it through dinner.

Her own experience with Brad hadn't been negative. He'd always been polite, though his having a crush on her probably came into play with how he treated her.

Atira nodded, giving her a wry smile. "I think..." she searched for her words carefully, "that they just aren't compatible personalities. I love Krist, obviously, and I have no issue with Brad. But I think Brad comes off like he looks down on Krist, and Krist can be touchy about things."

Linda smiled, the light returning to her eyes. "True. Not to mention, they are both somehow incredibly childish when it comes to one another. Don't get me wrong, Krist can be an instigator, but Brad is just as bad."

Linda turned, opening one of the dark walnut cupboards behind her, and pulled out a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, popping the cork. "Do you want a glass?"

Atira smiled obligingly, "Yes, I'd love one."

The older one poured two glasses, passing one to Atira. "I don't normally drink, but the holidays really wear me down," she admitted.

Atria took a small sip, savoring the wine on her tongue. "You put a lot of time into it. Next year, if you need any help, I would love to."

Linda smiled warmly, "I may have to take you up on that." She was appreciative of the offer and delighted to know that Atira intended to pursue her relationship with Krist for the long term.

"Grandma, can I have some pie?" Rocco asked, peering over the counter, cranberry sauce on his cheek.

Linda looked over at Atira, "If you haven't noticed, this little boy is a bottomless pit," she told her and placed a thin slice of pie onto a plate for Rocco.

"Oh, I've noticed," she laughed, "Just like his dad."

"Yes! I would kill to have even half the metabolism Krist does. He can eat."

"Gossiping about me to my girl, Ma?" Krist asked as he wrapped a slender arm around Atira's shoulder and pulled her into him to plant a kiss on her cheek.