Seasons of Change

13

"Babe?" Atira asked as she stepped onto the front porch that evening, carrying a glass of iced tea in one hand and her phone in the other, "Is your brother back on drugs?"

Krist stopped rocking the baby, cocking his head in confusion, "I don't believe so? Why?"

"I got a message from...Madison saying some weird stuff about him stealing the baby?"

He squinted his pale blue eyes, "Sounds like she's the one on drugs," he scoffed, "Imma call him and see what's up."

Atira sat her drink down, taking Audrey from her father's arms before sitting down, "I messaged your mom but she hasn't responded yet."

Krist shook his head, swiping to open his phone, "Sounds like fuckin' tweaker shit to me," he clicked his tongue, "Bro, I don't even know why he is still messing with her stupid ass."

"They have the baby though," Atira said, running her fingertip down the bridge of Audrey's button nose.

Smiling adoringly at his wife, "You are so much nicer than me and that's why I love you," he told her before wrinkling his nose, "Maddie's weird ass wrote me too."

Krist pretended to put on eyeglasses as he read her message out loud, "Hey Krist, I know you hate me and all but please tell me if you have seen Brad because he took off with Gwen today. He stole my phone and my wallet too. I don't know where he is. Please tell me if you seen him. Please. I know me and you have had our issues in the past with Lainey and all that but I'm pleading with you. I just want my baby back."

Atira blew a strand of hair out of her face, "See what I mean! I'm not super savvy on that life but doesn't it sound like he's on drugs?"

"Sounds like they both are," he agreed.

Gabriel tugged on the hem of his father's shorts, "Uh, uh." He said, hands up demanding to be held.

Krist gave an exaggerated sigh, "I don't know if I should believe you, you always say that and then want down."

Rocco ran up, his face and chest red from the popsicle he'd been eating, "He wants up, Dad," he rolled his eyes as he heaved his little brother up, handing him to Krist. As predicted, Gabriel immediately wanted down.

"Well, then, get down," Krist shook his head, "Little house cat for real."

Atira laughed, "Gabriel, are you driving your dad nuts?"

Gabriel toddled over to her, "Ma ma ma," he grinned before swatting at Audrey'a barefoot, "No no."

Gently taking Gabriel's hand, Atira said, "Gentle, Gabe."

"No no no," he swatted again.

"Aye Rocco, why don't you show him your cars?" Krist suggested.

"Come on, Gabe!" Rocco called, patting his thigh as if he was calling a dog. Gabriel grinned, following his brother down the porch to Rocco's outside toy box.

That kid had toy boxes scattered throughout the house. He had his outside toy box on the porch, one for his hard toys, his living room toys, bedroom toys, and bath toys. Not to mention the numerous toy boxes at his grandparents.

Totally not spoiled, right?!

"I'm gonna call good ole B-Rad," Krist announced.

"Ayyyye, why you kidnapping babies?" Krist cackled when his brother picked up the FaceTime.

Brad groaned, "Mom told you that?"

Krist's eyes went wide, "Oh, so you really did steal the baby?!"

"You can't kidnap your own fucking baby, Krist," Brad told him dryly.