Seasons of Change

42

It wasn't that Atira didn't understand that Krist would be home within a few hours of her posting his bail, it was that she was still wrapping her head around the fact that her husband had just been arrested. Why couldn't he have just sent the police over there for a wellness check? Marcus didn't need to know that it had been he who called. It would have saved them so much stress.

She had been humiliated to call Linda to let her know what had happened and to ask if she would be willing to come sit with the kids while she ran down to the bail bonds place. Atira made sure to immediately let her mother-in-law know that, no, Krist hadn't relapsed and what happened seemed to be just emotionally or situationally driven.

"I was worried something like this would happen," Linda admitted, "When Krist told me he was speaking to his father again, I knew it would end badly."

Atira had been apprehensive about the two having any semblance of a relationship as well but Krist had done it for the sake of Rocco and Markie which was something Atira understood and supported.

When Linda arrived at the house, she let Atira know that she had ended up posting Krist's bail, it was only a hundred bucks and not something she needed them to pay her back for. She wasn't going to let Atira know that she was secretly proud of her son for giving her ex-husband the beating he'd had coming for years.

Naveah had called Atira, apologizing profusely over the fact that Krist had gotten arrested, feeling at fault for the entire mess, and had pleaded with her husband not to press charges on his son.

Atira couldn't be upset with her, she'd been a victim in that whole mess and was relieved to know that Naveah was not planning on dropping the charges against her husband, stating she was done-done this time.

Not long after the conversation with Naveah, Madison called to let Atira know she was sorry to hear what had happened to Krist and that her "sorry ass excuse of a husband" was not only on his way to go bond out Marcus but he'd informed Madison that his dad would need to be staying with them since he wouldn't be able to return home.

Madison generally was pretty quiet but she was so upset that she spent forty minutes talking at Atira about how hard that would be for her recovery with two active users in the home and she had nowhere to go. Atira felt herself go into HR mode, doing a lot of "I hear you," and "I understand how hard this must be for you "while feeling completely over her head with that level of drama.

Linda finally asked Atira if she could speak with Madison. Relieved, she passed the phone to her mother-in-law who let her know that she was more than welcome to stay in her home with Gwendolyn so long as Brad, Marcus, or drugs were not brought into the house. She hadn't expected her to accept but Madi had immediately.

Linda placed a call to Bill, asking him to head over to Brad's to help Madison pack her things quickly while Brad was out of the home to avoid any additional situations that night. Madison had told both Atira and Linda that Brad was behaving erratically and scaring her, feeling that he would do something if he saw her leaving.

"And that's why we don't do drugs, kids," Linda sighed after ending the call, "Or associate with losers like Marcus."

Atira stared at her with wide-eyed naïveté, wondering if that was typical drama for their family and if she was just now seeing it or what.

"It's so hard for me to imagine you and Krist's dad ever together. Was he always that...much?"

Linda sighed, "Yes and no? I think it didn't seem as bad at the time because I was young and maybe a little naive? Marcus has always been a drinker but I don't know when the drugs actually started," she paused for a moment, "I'm assuming he and Brad are using together which blows my mind. They were never close and from what Krist told me, they spend a lot of time together."

"That's what I heard," Atira told her, "I can't believe he pressed charges against Krist...How can you do that? Especially when you are someone who isn't exactly doing right by themselves as it is?"

"I am actually shocked Marcus called, I don't necessarily agree with what Krist did but Marcus really is no better."

****

Krist felt like a complete fucking lame as he sat outside the jail waiting for his wife to pick him up. If he hadn't been with Atira at the time, he honestly wouldn't have beat himself up too bad over it but seeing the look on her face hurt. All he could hope was that she forgave him and didn't think less of him for losing his cool with his dad.

A wave of relief washed over him when he saw Atira's Subaru pull into the lot. He hurried to the car, eager to get back home to her and the kids. He wrapped his arms around her, "I am so sorry, baby," he told her, kissing her face several times.

"Krist, don't be. You did what you thought was right and I can't say that I don't understand that," Atira said softly.

"I can't believe he fucking pressed charges though, fucking lame," Krist muttered, reclining his seat and placing his arm behind his head.

"Madi called me," Atira said cautiously, "Naveah told her what happened so your brother...is going to bail your dad out and let him stay at his house.

He jerked up, "No fucking way," Krist clicked his tongue, "She's fucking stupid to have him there, she probably getting high too. Dumb ass bitch."

"She's leaving," Atira said, "I was shocked. I'm not sure if it's for good but she was super worried about her recovery with your dad and Brad there getting high so Bill is there now, helping her pack."

"Where's Brad? I know my dad ain't gonna be out til he's sober."

"I'm not sure, I knew he left to go post your dad's bail but your mom told me that Bill said he wasn't there when he got there."

Krist groaned, "Brad probably is using that as an excuse to go to his jackshacks," he told her with a dry laugh.

****

"Krist! Your nose!" Linda gasped, "It looks broken!"

With a shrug, Krist smirked, "Guess I'll never be a teen model," he told her, setting his house shoes on the rack by the front door, "So what's up with Madi moving in with you?"

"She can't stay in the house with your dad and brother, Krist, you know that," Linda told him.

"So...is it like permanent? She actually getting rid of him or what?"

Linda massaged her temples, "I don't know, Krist, I really don't, we haven't even planned that far out."

"She's fucking dumb if she goes back to him, hope she understands that," he said before disappearing into the bathroom.

Studying himself, he agreed his nose was most definitely broken, not that it mattered, and like he hadn't already thought that. Old man could still get down. Krist washed his face, brushed his teeth, and then sat quietly on the toilet to collect his thoughts.

Obviously, he was cutting his dad completely from his life and then there was Brad. It sucked because they'd finally gotten to a point where it felt like they were actual brothers but he couldn't have some fucking fiend around him or his family. So Brad had to go.