Seeds of Tomorrow

Nine

She was always the voice of reason and had gently gotten on Krist about not making too big of a deal about Rocco getting caught over at Evie's. "that's just what kids do and remember we were doing the exact same thing", she pointed out, "Besides, he's eighteen in seven months. Cut him some slack." Like always, Atira was right, and she was too nice to point out that he was being a massive hypocrite.

Rocco stepped out on the porch in a Nike sweatsuit, taking a seat next to his father, "What's up?" He asked cautiously.

"I just want you to," Krist began searching for the right words, "Understand that I really could not care less you were over at Evie's but like...bro, you ain't got to lie to me about where you're going."

His son sighed, "I legit didn't even plan on going over there. Mark's lame ass pissed his girlfriend off and we had to leave early so Evie asked if I wanted to come over."

Krist studied his son's face, he was being honest as far as he could tell, "Still, a text would have been nice, right?" He laughed, "But you were prolly thinking with the wrong head at the time."

Rocco buried his face in his hands cringing inside, "Oh my god, Dad."

Krist slung an arm over the back of the chair, slouching down, "I ain't wrong though," he grinned.

Ears burning, Rocco admitted he wasn't adding, "We didn't do anything more than we already have though."

"Would you tell me if you did?"

"Yes, Dad."

"Soo...?"

Rocco furrowed his eyebrows at him, "You're nosey, you know that?" He asked, "No. not even close. Dude, all she did was...give me a handjob, we have never even been totally naked together."

It was Krist's turn to bury his face in his hands, feeling awkward. Krist looked up at his son, "Look, I just worry about you, I mean just takes one time to change your life."

"I know, Dad."

Krist sighed, "This is hard for me to admit to you but when I was your age...I got a girl pregnant. She ended up having a miscarriage, but I just don't want you to be in that position to have to worry about having a kid so young."

Rocco gazed at his feet, "I didn't know that...was it my mom?"

"Atira?"

Rocco nodded.

"No, just some girl I was messing with," he lied, not wanting to admit it had been Rocco's Aunt Nina.

The young man slid back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest, "I get why you worry but I'm not you or Fernando, I don't want to be like you guys were," he said, "No offense."

Krist nodded, "None taken, I just remember how hard it was being your age and making smart choices. My mom did her best but I was a hardhead who thought I knew everything. Just felt like she was constantly nagging me," he laughed, "Probably like I do you."

"You are kind of a nag," Rocco chuckled.

"I learned from the best. Look, if you ever just want to talk, that's my job, you know. Or if you got questions about...anything, I'm always here."

Rocco rolled his eyes, "I know, Dad."

"You turned out to be alright, you know that?" Krist told him sincerely, "I'm really proud of you."

"Sooo...does that mean I'm not grounded anymore?"

Krist clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth, "Hell naw, you grounded as fuck!" He laughed, Rocco replying with a scowl, "I'm just playing, you're not grounded no more. Just communicate with me, that's all I am asking for you. And think with this head," he tapped Rocco upside the back of his head, "Not the other one."