Seeds of Tomorrow

52

Rocco felt guilty over the fact he was attending Homecoming the day proceeding the death of his grandmother but the family insisted that was what Gladys would have wanted. She was not only a romantic but a chismosa, his aunt Marisol trying to joke that Gladys would be in heaven hoping for some high school dance gossip.

He reluctantly agreed, putting on his best fact as he dressed in the slim-fitting suit his mom had convinced him that get. Straightening the jacket, he studied himself and could practically hear his abuelita cooing over the fact he'd gotten his father's broad shoulders.

Rocco wished he had spent more time with her during her final few years. Once he had hit his teen years, he had been focused on friends and athletics. Stupid shit.

And if it wasn't for the fact Fernando was tripping on Marisol over her suggesting they notify the prison that housed Karla their mother had passed, Rocco may have pushed back about homecoming a little harder. Fernando and Marisol were both even-keeled for the most part but that argument had got them unusually heated.

Maris felt regardless of the things Karla, Rocco's biological mother, had done she deserved to be informed. Fernando cut his older sister off immediately, stating that Karla was dead to them and no longer family.

Between that, Victor being a shell of himself, not that it was anything new, and the overall stress Rocco was relieved to have a reason to take off.

That just meant the family stress was replaced by the stress of seeing Evie with her new dude and the anticipation of what could happen with Annie that night.

"Such a handsome boy," his dad smirked, grabbing his chin.

Rocco groaned but fought back a smile, "Shut the fuck up."

"What time are you planning on being home?"

"I...didn't think about it?" He said flashing one of his famous Rocco grins.

Krist cocked his head, "Is that so? No plans after the dance?"

Rocco could feel his cheeks flush, "I mean, I was probably gonna go kick it over at Annie's after?" he said as if it were a question.

"She live with her parents?" His father wanted to know.

"Naw, she has her own spot," Rocco admitted.

Krist looked slightly impressed, "Well, damn, you got a grown-ass girl," he chuckled.

Rocco flashed a sheepish grin, "Bruh, she's like a year older than me. She's nineteen."

"Hey, sounds like she has her shit together though. Don't know why she messing with you," Krist chuckled, "but good for you bruh."

His father's lips formed a half-cocked smile as he reached into the pocket of his sweats and pulled out a string of condoms, slipping it into the inner pocket of Rocco's suit jacket.

"Dang, there's like six of those. You're really overestimating my capabilities," the teenager laughed.

"Use 'em, give 'em to your friends, just don't make me a young grandfather," Krist told him firmly, patting Rocco on the chest.

"well, good thing you aren't young," Rocco replied, not wanting to remain in the awkwardness of that moment.

Krist responded with a heavy sigh, "It ain't too late for me to take your car keys," he warned, "Anyway, get your ass downstairs so we can take pictures of your young ass."

Krist and Atira forced Rocco to awkwardly pose on the front porch for photos, insisting he also posed with each of them.

"Aw, your grandma Linda will love these." Atira gushed, her words met with eye rolls and sighs.