What Happens Next

III. Sourdough

When they pulled into Rossi's driveway Reid was immediately greeted by him and Krystall rushing to his car door. Rossi tipped the driver with a 50 dollar bill and a polite thank you for returning his godson to him safely.

"Godson?" Reid asked, leaning on the handle of his pathetic red bag for support. 

Rossi walked over to Reid, placing a protective arm around his shoulders, "well I figured you would need some kind of dad right now," he laughed.

Reid nodded, "thank you."

"My pleasure, kid."

The Rossi's escorted Reid into their house and sat him down in their grand kitchen. Their house was spotless, just as he remembered, and their oven was on and warming the entire house with the smell of something good. 

"Do you need, anything? You look hungry, were they feeding you over there?" Krystall asked with a warm smile, she was already standing in front of their huge stainless steel refrigerator filling a glass with water. 

"I'm okay, yeah, I'm good with the water, thank you," Reid declined politely. 

"I'm making sourdough," Rossi informed the room, subtly suggesting that Reid would be eating in a matter of minutes. 

Krystall smiled, placing the cup on the table in front of Reid and patting his back gently. 

"Welcome home," she smiled.

"Thanks, thanks again," he nodded, before sipping his water and standing up, "I have to call JJ, I'm just gonna-"

He gestured to the sliding glass doors leading to their famously beautiful backyard. They nodded, and he slipped out, the phone already to his ear.

"Hey, Spence!" JJ answered happily, "You made it okay?"

"Yeah, we're good here," he paused, "that's all, just wanted to let you know, and thank you, again, for being so willing to help me out."

"You don't have to thank the people who care about you for caring about you Spence. I'm about three hours away, okay? So settle in, I'll be there soon."

"Thank you again, so much JJ, thank you. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for making you drive all this way, thank you."

"Spence. Shut up," JJ laughed, "It's not an issue. Seriously."

"Okay. I'm sorry- Agh! I- thank you," Reid exclaimed. 

"Bye Spence, I'll see you soon."

"Okay, bye, thank you," JJ hung up before Reid could apologize again. He took a moment to compose himself before returning to the kitchen. He admired the perfectly kept grass, and the flourishing garden growing along the fence. The concrete resting beneath his feet sprouted no weeds between the cracks, and though it was worn, its beautiful brick red hue shone nicely against the white siding of the house. 

Reid intertwined his fingers, and cracked the bone beneath his thumb. He nervously cracked each of his knuckles, and then twisted the tops of his fingers to crack those joints too. He repeated the process twice after the first cycle, before feeling satisfied with the lack of air pockets in his hands and fingers. 

He walked back inside, quietly returning to his seat, and gulped down his glass of water. He refused to make eye contact with his gracious hosts, instead, quietly setting down his glass, he clasped his hands together again, rubbing his palms together intently. 

Rossi took a seat across the table from Reid, and slid a mug full of fresh coffee over to him. He fixed his coffee to his own liking before sliding the tray of cream and sugar to the younger man as well.