Memories

Chapter 20: Mrs. Rodriguez

"It's already seven o'clock. What time are your kids returning home?" I said.

"Rocky must be home by eight or last nine. Or, he knows I will stop talking to him," said Emma, having a sip of wine, shifting her look from TV to me.

"That's good," I said. "But today he's out with Sarah. I mean they went to the party that's what Luna said. Right? Will he come on time?"

"He will call me if he's late," said Emma.

"You have put many strict restrictions on him, Emma," said Luna. holding her glass half-filled with wine. Her eyes were fixed on the TV as she was enjoying the movie. "You know it's life. No matter how strict you may get. Things will happen as it's written in his destiny. No one can stop it."

"You're right, but it's always good to follow the rules. They help you avoid dangers."

"I don't know what to say much," I said, picking up a bowl of popcorn that was on the table. "Let's continue to enjoy the movie."

I saw Emma getting nervous. It seemed like she was getting insulted by me or perhaps Luna because of Rocky. If that was the case, she would not let Rocky connect with Sarah again in the future. However, I also needed to plant a seed of doubt in Luna's brain that may help me make her keep Sarah away from Rocky.

"It seems like you're worrying about Rocky. I think you should call him once," I said.

"No. I'm fine," said Emma.

"You're a mother. It's not good to have an attitude to call your own son."

Emma kept watching the climax of Avatar. Then she put her empty glass on the table, and said, standing up while picking up the cell phone from next to the glass, "I will be back in a minute."

She walked inside, saying, "Hey Siri, call Rocky, speaker on."

* * *

"I'm still sorry for what my eldest son did to your daughter," I said.

Luna fixed her look on me.

"I know he didn't have to create this big scene publicly on the footpath to get her. He needed to understand she wasn't interested in him," I said.

"Don't worry about it. I already have forgotten about it. They are youngsters. You know how they are."

"Indeed. We were once also youngsters."

"Exactly," said Luna. "Just forget about it."

"You're so kind. I brought up this topic because I didn't want you to think whatever I'm about to say is because of what happened between your daughter and my son."

"It was just an affray between them as Tony didn't want to understand to leave her alone. It's over, so let's not talk about it anymore. But. Anyway. What is it you want to tell me?"

"I saw Rocky with a prostitute once. Actually, multiple times. I don't know if he was paying her for sex or if she was his girlfriend."

"How do you know she was a prostitute? It's possible she was his friend or a girlfriend."

"The first time I saw him at Chipotle, Tony was with me. And he told me that she was a prostitute."

"How did Tony know that she was a prostitute?"

"Tony's old friends with whom he doesn't talk anymore had used her services, and they showed him her Pex social media profile where she was advertising her services. Also, why doesn't Rocky use his social media profiles anymore?"

"I have no idea of this matter."

"I know. Let me tell you. It's a rumor that a guy tried to blackmail him as she uploaded a picture of her with him."

"What type of picture?"

"It was just a normal friendly picture. But it seemed like that guy was her boyfriend or husband or ex-husband or ex-boyfriend. I have no idea who that guy was. But it's a rumor that the guy sent him the picture and tried to threaten him and blackmail him as that guy knew all his daily activities like where he goes for workout and where he works and lives and whatnot."

"OMG! Tell me it's a lie."

"I wish it were, but the bitter truth is some people including the government means police officers and some other official authorities have kept their eyes on him. I don't know why. But I have seen some people keeping their eyes on him while keeping themselves hidden in the cars parked in the parking spots around the house. I even have seen a helicopter flashing a light on his car last week when he was driving home at night from Shoprite."

"Are you sure about all this? I mean I don't see any type of stress and fear on Rocky's face. He's been living his life normally. It doesn't seem like he's in trouble or he's scared of anyone."

"Maybe he doesn't know that he's being spied on by many."

"How do you know all these though?"

"I told you I have heard the rumors. I didn't tell you anything based on my knowledge. I told you what I have heard from Tony and some other people."

Luna hummed in agreement. Then she asked, "What about Mrs. Smith? Does she know about all this?"

"I don't think so. If she knew about it, she could have sent Rocky somewhere out of the country."

"Alone? It could have been risky?"

"No. With her eldest brother as he's strict. Stricter than her."

"I must call Sarah."

Before I could say anything, she stood up in a rush, putting her glass on the table. She fished out her cell phone from her beautiful pink wristlet purse while walking out of the house.

I know the ending credits are meant to skip, but I enjoyed watching them, too. I was so happy to feed them somewhat facts and more lies to separate Rocky and Sarah. If she can't be my son's girlfriend, she can't be anybody else's.