Roanapur, Thailand.
June 24th, 1998.
The Rip Off Church was quiet and nearly isolated as Revy and Eda sat by the table with fresh cold drinks on the side and poker cards up in the air, going back and forth with each other before the latter slammed the table in victory. "And looks like I win again!", Eda proudly bragged, "Y'know the drill.". "Yeah, yeah…", Revy sighed and grumbled before handing over a $50 bill to the boastful nun. Eda smirked as she showed off the $50 she just won, "One of these days, Revy. One of these days…". Suddenly, Eda's smug expression changed to one of concern as Revy quietly rested her head on her hand and looked off to the wall beside them; her expression being rather despondent. "What's wrong?", Eda asked.
"I didn't come here for you to kick my ass in poker again.", Revy answered. Eda teasingly smirked again, "Well someone's being a sore loser today-". "It's not that.", Revy interrupted. Eda stood quiet and turned back to her more concerned expression. "You and Rock got into a fight?", Eda asked. Revy shook her head, "Wasn't a fight…but we did have a talk.". "You two getting a divorce already?", Eda guessed. "No!", Revy groaned in annoyance, "Don't even put it out there.". The two women stayed quiet for a moment before Revy took a deep breath and sighed, "We're…we're thinking of leaving Roanapur.", she admitted much to Eda's surprise. "Guess he's finally gettin' tired of all the shit around here.", Eda assumed before noticing Revy's almost saddened face.
There, she started connecting the dots before hiding her utter shock. Eda stumbled on her words, "Wait…leaving here was-". "Yep.", Revy answered, "Actually been wanting to leave for…quite a while now.". "But how are you gonna leave?", Eda asked in a mix of worry and surprise, "Where are you two gonna go?". "That's the thing, Eda.", Revy responded, "We don't know. Can't go to Japan after that whole Yakuza bullshit, can't go to the States cuz…let's just say my record's dirtier than wet dogshit. So, gotta find some other country I guess...".
Eda watched as Revy drank the rum from her glass cup, "Y'know if you really wanna head back to the States, I could help you out with that.", she offered. Revy scoffed at that, "The fuck are you gonna do? Tell those pigs and judges they're goin' to Hell unless they let me go?", she then continued drinking while Eda replaced her usual carefree demeanor with a more stern and serious one. "I have my ways.", she stoically stated. Raising a suspicious eyebrow at her friend's tone, Revy then asked, "What… kind of ways?".
Eda was about to blurt something out, but stopped herself before she looked around the room to ensure nobody else was here and leaned to Revy's ear. "If you really wanna go through with this, come back here with Rock later tonight then we'll talk.", Eda whispered. "Why not just tell me now?", Revy asked with a mix of suspicion and impatience. Eda sighed, "It's…. not exactly something I can say out of the blue.". Revy glared in suspicion at her friend beating around the bush, clearly something was up. Eda started, "I know in a place like this, it's almost impossible but…you'll have to trust me.". Revy silently glared at Eda for a moment before opening her mouth, "Fine…". She and Eda then get up from their chairs, Revy's expression soften but she very much kept her suspicion on, "Rock and I will be back here tonight but I swear if this is some kinda fuckin' prank-!". "It's not a prank.", Eda assured with utmost sincerity.
Revy simply stood silent as she walked out the chapel doors, "See you guys later then.", Eda waved. "Later.", Revy nonchalantly responded before closing them on her. Now alone, Eda sat by the table she and Revy had just played poker on as she took a deep breath and sighed. Soon will come the first time she's told a Roanapur denizen outside of Yolanda her secret and it's to her wedded friends. They may be… perplexed by it to say the least but if it meant helping them get out of this god forsaken town, she'll have to do it.
Hours later, a full moon glowed brightly in the night sky as Revy returned to the Rip Off Church alongside her husband. "Revy, are you sure about this?", Rock worriedly asked her. "Eda said she has ways for us to get outta here…", Revy answered with her head down standing in front of the Rip Off Church's doors, "Part of me wants to say that there's some sketchy too-good-to-be-true shit goin' on, but the other part of me…the one dyin' to finally skip town…". Rock stood next to his wife and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, prompting Revy to look directly at him, "That part of me wants to believe in it.", she finished. Rock nodded, "Well whatever awaits us behind that door, I'll be by your side through it all.".
Revy couldn't help but crack a small smile on her face before she started knocking on the door. "Hey Eda!", Revy shouted as she pounded the chapel door, "It's us! You gonna open up or what?". Revy kept pounding the door until Eda answered.
"Can you knock like a normal fuckin' person?", Eda berated, "The wood that makes up these doors ain't cheap you know!". "Wasn't sure if you'd actually be here.", Revy replied. "You said you know a way out of Roanapur.", Rock chimed in, "What exactly do you have in mind?". "Come on in, Lover Boy, and I'll show you.", Eda sidestepped and led Rock and Revy inside.
Their surroundings were nothing out of the ordinary for the negotiator/gunslinger duo before they were led to a door. Eda got in front of them to take a deep breath and sighed to ease whatever nerves were giving her trouble before unlocking the door. "Leave the cutlasses outside.", Eda told Revy. "Why-" she was about to ask. "Just do it.", Eda promptly answered. Revy looked over at Rock then back at Eda before reluctantly taking off her shoulder holsters with her pistols inside and placed them by the floor. Eda then led her friends inside her office.
"Have a seat.", Eda calmly told them before sitting on her desk chair near the computer. Rock and Revy silently complied and sat by two nearby chairs. "This does not leave the room under any circumstance…", Eda warned, "The only other person who knows about this is Sister Yolanda.". Revy formed a poker face as he and Rock listened. Eda hesitated to continue, but ultimately swallowed what anxiety she was getting at that moment before she finally blurted it out. "I'm not actually a nun.", Eda admitted. "Yeah, no shit.", Revy snidely commented.
More silence filled the air before Eda uttered words neither Rock or Revy had seen coming, "I'm actually an agent from the CIA.". Both pairs of eyes widened in shock at that confession but Revy still remained skeptical, "You're….you're kidding, right?". "Nope.", Eda shook her head, "Proof's right here.", she said before revealing her badge and a picture of herself in a far nicer outfit as her ID. All Revy could do was sit in shocked silence and try to register the information that was dumped on her and her husband. "You…were CIA…this whole fuckin'...time…", Revy muttered in a trembling voice that was slowly oozing with rage. "Been watchin' this town for years.", Eda added, "Got to know a lotta people, how they run the place-".
"Just how much info do you have on everyone, huh?!", Revy questioned in a harsh tone. "Just the big players around here.", Eda sternly answered, "Balalaika, Chang, Dutch…". "Wha-what about me?", Revy asked with a hint of betrayal in her angry voice, "Did you look me up too?!". "I could if I wanted to, but since you're my friend, I respect your privacy.", Eda responded with genuine regard. "Sorry to interrupt.", Rock spoke up, "But by any chance, do you know Dutch's birthday? I've been trying to figure it out for years and-". "SHUT UP ROCK! I JUST FOUND MY SO CALLED 'BEST FRIEND' IS A FUCKIN' SPY!", Revy suddenly screamed.
"More like a guardian angel!", Eda screamed back, "I'm taking a risk giving away classified info of myself SO I CAN GIVE YOU TWO CLEAN SLATES AND A CHANCE TO GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!". Revy leaned back in silence on her chair with a spiteful smirk to hide whatever feelings of anger and shock that were overwhelming her mind. The three of them stayed quiet with Eda and Revy taking rapid deep breaths to calm themselves down. It was only a matter of time though before the latter opened her mouth again.
She was still angry, but her hot fiery rage was replaced with cold tranquil fury. "Y'know…", Revy scornfully chuckled through gritting her teeth before standing closer to Eda, "You were right to have me leave the cutlasses outside.". "But you forgot one other thing I got.", she said clenching her fist and pulling her arm back; Eda stood her ground forming her own two fists. Before Revy could actually deliver a punch, however, something stopped her.
Rock's hand was wrapped around her upper arm as he pulled her back and looked her in the eyes. "Revy…", he calmly said to her, "Think this through…". Revy tried to stay furious over the situation but Rock's gaze and calmer demeanor did manage to get to her. "This is what we wanted, let's hear her out.", Rock said. Revy sighed before looking over at Eda. "Not just a pretty face, are ya Romeo?", Eda smirked and chuckled, "Anyway, here's the deal.".
"Rock, you haven't lived in America before, correct?", Eda asked. "No.", Rock shook his head. "Didn't think so.", she nodded, "I'll have a bit of extra work with you.". She then turned to Revy, "And what about you?". "You already know I did.", Revy answered. "Just makin' sure.", Eda turned to her computer and started searching for their names through a massive database.
Eventually, two names came up: Rokurō Okajima and Rebecca Lee. Prior to coming into Roanapur, Rock was as clean as a whistle back in Japan but Roanapur did end up bringing out a shadier side of him that law enforcement won't let slide. This wasn't the case for Revy, however. Growing up in poverty and having multiple cases of homicide, theft, trespassing, and multiple prison sentences, Revy's record was indeed a piece of work to say the least. Rock and Revy quietly watched as Eda did her work before she smirked at the two of them. "And just like that, you two are clean.", she happily announced.
"What about the citizenships?", Revy asked with folded arms. "I'm getting there.", Eda answered. "Hey before you begin, can I have a request?", Rock raised his hand. "What's that?", she asked him. "When granting me US citizenship, can you legally change my first name to 'Rock'?", he asked. "Sure thing.", Eda responded. Some more time went on as Eda continued her work but before they knew it, Rock and Revy were handed freshly made passports, licenses, and any other form of identification required for the States.
Both were still bewildered by the entire sequence of events they just went through with Eda, but there was also a sense of…relief as well. Like a burden was just lifted from their shoulders. "Well, there you have it.", Eda announced as she walked her friends out of her office, "You guys are now free to go wherever your heart takes you.". "And what's the catch?", Revy asked while putting her holsters back on. Eda shook her head and shrugged, "There is no catch. Just…figure out where you wanna go, what to do with Lagoon, and enjoy life outta Roanapur.".
Revy quietly examined the freshly made passport she was handed, she couldn't believe it was actually happening; her and Rock finally leaving their life of crime behind and into a world of normalcy. In other circumstances, it all sounded like a fucked up dream begging to scratch its way out of her subconsciousness but here…it was real: A chance to finally escape and be normal, no strings attached. A part of her was almost shedding tears of joy, but couldn't exactly make its way to the surface so a small, soft, barely noticeable smile took its place. "You're welcome.", Eda blurted out, making Revy focus on her. "Yeah…thanks…", she awkwardly thanked her. "Thank you so much for helping us, Eda.", Rock expressed with more noticeable gratitude. "That's what friends are for.", Eda nodded. Revy agreed, "Yeah…guess so.".
"Lemme know which state you guys wanna move to and maybe we could set something up.", Eda further offered. "We will.", Rock and Revy both answered. "We also gotta deal with Dutch, turn in our two weeks notice, and whatnot.", Revy added. "We'll handle that soon.", Rock assured his wife.
With that said, Rock, Revy, and Eda parted ways for the night but will meet once again to discuss where to live. Once the couple were out of sight, Eda hopped on her motorbike and sighed in delight. She was happy she gave her friends a chance to finally get out of the cesspool that is Roanapur and move to a far better place, wherever that would be. Revy didn't exactly show it, but Eda could tell the amount of gratitude she felt upon getting handed the clean slate and new citizenship was immeasurable.
After all, that's what friends are for.
Wilmington, North Carolina.
7 Years Later.
Riley Okajima watched the TV with boredom in her eyes as she cuddled next to her snake plushie Mr. Hissy. It was a Saturday, so school wasn't going on and she already did her homework the night before, but that didn't change her unamused expression. Rock walked by and noticed his daughter's weary demeanor. "Hey sweetie, what's wrong?", he asked. "I'm bored!", Riley complained, "Mommy's at work and there's nothing to do outside!". "You could swim in the pool.", Rock suggested. "I don't wanna get wet.", Riley retorted.
"How about we throw the ball around later?", he further suggested. "Can't we just do it now?", Riley asked. Unfortunately, her father gave a downbeat sigh, "I have a big meeting to go to for work.", he answered. "Well skip the stupid meeting and play with me!", Riley whined. "I'd like to, but I can't.", Rock replied, "It's very important that I attend it.". Riley simply groaned in response to her dad's words. "I'll try to make the meeting go by very fast, I promise.", Rock assured, crouching down and putting a hand on Riley's shoulder. "Okay, Daddy…", Riley replied with an unconvinced glare.
Rock's eyes looked down in slight despondence before he ultimately made his way towards his office. Even after being promised playtime after Rock was done with the meeting, Riley's impatience got the better of her and she decided to head outside. "I don't need Mommy or Daddy to play with me…", Riley grumbled, "I'll find someone else, right Mr. Hissy?". The snake toy obviously didn't answer, being an inanimate object and all, but that didn't stop Riley from nodding her head at him.
With both her parents away and busy, Riley opened the back gate and started wandering through the neighborhood unattended in hopes of finding someone to play with. The first group of kids she saw were two boys playing with radio controlled cars and racing down the sidewalk. Curious by this, Riley approached them. "What are you doing?", she excitedly asked them. "We're racing cars.", one of the boys answered, "You wanna try?". "Yeah!", Riley replied with utmost delight. "Here, use mine!", the other boy handed Riley his controller.
Another race begins down the sidewalk, but whereas the other car was going straight down as intended, Riley's car had some more… erratic movement towards it. "Hey, you're supposed to stay on the sidewalk!", one of the boys reprimanded Riley. "I don't know how!", she nervously yelped. Soon enough, the car Riley was controlling spun around before ultimately crashing into the one racing her, toppling it over into the street. "I'm sorry…", Riley sheepishly apologized. One of the boys shook his head and walked towards the downed car, "It's alright, but you gotta know how to-". Before he could finish his sentence, a car went by and ran the toy over, crushing it into pieces much to everyone's horror. Immediately, the boys' shocked expression turned to anger at Riley.
"You know what? Get outta here!", the toy car's owner tearfully yelled at her. Riley was taken back and tried to explain herself, "B-but, the car came and-!", she muttered. "You knocked it onto the street when it was supposed to be on the sidewalk!", the devastated kid cut her off, "I don't wanna race cars again with someone so stupid!". Riley slightly whimpered upon the boy calling her stupid, it really wasn't her fault the car got destroyed. But then she glared at him with gritted teeth and she threw the controller onto the floor in retaliation. "Fine! I don't wanna play with you guys ever again!", Riley yelled before running off.
Riley continued her search for new friends, now with a pouty expression before coming across some girls playing patty cake together. Her expression shifted back into a more eager one as she rushed in to join in the game. "What are you playing?", Riley curiously asked. "Patty cake.", one of the girls answered. "Can I play?", Riley further asked. "Sure!", the other girl replied before the two got their hands ready. At first, things were pretty smooth sailing with Riley following the girl's hand patterns corresponding with the patty cake song, but as things got inevitably faster, Riley started accidentally slapping the other girl in the face.
"Hey, stop it!", she whined at Riley. "What?", Riley obliviously asked. "You keep hitting me in the face!", she complained. Her friend then stepped in, "Let me try.", the other girl suggested moving in front of Riley. "Let's try doing it slower.", she said before starting the song again. Riley made sure to carefully watch the hand movements to make sure she didn't accidentally hit her in the face. At first, Riley did end up a lot more careful with her hands but then the song sped up again. Instead of hitting the girl in the face though, Riley ended up missing repeatedly much to her frustration. "Slow down!", she told the girl. "It's part of the game to go faster.", the girl explained but it didn't make Riley any less frustrated.
Soon enough, Riley's anger got the better of her as the game sped on and she slapped the other girl in the face with a loud yell. "Patty cake is stupid!", Riley complained, "I don't wanna play anymore!". The slapped girls glared at Riley upon yelling that. "Well we don't wanna play with someone so rough!", one of the other girls retorted. "I'm not rough, you're too fast!", Riley argued. "If you don't go away right now, I'm telling my Mommy on you!", she threatened, which made Riley visibly flinch and show a sense of dread. "Fine…", Riley reluctantly conceded, "You're not my friends either then!". She then left the two girls alone as Riley solemnly walked away. Once again, she was friendless.
Meanwhile, Rock had finally walked out of his office with a big sigh. "Man, that meeting took longer than I thought…", he said wiping his forehead, "Okay, Riley let's head outside and play with the ball.", he smiled before it immediately disappeared upon noticing Mr. Hissy on the floor and his daughter not in the vicinity. "...Riley?", he called out with a hint of worry in his voice. "Riley?!", Rock suddenly shouted as he looked around the house. Unfortunately, no call was made back and Rock immediately went storming into her room, "Riley, now's not the time to scare me! Where are-", he looked out her window and noticed the back gate was left open, "You…".
His eyes immediately widened in fear, "Oh shit…", he mumbled to himself repeatedly before immediately running out of her room and heading outside through the backyard at speeds faster than in any shootout he was caught in. "RILEY!", Rock called out repeatedly as he began walking out through the neighborhood.
Unfortunately for the panicking father, his cries were met with silence and possibly a few funny glances from bystanders. Words weren't enough to describe the dread Rock was feeling, he was more afraid than the time Balalaika attempted to shoot him. Rock grabbed his cellphone and was ready to dial Revy's number but briefly hesitated...only to do so anyway.
Meanwhile, Riley was walking alone in the neighborhood in defeat. It seemed she was incapable of making friends with even the kids that resided there. Maybe she should just head home, hopefully her father didn't notice she was gone. As she made her way back to the house though, she heard a voice coming from the other side of a fence. "Do you have any threes?", a girl asked. "No…", a boy solemnly replied. "Then say go fish!", the girl demanded. "Go fish…", the boy replied in a pouty tone.
Riley tilted her head with curiosity at the game they were playing…'Go Fish?'. That sounded fun. Riley tried to climb the fence and see what the girl and boy's game was like. She wasn't particularly great at it, but Riley was just so eager to see them play. Riley also paid attention to the kids who were playing as well. The girl had long blonde hair, fair skin, a pink shirt, a green skirt, and white socks with black shoes. She also wore an orange headband and purple tinted glasses. The boy, presumably her brother, had shaggy greenish hair and wore a burgundy shirt, khaki shorts, and gray shoes.
Riley continued climbing while listening to the brother/sister duo play their game until eventually, the girl claimed victory. "I win again~! I win again~!", she cheered herself on. The boy could only groan in response, "It's not fair, big sis! You always win!". "Well, maybe you should pick your cards better.", the girl mockingly advised. Before they could walk back inside, the brother and sister suddenly hear a thud behind them and turn to see what it was. Riley had jumped over the fence but then froze in place when she locked eyes with the two other kids.
"Hi!", Riley suddenly waved with excitement much to the kids' confusion. "Hi…", the sister waved back. "Who is that?", the brother semi-worriedly whispered. "I don't know!", his sister replied as Riley kept walking towards them. "What game were you playing?", she asked. "Go Fish.", the girl replied. "Can I play?", Riley further asked. "...Do you know how?", the girl tilted her head. Riley shook her head, "No…".
The brother/sister duo glance at each other then back at Riley.
"What's your name?", the girl asked. Riley excitedly introduced herself, "I'm Riley! What about you?". "Elizabeth…", the girl replied in a calmer manner, "But everyone calls me Liz.". "And what's his name?", Riley pointed at Liz's brother. "His name is Richard.", Liz confidently said. "Hi…", Richard lightly waved. "It's no good that you don't know how to play Go Fish.", Liz stated with a hint of disappointment which made Riley look down dejectedly which she took notice of, "But if you want, I can teach you.". Riley's eyes immediately lit up and a wide smile spread on her face, "Really?!". "Yeah!", Liz nodded, "It's really easy when you know what to do.".
"Big Sis, are you sure we should keep her around?", Richard asked in a concerned manner, "Mom and Dad said not to talk to strangers…". Liz shrugged her parents concerns off, "She's a kid like us! She's not gonna do anything.". Richard unsurely looked over at the two girls before heading back inside which Riley noticed.
"Don't worry about him.", Liz assured, "He gets shy around new people.". Riley and Liz then went and sat by the plastic table she and Richard were just in. Liz pulled out the cards and started shuffling them around. She gave Riley seven random cards before she grabbed seven random cards for herself. "Okay, so the rules of Go Fish are-", Liz began to explain before the sliding glass doors suddenly went open and a short woman with brown hair walked out.
"Elizabeth! Richard told me there's a girl snuck in here.", she informed her. "Yeah Mom, but she's not hurting anyone.", Liz replied, "We're just about to play!". "Oooh~, you made a new friend!", Liz's mother said looking at Riley with an intrigued warm smile, "And what's your name, sweetie?". "I'm Riley!", she answered. "Riley, that's an adorable name.", Liz's mother nodded, "Where are your parents though?".
"Mommy's at work and Daddy's working at home.", Riley answered honestly. "Does your dad know you're here?", Liz's mother further asked. Riley looked down in shame, but still answered honestly, "No…I snuck out through outside.". Liz's mother shook her head, but still retained that warm gentle tone, "Well, that's not the right thing to do is it? Your dad must be worried sick.". Riley pouted, "No he's not…he's probably still in that stupid meeting on the computer.".
Suddenly, a tall man with dark blonde hair also walked in on the scene and noticed Riley as well. "Hey honey, who's kid is this?", he asked in a southern accent. "It's Elizabeth's new friend, Riley.", his wife answered. "We're trying to play Go Fish here, Dad.", Liz added in a somewhat impatient tone. "Wait, she snuck in here?", Liz's father asked in a confused manner. "Her parents were too busy and she was bored, so she snuck out through the backyard.", Liz's mother explained which made him shake his head.
"Young lady, your parents are probably out lookin' for you right now.", Liz's father told her with a concerned voice. "But I just want someone to play with!", Riley exclaimed. "I get that, but you still gotta tell your parents where you're goin'.", Liz's father calmly responded. "When you two finish your game, let me know where you live, Riley, so we can drop you off.", Liz's mother said. "Okay...", Riley sighed. "Hey, can you leave her alone so we can play?", Liz asked in a sassy manner. "Alright, we'll leave you two alone now.", Liz's father nodded, "But after we gotta get Riley home soon.". Riley and Liz agreed before the adults went back inside. " Now, we can start playing.", Liz said to Riley in an almost annoyed manner but had formed a smirk on her face. Riley's smile came back and the girls started playing.
Rock was pacing back and forth in the middle of the driveway with anxiety fueling his mind when suddenly, a black mustang came speeding through the neighborhood only to immediately come to a screeching halt mere inches away from him. Revy popped her head out of the driver's side, "How long has she been gone?", she asked in a mix of both worry for her missing daughter and rage towards Rock for not keeping a close eye on her. "Fifteen minutes.", Rock answered. "And just what the fuck were you doing during those fifteen minutes?!", Revy further asked with aggression in her voice. "I was in a video call with Hotel Moscow and the Triad.", Rock replied, "I promised Riley we'd play after but when I was done, she was gone.". Revy kept intensely glaring at him before opening the passenger's door.
"Get in the car.", she commanded. Rock hesitated, "Revy, I think we should just call the-", "I SAID GET IN THE FUCKING CAR!", Revy suddenly yelled before forcefully pulling her husband inside. She then goes speeding off through the neighborhood with her window down, desperate to find her daughter. "RILEY!", Revy called out with unfiltered anxiety in her voice, "RILEY!". "Revy, I already tried calling out to her like that. She didn't answer…", Rock gloomily told his wife. "Well it's either this or I start bustin' doors down!", Revy snapped back. "RILEY, WHERE ARE YOU?!", Revy called out again.
Rock and Revy took about five minutes to travel to different corners of the suburbs, but with each cry out to their daughter going silent, it felt like five hours. Both parents tried to stay calm about the situation they're trapped in, but fear and frustration was starting to cloud their minds. Revy was especially white knuckling the steering wheel taking rapid deep breaths, trying to keep the beast within her from coming out. "Revy…", Rock tried to speak, "I think we should just call the police at this point.". "Y'know, I don't trust those fuckin' pigs…", Revy replied through gritted teeth. "But what choice do we have now?!", Rock snapped back, "Riley's gone and we still don't know where the hell she is!". "We WILL find her, Rock!", Revy yelled back, "We're just not looking hard enough-!".
The sudden sound of childish giggles and laughter suddenly filled the air. "Wait…", Revy squinted her eyes, recognizing some of that laughter before her eyes widened, "That's Riley! That's our daughter!". Rock and Revy frantically looked around as they got out of the car. Some other voice, the voice of another little girl was also heard as well. "Go Fish!", she said. "Sounds like it's coming from this house.", Rock pointed at it. Revy made a beeline towards the house her husband pointed at but then saw Rock try to investigate through a small hole in the backyard fence.
Revy also went to investigate and was about to bust down the fence…until she noticed Riley and some other blonde girl playing Go Fish. "Do you have any…uh….fives?", Riley asked. Liz handed the fives from her deck to Riley, "You're getting good at this.", she complimented. Suddenly, the great amount of rage and worry she was feeling was starting to get balanced with a sense of happiness that her daughter had found a new friend…and deja vu for some reason.
"Hey Rock, ya seeing this?", Revy whispered to him. "Yeah…at least we know she's now.", Rock quietly sighed. "Not just that, but…look.", Revy pointed at them. Riley and Liz kept playing Go Fish, but then were offered some Capri-Sun by Liz's mother and they both started drinking it. "What about it?", Rock raised an eyebrow at his wife's observation. "Besides Riley making a new friend…there's something familiar with that blonde girl..I dunno why.", Revy explained. "Yeah..I can see it too.", Rock agreed, taking a closer observation. Liz's mannerisms, the way she dresses and looks, reminds them of a certain secret CIA agent. Rock and Revy quietly walk away to head to the front door.
"Do you have any sevens?", Riley asked Liz. Liz drank her Capri-Sun before looking at the handful of cards she had, neither of them were seven. "Go Fish!", she replied. Liz went and grabbed a card from the stack. "Do you have any fives?", Liz asked. Riley sighed and gave away her last remaining cards, both were five. "I win!", Liz excitedly boasted. "You're so good at this!", Riley complimented. Liz proudly giggled, "My dad taught me everything about this game. He plays with me and my brother all the time.". "My Mommy and I play a lot, she pushes me on the swings and plays tag and hide and seek and spray water guns with me.". "She sounds cool!", Liz replied. "Because she is cool!", Riley bragged, "Me and my Daddy play too, but he's not as cool.", she bluntly added.
As the two girls laughed and giggled, the doorbell suddenly rang. Liz's parents went to go get it, revealing Rock and Revy. Riley froze in place as Rock locked eyes on her with a stern expression. Liz notices her stop and asks in a concerned manner, "Who is it?". "It's my Daddy…", Riley nervously muttered. "Can we help you?", Liz's father asked, towering over both Okajimas. "Yeah…", Rock sighed, "I believe our daughter got into your backyard. We're here to pick her up.". "Y'mean dear little Riley?", Liz's mother gently asked. "Yeah, her. ", Revy tilted her head at her in a slightly defensive tone, making Liz's mother slightly step back.
"You two don't need to worry.", Liz's father chimed in, "She's in the middle of playin' Go Fish with our daughter Liz. We were gonna take her home when they were done.". "I'm so sorry if she gave you any trouble…", Rock apologized. "It was a little surprise to us all, we must admit.", Liz's father replied, "But we're just happy Liz made a new friend.". Revy folded her arms, "And Liz…how is-". "She can be a bit sassy sometimes, but she's a good girl.", Liz's mother answered, "Gets along well with little brother Richard.". "Anyway, c'mon inside. Make yourself at home.", Liz's dad welcomed the Okajimas in. Once out of the way though, Rock and Revy bolted towards the backyard to see their daughter.
"Riley!", both Rock and Revy called her out with a mix of relief and anger. Scared of how they'd react to her wandering off, Riley backed away but was instead met with both parents crouching down and wrapping their arms around her. Revy in particular was taking deep breaths during the group hug which Liz awkwardly watched. Rock noticed Liz and let go of Riley to greet her. "You must be Liz.", he said, smiling and holding his hand out to greet her, "I'm Riley's dad.". Liz reluctantly shook his hand. "And I'm her mom.", Revy chimed in with a friendly smile and waved at her.
"Wait, so am I in trouble?", Riley asked in a confused manner. "We're having a talk about that later.", Rock firmly answered. "Mommy's here earlier than normal.", Riley commented. "Yeah, she was worried about you too.", Rock explained. "Heard ya two played Go Fish.", Revy said. "Liz taught me everything about it!", Riley pointed at her new friend. "Oh, did she?", Revy intriguingly asked, looking back at Liz. "Yeah.", Liz nodded, "She learned it pretty fast.". "She beat me though.", Riley replied. "Well, there's always next time.", Revy shrugged.
Soon, Richard peered his head which Riley pointed out, "That's Liz's brother, Richard!". Rock and Revy turn their heads to him and wave at him but Richard went back into hiding right after much to their confusion. "Seems shy.", Revy commented. "Yeah, he is.", Liz replied, "Takes him a bit to like people.". Rock nodded at that before checking the time, "We should get going right about now.". "Yeah, let's go.", Revy agreed as the two of them stood back up but got stopped by Liz's father.
"Now, hold one second.", he said raising an open palm out, "We never got ya names.". Rock introduced himself with a handshake, "I'm Rock, Rock Okajima.". "Revy.", Revy bluntly said. "Well I'm Calvin, Calvin Arnett.", Liz's father replied, "And mah wife's name is Sheryl.". "Pleased to meet you both.", she nodded and smiled. "Yeah, it's good to meet you guys too.", Rock warmly agreed. "Whenever Riley wants to play with Liz again, just be sure to let us know and we'll set up a day to meet up.", Calvin offered. "Yep, we'll give you a call next time.", Rock smiled and nodded.
Revy turned to the kids, "C'mon Riley, say bye to Liz.", she said slightly crouching down. Riley and Liz looked at each other and waved as the Okajimas started walking away, "Bye bye Liz!", Riley said. "Bye Riley!", Liz replied, "I wanna play Go Fish with you again soon.". "Me too!", Riley exclaimed. Soon after, the Okajimas and Arnetts exchanged numbers for when Riley and Liz want to play again.
As Revy and Riley got into the car, Calvin stopped Rock for a moment, "One more thing, Rock.". Rock turned around silently to hear what he had to say, "I know Riley ain't my kid and all, but try not to be too hard on her.", Calvin advised. "Don't worry, I know how to handle her.", Rock assured.
With that said, Rock finally went back into the passenger's and Revy started driving away from the Arnett residence, with Riley's joy of finding a new friend now almost replaced with worry about the consequences of wandering off without telling her father. Not to mention, her mother having to leave work early because of it.
Before either parent could speak, Riley solemnly apologized, "Daddy…I'm sorry for going out without telling you. And I'm sorry I made you leave work early, Mommy…". Rock took a deep breath and sighed, "Riley, I'm sorry that your mother and I aren't available to play with you all the time but that doesn't mean you get to go running off like that!". Riley silently looked down at that in shame. "I was going to throw the ball with you outside later, I was just busy at the moment.", he reminded her. Riley kept her silence, she indeed remembered the promise her father made earlier and he's not one to break promises with her either.
"We were both very very scared…", Rock further explained. "But Mommy's not scared of anything.", Riley suddenly protested. "That's not true.", Revy chimed in, "When your dad called me and said you were missing, I-…it felt like the whole world around me stopped. I was scared that…that something happened to you or that someone bad might've taken you.". Riley was surprised to learn this, but kept listening with a shameful look in her eyes, "What if someone bad did take me?", she asked. Revy visibly flinched at that question and hesitated to answer but ultimately spoke up, "I don't know sweetie…", she muttered, "And I hope we never have to find out.". Riley nodded at that as the car ride home continued.
Soon, they made it back to the house. It's not even night time and already, Rock and Revy were exhausted. Before they could go up to their bedroom, Riley stops them. "Am I gonna be grounded?", she asked. Rock turned his head to her with disheartened eyes before sighing, "No TV for two weeks. Understand?", he answered. "Yeah…", Riley reluctantly nodded. Rock turned his head back to the stairs and he and Revy started walking up, only for Riley to ask another question.
"Am I never gonna see Liz again?", Riley despondently asked. This time, both parents turned around. "Riley, of course you're gonna see her again!", Rock answered. "Yeah, just because we're upset you ran away without telling us doesn't mean we're not happy you made a new friend!", Revy added. Riley perked up at that. "We even got the phone numbers for Liz's parents in case you two wanna hang out again.", Rock smiled at her. "I wanna see her tomorrow!", Riley blurted out which made both parents chuckle at least a little bit. "Well, I don't know about tomorrow but definitely soon.", Rock assured.
"Anyway…", Revy yawned and stretched her arms, "Your dad and I are gonna take a nap. Don't go runnin' off again, okay?". "Okay.", Riley answered. She then went to grab Mr. Hissy who's still laying on the floor to watch TV while Rock and Revy go up to their room and take their shoes off before laying on the bed; Revy even undoing her hair.
"So besides having to leave work early, how was your day?", Rock asked turning his head to his wife. "Fine.", Revy answered, "Had to throw out another drunk piece of shit tryin' to cause trouble.". Rock nodded, "The meeting with Hotel Moscow and Triad took longer than expected, still need a bit of getting used to Boris and that Triad lieutenant as the new leaders for both groups.". "Yeah, never expected Big Sis and Mr. Chang to retire without blowin' each other's brains out first.", Revy said putting her hands behind her head.
The two of them stayed quiet for a moment longer and looked at the ceiling. "Honey…", Rock muttered, making Revy turn her head to her husband, "Are you still mad at me about Riley running off?". Revy somewhat frowned at that question and turned her head back to the ceiling, "Just a bit.", she replied. "I didn't think she'd get that impatient or know how to open the back gate.", Rock explained, "We should probably have Benny chip her later.". Revy sharply turned her head towards him, "She's not a fuckin' dog, Rock!", she offendedly snapped at him. "I was just kidding…", Rock sighed. "You better.", Revy hissed at him.
Silence filled the room once again, this time Revy rolled onto her side, ready to take a nap while Rock stayed looking up at the ceiling. However, there was still something else on her mind, "Y'know, that Liz girl Riley made friends with? Still think there's something weirdly familiar about her.", she commented. "Yeah, the fact they were playing Go Fish together…drinking Capri-Sun…", Rock listed, "Not to mention the blonde hair and purple glasses.". The couple goes silent for a minute of thinking before simultaneously blurting out who Liz reminded them of, "Eda.". "You think she had a kid without telling anyone?", he sarcastically asked. Revy let out a hearty laugh, "Eda as a mom? Yeah right, she'd be a terrible mom!". Rock laughed in return before calming down, "What do you think of her parents? They seem pretty nice.".
"Yeah, seem like decent folks.", Revy shrugged, "Mom's a bit timid though.". "She was just trying to make us feel welcome.", Rock replied. "I know, maybe I just have a bad habit of intimidatin' other moms.", Revy smirked and chuckled, "We gotta set up a playdate with Riley and Liz soon.". "I'll get to calling them later.", Rock assured. Revy yawned again and rubbed her eyes, "Well…it's my nap time now, don't disturb me.". Rock rolled onto his side as well, "Mind if I join you?"he asked, putting an arm around Revy's torso. "Sure…", she tiredly answered before closing her eyes. Rock closed his eyes and let sleepiness overtake him as he held his wife nice and tight. Revy sighed as she took in her husband's touch and began dozing off.
Exhausted from the rather stressful day they just had, Rock and Revy ultimately fell asleep. Thankfully, Riley didn't try running off again during this time and simply watched TV with Mr. Hissy before eventually waking her parents up because she was hungry. While making dinner, Rock called Liz's parents until her dad picked up; a playdate ended up getting scheduled for next weekend, great news for both kids involved especially since Liz goes to a different school from Riley.
Eventually, a week passed by and Riley was eagerly alternating between waiting in her room and waiting downstairs for her new friend to come over. It almost made her forget she was grounded for another week of no television. Soon, the doorbell rang and Riley made a run for the door but didn't exactly know how to unlock the door to answer it, requiring Rock and Revy to get up from the couch and open the door.
Sure enough, Liz and her parents were standing on the other side; Riley's eyes immediately lit up in delight. "Liz!", she excitedly shouted before giving her a hug much to her surprise. "Riley!", Liz greeted back. Both pairs of parents couldn't help but smile at their kids' reuniting.
"And how are you two doing this afternoon?", Sheryl politely asked. "We're doing good.", Rock answered. "Yeah, we weren't really doing anything.", Revy added. "That's good to hear.", Calvin nodded, "We had to help Liz with a book report earlier this week but nothin' else really happened after that.". "That's nice.", Rock nodded. "She's a good reader.", Calvin proudly said. "Riley's reading skills are fine too but could use a bit of help pronouncing a few words.", Rock informed. "If ya need her, she'd be happy to help.", Calvin offered. "I usually help with reading, but thanks.", Rock chuckled.
"You two wanna go play now?", Revy asked, looking down at both Riley and Liz, which both little girls eagerly nodded in response. "Did you bring the Go Fish cards?", Riley asked Liz. "Yeah, I got them.", she answered, holding the box of cards much to Riley's excitement. "If you girls want, the kitchen table's all yours to play at.", Revy offered them. With zero hesitation, Riley and Liz immediately went towards the kitchen table, earning a giggle from Revy who followed them there.
Liz put the cards on the table as she and Riley sat down to play. "There's Capri-Sun in the fridge if you two want.", Revy informed. "Okay, Mommy!", Riley replied. "Wait, before you play…", Rock came in with his camera in hand, "Say cheese~!". Riley and Liz smiled into the camera before Rock took the picture. "I'll make sure to send a copy to your parents later.", Rock told Liz. "We'll be back around 5:30.", Sheryl chimed in. "That sounds good.", Rock nodded. "See ya guys till then.", Calvin waved, "Have fun, Liz~!", he looked over at his daughter. "I will, Dad.", Liz replied.
With that said, Liz's parents left the Okajima residence with their daughter playing with her new friend. Liz took out the deck of cards from its box and she and Riley started playing Go Fish. Rock and Revy left the two of them alone to hang out by the living room with the former printing two copies of the picture with Riley and Liz, one for the family scrapbook and another for when the Arnetts come back. He also uploaded the picture onto the computer to send it via email to their friends back in Roanapur.
Revy turned on the TV as Rock came back with his copy of the printed photo, "Definitely adding this to the Riley album.". "Yeah, go for it!", Revy smiled at the picture before her phone suddenly rang. Not expecting a phone call, Revy raised an eyebrow as she picked up. "Hello?", she greeted. "Did I have a kid and just…forget somehow?", Eda confusingly asked much to Revy's amusement, "We thought the same thing last week.". "There are a bunch of similarities between the two of you from what we've seen so far.", Rock chimed in.
"You're not helping, Rock.", Eda sneered when she heard him over the phone. "Well either way, I'm happy Riley found a new friend.", Revy said as she peeked her head at the kitchen and saw the two girls drinking Capri-Sun, "That old geezer kept buggin' us that she wasn't really hanging out with other kids at school.". "Yeah, guidance counselors are annoying…", Eda nodded. "At the same time, it did get me a bit worried especially since Rock and I aren't always available.", Revy replied. "That's why she ran off, yeah?", Eda recalled.
"Yeah…", Revy sighed, "At least now, she got someone new to hang out with…and Rock and I sorta got new friends outta her parents.". "You guys only met a week ago…", Eda responded. "I mean yeah, but we could use more people who live here to talk to.", Revy retorted, "We only have the owners of that Chinese restaurant we met a few years back.". "Fair enough…", Eda nodded, "Think this…new girl is gonna stick around with Riley from here on out?".
Revy took a better look at her daughter giggling with Liz as they continued their game, even drinking some of her Capri-Sun. She couldn't help but warmly smile at the sight before her. "…Hello?", Eda snapped Revy out of her gaze, making her walk back to the couch. Revy cleared her throat to answer.
"Yeah, I hope so.".
