A/N: Well, here we are, one more chapter of this interesting (Well… self-proclaimed, tho) story. Hope you've been enjoying it so far, and I hope you don't mind being "revolutionary" and add some interesting plots and stuff that TLH stories don't usually do. Also, this contains some religious subjects, so if you're not into Loud House being religion-related, this chapter is just not for you.
Also, reviewing chapter 1… I unknowingly "emulated" "The Loud House Revamped" first chapter! (Not the prologue). How could I be so dumb? I mean, in my defense, I didn't read that chapter before I started writing this, I read some latest chapters and… wow, that guy HAS imagination, but if you compare both fanfiction chapters (His and mine), you'll see similarities. I gotta get this as far as possible from that fanfiction, please do tell me If I am doing well.
With nothing else to say… enjoy!
The Loud House/The Casagrandes belongs to Nickelodeon, Viacom and its respective owners… let alone Chris Savino.
CHAPTER 6: A matter of faith.
"No, ma, everything is okay"
It was about 11 AM in the morning. Rodrigo was on his room, sitting on his bed with his phone on his ear. He was getting dressed, halfway done, with grey dress pants, black dress shoes, and a half-buttoned white shirt. Lying on the bed, there was a same color dress coat and a blue tie with a white-colored line pattern on it.
"Really, son? Because if I do recall correctly, Doctora told me about you getting assaulted and THEN getting falsely arrested" Rod's mother's voice could be heard from the other end.
Rod then groaned "She told you, right?" he hung his head back.
"It couldn't be missed"
Rod then sighed as he rose his head back forward "Ma, it's not such a big deal"
"Not such a big… are you even listening to yourself, Rodri?!" her voice was nearly hysterical.
"Okay, okay, I am sorry" he made gestures with his hand, not caring that she couldn't see them (Duh) "But look, it WON'T happen again, I promise" he slapped his palm on his chest, another gesture "Really, ma, I did some interesting acquaintances here, they are really good people, moving here for this student exchange program thingy isn't such a waste at all"
"Not unless things that happened to you in the recent days happen"
"Touche" Rod chuckled "But… I wanna stay, I don't have quite a life back in there"
"Thank you very much, eh?" her voice expressed anger "What about us? About your niblings and such, don't you miss them?"
"I miss you more than you could ever think, but I cannot cry over spilled milk now, those guys trust me and I just cannot leave them, they are such good people, I swear"
Ther was a sigh "Okay son, if that's what you want, then I'll tell Ramón that you really wanna stay and he'll do the required paperwork, okay?"
"Okay, thanks" Rod nodded with a smile "Oh, and if you ever catch Mickey trying to access Verónica, tell…"
"Him to shove that finger right on his ass, yeah" she chuckled "Don't worry, I don't know the four digit pin password thingy either, so it won't be a problem" she assured him "And before I forget… are you taking your medications in time?"
"Yes ma, don't worry" Rod sighed "And if I ever run, I know what to do, Doctora Miguez writes me a recipe and I go to a pharmacy with the correct paperwork to get those meds for free, just like back there"
"Perfect!" she exclaimed "Listen Rodri, gotta go now, gotta accompany your father to deliver an order, call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay" Rod nodded "Love ya, chau"
"Chau"
And after that, he hung up. Taking a huge breath, he laid on the bed on his back "Madre solo hay una…" he muttered, then got up sitting again, then started to button his shirt again.
"Indeed"
Rod then turned around to the door, to see Doctora Miguez, her back laying on the door frame, with her arms crossed and a smile "You shouldn't have… told her about those two incidents" Rod sighed "She didn't have to know"
"How can you be so sure of that?" Rod's chaperone's smile soon turned into a frown as she walked a few steps forward.
"Believe me, ma becomes THAT hysterical on these kind of situations, especially when someone stabs my second-favorite shoulder" Rod cracked a quip as he finished buttoning his shirt.
"She's your mother, she loves you, THEY love you" she explained "So much, they hesitated in sending you here, your best option was Mexico like you always wished"
"Doctora…" Rod sighed as he then grabbed his tie "If I were to go to Mexico, I can assure you that not only not meeting Lincoln, Rona and the others would be bad, but also grouping with fellow Latinos could lead to disaster" he muttered-
"True" Miguez then decided to end that conversation there, then smiled as he saw how Rod was tying his tie around his neck in a Windsor-like way. That was the way his father taught him when he was 13 and decided to don formal suits "You look like a million pesos" she smiled.
"Yeah… too bad one million pesos aren't worth much on these lands" Rod cracked another joke, which this time… didn't made his chaperone ever chuckle "Sorry, economics" he sighed.
"It's alright" she smiled "You gonna go find a church?" she pointed her index finger at him with a smile.
"I can probably find one on this God-forsaken state, a Catholic one, perhaps" again, Rod's anti-Americanism doesn't seem to faze us, does he?
"Don't be harsh with this country, it's not so bad"
"Tell that to my shoulder and to the fact that I gotta say thanks to God that I haven't been processed as a criminal past yesterday" Touché, Rod, Touché.
Miguez just sighed "Just… give it a chance, criminals are everywhere, you know that, don't you?"
"Sacate la mochila?"
"Exactly" Miguez nodded ""Well, in any case, take care, and remember, do…"
"Don't be late, yeah, I promise" Rod interrupted with a nod as he stood up and put on his coat before buttoning it "One million pesos, really?" he chuckled.
"Si" Miguez smiled "I may have not known him, but I reckon your grandfather Giuseppe may be proud to see you accommodate like a true Italian you wanna be"
"What can I say?" Rod's vain attitude kicked in "I like fancy"
"Well…" Doctora chuckled "Don't let it get through your head too much, or you'll…"
"Eventually turn into the most thing I hate, I know" Rod quickly interrupted "I sometimes wish I could have been born like my father, in poorness and misery, and have to work every day of my life, including Saturdays and Sundays, to…"
"Don't…" she stopped him on his tracks "Ever… say that again" she glared at him "You have what you had: A loving family, and everything, don't say again that you wanna go through what your father went through, because we don't choose the life we have upon getting born, fate does so"
"I know, I know" Rod sighed "It's just that… all I have, done and achieved… I just don't deserve it, I want others to have what I have, really"
"I know you do, but there's NOTHING you can do about it, just…"
"Live my life" Rod sighed again "I am so lucky to have pa give me all he did, I just want others to have that luck"
"And you will, eventually when you grow up and make your own decisions" she smiled "But for now, just live the life you must live as a pre-teen"
"I thought I was already a teenager"
"Not until next year" Doctora shook her head as she then walked towards the doorway "Just be careful, okay?"
"Noted" Rod nodded "But first… I think I'll have some mate"
"Okay" she chuckled. And after hearing that, Rod saw his psychiatrist leave the room. Rod then went over to his night table drawer and opened it, revealing both a necklace with wooden beads and a cross and a small red book with it. Rod then picked up both objects, wore the necklace around his neck, and looked at the book. It said 'Nuevo Testamento', Spanish obviously, it was a Bible. He then closed the drawer and got up, then existed the room.
Ten minutes later, Rod was on the living room, watching the television while having the same infusion he was having the day before, which is now identified as 'mate'. As Rod was looking at the weather report, which announced a sunny climate, his phone suddenly rang.
"Ah?" as Rod picked up his phone from his pocket, he looked he was receiving a call, the number was 555-0121 "What the…? He then answered and placed the phone on his ear "Yeah?"
"Hey Rodri, it's me! Ronnie Anne!"
Rod then chuckled "Oh, Rona, I guess Lincoln WAS telling the truth, and that you wanted my number!"
"Yes" Ronnie Anne replied "As well as he" she laughed "He isn't a liar person, through"
"I see" Rod nodded.
"Listen, Lincoln and I are going to Dairyland today, but before doing so, I wanted to know if you can come to the hotel, I need to settle one thing"
"Which is?" Rod's tone rose a little.
"It' just… something" Ronnie Anne sighed "Can you come, or you're busy with…?"
"No no, it's okay, I can go there, not a problem"
"Oh, thank you so much, I promise you won't regret it!"
"Why would I ever regret it?"
"Don't worry, you'll know it with time" she replied "See ya"
"See ya"
And with that, Ronnie Anne hung up. As Rod took a brief glimpse at his phone before placing it on his pocket, he took a deep breath. Thoughtful for a second, he then grabbed his phone again and started tapping on it, adding that number to his phonebook as 'Rona', then placed it back on his pocket, then resumed with his mate while watching TV.
Half an hour later, Rod found himself walking, like the previous days, through Royal Woods' streets, with his hands on his coat's pockets in the same style that Ronnie Anne does. Looking around, he was starting to get acquainted with the city, as much as he did when he was on his home country. A month more and he could even get used to which bus goes to which destination, and such, just like in Argentina.
Curiously, he appreciated the weather, as it was always sunny, unlike back home, where he had to endure constant rains and such. Then again, he remembered he wasn't on Argentina, but the US of A. This was represented by looking at the sky in brief moments.
Upon reaching the hotel, Rod noticed something: Vanzilla was there, and so were Lincoln, Ronnie Anne, Bobby, and even Lori grouped up there.
Ronnie Anne, by giving a side glimpse, noticed Rod, then turned around "Rodri!" she called out as she rose up her hand.
Rod nodded upon hearing this, then walked towards then. The first time he got near, he immediately received a hug from the Latina "Whoah there!" he chuckled "Save it for Lincoln" he smiled as she then broke off from the hug.
"Sorry, I am just grateful for what happened these days" Ronnie Anne blushed.
"You're dating Lincoln, remember that, give him that affection to HIM, not ME" Rod reminded him.
"Ah, it's okay" Lincoln chuckled as he also walked towards him. Rod wondered why Lori and Bobby didn't, tho "How you've been?"
"Holding up pretty fairly" Rod nodded "My wound already was healed and got a new scar, so I can say I am pretty fine" he side-looked at his left shoulder, as these days passed, his wound was already healed. He then looked at Ronnie Anne "What was it you called me, Rona? I have some important…"
"Oh! Right!" Ronnie Anne looked at her back "Bobby!"
Bobby, hearing his sister, then turned around "Oh…" he sighed, then looked at Lori "Excuse me babe, I gotta solve an unfinished business"
"It's okay, boo-boo bear" Lori then gave him a brief peck on the lips "Don't take too long, we still gotta…"
"Yes, I know, I know" Bobby sighed "It'll be brief, I promise" he gave her a smile, before turning around, erasing that smile from his face, and walking towards Rod "Eh, hey… uh… Rod was it?"
Rod then noticed Bobby, then turned his head back at Ronnie "What now?" he grumbled.
"Bobby wants to apologize for what he did to you these days, he treated you pretty bad, and…"
"Pretty bad?!" Rod scoffed "He literally first accused me of trying to rape you, and two days later, he accused me of getting you into jail, and now you're telling me he wants to apologize and just that?!"
"Look, Rod, I know it sounds bad, but…"
"Oh no, Rona, it doesn't sound bad"
"Really?"
"It sounds terrible!" Rod snapped, then let out a sigh and calmed himself down "But as far as I care, I forgive him"
"Really?" both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne exclaimed in unison with their eyes widened.
"Wow, really?" Bobby couldn't believe him "Y-You do?"
"Yeah, first because you did it to protect your little sister, and I respect that" Rod still glared at Bobby "And second, because my religion asks me to do so" he metaphorically put on his Catholic flag while saying that "And before you say something detrimental against my beliefs, i…"
"No no!" Ronnie Anne interrupted him "It's fine, you do believe in God and we all respect that" she then gave a side look at Bobby "True?"
"Of course, man!" Bobby chirped "And I am glad you're actually a forgiving person"
Ronnie Anne then noticed Lincoln just stared at him silently, then glared at him with an elbow on his shoulder "Ow! I mean… yeah, I do respect your beliefs too, Rod!" he rubbed his shoulder in nearly pain.
"Glad to hear it" Rod nodded as Bobby then walked towards him and lend out a hand to shake it with him.
"We don't need to be friends if you don't want to, but at least for Niní, I would like peace between us"
Rod looked at him and down his hand, then repeated that, before finally shaking his hand "Water under a bridge" he muttered.
"Thanks" Bobby smiled "It really means a lo…"
"And it is not like the time you told me that Ronnie Anne is more important THAN YOUR BABE!" Rod then looked at Lori while yelling at the last part.
"DUDE NO!" Bobby gasped.
"WHAT?!"
Lori then quickly walked towards Bobby, stomping, with a deadly glare on her face "What did you actually said, boo-boo bear?!" she growled.
"Eh babe, Niní is my sister, and…"
"You once told me I'm the most important thing in your life, that I cannot be replaced!" Lori cried as he was nearly into tears.
"Thanks a lot, bro" Bobby growled as he gave a side glare to Rod, then back at Lori "Babe, I know I said that, but…"
"But what?! You were gonna tell me you lied to me?!"
"You can't be serious!" Bobby yelled "You can say the same as your ten siblings too, and I can understand it!"
"That is right!"
The couple then turned around to look at Rod "Look, girl" he addressed Lori "Stop being a wuss and accept the facts: Family is more important than anything, I can tell you that, so don't be surprised your love would choose his family over you, alright?" he growled "You'll pick Lincoln, or your other sisters over your boo-boo bear, and wanna know something? He'll understand it pretty well, because he's reasonable, and so do you, I hope" he told her.
Lori, tears running down, sniffed "You're… literally right" she sighed, then looked at Bobby "I'm so sorry for being mad, boo-boo bear, I guess I would be selfish if I won't allow you to prioritize your sister over me, while I do the same with my family"
"It's okay, babe" Bobby smiled "I don't wanna reach the moment where I gotta pick Ronnie Anne or mom or any other relative over you, though"
"Me neither" Lori smiled.
The two then, holding hands, engaged into a kiss "Yuck, there they go with the kissing and such" Ronnie Anne nearly gagged.
"But we do the same too, pumpkin" Lincoln chuckled. He then realized Rod didn't met Lori formally yet "Of, before I forget" he then looked at Lori "Lori, this is Rod" he then looked at Rod "Rod, this is…"
"I LITERALLY know already" Rod chuckled "I would say it is a pleasure to meet you, b…"
Rod was interrupted by Lori giving him a big hug "You're the guy who encouraged Linky and Ronnie Anne into being together, I already know it all!" she smiled "You could have kept Ronnie Anne for you, but you instead did the right thing, how can I ever repay you for that?"
"Allowing me… to breath!" Rod, choked, muttered as he gasped for air.
"Oh!" and Lori let go of him as Rod was heavily breathing for air "Sorry" she smiled with a blush.
"Say…" Ronnie Anne, not knowing why, just noticed Rod was dressed formally "What's the occasion, Rod?" she pointed at his clothes.
"Huh, wha…?" Rod then noticed his clothes "Oh, I have church today, like every Saturday"
"Saturday? Why not Sunday?" Lincoln pointed out.
"I got used to Saturday" Rod shrugged.
"Well look at you, you look like one of Lincoln's secret agent comic book characters" Ronnie Anne smirked teasingly as she gently elbowed his shoulder.
"Yeah well, when you have money, you can do anything" Rod laughed "And now, if you excuse me, I gotta go find a church, if there's any on this town"
"Oh, there is, you just gotta find it!" Lincoln pointed out "Ask your phone, it'll tell you"
"That was my main idea" Rod nodded
"Such a shame you don't wanna accompany us" Ronnie Anne gave a brief frown "We were gonna go to Dairyland, and…"
"I don't… do amusement parks" Rod sighed "Reminds me of Gabriela, sorry"
"Oh…" Ronnie Anne then nodded "I'm really sorry"
"Eh, it's okay" Rod chuckled with a shrug "Have fun you four"
"See ya bro" Bobby smiled as he walked towards him "And… thank you… for everything"
"With that little mishap I did between you and your babe…" Rod then leaned his head closer to him "… We are even"
Bobby then chuckled nervously "Yeah"
"And let me warn you something: DON'T repeat what you did past days, got it?" he gave him an ultimatum "Even I can lose my patience sometimes"
Bobby then looked nervous "G-Got it" he gulped.
"Ah, just pullin' yo chains" Rod laughed "Don't be nervous, dude, I won't do anything to you, I swear" he smiled while raising a hand in scouts honor sign.
Bobby then chuckled "Oh, okay then, and again… thanks for anything"
"Anytime" Rod smiled.
Ronnie Anne walked towards Rod and gave him a hug "Thanks for coming, and… also for forgiving my brother" she smiled as she looked at him "He might be a handful sometimes, but he's my brother no matter what"
"Hey!"
"A pleasure" Rod smiled as Ronnie Anne backed away and Lincoln walked up to him
"Well, smell ya later"
"Not if WE smell you first" Lincoln smiled as he fist-bumped with him.
"Gotcha"
And with that said, as Lori, Bobby, Lincoln and Ronnie Anne were entering Vanzilla, Rod parted ways from them and walked away from the place, giving a final wave as the others did the same while the van's engine started.
For half an hour, Rod was again walking through the streets of Royal Woods. He passed by and admired the commercial places, such as Jean Juan's, Burpin' Burgers, Flip's, and Gus' Games and Grub. Funny enough, he coincidentally caught Lincoln's gang there, but decided to not to show himself to them, anti-social he always was, especially for his grudge against Rusty in particular.
After walking, he started to get weary, so he stopped by a café he had near him, called 'Spresso Patronum'. Quite a mouthful name, he was thinking.
While Rod was admiring the place, a few streets away, Girl Jordan was, with her besties Mollie and Cookie, shopping. Sure, Jordan is from a wealthy family, so… why not? Upon exiting a shopping store, giggling, she quickly caught a glimpse of Rod, who was just entering the place "Rod?" she rose an eyebrow inquisitively, then looked at her friends "Girls, can you carry on with me? I'll catch you later, gotta do something first"
"Oh, don't tell me you're going after that Cyrano after what happened yesterday!" Cookie scoffed, as realized what her friend was looking at.
"Yeah really, girl" Mollie nodded "And besides, aren't you still with Chandler?"
"We're on an impasse"
"What the heck is that?"
"None of your business for now" Jordan surprisingly said that "Look, he's more than what he looks, just… trust me"
"Alrighty girl, but follow my advice: Aim for something more" Mollie shrugged.
Jordan then turned around to glare daggers at her "You say that one more time, and…"
"Okay okay, relax" Mollie quickly rose her palms to defend herself "Just saying"
And the two girls left Jordan alone, who then looked back at the café. She realized he wasn't there anymore, as he entered already, then started to walk towards him.
Upon entering the café, Rod looked around, it was certainly filled with people as far as he could see. Luckily enough, he found an empty seat on the bar counter area. As he sat down, he immediately caught the attention of the waitress, who, upon noticing him, quickly grabbed a menu.
The waitress, a nearly middle-aged woman wearing her uniform, which was a small white cap, a white apron and holding a notepad, walked towards him "Want anything, dear?" she asked as she then handed him the menu.
Rod simply stared at her for a second before mild-manneredly moving the menu back to the waitress' hands "A Coke, not cold, please" he muttered.
The waitress then wrote on her notepad "Quite a simple guy you are, eh dear?" she chuckled "I'll get it as fast as I can"
"Okay…"
Rod just sat there, not expecting something special to happen, rather… mundane things.
As the bell of the door rang, Jordan then entered the place. Looking around all the people, she quickly caught a glimpse of Rod. She then walked a few steps forward as she noticed his clothes "Rod?"
Rod slightly turned around his head to look at Jordan, then looked back forward, trying to ignore her "Rod, please, I am so sorry about yesterday, but…"
"But what?" Rod grumbled as he kept on not looking at her "That bully guy has been pulling my chains ever since the very first day and you're dating him" he muttered "And worst of all, you're still dating…"
"I told him we're on break" Jordan confessed "I told him personally this time, didn't asked neither Mollie nor Cookie to do it"
"Good for you"
The waitress then approached Rod and placed a small Coke bottle on the table along with a glass "Something else, dear?"
"No, thank you" he smiled.
"Alrighty then, call me if you need something else" and then, the waitress walked away.
Rod then turned to look at Jordan "Want something?"
"No thanks, I am not thirsty" Jordan sighed "Look Rod, I know we didn't have a good start, especially at Monday's dodgeball, but I wanna mend things with you"
"I hardly doubt it" Rod sighed as he opened his bottle an poured it on the glass.
"Really, you aren't quite an ugly boy at all!"
"Then why did you say what you said that day?"
He got her, checkmate, Jordan couldn't hastily think for a perfect retort at that "That's… what I thought" Rod looked at her briefly, before back at the counter.
"Can't you at least give me a chance?"
"I'll answer to it if you answer ME a question"
"Fire away"
"Do you wanna be friends, or you wanna date me?"
That question, sent chills on Jordan's spine. She was uncertain on how to react at that, nothing but total shock. She read her mind like an open book, truly. She stared at him with her eyes widened and her mouth slightly opened, in total shock.
"Answer me"
"I… i…"
Talking about feelings wasn't Rod's forté. But at that moment, it wasn't Jordan's either, but it would be, if there were other circumstances, but that was not the case.
Jordan just gave a huge sigh "You got me" she frowned "I like you, a lot, but I fear you won't let me in" she then sighed "I knew I should had grasped onto Lincoln as sooner as I could, but I guess it's too late now" Rod then got surprised at what she said. Was she… in love with Lincoln… too?
Rod then took a deep breath "It's not you, Jordan" he looked at her "As I told you, I am still mourning for a girl that was taken from me two years ago, and I just can't simply get over it, not that I want to, either" he confessed.
"Yeah, you told me" Jordan still frowned "And I may not know her, but… she would like you to carry on with your life"
"You are right"
"Am i?" Jordan's eyes widened as she had an expectant smile.
"Yeah" Rod took a sip of his Coke "You don't know her" that made Jordan frown right away "But you're also right on the latter"
"Really?"
"Yeah, but that doesn't matter anymore, since she died and such" Rod sighed "Look, you're a good girl, perhaps cute and so on, but there's so many men out there, you gotta find something else" he told her "I am not precisely perfect, you know?"
"I know" Jordan nodded "Perfection does not exist, but if you want me to tell you something… you're pretty close to it"
Rod then gave a chuckle "Yeah sure"
"I mean it, i…"
"JORDAN!"
The two quickly were stopped on their tracks as, hearing the bell, someone hastily entered the restaurant. The two turned around to see, in shock, that it was Chandler, fuming in anger.
"Chandler?!" Jordan gasped "Wha-What are you doing here? I told you…"
"Chandler McCann DOES NOT take orders from a girl, especially if that girl is mine!" chandler roared "Had to see it myself to believe it" he stomped forwards towards the two "So THAT'S why you wanted a break, so you wanna go kissy-kissy an date-date with the Colombian dipshit!"
"Argentina, idiota" Rod growled as he stood up from his chair.
"It's the same bullshit, yadda-yadda" Chandler rolled his eyes, then continued to look at the two in anger.
"Chandler…" Jordan glared daggers at him "I'll NEVER be yours!" she boldly declared.
"You treacherous… dirty bitch!" Chandler snarled, then walked towards Jordan and firmly grabbed her by her arm.
"Hey!"
"You're coming with me right now, no custom-shaped asshole will take what it is mine!"
"Chandler!" Jordan was silently groaning in pain "You're hurting my arm!" she whimpered as she tried to free herself with her other hand by grasping onto it an pulling it away, but to no avail, he was stronger, even if Jordan had a big athletic history.
"Hey"
Rod then walked towards the two, and, in between them, grabbed Chandler's arm, and almost effortlessly, separated him from her "Hey! Hands off, you…!"
"The lady said you're hurting her" Rod grumbled as he furrowed his eyebrows, then pushed him "Don't make me hurt you"
"Hurt me?" Chandler, slowly regaining his balance as he stepped forward, burst out laughter, then looked at the other patrons of the café "Hey everybody!" he tried to get their attention "This guy thinks he can hurt me, did you hear that?" the others quickly stopped eating/drinking their meals and concentrated their sights at the trio.
"Don't. Make. Me. Do. It" Rod was preparing his hand into a fist.
Chandler then looked at Rod with a snicker "And what are you…"
POW!
Before everyone could realize, Chandler, with that hit, was sent off backing away before landing on a table of other patrons who were eating lasagna, which caused a huge noise, product of the metallic utensils and glass cups. Seconds later, the table toppled over, making the patrons back away and the female woman give a squeak in shock as the two saw how their meal was ruined. The lasagna platter fell over Chandler, who had his entire face smeared with Bolognese sauce.
"Jesus Christ man, we were having some delicious meal!" the man who was on the table snapped as he glared at Rod.
Rod just stood there, with his fist extended forward, frozen. Upon realizing what he did, he just slowly and, shaking nervously, moved his hand closer to his face and stared at it. Shaking, not in pain, but by the fact that he just hit someone as hard as he could, the first time in so many years (Those muggers past Tuesday do not count). He was also panting heavily.
"Rod…?" Jordan was a true witness of what just happened, looking at Chandler, who was on the ground, groaning in pain while holding his nose, who was bleeding, then turned around to look at Rod, her eyes widened "ROD!" she cried as she ran towards him and embraced him softly , then looked at him "Are you…?"
Rod was still panting in nervousness as his hand was still shaking "I… i…"
"It's okay Rod, you didn't do anything wrong" she shushed him, whispering, as she embracing her "You were just defending me, he did deserve it, please calm down"
Rod's hand was still shaking, but he suddenly put it down as he was wriggling his fingers. He then took a deep breath "I'm OK, Jordan, I'm OK" he whispered at her as he backed away from her, breaking away from the hug, much to her confusion.
Chandler was just there, smeared with sauce from the lasagna, when the waitress, with a glass of water, came running "What the blazes happened in here?!" she shrieked as she looked at the mess.
Chandler, who was groaning, slowly moved his arm weakly and pointed it at Rod "He… hit me"
The waitress then turned at Rod, with a glare "Young man, what did you do?"
Rod was just still nervous about the whole situation "Rod didn't do anything wrong!" his nervousness slowly faded away upon hearing that Jordan just said that "Really!" Jordan growled "Chandler wanted to hurt me and he defended me!"
"She's right" one of the patrons, who was on the counter nearby and heard the whole argument, pointed out "That guy got what he did deserve"
"Hey!" the man of before growled "What about our meal? We're not paying for this… this mess!" he pointed out at the already mentioned mess.
"Young man, you caused this, I am afraid I gotta charge you for the damages and that lasagna" the waitress walked towards Rod, who was still stunned.
Eventually, Rod came into his senses as he blinked twice, before realizing what he has done "Ah, uh… what?" he then rubbed his palm on his eyes "Oh, sorry, yes" he then drew out his walled from his pocket and grabbed two 20-dollar bills from it before handing them to the waitress "Is that enough?"
The waitress' eyes widened as she saw the offer "Forty bucks? That's… a lot"
"Ma'am, I come from a place where I really have no idea how much dollars are a Coke, so please accept it and end of story" Rod sighed. Thinking for a moment, the waitress then sighed and reluctantly grabbed the bills.
"Thanks, but… don't do that again, please, it may scare the customers"
"Noted" Rod nodded, then turned to look at Chandler, who, groaning, was slowly standing up.
As Chandler removed his hand from his face, he then looked at it, it was bleeding, along with his nose "What the hell?!" he gasped as he then swept his finger through his nostril and noticed that he was bleeding "Son of a…!" he growled as he then dashed towards Rod.
Rod, steadfast, grabbed Chandler through his neck just as he got close enough "I'd suggest you calm the fuck down before I do something worse than that" he growled as he saw the bully struggling to let himself go, grasping onto his arm.
"You… mother… fucker!" Chandler tried to fight back, but Rod effortlessly got him.
"I won't stand this no longer!" the waitress glared, then looked at her back, towards a man who was standing on the doorway, muscular-build, crossing his arms and his back laying on the wall "Schbainz!"
"Bless ya"
Some patrons chuckled at this; the waitress just glared at Rod "Schbainz is how the bouncer is called"
"You have a bouncer? And here I thought this was just a café"
"Well, he is not quite… a bouncer, he's more like security in here" the waitress then looked at the man "Schbainz, would you mind accompanying this young man to the exit?" she pointed at Chandler.
The man, now called Schbainz, turned his attention at the waitress, then stood up "Yes ma'am" he then walked towards Chandler and Rod, grabbed Chandler by the scruff of his shirt's neck, and pulled him away from Rod "Come here, you" he then started to drive him out of the place.
"Hey, put me down, your gorilla nimrod!" Chandler shrieked as he struggled to let himself go, to no avail, since there was a huge physical difference. Seconds later, the bouncer threw away Chandler into the street "This ain't over, Rodolfo!" he snarled as he waved his fist "I'll destroy you!" it was the last thing he yelled before walking away.
"Go away and never come back!" Schbainz snarled as he then entered and closed the door.
"Good thing justice does still exist here" Rod sighed "I should get going" he muttered to himself as he then started to walk out of the place.
"Rod, wait!"
Jordan's voice echoed through his head, but he didn't care, he was still walking.
"Rod!" but Jordan stopped him by stepping on front of him "Rod, please!"
"You committed and irreversible mistake, Jordan" Rod sighed "Chandler was your best bet, I am sorry, but there will be never an us on this" ere his final words before he stopped addressing her and finally left the place.
Jordan just stood there, as she frowned and suddenly started tearing.
30 minutes later, Rod resumed his search for a church. With his phone in hand, he was following Siry's (A/N: A parody of iPhone's Siri) advice, and started walking towards the place that was marked on his phone's map. After wandering for a bit, he finally arrived at his wished place. It was a cathedral-like building, complete with a clock tower and a cross at its top. As Rod then walked towards it, passing through a well green garden which was protected by fences, he then arrived at the building, then looked at the top to read the church's name.
"Four Corners Catholic Church: A place to seek salvation" that's what Rod read "Huh, salvation is exaggerated" he commented "But let's see" he muttered to himself as he then walked towards the door, and pushed it with little pressure, and to his surprise, it opened "Great, it's not closed, probably mass time"
As he entered, he started appreciating the environment: Dozens of long seats in each side, left and right, and the podium at front, where the priest was as always in every mass. Yeah, Rod seeing a church like this in America… surprised him pretty much. As he looked above, there was hanging with strong-material strings a statue of Jesus Christ crucified, probably of wax. I N R I, the classic sign above his head on the upper tip of the cross, and the strings hanging each side of the lateral cross sides. Nothing he didn't saw already on Argentina. As he was walking through, he was disappointed to see that there were only a few visitors, but with the difference that all of them were sitting or kneeling, praying in silence. One, particularly, was doing it with his eyes closed, knelt an fidgeting his rosary, bead per bead, as he did so. Looking at his sides, he saw the stained-glass windows, with different saints and its names drawn on them. Again, nothing he didn't saw already bac on his home country.
Rod, upon reaching the last row seats, made the sign of the cross, briefly knelt himself for a bit as a sign of salute at Jesus and then walked at the front row seat, like he always did when he went to church each Saturday, slipping his hand inside his coat and drawing out his wooden-beaded rosary. He then bowed down his head, joined his hands together, and started to mutter.
Just as he did that, the priest, an approximately 60-year-old grizzled elder man, who was wearing a normal attire, buttoned white shirt with colored-squared patterns, black dress pants and moccasins, caught a glimpse on him, and what he was particularly muttering, and walked towards him "Those words… I don't understand them" he sat down next to Rod, as Rod then stopped with his mumbling and rose up his head to look at it.
"It's Spanish, sir" he replied "I am yet to get used to say prayers on English"
"Oh, so you aren't from these lands precisely" the priest smiled "I am Father Marcozzi, I am a vicar on this church, and this day's afternoon mass priest" he then extended a hand to shake it with him.
Rod didn't doubt it twice, he immediately shook hands with him "Rodrigo Damiani, Catholic ever since the crib" he presented himself "Marcozzi? Italian ethnicity? Like me too?"
"You've got that right" Father Marcozzi chuckled "My father used to be a priest for the Rome Catholic Apostolic Church, such a great honor, if you ask me"
Rod then let out a laugh "My grandfather was THIS close to become a priest and not come to Argentina to know my mother and have my father and so on and so on" he explained with the proper gesture at the THIS part "Thank God for that"
"I'd nag you for that little blasphemy, but I can see that you're so in the Catholicism"
"Baptized, most dedicate child on Catechesis, confirmed, always goes to weekend masses because that is where you can give money, and I LOVE giving money" Rod replied.
"Hmm, a good person, I can see"
"Yeah well, but you know what they say" Rod sighed "It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God"
Father Marcozzi then burst out into laughter "You seem to know more than the ABC of this very well, my son" he smiled "But even if you're rich, if you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and always be a good person, you will always go to Heaven"
"Reassuring words, thank you, Father" Rod drew out a small grin at that "But to be fair, I am going to church to actually seek salvation for others rather than me"
"How's that" the priest rose an eyebrow.
Rod then took a deep breath "My parents aren't precisely believers, I mean, my mother got her communion but because she was a little girl and just went with it, and my father does not believe in God" he explained "Heck, he doesn't believes in anything he just doesn't sees, and that's why I come here every Saturday, to pray that one day, when they die, they go to Heaven" he told him "I don't care about me, I don't think Hell can be worse than this life, Father"
"Son, you really have no idea of what are you saying" Father Marcozzi shook his head in disbelief "No matter what you do, you cannot go to church masses to just make your parents not to be forsaken by The Lord" he sighed "It depends on how are they, if they were good through their whole life, neither fortune nor someone else going to church for them will prevent them from entering the kingdom of God"
"You think so?" Rod perked up his head to look at him.
"Of course, you aren't the first one here who thought like you, you know that?"
"Really?"
"Yes!" Father Marcozzi smiled "Now, don't come here just for others, you can seek salvation from others in other way, just do what your heart tells you and keep on coming for yourself, you can pray and make others pray for your beloved, but don't do what you said you're doing, that would be senseless"
"I thought… God says anything has sense" Rod muttered.
"The Lord gave a meaning for every single thing, person or entity on the universe, but yours isn't quite what I can call something with it"
"Well then, thanks for opening my eyes" Rod chuckled.
"Anytime" Father Marcozzi patted his back "Anyway, what is your favorite passage?"
"Of all my life, John 4:13 and 14" Rod then stood up "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him, will never thirst" he uttered "Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life"
"Bravo, Rodrigo Damiani, you're a true Catholic man" Father Marcozzi clapped at this.
"I am just 14" Rod laughed "But… with some… issues" he sighed "When… is the mass gonna start today?"
"You're in luck, the mass will start in an hour, but you can be here to pray all you want, and maybe confess your sins"
"That!" Rod pointed a finger at him "I haven't confessed myself in months, I seek forgiveness for some stuff!"
"Well then, son, let's get started" Marcozzi smiled.
MEANHILE… - LINCOLN AND RONALDA.
"I forgot how awesome this place is!"
Both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne, Lincoln with a Dairyland udder cap and holding an udder-shaped balloon, and Ronnie Anne with a drink on her hand, were walking through the amusement park. The two, in their left arms, were wearing plastic bracelets they were previously given as part of the premium yearly membership passes they got "I know, right?" she giggled "And I can't believe that these year premium passes ALSO covers food and miscellaneous stuff!"
"But that's not the best part of all of this" Lincoln then smiled as he faced Ronnie Anne.
"You're so right" Ronnie Anne whispered "How about we do another smooch?"
"But…" Lincoln frowned for a moment "What if everyone here sees us?"
"I don't care" Ronnie Anne whispered as she got near his face "Not anymore, in fact"
Lincoln then smiled as he blushed "C'mere, you"
The two then both puckered their lips and then engaged in a long kiss, then embraced each other.
"That's right, gimme your tongue" Lincoln whispered as he rubbed her back while his girlfriend was grasping onto his neck.
As Lincoln said so, some attendees looked at the pair curiously, with some female ones smiling warmly "Young love" a middle-aged woman giggled.
About 5 minutes later, they broke off the kiss, panting and briefly drooling "I will NEVER get tired of this"
"Now now, let's not get like Lori and Bobby" Lincoln laughed.
"That? Never"
The two then embraced for a bit "Which game do you wanna go now, pookie?" Lincoln whispered.
"Anywhere you want"
"Ah come on, you gotta have your own opinion" Lincoln almost silently chuckled.
"I don't care" Ronnie Anne giggled "As long it is with you, I don't care if we go even to the Tunnel of Love or the kiddy ones"
"Don't exaggerate" Lincoln laughed "Come on, your choice" he smiled as he looked at her face.
Ronnie Anne, after a brief moment, then giggled as she shook her head "You win, dork" she smiled "I actually wanna go to the Tunnel of Love"
"Alright, but let's not be like Lori and Bobby at that date she told me they had time ago in here" Lincoln laughed "they ended up taking like 7 selfies and just kept on snuggling, bleh!"
"Actually, I don't mind the snuggling part" Ronnie Anne laughed "But no selfies"
"I already know that" Lincoln chuckled "Well, the Tunnel of Love it is"
The two, having made up their mind, held hands together and then started walking.
A moment later, they arrived at the mentioned park attraction, the queue was moderately full "Agh, I hate long lines" Ronnie Anne scoffed as she stomped with her foot.
"Hey, we've got fast passes for that, remember?" Lincoln laughed as the two then walked towards the line. As they reached it, they started skipping it "'Scuse us, coming through, we have free passes, 'scuse us, thanks!" were amongst the things Lincoln said as he, in hand with Ronnie Anne, started skipping the line towards the front.
"Bleh, premium users" one attendee sighed "Money does fix anything for some people, I guess"
The two then got towards the attraction entrance as there was an employee guarding the line there, with the entrance blocked by a red velvet rope, classic "Excuse us sir, fast passes" Lincoln showed his bracelet to the line employee as Ronnie Anne did the same.
"Say no more, pass!" the employee cheered as he then opened the velvet rope, allowing the two to pass.
"Gracias" Lincoln nodded as the two started walking forwards
The two then entered the game "Please be patient for your boat to arrive and then you can get in, enjoy the ride!" the employee, who was now behind them, instructed them.
"Well, at least we don't gotta be in line" Lincoln optimistically chuckled.
"You got that right" Ronnie Anne smiled "I can't wait to have that romantic moment with you" she whispered on his ear "You, me, and nothing else but us in a boat, alone and in a romantic environment" she then kissed his ear.
"H-Hey, that tickles!" Lincoln giggled.
"Well..." Ronnie Anne chuckled "Get used to it!"
Soon after, a swan-shaped boat arrived "There he comes" Lincoln smiled. The two then looked at each other and stared into each other's' eyes before holding their hands and slowly entering the boat.
As the boat then advanced forwards towards the tunnel, the two just kept looking at each other with smitten faces. Deep inside, followed by a flowery and romantic environment and soft music, the two then embraced each other as they engaged into a long kiss. A long kiss that seemed to only last seconds… but eventually lasted longer. Truly the best day the two had in their entire life. But deep down, both knew it wouldn't last longer, since when Ronnie Anne had to leave to return to her house in another state… Lincoln would feel empty inside, as his loved one would once again be far away from her.
But as a matter of fact, Lincoln could seek Lori for that kind of advice, on how to cope with his girlfriend living far away from him, as she does it day-by-day with Bobby, well… when they aren't both at college, he meant.
They truly were having the time of their lives; Lincoln couldn't believe how silly was he to not to realize before his feelings towards her. Ronnie Anne was thinking the same too, he was a really special friend to him, and the two were a good example of a relationship coming after a close friendship. Years of friendship turned into this, even though… Ronnie Anne recalled first meeting Lincoln when they were first starting elementary school. Such a young, cute boy, she saw, a discrepancy that she picked him as her first bullying victim.
As they broke off the kiss, the two kept on looking at each other "I never realized how much happy I am with you… Lame-O" she giggled.
"I thought you were done with that nickname already" Lincoln chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Only because I love you" Ronnie Anne then booped his nose with her finger "But that was a REALLY rare exception, don't expect me to call you that ever again, since it was a reminder of my… past" she then sighed in disbelief, then looked away from him, making him raise an eyebrow.
"Ronnie?"
"I dunno…" she sighed "How stupid I was this whole time, pranking you, calling you names and even punching you once" she muttered "I shoulda had acted different, I mean, I liked you so much, why would I be like I was?"
"Ronnie…" Lincoln then took her hand, getting her attention as she then looked at him confusedly "Don't cry over spilled milk, I know you didn't meant to do all those bad things, you were just confused and didn't know how to cope with the fact that you liked me" he explained with a reassuring smile "It's not your fault, I think that if another girl were in your place, woulda had to do the same, after all, this is Royal Woods" he chuckled.
Ronnie Anne kept thinking of what his boyfriend said for a moment. He was right, girls her age, specially, her… personality in particular, would have acted the same. She wasn't quite good with her feelings until that fateful Wednesday where they revealed their feelings to each other and decided to take 'The step', but even through she was a tomboy-ish girl, she knew about love. After all, his brother is die-hard in love with Lincoln's sister, what a big irony. Speaking of which, Ronnie Anne then thought that if Lori and Bobby would marry… Lincoln and her would be in laws. Ronnie Anne quickly brushed off that idea as she then turned to smile at his boyfriend.
"You surely know how to cheer me up" she smiled as tears were forming in her eyes "I am so lucky to have you, the luckiest girl in the world"
Lincoln then slowly moved his finger to shed her tears "When Lori wanted me to go with you in a double-date at Jean Juan's, she said I must have made you feel like the most special girl in the entire world" he told her as he rubbed her cheek, making her blush "Wanna know something? You ARE the most special girl in the world, you don't need me for that"
Ronnie Anne then giggled "Now YOU are exaggerating, Linky"
"When it is about you, there's no limit on how much I can go to make you feel special" he declared.
"I wish… I could move back to Royal Woods so I can have you 24/7" Ronnie Anne frowned again as she turned away from him "I dunno how would I be able to cope with this… distance" she grumbled "It's not fair, it all started when dad…"
"Hey, hey!" Lincoln interrupted her "Sometimes, things do not go as expected, a friend made me realize that"
Ronnie Anne then looked at him "Who told you that?"
Rod, Stella, Stella, Rod, he couldn't spot the difference on who said it first because it was said by both on the same day "Rod" he muttered.
"Oh!" Ronnie Anne nodded "Well, thing is… I wish my parents would be back together" she sighed "I mean, it's best for Bobby and I, and perhaps for them too, we could be a happy family again, I just… dunno what's the big deal between those two"
"I can feel your pain" Lincoln nodded "I sometimes have to deal with my parents arguing too, and each time, I fear more and more that they… they…"
"Would reach the last straw and end up like my parents?"
"Yeah" Lincoln sighed "But luckily, they love each other too much to do such thing"
"I wish…" Ronnie Anne hung her head down "I would have that kind of luck with my parents"
"Don't worry" Lincoln then placed his hand on Ronnie Anne's chin and lifted it a little to make eye-contact with her "I am pretty sure we'll figure this distance deal out, trust me" he smiled at her "Man with the Plan, remember?"
"Yeah sure, if you count what happened on Wednesday" Ronnie Anne giggled.
"Almost… Man with the Plan" Lincoln corrected himself with a chuckle "And also, let's… please not talk about luck ever again" he then frowned.
"Why?" Ronnie Anne looked at him inquisitively.
"Well…" Lincoln remembered the Lynn-luck deal "Thing is… I was once treated as a pariah just because I jokingly stated that I do give bad luck, and even through it was my fault… the rest of it was terrible"
"How so?"
"I was forced out of my house and whenever I went, I had to wear a stupid squirrel outfit, it was horrible!"
"That's terrible indeed!" Ronnie Anne gasped.
"Lynn's the main culprit" he sighed "Really, I have no idea what's gotten into her, but that's one of the many things I can't forgive her for"
"Well, someday, you gotta stand up for yourself against your sisters, Linc" Ronnie Anne furrowed her eyebrows "They cannot treat you like this always!" she slammed her fist on her hand "I mean, you're the ONLY brother they have, they must take good care of you!"
"Believe me, they do" Lincoln sighed "But there are more mean than good things that they do to me every day, and I am just sick of it"
"Well then, do something about it!"
"They are my sisters, Ronnie, I don't wanna be harsh with them or whatever!"
"Linc, there is no way you should allow yourself to be antagonized in ANY WAY from ANY of your sisters, they must learn to be strong and face them!"
"You may be right…"
"I AM right!" she interrupted him "If Bobby were to treat me like this, i would quickly do something!"
"But I am not as strong as you, Ronnie" Lincoln sighed.
"Let me teach you then" Ronnie Anne offered "I have experience on this, and don't tell anyone, but I believe I am stronger than Lynn and could beat her in hand-in.-hand combat"
"Get out" Lincoln chuckled.
"Really" Ronnie Anne laughed "That girl hasn't any shit on me"
"Since when you had that big, dirty mouth?" Lincoln chuckled.
"Oh, you'd be amazed" she smirked as she then softly punched his arm.
"Okay then, Ronalda, I'd take your advice" Lincoln smirked back "And even if you cannot give me proper training, I might… have someone who can help" he chuckled.
"And I already know who he is" Ronnie Anne smirked.
As the two then stopped talking and just embraced, they reached the end of the ride, as the boat then came out of the other end of the tunnel.
Before they could ever react, they got surprised by a flash of light. As they turned their heads, they saw a polaroid-like photo camera facing them, on top of a post "Whoa, take a complementary photo of the ride" Lincoln laughed "I'd like one"
As they finally reached the end and stepped out of the boat and back in land, they were received by the employee, who had a photo picture on their hands "Want your complementary photo?"
"You bet!" Lincoln cheered "But… how much is it?"
"Aw, for you lovebirds… it's on the house" the employee smiled as he gave the photo to Lincoln "We saw you on the security cameras inside, you're the most romantic and intense love pairing we've ever seen"
"Excuse me?!" Ronnie Anne growled with an akimbo "You were… spying on us?" she snapped at the employee as she took a step forward.
"Ronnie!"
"Gah!" the employee's eyes widened "Don't take it too bad, it was for your security!" he held his hands "Past week a boy fell to the water and if it weren't for them, he'd be drowned!"
Ronnie Anne, upon hearing this, then calmed down "Alrighty then, dude, you're safe… for now!"
"Thank… you?" the employee gulped.
"Ronnie…" Ronnie Anne then turned to look at his boyfriend, who had a stern look on his face "Calm down, you shouldn't be rude to everyone that spies on us, we should have this public, remember?"
Ronnie Anne then took a deep breath "You're right, Linky" she then turned at the employee "I'm sorry, fella, i…"
"Water under a bridge" the employee chuckled "You aren't the first one who's snappy with us just for that, really" he gave her a reassuring smile.
"Wow… thanks" Ronnie Anne smiled.
"Anytime"
The two, upon finishing with the ride, then walked away.
"Where do you wanna go now?"
"Well…" Ronnie Anne smiled "We still have a few hours left, so… why don't we go to the extreme games? We didn't go to any of them yet!"
"I thought we did with that new game where you went up and down and up and down" Lincoln chuckled.
"That wasn't even extreme at all!" Ronnie Anne protested.
"Well then, let's go to one of these then"
"Let's to go the 'Pirate Ship on the MOO-ve', that's a really hard one!"
"After you" Lincoln smiled as he offered his hand.
Ronnie Anne smiled at this, then took her hand, and the two then started walking.
"Forgive me Father, for I have sinned" Rod then made the sign of the cross.
"Very well, my child, when was the last time you confessed your sins?"
"About… six months ago, when I was back on Argentina"
Both Rod and Marcozzi were seated on a secluded seat on the church's garden.
"Well then, which sins do you gotta confess, my child?"
"Well…" Rod sighed sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head "Mainly, I just lied to a friend yesterday" he sighed "He asked me if we were friends, to which I said 'Yes'"
"And why is that?"
"I have… trust issues, Father" Rod explained "I hardly trust anyone, and the friends I have in Argentina… it just took me too much for them to earn my trust"
"I see" Marcozzi nodded "And you feel bad because you made him think that you're a friend of his, while in reality, you…?"
"I am Autistic, Father" that had to be the second time he confessed that to someone while he was in there "If someone wants my friendship, he or she has to truly earn it, no matter who it is"
"That's… interesting, had no idea you had that disability" Marcozzi remarked "And as for the trust part, there is nothing you should be afraid of, if he is nice to you and calls you a friend, you should give him a chance, not everyone on this world is untrustworthy, my child" he smiled "As a personal experience, I was like you at your age, but I changed for good" he added "If he didn't wronged you yet, you gotta be open, or else you'd offend him, and remember the Lord's Prayer, the last verses, 'Forgive our sins, for we also forgive who sins against us'"
"Yeah I do" Rod nodded "And I will, Father, I don't want to trespass them or anything, they are just good persons, and I must be open to them"
"Very well" the priest smiled "Anything else?"
"Just that, Father"
"Alright" Marcozzi smiled as he then started to do the sign of the cross on Rod's face "God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen"
"Amen" Rod smiled as the priest finished "Just like in Argentina, only that I am used to do it on Spanish"
"You truly are a Catholic person, son" Father Marcozzi smiled "I haven't seen such a religious person like you in so much time"
"Probably because most on this country are either protestants or Mormons" Rod commented
"Yeah, you're not far from wrong in that" Marcozzi nodded.
"What's your… first name, Father?"
"Felipe" Marcozzi sighed "I am an… immigrant, but I luckily have my passport and visa, because I am part of the church"
"Another Latino…"
"Yeah…"
"So…" Father Marcozzi changed the subject "You staying for this mass?"
"You bet" Rod smiled "And also, I wanted to know if I could… you know… pass the bag? Limosna?"
Father Marcozzi then smiled "You're the first who asked me that in a LONG time"
"Really?"
"Yeah" Felipe smiled "No one voluntarily offers to do that; we always choose one from the attendees"
"Well then, after all, it is a matter of faith"
"You said it" Marcozzi was IMPRESSED on meeting someone such as Rod, really Catholic "Very well then, you may do it"
"Thank you, Father" Rod smiled.
"No thanks are needed"
As the two then stood up from the seat, they both entered the church.
As the time of the mass came, and Father Marcozzi was on his particular priest attire, the mass went on.
Half an hour later, the mass started and Rod saw that there were considerably more people than when he first entered the church, he remembered every detail of it. For him, it was different in only one thing: Language. He didn't know how to reply in some recitations, with some exceptions, such as 'And with your spirit' and the 'Our Father' and 'The Creed', those were the only ones he almost barely knew, as he memorized them on Spanish, his home language. The homily was when he clearly understood what the father had to say, as it was a free speech about that day's Gospel of Jesus, his comments and everything. When it was time to do the collect, Rod happily passed the bag through every seat of his side, not before HE did his own contribution, a 50-dollar bill. Upon the time of receiving the communion wafer and celebrate the Eucharist, Rod knew exactly what to reply in English when given the wafer, 'Thank you Father'. Back in Argentina, Rod used to let the wafer melt on his tongue for a while before swallowing, and he kept it as a secret from the priests. This time it was no different at all, he swallowed as soon as he could too. As the mass ended, they were all exiting, but Rod just was there, on his seat, hands joined and praying.
Father Marcozzi then walked towards him, smiling "You seemed to do well the entire time, Rodrigo"
Rod then perked up his head to look at Father Marcozzi "I tried my best" he smiled back.
"I just wish there were just some people like you in this city, that concerns about faith and all that" Marcozzi sighed in disbelief "We don't receive government funding or anything"
"That's terrible, in Argentina is the other way around, we are a Catholic nation" Rod muttered,
"And God bless it then"
"Well…" Rod yawned as he stood up and stretched his arms "I gotta go already, my time here, for this week, is over"
"Glad to see and meet someone like you, Rodrigo" Marcozzi smiled as he went over to Rod and hugged him "Til next Saturday, I guess?"
"You bet, Father"
"See ya, then, and may God be with you"
"And with your spirit"
Rod then left the place, having already received salvation… at least for that week.
Another half an hour later, Rod was passing through the streets of Royal Woods again, this time with a Burpin' Burger cola drink on his hand, he visited that place to taste how good were the burgers… compared to his Argentina's Mostaza.
As he finished his drink and tossed it to the litter bin, he felt his phone buzzing on his pocket. Upon reaching on it, he saw that he had an incoming call from Lincoln "Sup?"
"Hey Rod!" Lincoln's cheerful voice could be heard "Listen, I am already returning home, and I was wondering if you'd like to come to my house tomorrow to have dinner" he offered "Ronnie Anne would be there, and I thought it'd be a perfect opportunity for you to meet my sisters deeply"
His… sisters. He didn't know it, but he was gonna realize, upon that day… that getting to know his sisters deeply… wasn't gonna be a good idea "Sure, sounds fun" he smiled.
"And also, there's a favor I need to ask you"
"How much?"
"Huh?"
"Is it money?"
"What?!" Lincoln's voice gasped "No! I would NEVER ask you for money or anything"
"Whew, really?" Rod chuckled "That's a first! I usually get asked for money or something"
"Well, that's very bad for anyone who does it with you, you aren't the First National Bank, you know that?"
"Nice joke" Rod laughed "So what is it then?"
"I'll explain further details tomorrow, okay?"
"Gotcha"
"Well, see ya tomorrow, bud!"
"See ya tomorrow… amigo" he smiled as Lincoln then hang out and Rod pocketed his phone.
Amigo, the word that marked a huge line of trust that was just getting born and growing up. To Lincoln, it wasn't pretty important, but for Rod… it was the beginning… of a change. For good, maybe, but if he learned something from Ronnie Anne… is that people can change, no matter what.
Rod kept walking through the streets for some more minutes before embarking on a long walk towards his apartment.
Another day, another surprise. He wondered what could be next, only that… matters could change from one day… to another.
A/N: OOF! I hope you don't mind adding that Catholic sub-plot into it, eh? I promise this is the only one. And also, I loved writing the Ronniecoln fluff there, eh? Anyways, thanks for reading, and see you in the next chapter!