"It's just..." Rico didn't know how to explain it. If only he had a real job and could somehow be on his own, no one would have to worry anymore. "I don't want to go home." There, he let Mario know that night after dinner at Roman and LaLa's.
"But, what would you do?" Mario told him he couldn't sleep on the livingroom couch forever. People wouldn't like that. Especially, when someone who would be going to the nearby University needed a room soon. "Deano and Caitlin are going back to his condo and it's even smaller than this place."
"Go to the YMCA." He laughed. He'd heard it in a Smiths' song. Of course, he didn't know where the YMCA was.
"Oh, you're an idiot," Mario laughed right back at him. He reminded him he was still in school.
"But..but it's been online, like forever now." Rico shrugged as if he could go to school anywhere. Wasn't COVID a way of life now?
"Kids are in the classroom here," Mario looked at him as if he needed to stop making so many wisecracks. It was going to be the same there too.
"They..they don't have room for me." Rico didn't want Mario to really know, but his step-dad could get rough from time to time. He was starting to feel it was all his fault. His mom had three little kids. "I sleep on the couch there, too."
"What?" Mario suddenly sounded like an old lion roaring. He stared Rico down as if that better be the truth.
"That old man at the skating rink offered me a job," Rico said as if to change the subject. He hadn't meant to say so much.
Mario didn't answer. He was thinking.
Rico was certain Mario was going to call his mom and be in a shouting match. Maybe even with his step-dad.
Poor Rico
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Rico me cae tan bien, pobrecito
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Rich I like so well, poor little 💖 Thanks!
DeleteRico is in a tough spot.
ReplyDeletexx
Oh, this news about Rico is distressing. Not the part about him maybe staying -- that would be great! -- the part about him being abused by his stepdad and also not even having a bed. I could relate to his thinking that COVID is now a way of life because people can go to school -- or work -- from anywhere. If there's a silver lining in this whole horrible thing, then that's it: the freedom for people to get out of bad situations. Rico is pretty funny, too, particularly when Mario asks him where he'll go: '"Go to the YMCA." He laughed. He'd heard it in a Smiths' song. Of course, he didn't know where the YMCA was."
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to enjoy a b-day treat after all, even if it wasn't the one you planned. JELL-O pudding is the best! And with Nutella and shortbread? Delicious! Also, it's good that you're just having storms as opposed to hurricanes. It's been a little stormy here too, but I'll take it.
However, online school is a great option for people who need to start life in a new city. You can study from your own couch.
ReplyDeletePobre Rico, genial fragmento te mando un beso
ReplyDeleteShame
ReplyDeleteOh so bad for Rico
ReplyDeleteThings will be difficult and abit hard for Rico!
ReplyDeletePoor Rico, he must be so stressed with everything that is going on.
ReplyDeleteRico is in trouble, need to change his life.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting 😊
ReplyDeleteNice post
ReplyDeleteThe poor boy is having a hard time, I hope things get better for him. He should accept the job offer.
ReplyDelete