://secure.ch/cortez

user:\>diego: is he even coming? i have things to do too, you know?

user:\>maya: shut up, loser. he's your brother.

user:\>diego: what good has he ever done? he's never here. too busy playing solider boy.

user:\>luis: diego.

user:\>xavier: you know he's right.

user:\>roman joined

user:\>ximena: there's the man of the hour!

user:\>roman: hello to you too, mama. you're looking a little extra glum there, papa. what's going on?

user:\>diego: he's got you for a son.

user:\>xavier: ooooh.

user:\>luis: diego.

user:\>maya: you know what?

user:\>diego: what was that for?

user:\>maya: you being you.

user:\>ximena: can we all just have a minute and sing happy birthday?

user:\>roman: you know mama, i'm really okay if you don't. wouldn't want diego to trip in the middle of it and blame me for that too.

user:\>maya: don't worry about him, romy, he's just mad he's been forced to sleep on the couch again. someone's not in marital bliss.

user:\>roman: so this whole sunshine act isn't normal? no way!

user:\>xavier: like you're any better off over there. we've given mama grandkids, what do you give her?

user:\>roman: an actual son that isn't crying to her and sleeping on her sofa.

user:\>ximena: speaking of, is there a woman yet? what happened to that one around the holidays? what was her name?

user:\>roman: i swear, all of you. really? it's my birthday, i don't have to take this abuse...today.

user:\>ximena: you say that like your abu won't ask you all about this.

user:\>roman: let the torture begin. or end. i've known deigo all my life. is that not enough?

user:\>diego: like you're so special. the last time you came here it was to get your dog.

user:\>roman: don't talk about your wife like that.

user:\>ximena: happy birthday to you!

user:\>diego: you were born in a zoo.

user:\>xavier: you smell like a monkey.

user:\>maya: and we love you too.

user:\>diego, maya, xavier: session ended.

user:\>ximena: oops. guess i kicked them out. now i need details roman!

user:\>roman: papa!

user:\>ximena: roman we love you and we just want you to-

user:\>ximena, luis: session ended.

user:\>maya: how hard did she try to grill you now?
that bad huh? i can't even blame it on you. she's been acting up lately with all of diego's drama. she's looking for that happy, y'know?

user:\>roman: out of everyone, we all know i'm not it.

user:\>maya: don't let that ass go getting to you. you know how it is.

user:\>roman: i know, doesn't make much difference though. i can't punch him from here. thanks for that, by the way.

user:\>maya: like i'm not happy to take pop shots at him.

user:\>roman: how you juggle that baby in arms and still do it with ease, it always gets to me.

user:\>maya: i learned from the best. mama.
you're okay though, right? 40 is a big number on you. then again, so were a lot of numbers.

user:\>roman: let's not think about those other numbers. why wouldn't i be okay?

user:\>maya: you know how it is. there's those times where you've got that derpy look on your face, like you're ready to face anything. like something's lit a fire under you. and sometimes, like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. i don't know. something just seems off.

user:\>roman: if you tell me i look or act like diego, i will-

user:\>maya: ha. ha. ha. more like shut up and say hi to your niece and nephew. [mama! mama! mama!] hi, uncle romy!

user:\>roman: who is this? do i know you? you can't be little Ginevra. i swear, she was only this big when i last saw her. where's little lu? i don't even see him? what's that waving?

user:\>maya: uncle romy! where's nacho? [say happy birthday] HAPPY BIRTHDAY! you're old! [shoo! shoo!] bye uncle romy!

user:\>roman: they're definitely yours.

user:\>maya: shut up.

user:\>roman: because i'm right. and you can't pop me in the back of the head.

user:\>maya: i'll have my day. 40 punches and ones to make up for other years.

user:\>roman: damn girl, who hurt you?

user:\>maya: haha, get out of here. you still have to deal with abu. call me back later. i'll dish you in on diego's bullshit.

user:\>roman: i knew i love you best for a reason.

user:\>maya: only because i still live by the code of snitches get stitches. love you too, bro.

user:\>maya: session ended.

Roman wasn't entirely sure what he was stepping into as the single screen turned on. Being able to see only his parents now, and not the many others there in the background, various rooms jabbering on about the current ongoings. The bright, smiling face of his mother barely hiding the worry he could still see in her gaze. His father though, settled behind her in a chair, fiddling with something. "You break your remote again, papa?" he asked, before even saying hello. Ximena looked behind her, waving off Luis who shrugged. The truth was there. It was a common enough issue, as the man never wanted to upgrade or replace anything. At least some things never did change. "Don't you worry about him, you tell me now. Have you been eating?"

It took him everything not to roll his eyes, but his father had looked up as if to check. Whether it was to see if her question held validity or if it was to make sure he wasn't playing that level of smart mouth, who knew? "Mama. Is there a day I would go without food?" This entire response did not sit well with her and she didn't even blink. Waiting on a proper response, and not a question for a question. When this standoff held, she finally responded, with a sternness that nearly made his father flinch. "That's not what I asked and you know it. I can never tell what the Navy has done to you."

This time, it was Roman's turn, feeling it more internally. That draw to flinch. The words that he couldn't exactly argue, even though this had become an all too regular conversation that didn't stop no matter how many times he spoke to her. Years ago, she had seen first hand how certain experiences had effected him. But to say anyone or anything had done it to him? That wasn't something he would claim, he wasn't a victim. But he also didn't want to be left thinking about all the ghosts haunting his closet right now either. "I've been eating, mama. And no one has ever done anything to me. Look where I am now, look at how much I call you." Even though he hadn't held such freedoms before, these near eleven months he knew had given her more life. Even as she settled back now, a little more relieved, but also having that hot blood started up.

Turning towards Luis even now, as he still didn't look up. "I don't know why he can't just say these things? I have to go through this every single time. I'm forever this villain to his narrative and ..Why are you still playing with that?" Her attention fully taken away from her rant. Just as Roman was about to groan, his father pushed him out in front of the metaphorical bus. "Got any illegitimate grandkids for us yet?" The smirk on the man's face, even faced down was all too visible and Roman had to laugh and run a rough hand over his face. Ximena very much turning back to her son with hopeful eyes. "You know we would happily take in and help out any unwed mothers of your children, Romy. Or wed ones, we do not discriminate."

"Mama, there were two births last year alone, and one the year before between the other three squatters you have there. Where's the baby fever been coming from?" Roman was quick to point out and ask. Of course, he wasn't entirely sure he wanted the answer. There were enough hints all around as it is. The woman before him deflated a bit, looking back at her husband, who at least did raise his gaze a moment. "We didn't want to bring it up today, it's your birthday. But we're pretty sure Deigo is going to end up with a divorce and she's wanting full custody, to move for a job."

Something about this didn't settle with him well. "The two are too alike, this happens with each new baby-" he started, only for his father to be who chimed in this time. "She's picked up a lawyer and filed. We got the message last night."

The distraught fears and worries seemed to be on her sleeve, a loss of confidence as she sat there quietly, no longer able to look up at the screen. Uncertain in what to say or how to say it. It was Roman who chose to speak next. With all the softness and care he held with him, along with something else. "I love you." The woman slowly warming up, as she looked up at her son affectionately. "I even made a Piccante Eggplant Sauce last week," the words struck a chord and she smiled so brightly, tears began to shine in her eyes.

"I love you too," she muttered before excusing herself. Leaving him alone with his father, who watched her go. Putting what he had in hand away, he moved closer to the screen. "We are proud of you. For making us all feel old. But you know how she is, she doesn't like change. You're good though?"

Roman nodded, a small crease of worry melting away as he looked over his fahter. "I know, and yeah, papa, I'm good. You need some parts for that remote?" The man made a face, shaking his head. "It still works good, just the case keeps falling apart. We can't all be engineers but," he held up the broken case, duct taped to a wooden stick from outside. His face cracking into a smile as he showed off his work. A loud noise breaking the moment, followed by some yelling left him groaning. "Call us back later if you get the chance or we'll catch you." Luis said quickly before ending the call.

There was a minor scuffle with the technology before her, but the petite frame finally settled. Her brow turned up in worry. "Is this thing on?" she asked, only for Roman to shake his head and laugh. "Yes, abu, I see you. Can you see me?" The woman nodded, almost absentmindedly and began poking at things again. "But can you hear me?" He paused for a moment, unsure if she really meant that. Hadn't she just heard him speak? All of that melted away, with that smirk falling into her features.

"Abu, have you been hitting that moonshine already?" he asked. As if he had been reading her mind, a large bottle was pushed into sight of the screen. The woman pushing her large, round glasses back onto her face with a never ending smile. "It's your birthday. You should be too." Checking behind her, she looked around to make sure there was no one else around. Pulling out a shot glass from a drawer and placing it before the screen. "Snitches get stitches," she added as she poured herself a shot."

"I will later, but you may want to wait on that. Do you have that little device I sent you?" Roman spoke with ease. There wasn't a day in his life where he didn't recall seeing this woman's face or having her in his life in such a way. He couldn't imagine her not being there, even for moments like this and he wasn't about to let that go now. Lifting up an identical device, he put it in plain view. Irupe's eyes widened again as she recognized the item, only to go in search for it. Mumblings about where she had left it, and calling him a childhood nickname she gave him. One that translated to little tree trunk. But once she found it, she was holding it above her like a prize. Excited as they come, her alcohol left on the desk for the moment, forgotten but not fully.

"Now what do I do with it though? I haven't figured that out? I have this grandson, who was great with this but he's never here." Another standoff on faces to be made here, but Roman stood up from his seat and moved to show her. "Move back a foot or two. I can still see you on the screen too." He called back, placing the device on the floor. Pressing a button on it, he asked her to do the same. It took a moment to sync, but as it did, he watched her awestruck with the image of him standing there. It wasn't real or tangible, but it was his own height, his own stature, and very much mimicking him in the moment. And one of her, there with him.

Stepping away, long enough to press another button, music began to play. A song he knew she recalled, a song she used to play when she first began teaching him how to dance. A hand held out to the hologram of her, he simply asked, "May I have this dance, Abu?" The little old woman, an entire foot shorter than him, her entire heart may have swelled to the size of her tiny body. She reached out to touch the hologram of Roman, finding it not so tangible, but the spitting image of him. Moving close enough to follow along, she was careful not to step into the hologram, not wanting to be anything less than real. Stepping in time with him, and even moving out to house a few moves of her own. "Aba would have been so proud of you."

Roman gave back a chuckle and shook his head. "You know that's not true, abu." Swatting him away, she scoffed. "Let an old woman have her moment. But I'm proud." Shaking his head at her, he laughed again. "I love you too."

Even now she waved him off, moving back for her shot and downing it. "Now, let's get to business. Drinking business. I want to hear all of your stories out there. Your mama has probably stirred the pot with all the talks of grandbabies, like she's stealing my throne here." she went on, taking her seat. "Abu, nobody is stealing you-" she cut him off again. "ay, ay. You wouldn't know anything about that, you're a good boy. And I love you and I miss you, but that doesn't get you out of stories. I'm old and I need things to lord over those women in town. I can't keep making things up. They'll catch on!"

How could he turn her down? How could he ever resist this? "You have your drink, and later on, after I have mine, I'll bring you your stories, okay?" he tried, as if some deal here could be made. Her lips thinned into a forced line, but she nodded as she poured herself another drink. Holding it up to the screen. "This is why you're my favorite." she spoke, before adding, "Happy birthday, little trunk." And ending the call.