Rocko Troy Part 1: Greek Unorthodox

Rocko is and always has been the runt of the litter. He looks like Mr. Peepers from the 50’s. He was the last kid picked for baseball and soccer; he was never picked for football. The other kids would rather play with short teams than invite Rocko to be on their team. But Rocko watched all the games and is a die-hard football fan. He follows the Miami Dolphins religiously. He knows all the players, the plays, the coaches, and statistics on every season since 1970.

Rocko hails from a large family of Greek lineage. Like Estrella, he has 12 siblings. But he is number 13. He likes to say that he is ‘lucky 13.’ He also likes to say that he is a baker’s dozen, but he won’t say a dozen whats. All his brothers and sisters are married and most have children. He loves his nieces and nephews and shares Estrella’s passion for family. That is not the only passion he would like to share with Estrella, but she terrifies him. Estrella is so juicy, and he is so prunish.

Rocko’s family is located around Tampa and most of his brothers work in construction. The women cook and take care of the babies. Rocko calls himself Greek Unorthodox. Mother Troy apologizes to Rocko that she had run out of “juice” by the time she was pregnant with him. He lacks the juice to live life with abandon, but he would like to — sort of — if it wasn’t so dangerous and well, unhealthy. And Estrella with her untamable hair makes him long for more of the Greek juices.

(continued)