UNDERCOVER The Secret of Luck by James Kipling Page B

that it had to do with the problems he was facing with his career. Or, like Rod said all those weeks ago, perhaps the boredom was really getting to him. Maybe he was losing his mind, just like Rod had guessed. Was he really losing his mind? John did not know. If Sheila was still around in the office, she would probably have an opinion. Unfortunately, she was not around. Running out of money forced John to let her go. Was John missing her being around in the office? Perhaps. Again, he did not have the answers to all these questions.
    The cab stopped in front of his parent’s house. John paid the fare, added a generous tip as usual, and stepped out. John looked at the three story house that stood in front of him. In many ways, his parent’s house was similar to Sheila’s house, only bigger. John had spent his entire lifetime at this house, except for the first five years. During his young age, his father was still setting up the business. John did not remember much of those days. By the time he was old enough, he was already living in the house.
    John walked through the gate and through the path. The sidewalk was decorated with a number of plants of various varieties. John’s mother took gardening rather seriously. She even managed to build her own little farm at the back of the house. It was something of an organic farm, and John had loved playing hide and seek in that garden. Memories kept flushing back to him, and they all disappeared by the time he reached the door. He noticed that the door was already open for him. As he stepped in, his Mom came running to greet her son and gave him a hug.
    The table was already set for him. John rarely visited his parents, and that meant his Mom made sure that every time he came, he had a grand meal. Just like the old days when he would come visiting from the University. John seemed pleased at the sight, and forgot about his nightmare and worries. John ate heartily as his mother told him about what was happening in the garden. She kept talking about her favorite television shows and two fights that she had with his father since his last visit. John heard every word she said. John liked to listen whenever his mother talked. It was one of the things he learned from his ex-girlfriend. Women love it when the guy listens, be it a girl friend or a mother. Once the dinner was done, he washed and put away the plates and sat down in his usual seat in the living room.
    “So, Mom. The dinner was great. As always. Thank you.” said John.
    “Son, you know I love you a lot. You do know that, don’t you?” said his mother.
    “Mom, what kind of a question is that?”
    “No. You answer my question. Do you know that your father and I love you a lot?” asked his mother again.
    “Of course, Mom. Now, get to the point. Where are you getting with this?” asked John, trying his best not to get angry or lose patience.
    “I just found out that you have not had any work for the last six months. Is that true or not?” asked Mrs. Russo.
    “Who told you about this? Was it Dad?”
    “It wasn’t your father. Why would he tell me now, when he did not tell me for the last six months? He has something coming his way for hiding this from me all this time. You better believe me when I say this.”
    “Dad was only doing what I asked him to do. I made him promise not to tell you anything. You have no right to become angry at him, Mom!” said John, losing a little bit of his composure.
    “I have every right to be angry at him, and you as well. We will get back to the topic of your father later. Coming back to you then, you really haven’t worked at all for the last six months, have you?” asked his Mom again, not budging from that question.
    John wanted to know who gave her that information.
    “Was it Sheila? I know you and she are friends.” said John. There were several times when his mother would imply that John get engaged to Sheila. His mother thought that she was the best woman John would ever