Deporting Dominic (3 page)

“Good morning Dominic,” I said with a false upbeat voice. As I pick him up for the court hearing a few weeks later. He is dressed in a simple black suit his normally curly hair tamed back. The last few weeks he has spent either studying or at the pool practicing. Swimming and studying are his coping mechanisms that help him to relieve stress. I hope he is ready for this.

“Buenos dias Sam”, he replies back solemnly. 

“Dominic stop worrying it’s going to be okay. I have a really good feeling about this,” I said as we wait our turn in the courtroom.  Unfortunately Bryce was not feeling well enough to go to day care so I was forced to bring him with me.  He is sleeping in my arms much to my delight as I am able to focus on Dominic right now.

“I can’t help it,” Dominic stutters his accent thick. It sounds like he has just arrived in this country.  I pat his hand reassuringly and he grips my fingers desperately. I ignore the pain lancing up my arm and let him hold tightly to my poor fingers. I dressed smartly in a black knee length skirt, white
short-sleeved button up shirt, and black pumps. This is my job interview outfit and worked quite well for the two job interviews I have been on.  With Bryce cradled in my arms I am able to hide my little pooch of a stomach from those around me. I scold myself for worrying about my insecurities at a time like this. When they call his case in the court I sit as close to him as I possibly can.

“Mr. Castillo the immigration office has been trying for well over a year to reach you regarding your F-1 student visa. They have not received any answers to their queries,” the judges said
in a no nonsense tone.

“Your honor I was not made aware of the number of inquiries regarding my immigration status until very recently. Unfortunately I moved around the campus living in the available housing units. It appears as if my mail was either returned or simply thrown in the trash.”

“So you had no idea there was an issue regarding the application you submitted before the start of your freshman year?”

The judge gives him a disbelieving look that makes me want to back my friend up. I remain silent willing myself to speak up when the time comes.

“No your honor as far as I knew it my F-1 visa was approved and active. I had no cause to believe there had been any errors with my initial application.”

“Well Mr. Castillo it would have been a simple matter to clear up a year ago but as it stands. I am not inclined to be so simple. I find it hard to believe that you did not receive any of these initial letters from immigration.” The judge said decidedly.

“I understand your honor however I do have copies showing were my mail was returned without my knowledge. I followed proper protocol at school to have my mail forwarded but those in charge of the mail did not follow them. I have an acceptance to the physician assistance program which starts in the fall,” Dominic explained his voice wavering as nausea rose in his throat.

“Well that would be fine and good young man however if I decide to deport you today.
I would bet that you would not be able to secure another F-1 student visa in time to start that program.”

“Your honor it has been my dream to finish this program. I can assure you that I
am an asset to this country that I love so much.” Dominic said his strong legs feeling rather puny all of a sudden.  Before the judge could speak another booming voice spoke first.

“Daddy! I want daddy,” Bryce said waking from his nap. I tried to rock him and quiet him but he was reaching wildly for Dominic.

“Excuse me young lady, can you please control your child. Mr. Castillo, is this your son,” the judge asked his voice venomous. Dominic shook his head as he allowed Bryce to leap into his arms. Quickly Bryce stuck a thumb in his mouth resting his head on Dominic’s shoulder.

“Your honor he is not my
biological son but for the last four years I have been the only dad he has known,” Dominic said honestly. I stood immediately not sure why but just in case the judge wanted to ask me to back up Dominic’s words.

“Not your flesh and blood child is he Mr. Castillo?” The judge rephrased to ensure he asked the question again to validate that this little boy did not
genetically belong to Dominic.

“No he is not my flesh and blood your honor but he is my son in every other respect,” Dominic said quietly. 

“And ma’am can you please state your name?” The judge asked pointing at me with his gavel.  I did not realize that judges still used gavels.

“Samantha Nicole Gable your honor.” I
said confidently as Bryce decides he wants to participate as well.

“Bryce McMurpee,” he
said mispronouncing his last name without being asked. A few people in the court try desperately not to laugh too loudly.

“I have not gotten to you yet little fellow.
Miss Gable is this your child?” He asked giving Bryce a tight smile. Bryce decides to go back to his thumb and Dominic’s shoulders.

“Yes your honor this
is my son Bryce McMurphy.”

I tried
to keep the nervousness out of my voice as I speak.

“Are you and Mr. Castillo involved? And is he providing care to your son?”

The judge gets right to the point and I blush violently at his words.

“Yes on both accounts your honor,” I
answered my words shaking. The blush was much more convincing than my words.

“Can you provide your driver’s license or other form of identification to the court please? Step forward
Miss Gable.”

I do as I am told pulling my driver’s license out of my purse handing it to the bailiff nearby. The judge looks over the identification presumably to compare my address with those of Dominic. I
extend my hand over to Dominic and he grips it tightly. I know it’s not because he wants to thank me, he wants to know what the hell I am doing.  I give him an affectionate smile as my nerves take a back seat to my fight to keep my friend in this country. His facial expression softens and he visibly relaxes as I keep my gaze locked on him. I can feel the judge watching the interaction as he compares the addresses.

“Mr. Castillo none of the address
es to these correspondences match the address on Miss. Gable’s identification. How are you providing care to her son on a consistent basis if you live at a different address?” The judge asked his eyebrow rose slightly to indicate the holding of the hands he was witnessing.

“Your ho
nor we do not live together. Miss Gable is also raising her two siblings since the death of her parents a few years ago. We decided to wait until after graduation to move in together. My scholarship included room and board but it has to be on campus. Miss Gable lives off campus in an apartment formerly owned by her parents.”

Dominic explained as Bryce
turned to look at the judge. I have a sinking feeling if he could comprehend what was happening right now Bryce would be hauled off by the bailiff and held in contempt of court for throwing the world’s loudest tantrum.

“Miss
Gable what is the nature of this relationship with Mr. Castillo?”

“Mr. Castillo and I met at school four years ago right after my son was born.  We became fast friends and eventually we started seeing each other. Unfortunately three years ago my parents were killed in a car accident. I am taking care of my son and my two siblings. Mr. Castillo
and I have continued to see each other since then however we wanted to make sure that we were careful not to upset the kids by moving too fast. We both agreed to publicly announce the seriousness of our relationship after graduation in a few months before he starts the physician’s assistant program.” I said with full confidence as the judge listens.

“You are only twenty-two years old
Miss Gable and you are raising three kids alone?” He asked full of indignation and reservation.

“Yes your honor. It was my parents wish that we not be split up. My parents left us a viable income source
with a property management company along with some insurance monies. I will be graduating with Mr. Castillo in May. Shortly thereafter we hope to make our relationship official to our family and friends. He has been instrumental in helping my siblings and I adjust to the devastating loss of our parents. I couldn’t have gotten through it without him your honor.” I said and inexplicably feel tears stream down my cheeks. Most of what I said was the absolute truth, the rest was my fantasy. And of course it was my mom’s fantasy too.

“Mr. Castillo, do you have
anything to add before I make a decision?”

“While I appreciate
Miss Gable’s words regarding my assistance I would be remised if I didn’t add that she has done a phenomenal job raising her son and siblings with all this tragedy. Her love and friendship has been invaluable to me.  I love the family that we have together,” Dominic said proudly and with absolute honesty.

“Now we are at an impasse Mr. Castillo. I would like very much to validate this relationship you seem to have with
Miss Gable however there is a process and procedure for everything. You should be familiar with this fact of life from the sheer number of correspondences you have obviously not received. I can see that you have made yourself of some use to Miss Gable and her family. I will grant you a temporary stay of departure however it is conditional that this relationship proceeds per your original plans, you pass an inspection by immigration, and you enter that program in the fall. I advise you to make sure that your address is up to date with the immigration office. I will outline in a detailed letter from this court the timeframe that is expected for you to complete each of the items discussed today.  If you fail to submit any documentation requested I will immediately schedule you for deportation. Am I understood Mr. Castillo?”

I could not contain my joy and threw my arms around Dominic and Bryce as my tears flowed with reckless abandon.  Beaming brightly Dominic stammered his words under the weight of my hug, “Yes I fully understand my obligations your honor. Thank you.”

“Sorry”, I said apologetically pulling away from Dominic as he planted a soft kiss on my lips. I can barely contain my smile as the judge replied, “Your both welcome and I wish you the best.”

Dominic
says nothing as he carried Bryce out of the courtroom holding my hand tightly. I feel a bit worried that he is not entirely happy with what just happened. When we exit the building Bryce is much more animated that he has both his favorite people to himself and starts making demands. Before I can give him an answer Dominic throws his available hand around me pulling me in for a very close embrace. I see rather than feel his lips hit mine. Instinctively my arms encircle his neck, as the kiss takes on a life of its own. I can feel his tongue in my mouth and the warmth of his breath causes my skin to immediately bead with sweat. This is not like the kiss from a few weeks ago. This kiss is different and I stay with it allowing myself to feel everything that I am feeling without guilt or remorse. It feels good to kiss Dominic something that has happened only a few times before when we first met. It was decided then that we were better off as friends. This kiss said a helluva lot more than “let’s just be friends”.

It said, “Why are we standing in this oppressive heat with our clothes on when we could be at my place in my bed under the air conditioner getting sweaty together.”

When Bryce’s complaints began to register in my brain I try to pull back from the kiss. We both try to pull away from the kiss and as much as we do not want to we pull apart. I am winded feeling as if I have just run up and down the courthouse steps. Dominic looks down at me with mild trepidation but I reassure him with a polite smile. I want to do cartwheels along the street as a sign that I thoroughly enjoyed the kiss but I instead reach for my son.

“No I want daddy to hold me,” he
said pushing my hands away.

“Fine,” I mutter and try to remember where I parked my car. Although in my head I am wondering, “What is a car?”

A few seconds of internal scolding I get my focus back and walk to the car. After buckling Bryce in his car seat Dominic gets into the front seat of the car. I immediately cut on the air conditioner waiting a few minutes until the cool blasts hits me. The cold air is a welcome pardon for my burning skin. The kiss and the sun combined nearly made me spontaneously combust.

“You do not have t
o do this Samantha,” Dominic said as I start the car.  I am momentarily crushed as the kiss fades into the background. It was a thank you kiss. Albeit it was an excellent thank you kiss, it was just a thank you kiss. Damn!

“Nonsense Dominic, I meant what I said.  I will help you to stay in this country besides who else knows more about you than I do aside from the ladies who know you in the pelvic sense?” I asked doing my best to return to friend mode my libido and burning skin effectively chilled.

“If this doesn’t work then you could be in big trouble,” he said quickly.

“If this doesn’t work I will be in more trouble with you gone than dealing with immigration laws. You are a huge part of my family Dominic. I need you to stay here and finish your dream.”

“I want to but I do not want to risk your freedom to do so. This is a lot to undertake Samantha.”