Authors: Renee Lindemann
Deporting Dominic
Deporting Dominic
By Renee Lindemann
Copyright 2014 Renee Lindemann & 4 Girls Publishing LLC
Smashwords Edition
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to my irreplaceable husband, Greg. Your constant encouragement and love spillith over in my work!
Dominic grabbed a Gatorade
from the small refrigerator in his apartment that was just as small. The air conditioner in the building was obviously broken or the letter in his hand was causing him to drip massive amounts of sweat. It was always hot in Tucson and given it was a very unseasonably warm day in February just made it worse.
“Please take notice that the above captioned case has been scheduled for
March 5 an individual hearing before an immigration judge,” Dominic read aloud to no one in particular, especially considering he was in the apartment alone. There were a thousand things flying around in his head. How had it come to this his senior year of college? Simple his parents did not fill out his F-1 student visa form correctly. They either purposely or unknowingly omitted information that the U.S. government deemed important. Now for various reasons that he did not care to speculate on he was facing possible deportation. The attorney, Lewis Young, was all but worthless finding his application and the litany of reasons for deportation unintelligible.
“Hey this is off the
record of course,” Lewis scoffed, “If you have a girlfriend now would be the time to knock her up and marry her.” Dominic’s mouth flew open and he found no words for this terrible excuse for an attorney. After trying his luck with several other attorneys in the area he found no one could really help him in the short amount of time he needed help. They insisted their plates were overloaded with the new immigration policies being passed in Arizona.
Immediatel
y after graduation Dominic Jesus Castillo would be facing deportation. This was a grade A cluster fuck that could effect his degree confirmation, his application into the physician’s assistant program, and the rest of his entire life. Four years at the University of Arizona would have been wasted because his parents did not understand the student visa application. The school was so eager to have him as a student, championship swimmer, and someone dropped the proverbial ball. Correspondence between the immigration department and Dominic went separate ways as he moved around on campus, a common occurrence as you progressed through your studies. His mail was either not forwarded or it was returned. Now the judge would be prepared to throw Dominic out of the country because it looked as if he had ignored this very serious matter. Lewis’s words drifted into his mind and he wondered if that age-old solution was his only answer.
“Sam what am I going to do?” Dominic
asked his eyes filled with worry. I am Sam, well actually Samantha Nicole Gable. I look at Dominic doing my best to quell the worry in my voice with my sympathetic expression.
“I bet when you go to the hearing and explain the situation the judge will understand. You are an asset to this country and to this university Dominic. Surely
they will see your impressive academic career along with the fact that you have been accepted into the PA program as enough of a reason to let you stay,” I assert confidently. I have been known to fidget on occasion but not today I am stern, a beacon of hope for my best friend.
“I think that all favors and extensions are over Sam. I was technically supposed to leave the country last year according to the
information that piece of shit lawyer Lewis uncovered. It looks like I have ignored every request for information. The only reason they aren’t deporting me immediately is because I have maintained my full time student status. After graduation I am no longer a full time student.” Dominic ran his hands through his jet-black curls exhaling softly.
“Dom I know
they will not deport you for this. Please just get all of your paperwork together, go into that courtroom prepared to defend your right to stay in this country. Besides who will babysit for me when I need a time out?” I ask forcing a smile to my lips in bid to reassure Dominic. The thought of Dominic being deported was more than I could bear. Having met almost four years ago in a speech class we became fast friends and have remained very close during our time at the University of Arizona. Dominic was originally from Guadalajara, which has a solid education system, however he always dreamed of coming to school in the United States. As a boy he would spend months with his relatives in Phoenix Arizona. Dominic fell in love with this country wanting to take his chances at success hoping someday to support his parents in their old age.
I drop the
now stale sandwich I was eating back onto the plate. Standing abruptly I pull Dominic into a much-needed hug. The hug was two-fold meant to both comfort him and pacify my desire to touch him. The broadness of his shoulders, underlying musculature, and his impressive height makes parts of my body turn instantly to gelatin. Dominic was my friend first but sometimes he would swoop in and save me as only a part-time hero could do. Those were the times when I would have a major crush on him. The other times, which were in the majority, he was just a really good friend. At that point I was indifferent to his good looks. The friendship solidified over tragedy after a drunk driver killed my parents three years ago. While still embracing him I inhaled the mix of swimming pool and Dominic scent as I hold him close recalling our initial meeting.
In an attempt to familiarize myself with my new surroundings I walked around campus pushing the stroller holding my baby boy, Bryce. Bryce was a little over two months old when my classes started at University of Arizona. I was determined to do well in school and take care of my son while doing so. Danny, my boyfriend, was doing his best to help with Bryce for the first few months. I hoped he would continue to be a good father to Bryce and perhaps we would have a future as a family. My young and hopeful mind was wrong as ever in that delusional fantasy.
“Excuse me
, do you know where I can find the bookstore?” A tall Latino man asked in a heavily accented voice. I looked around having just passed the bookstore as I was navigating my way to the Women’s Studies building. I tried to remember its location as I took in the sight of this beautiful man. It took a few seconds for my brain to start processing information again.
“Let’s see this is North Campus Drive so it should be right back this way,”
I said pointing behind me as baby Bryce began to cry softly. I immediately went to comfort him with a pacifier as this was not the proper location to nurse him.
“Thank you. He’s adorable by the way,” Dominic said as he walked in the direction of the bookstore.
Desperately I tried to place his accent but failed. Two days later he would formally introduce himself in a speech class we shared. My parents asked that I spend my first semester at home with baby Bryce. If I was able to handle the stress of motherhood and the workload of my classes they were willing to pay for me to have my own apartment near campus during my second semester.
Finally releasing Dominic from the hug I try my best to change the subject. He needed to get his mind off the possibility of deportation or he was going to go crazy. Suddenly realizing he was hungry Dominic happily picked up the remains of my sandwich eating with gusto. He even managed a slight smile.
“So do you need to come over for dinner tonight? You’re looking a little ravenous,” I chuckle.
“Yes I am starving and my fridge is empty
except for Gatorade,” he said taking a huge bite out of the sandwich. Dominic’s accent is still pronounced but not as much as that first day we met. I watch Dominic scarf down the remains of my sandwich praying silently that God would not allow them to deport my best friend. Immediately my thoughts shift to the bulging of his biceps. I shake my head violently like an Etch-a-Sketch to erase the naughty thoughts. I really need to get a boyfriend soon.
“No I can’t com
e to dinner,” he asked worried when he sees my head shake back and forth.
“Uh of
course Dom. You are always welcomed at my apartment for dinner,” I replied trying to hide my embarrassment using my long black hair to cover my blushing face. That is right I blush easily. I cannot help it I have tried to be braver but it does not work. I am all rosy cheeks and fidgety when it happens.
Dominic
held back his desire to laugh when he noticed my flushed cheeks. He thinks that I am too hard on myself when it comes to my overall appearance. I walk, workout, and sometimes go on crazy diets in an attempt to lose weight. Dominic does not like that the father of my child, Danny Doofus, as he calls him made me feel fat and unattractive. Danny McMurphy walked away from Bryce and me when he was less than six months old. Danny’s assistance has since been sporadic at best considering Bryce was now a happy three-year old, soon to be a four-year old. Dominic did his best to insist that I was beautiful the way I was. Dominic tried reassuring me with positive comments on my curvaceous body however he made sure to never cross the line. Our friendship was much too important to ruin with a relationship or worse casual sex.
“Dinner should be ready around 5pm I have to pick up Bryce from day care. I will see you then,”
I said briskly. “Do not worry about anything else.”
“I will try not to
worry. Heading to the pool see you in a little while. Adios.” He picks up the trash from the table placing it in a nearby trash receptacle. Dominic turns and I can feel him watching me walk. He does not like to burden me with his problems. It angers him that I was forced to grow up so soon. After the death of my parents I insisted on taking care of my two younger siblings. For some reason this day feels like it will be important. I keep walking towards the parking lot where my Toyota Camry is parked. I recall all the events that lead up to this day. The first memory is of me telling my parents that I was pregnant.
“We are disappointed in you Samantha. What were you thinking being so careless?” Charles, my father, asked desperately trying to reign in his anger. The news that his oldest daughter was pregnant crushed him after all the work he did to educate their children.
“What happened to your birth control pills Samantha?”
Evelyn yelled in exasperation. Throwing up her hands she stormed out of the family room to her bedroom.
“I have never missed a day with my birth control mom. We used condoms too,”
I said as tears streamed down my cheeks. Evelyn a tall sassy woman with smooth brown skin continued the march to her bedroom. She needed time to process this information.
“We asked that you talk to us before you started having sex. That was our one request in an effort to make sure you understood the consequences of what you were considering,” Charles said sitting in his favorite chair.
I could visibly see that my father aged about five years with the last few minutes. Grayed edges around his hairline looking more prominent than I remembered. I hated the pained expression on his otherwise brown wrinkle free face. My father’s broad shoulders were now hunched in defeat as he stared passively out the slide glass window. Having found out only an hour ago from the local clinic that I was pregnant I rushed to tell Danny then to tell my parents. We generally did not keep secrets in this house.
After much discussion my parents made me tell my sister, Morgan and my little brother Charlie.
They did not know how to handle the news initially but in the end they supported me, as my parents would choose to do once the shock passed. No one at my high school knew that I was pregnant except my counselor Mrs. Ashbury and the principal. They encouraged me to remain moot on the subject until graduation. I did not gain a lot of weight during my pregnancy, which made wearing baggy clothes to cover my burgeoning belly an easy solution.
When Evelyn and Charles Gable managed to calm down long enough
they formulated a plan to make sure that I not only kept the baby but still attended college in the fall. Danny’s parents were less than cooperative but Danny appeared to want to do the right thing. My mom spent my entire pregnancy teaching me how to care for a baby. Evelyn was pretty sure that my mothering skills would kick in but she wanted to be sure that I could handle this huge undertaking. It was a lot for me to process and I could not believe the love I instantly felt for the little boy who kicked me like a football player all those months. Two months after graduation I gave birth to Bryce Charles McMurphy. Bryce had his father’s dirty blond hair with skin that looked kissed by the sun. It took months for little Bryce’s eyes to settle on one color, hazel.
My parents watched Bryce while I was in school my first semester until I felt comfortable leaving him in day care. It was a blessing that my parents owned a small property management company
, Gable Property Management. They generally worked out of the home that I grew up in, managing the rental of their units easily. Charles Gable, my dad, was an accountant by trade working part-time in a law firm. His passion was finding and restoring old houses or apartment buildings. My mom was able to quit her job working as a postal manager after the successful renovation of a six-unit apartment building near University of Arizona. The building was rented generally to faculty, staff, and graduate students. Once the excitement of property management manifested in my mother she too became excited about acquiring property to renovate and rent. It was a nice income option that allowed them to spend a lot of time with me and my siblings growing up.
“I love the apartment mom. Thank you for all your help decorating,” I said sitting down on the soft brown sofa in my small living room. Mom joined me holding a mug of tea in one hand beaming proudly.
“I love it too Sam. It will be a nice place for you to raise my grandson. Your dad and I will not worry as much knowing it’s one of our places you’re living in. We still do not like the idea of you paying us rent but we understand,” my mom explained taking a sip of her tea.
“I want to do this for Bryce. I want to be self sufficient
and show him that having him did not ruin my life.” Bryce was fast asleep in his swing while my mom and I unpacked all of my things.
“I think Bryce likes this place too.” My mom said giving a warm smile in the direction of my sleeping baby. With precision and luck I managed to get my classes down to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for my second semester. I would work in the bookstore part time Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Sundays I would return home for family dinner spending time with my siblings. My parents agreed to watch Bryce two Saturdays a month so that I could attend parties or other happenings on campus. I knew that having Bryce was not the plan my parent’s envisioned for me but I was determined to make them proud.
“You and dad did an amazing job renovating this place. I thought for sure they were going to tear it down. How many units does the building have in total?” I asked looking around the small two-bedroom apartment before returning my gaze to my mother. She went on to explain how it originally had eight units but when they were done with the renovations they decided on six units. Two units on the upper floors were now three bedroom units while the other four were a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Evelyn’s soft smile always relaxed me even when I knew I was in big trouble. With an easygoing demeanor, my mom could make everyone feel at ease. It took my getting pregnant to challenge her patience and easy demeanor thankfully my mom never held grudges.
“Okay I am not hauling any more boxes,” Dominic announced as he brought the last of Bryce’s baby furniture into the apartment.
“Sorry Dom, but thank you so much for all of your help. I promise I am going to be your best friend,” I replied smiling broadly.
“You are already my best friend.” He
gave me a deadpan look as he placed a box in Bryce’s room. My mom watched this interaction lifting a brow to indicate that Dominic and I should really date. It’s a topic she loved to discuss ever since Danny left me.
“Well to show you how grateful I am, my mom and I picked out a sofa sleeper just for you.” I pat the cushion next to me to indicate this would serve as his place to crash when the AC in his apartment went out. This happened quite frequently and
in the past he would suffer unless he came to my parent’s house for respite.
“Let me know Dominic when you are ready to move out of that rat hole of an apartment. Mr. Gable and I would love to rent you
a place in this building. We have only a few units available,” Evelyn said cheerily.