Deporting Dominic (26 page)

“Sorry Morg but your stepdad is smoking hot,” a young female voice commented. I was trying to open my eyes with difficulty. I heard a round of giggling as Morgan launched into a protest. “It’s my stepdad, that’s gross Maggie.”

“I am with Maggie, Morgan your stepdad is gorgeous,” another voice agreed. Dominic was only wearing short sans a shirt while we slept. The feel of a blanket on our body forced my eyes open. Charlie and Bryce were in the kitchen getting a snack as the three girls ogled my sleeping husband.

“Victoria, Maggie, and Sabrina no drooling on my handsome husband,” I playfully admonished. The girls began a fit of giggles until Dominic popped his eyes open.

“Why are there this many eyes on me?”

He realized he was not wearing a shirt and pulled the blanket to cover his bare chest. The girls blushed simultaneously and backed away from the couch.

“You guys are gross, he is a dad for goodness sake,” Morgan said putting snacks on the table. Dominic grabbed me pulling me to the couch for smooches.

“I told you I was smoking hot.”

“Thanks girls now he will never let me hear the end of this. I know sweetheart you are smoking hot.” I try to placate him and he covers me with kisses. Kisses that I happily accept.

“Geez,
can you two take that to your room. I have company here,” Morgan begged with a goofy smile. Her friends looked on sighing as Dominic and I continued to make out. We eventually took her upon the offer and made out in our room on the bed. This gave the boys the chance to play video games while Morgan and her friends sat at the kitchen table gossiping. Dominic and I lay on our bed enjoying the feel of making out like teenagers. I loved the feel of his mouth on mine as he plied me with tender kisses.

“Last night was really special Sammie. Thank you.”

“I love you Dominic. You do not have to thank me for that. I was so thoroughly pleased.”

“I love you so much Sammie. I have no idea what I would do without you.”

“You have me forever Dominic.”

Dominic and I eventually left to get pizza and videos. Morgan ended up with an impromptu sleepover giving us orders to remain quiet in our room for the night.

We
traveled to Omaha to support Dominic in his dream for Olympic gold.  We manage to secure two rooms at a nearby hotel for the week.

“Sammie, can we really afford this?” Dominic
asked as we make our way to the airport.

“We have the money from our wedding honey. Don’t worry about this focus on what you have to do in the water,” I assure him. Dominic gives in and doesn’t mention the expense of our trip to Omaha.
The swimming trials were being held at the Qwest Center in Nebraska.  Dominic was qualified to compete in six events. Our first few days in Omaha and we saw very little of him those first few days.  Coach Anderson had Dominic and two other swimmers in round the clock practices. This gave the children and me a chance to tour the city considering we haven’t had a real family vacation since before my parents died. I thought it best to treat this as a family vacation. I over indulged the children with activities and fun until the swimming trials began. 

Dominic’s first day of competition was his specialty the backstroke
. The 100-meter backstroke involved swimming two lengths of the pool.  When Dominic took his place the kids and I were silent with the crowd until they hit the water.  We were screaming in the jam-packed area along with all the other spectators.  I have watched Dominic swim a million times but watching him brought tears to my eyes.  My magnificent husband is tearing up the water n what looks like a dead heat for first place. Dominic finishes in third place just tenths of a second behind his swimming rival Andre Webster.  While in ordinary competition third place would be great but here at the trials it disqualifies you to compete in that event at the Olympic games.

I can see what no one else can see in my husband’s eyes
, disappointment.  Everyone here is interested in how Michael Phelps will fair so the events he does not swim are loaded with competitors.  Michaels’ quest to shatter the gold medal record is providing a nice cover for Dominic to sneak in and ride the Olympic wave to Beijing. 

“Sammie, I want to avoid all the hoopla. I want to just slip in unnoticed and medal in all of my events here and in Beijing,” Dominic previously stated to me when we arrived in Omaha. After his third place finish in his first event Dominic took to practicing around the clock.  Even his coach told him to take a break but he was so determined to better himself.
I tried to offer Dominic comfort and solace but he would not allow himself to be comforted.  Instead he pushed his body to the physical limit. I was afraid he would inadvertently hurt himself trying so hard to gain a spot on the team that if he did he would be unable to actually compete.

The kids and I were at every event cheering him on to victory. However it seemed fate had a different strategy in mind. Records were being shattered
throughout the weeklong competition unfortunately Dominic could not shake his third place finishes. The last event the 50-meter backstroke left him utterly despondent when he finished third once more. Even though he had achieved a personal best in every event it was not enough of a personal victory to get him to the Olympic team.  There was nothing we could say or do to rouse his spirits, as he became an angry man.

“Fuck Andre Webster
, he took my top four events,” he yelled in our hotel room. “That bastard is going to Beijing as an Olympic hopeful. I will only go as an alternate, how humiliating.”

“Sweetheart listen you went out there and gave it your all. We are so proud of you Dominic. I know this is not the outcome you intended but you did your personal best in every race.  Baby, please do not beat yourself up,” I point
ed out lovingly.

“You have no idea what this feels like Sammie. My personal best was not good enough. I wasn’t good enough.”

Dominic took a look at the kids and stormed out of our hotel room. Bryce began to cry and I could see Charlie fighting a losing battle with his own tears. 

“Mom I know how he feels. Competing in something this important and not making it is a huge letdown. Just let him stay angry for a while. He will
move on when he is ready,” Morgan advises offering me a welcomed hug. 

“How did you get so smart?” I ask
ed wiping away my own tears. 

The trip home was quiet Dominic hardly spoke to any of us. Bryce was having the most difficult time with the silence. The apartment seemed to shrink under the silence, suddenly our huge space seemed too small. 

“Bryce, sweetheart daddy is really upset but not at you. We just need to leave him alone for a while ok,” I said while Dominic is in the bathroom. Bryce nods that he understands but I can see the sadness in his eyes. He just wants to make it better for his daddy. Dominic doesn’t allow any of our words to comfort him. We do not necessarily give up but we decide to back off and allow him to grieve his losses. Coming home with six bronze medals is an amazing feat considering the sheer number of Olympic hopefuls. This is little solace to Dominic. I am at a loss as how to best console my husband.

We throw ourselves into our normal routine without Dominic’s participation after a few days.  Dominic withdraws from any and all
family types of interactions except in our bedroom. During our week in Omaha we did not make love once even though we had a separate room from the kids.  I didn’t take it personal that he wanted to preserve all his energy for the water.  Now that we are back home the only support he will allow me to provide is pelvic related.  Since he has been so withdrawn when he touches me that first night I am startled. Dominic does not offer any explanation he simply starts to fondle my breasts while kissing me. I allow myself to give in to him because I miss his touch. I just want to make him feel better. The foreplay does not last for long as I feel him spreading my legs apart. Without his usual flair he is inside me and my body sings under his intense lovemaking. Oh how I have missed this man!

It doesn’t take me long to reach orgasm. 

“Dominic, baby I am coming,” I whisper in his ear. I want to scream but we no longer have the privacy of a hotel room and I have to consider the children. Dominic gives his familiar growl as he releases inside me. I try to snuggle into his arms thinking that my husband has returned but his irritation at my closeness is palpable. I rethink this and gingerly scoot back to my side of the bed hoping he will pull me back into his arms. Instead he turns his back to me and falls asleep. The next few days and nights are more of the same, except where the sex is concerned.  Dominic is less interested in foreplay and more concerned with the actual act.  By the forth night back I feign illness to prevent him from pounding out his frustrations on my poor body.  This of course does not sit well with him and by early morning he is already gone for the day.

“Mommy where is my daddy? I wanted him to take me to camp today,” Bryce
asked as he gobbles down a spoon full of cereal

“Daddy went to exercise this morning,” I lie
d. Morgan and Charlie look at me seeing right through my obvious lie.  Neither of them forces me to come clean thankfully.  After the kids are secure in their various activities for the day I try to get some work done at home alone.  By early afternoon I still have not seen or heard from my husband. I try calling his cell phone but I am greeted by his voicemail. I leave a quick cheerful message.

“Hey baby just wondering where you are. I am missing my husband call me. I love you.”

When I pick up the kids I still have no clue as to Dominic’s whereabouts. Bryce, as if sensing my internal distress does not ask for his daddy on the ride home.  This is both comforting and alarming that my toddler understands the situation all too well for his young age.  On our way home we spot a huge garage sale. I decide to check it out with the kids.  While I really want to see my husband none of us are eager to get home to his depressed nature. 

“Mom, look at this,” Charlie
said pointing to a wooden square box.

“What is it?” I ask trying to figure out what it was and failing miserably. 

“The owner said it’s an awards display case,” Charlie turns the box around to show that it has three glass panels. The wood looks like it has seen better days. The glass is filthy and needs to be removed and cleaned on both sides. The one side without glass is highly scratched from years of wear and tear. 

“We could
buy this clean it, paint it, and put Dominic’s swim awards in this.”

“Good idea Charlie.  This could help him,” Morgan chimes in. Bryce is thinking of no one but himself when he approaches us with an arm full of used toys. We laugh and I
purchase the wooden display case along with the toys of course.  I stop at a craft store so that the kids can get the supplies they need to revitalize the display case.

Dominic is still not home when we return. My worry has turned to fear as I try his cell phone once more.  He doesn’t answer. To quell my fears I immerse myself in the task of disinfecting the used toys while the kids get started on the display case project.  Three hours later the case sits proudly on our dining room table having replaced the flower centerpiece.  Inside the nearly invisible glass panels rests as many of Dominic swim medals as we could find.  Morgan was able to paint his name on the now smooth wooden surface in neat block letters.

Dominic Jesus Castillo

A Great Swimmer.

A Wonderful Friend.

An Excellent Father

The words touch my heart deeply and I fight my emotional response. I hope that by seeing how proud we are of him that Dominic will snap out of his funk.  I make his favorite meal of spaghetti and meatballs with a tossed salad to ensure he has nothing to be sad about.

“This looks amazing, good job guys,” I beam
ed proudly.

“I painted this right here mommy,” Bryce
said indicating a small corner. I notice his clothes are covered in the paint and laugh at how that could be possible.

“Charlie can you put my little Picasso in the tub please? Oh and throw those clothes out.”

Charlie takes Bryce in the bathroom for his bath. Morgan and I set the table for dinner both hoping Dominic puts in an appearance soon. I am happy when I hear the key turning in the lock.

“Hey baby! I’m glad to
see you. I was getting worried,” I said rushing to greet him. “I tried calling your phone.”

Dominic shrugs his shoulders
, “I didn’t feel like talking.”

“Oh okay well I made dinner we were waiting for you so that we could eat together.”

I look at Dominic and then to Morgan. She is frowning and I immediately smile to assure her everything is okay.  Bryce rushes out the bathroom wrapped in only a towel.

“Daddy did you see what we made for you.”

“Uh, no I didn’t. I already ate Samantha. I am going to go lie down.” Dominic walks toward the bedroom and Bryce follows him. 

“Daddy it’s not in the room. It’s on the table. Come see it.”

Dominic reluctantly turns around walking to the dining room table.  Bryce takes this opportunity, as it is the most attention Dominic has paid him all week to chatter on.

“Daddy, are you still going to take me swimming with you.” He is barely holding on to his
racecar towel as he speaks.

Bryce’s words halt Dominic just as he makes it to the table.

“I don’t think so Bryce,” Dominic replies gruffly. I flinch and wait to see how Bryce will respond. I do not want to overreact and it turns out he is okay with the news. Bryce says nothing and just looks down at his little toes. My heart skips a beat.

“Dominic
, we made this for you,” Charlie said proudly indicating the display case. Dominic’s brown eyes, sans gold flecks, narrow as he takes in the wooden box. 

“See I put your name on it here and a few kind words,” Morgan points out proudly.  Dominic presses his lips into a hard line and I see what looks like rage flash across his eyes.  “You really, really shouldn’t have done this,” he
said through tightly clenched teeth.

“Dominic,” I exclaim, “They worked all afternoon on this case for you.”

“Thanks,” Dominic whispered as he makes his way to our bedroom. Morgan and Charlie’s faces fall simultaneously into a hurt expression.  Bryce is still standing clutching his towel crying softly. 

“Come here baby,” I
said holding out my arms. I throw a horrified scowl at Dominic who ignores me as he shuts the bedroom door. I take Bryce to his room and get him into his pajamas. It takes a while for me to soothe him enough to eat his dinner. My heart breaks for my kids as they sit at the table eating dinner in total silence. 

“What the hell is your problem?
” I asked Dominic fighting to retain control of the volume of my voice. 

“I don’t have a problem Samantha,” he replies back curtly.

“Those kids worked hard on that for you and you just blow them off. How could you be so cruel?”

“Cruel? I’m cruel?” He
asked repeatedly pointing to himself. “I didn’t ask for that wooden reminder of my failure.”

“You need to stop this pity party for one really it’s been a week. It’s getting old. I made your favorite dinner come eat with us.”

“Unless you are no longer feeling sick then there is nothing else we can do together.”