Deporting Dominic (4 page)

“First off stop calling me Samantha, you only do that when I am in big trouble. Unless I am in big trouble with you call me Sam, please. Secondly stop worrying we will figure this out no problem,” I
said smoothly letting my eyes leave the road for a few seconds to smile reassuringly at him. Dominic reached for my hand holding it for the duration of the trip back to my apartment. I try not to read anything into the gesture except gratitude.

Thankfully there is an ice cream truck nearing my apartment and Bryce makes frantic gestures to stop him. As we near the truck his excitement builds to a loud joyous crescendo.

“Ice cream mommy,” Bryce claps his hands with happiness.

“Yes mommy is going to get you an ice cream. Pick the one you want Brycie pooh.” I
informed him and he actually puts his small index finger to his lips as if he is contemplating serious business. Finally he points to an ice cream that pays homage to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I can only imagine the mess I am going to have to deal with.

“
Mine mommy.” Bryce yells as I receive my change and the ice cream.

“I know sweetheart
but you have to wait until we get in to the apartment,” I informed my impatient three-year old. He decides to pout folding his arms across his tiny chest. I give him a kiss on the cheek as we walk to meet Dominic at the front door of the apartment.

“I am sorry I was rude and didn’t ask if you wanted an ice cream,” I
said to Dominic as he shakes his head. He looks a bit forlorn as he holds the door open for Bryce and me to enter the apartment building. Before we hit the stairs he takes Bryce from my arms easily navigating the stairs much to Bryce’s delight.

“Go daddy go!” He squeals as Dominic takes the stairs two and three at a time. I climb at a more leisurely pace until I reach the third floor of the apartment building. I slip my key into the lock as Bryce races to his booster seat waiting patiently for his ice
cream, which has of course started to melt.  I place it on his favorite racecar plate and put a full plastic bib over his clothing as he impatiently grabs at the wooden stick.  Quickly shoving the ice cream in his mouth Bryce grins with green Ninja Turtle ice cream running down his mouth. Just as I predicted this is going to be messy.  I walk hesitantly over to Dominic who stands near the window looking absent-mindedly at nothing in particular. For some reason I cannot explain, I walk behind him and wrap my arms around him pressing my face against the back of his suit jacket. 

“It’s going to be ok
ay Dom. We will figure this out. When the kids get home we will talk to them about you moving in here permanently.”  I said softly feeling his body tense then relax as his hands come to rest on mine.

“I just do not want to disrupt your life Samantha. It’s not fair to you or the kids,” he
whispered still staring out the window. I hug him tighter loving the smell of his cologne and the feel of his body against mine. It’s not sexual it’s reassurance that he is here in Arizona with me, where I selfishly want him to be.

“We can do this Dom. No one knows you better than me and vice versa. We will figure out how long we want to do this and establish the rules. You know I do not approach anything without a well thought out plan,” I
said peeking over at Bryce who is happily making a mess with this green ice cream. He is going to need a bath that bib is practically worthless.

“What’s the matter daddy?” Bryce
asked sensing Dominic’s internal struggle. Dominic looks over at him managing an encouraging smile, “Nothing buddy I’m okay.”

“Do you want some of my ice cream?” Dominic holds up the stick and the remaining Ninja Turtle eye falls to the plate. Dominic shakes his head as I realize that the eyes are gumballs and immediately release my hold on him
racing towards Bryce. After a one-minute argument I retrieve the other gumball eye from his mouth much to his dismay. I let him finish the rest of the gooey mess without further interference.

“You have a plan for everything don’t you Samantha,” he said that with half admirat
ion half despair. I shake my head yes and plaster a toothy grin over my face.  Several hours later we were sitting down with Morgan and Charlie while Bryce happily played with his trucks on the floor.

“Well we wanted to talk to you two about what happened today in court. As I have told you there was a chance the immigration office would send Dominic back to Guadalajara,” I
said feeling nervous suddenly. Morgan and Charlie flash a unified look of alarm as they look at Dominic. The threat of him leaving was never real to them until now.

“We have found a way for Dominic to stay in the country but it would involve him living here with us. He and I would have to get married.”

Morgan gives me a look that I try to shoot down with a quick shake of my head. She knows the truth about how I feel when it comes to Dominic. With the exception of my other friend Sidney who transferred last fall to Arizona State University. She gives a soft smile and said, “I mean you already live here Dominic. What would be so different?”

Dominic hesitates to answer as he is still wrestling internally with this decision. A huge part of him wants to sigh with relief another part wants to run to the judge and declare it all a lie, well a sort of lie.

“Well we would have to live as man and wife which would mean we share my bedroom. He would be here more than usual as my husband,” I said softly.

“If the thought of having me around all the time is too much Morgan or Charlie I understand. I want to make sure that this decision does not impact either of you negatively. Or Bryce for that matter,” he said
resolutely. Dominic loosened his necktie sitting back onto the couch trying to appear relaxed.

“I mean you both lo
ve each other duh,” Charlie said matter of fact shrugging his shoulders. “Besides I like having you around Dominic.”

I blush under his statement and look to Dominic who shakes his head to the affirmative.

“Samantha and I have been friends a long time. I do love her and I love you guys too, very much.” Dominic said the tension leaving his face as he spoke.

“
Dominic is my best friend and I want him to stay here not just for us but to finish school. So he can follow his dreams. I am doing this to help him because I do love him. Dominic is a great friend,” I said trying to ease the talk of love to a friendship level.  I look to Morgan who is mulling this turn of events over in her head.

“I think it’s a great idea. Dominic you can take out the trash and kill spiders much faster than Charlie. Plus we love having you arou
nd,” Morgan said smiling brightly. Morgan is relieved that Dominic will be staying in the US and furthermore that he will be staying here with us. His presence has been a huge part of their recovery after the death of our parents. Dominic lent all his strength to me during that time which made the transition easier. Furthermore Morgan knew how I felt about Dominic more than I would ever care to admit. It went beyond the friend level.

“So it’s settle
d you will move in here and marry our mom. That would make you our stepdad,” Charlie said cheerily.  Bryce looked up and put down his cars going immediately to Dominic.

“My daddy Charlie,” he said pushing Charlie away from Dominic.

“That’s not nice Bryce,” I said tickling him. “For the time being this will be between just us until Dominic and I are ready to make the announcement.”

I offer the need to further discuss or protest the topic and it’s marked as resolved. I get up to make dinner as Dominic sits enjoying some toddler chatter from Bryce. Charlie grabs his backpack pulling out his homework. I hear Morgan immediately start to talk on her phone. I try to focus on baking the chicken, scallop potatoes, and mixed vegetables.

It seems so weird but Dominic has officially been living in the apartment for two weeks now. I can’t
say that it’s really that much different than before just weirder that we sleep in the same bed. Generally he stays on his side of the bed and I stay on my side. This morning is one of those mornings that warm my insides. As I exit my bedroom Morgan hands me a delicious latte. Looking around the open floor plan that is the living room, kitchen, and dining area combined I see my family starting their day. Bryce is dressed and ready for preschool happily eating a bowl of cereal. Charlie is putting supplies inside his backpack including his sneakers for gym class. Morgan is dancing around the room with her IPod munching on a slice of toast. Dominic is unloading the dishwasher putting the clean dishes in the cabinet. I am amazed at how seamless the transition has been.

Dominic sublet his apartment taking only his prized possessions leaving his furniture, thankfully, behind.  I made room for him in my bedroom to accommodate his clothes, shoes, and personal items. This afternoon after our classes we are going to sit down and discuss everything in detail. I am eager to bring him to speed on Gable Property Management. He is worried about contributing to the family’s expenses and applying vigorously for
entry-level positions at nearby hospitals. I hope after our conversation today he will be put at ease about the family’s financial situation. We are by no means rich but GPM is supporting my little family nicely.  Granted we have very little room if something major should happen to one of the properties. I am hoping to rectify that within the next few months by overhauling the finances into a more efficient flow. My favorite professor Dr. Clemons issued me a license for a financial software program to utilize that I would otherwise been unable to afford.

“Good morning everyone,” I
said wearing my favorite Gap light wash denim capris pants and a gray t-shirt. I get the usual litany of responses as I approach my baby boy enjoying his Cheerios. I kiss the top of his dirty blond hair as he giggles.

“
Buenos días Samantha,” Dominic said looking up from the dishwasher. I nod but give him a “please stop calling me Samantha” look. Geez! It is unnerving that he keeps referring to me as Samantha instead of Sam. We have moved past the first awkward days of sleeping in the same bed surely he can start to call me Sam again. Morgan continues dancing as she hands me the remainder of her toast and I nibble watching my baby boy eat his Cheerios with his hands rather than his spoon. I am hoping this summer she will re-enroll in gymnastics to help calm her crazy energy. It was something she and my mother did together. After her death she kept trying to find her way back. Perhaps with Dominic’s presence and the newfound family unit it may give her the courage to start again.  It’s hard to believe but in twenty minutes this apartment will be deafly quiet.

In a
few more weeks I will officially become a graduate of the University of Arizona. My last few classes, advanced economics and two management courses will have killer finals. I was ready for my finals but my brain was overwhelmed with my new family unit. Parking my Camry I realize we would need a bigger car soon. The five of us in one vehicle was always a tight fit.

In the auditorium for my economics class I chose a seat in the back. I
put my shoulder bag on the adjacent seat and pulled out a pink notebook. Inside I began to write out my current budget. Utilizing the internet on my cell phone I perused current pricing on family vehicles. Factoring in the financing, fees, and down payment I decided according to my current budget what I can afford. I was so worried about failing where our finances were concerned. My extended family was sure that I would goof up the insurance money and mismanage the business not because I was stupid but because I was young and grieving. I was determined from day one to show them that I could handle the weight of my newfound responsibility.

Dominic sat at the kitchen table when I opened the door to the apartment. I did my best to quell my rapid breathing induced by taking the three flights of stairs. I tried to
make more proactive choices regarding getting into better shape. Especially with Dominic sleeping beside me and his thousand-pack abs made me want to kill myself. My apartment is taking on the distinct smell of swimming pool. I rather like the chlorine smell it just reminds me that he is here permanently. I immediately go to my room and retrieve the papers I want to use to illustrate our current situation.

“Before you tell me anything I want to sign a pren
uptial agreement,” Dominic said. I look at him in disbelief as he slides the paper to me.

“I hadn’t thought about that,” I
said softly. “My parent’s company?”

“Yes! If we are going to do this I do not want anything if and when we decide to dissolve this.” Dominic
said his hands motioning with his words. He looks relaxed his black curly hair shiny with perspiration fresh from a workout no doubt. I walk over to the AC unit and cut it up a few degrees before handing him a paper towel.  Dominic takes the paper towel mopping his forehead as I spread the papers on the table. In detail I describe the business as it stands now and where I want to go with it in the near future. I show him a breakdown of the income and expenses.

“As you can see the income is sufficient to balance out our current expenses.” Dominic stares at the table nodding his understanding.

“I do not want to add to that Samantha. That’s why I am struggling with this.” His voice is low and desperate.

“For the love of all that is holy please stop calling me Samantha it is driving me bat shit,” I yell at him. “Dominic, think of it as a loan until you start making money and then you can pay me back for whatever it is you think you owe.”

“Don’t start nagging me already woman we are not married yet,” he said laughing. This is the first real laugh I have heard from him in the last month.

“I c
an never repay you for all the help and support you have given me these last four years. For once I am able to help you and I want to.”

I decide to show him our calendar of events on the wall near Morgan’s bedroom. Morgan and Charlie fill in important dates for
parent teacher conferences, sports, or other school issues. It helps me to keep track of all the things going on with them. I program them into my phone with various alarms to remind me what I need to be doing at any given moment. There is a chore schedule on the refrigerator as well as two grocery lists. The first list lets me know what essentials we have run out of while the second list is for things they wish I would buy. If our budget permits then I try to indulge some of their requests.

“Dominic, feel free to put your food necessities on the list. I generally shop once a week,” I
said smiling.  He gives me a deadpanned expression that lets me know the next words out of his mouth will be dripping with pure sarcasm.

“Samantha I have been around for the
over three years. I know how everything here works probably better than you.” I laugh feeling like an idiot because he is right. The truth is most of the things we have done as a family has always included Dominic.

“Dominic, whenever you are ready for this to end you just let me know.” I whisper.

“What do you mean?” He looks at me lost in thought over my statement.

“If you meet someone else or decide that this arrangement is not working for you then all you have to do is let me know. I am not holding you to any expectations.”

“Samantha, I would never betray you period. Once we do this we will decide when to end it. It will be a decision we both make,” he said his voice rising. I shrink back in my seat not wanting to meet his eyes.

“I just do not want you to feel obligated to stick around after you get your green card,” I
said sulkily. Dominic grabs my chin forcing me to look at him. I melt under the intense pressure of his gaze, as he said nothing. I shake my head up and down before tearing myself away from him. I gather up my papers putting the prenuptial agreement on top for me to read more thoroughly when I have a chance.

“I think it wa
s really smart of you to put most of the insurance money from your parents in a trust for the kids,” he said helping me gather my papers.

“Thanks! I wanted to make sure that the money could be used to pay for college when the time comes.” I am about to
say more when he grabs my face kissing me passionately. I drop the papers on the table as my arms instinctively snake around his neck. Dominic’s hands slide down to my waist as he explores my mouth. I feel the weakness in my legs and fight to remain upright as he plies me with kisses. When he pulls away from me I have no sense of time or reality.

“We are going to have to address the topic of sex Samantha,” he said his voice husky.

“I know I was hoping to avoid it because I am a chicken. I know immigration is going to ask very personal questions regarding our sex life.” I said recalling all the Internet research we conducted that showed us sample questions. It was appalling how in depth some of the questions could really get during the interview.

“Well whenever you are ready we can discuss it.”

The seductive smile on his lips made me want to kiss him again. As if understanding or reading the expression on my face Dominic kissed me once more. If not for the alarm on my phone to pick up the kids that kiss would have turned into much more. I reluctantly pull away keeping my eyes from meeting his which are filled with something. Is it lust? Or is he just horny? His last girlfriend Annalisa was more than a few months ago. Good riddance I think as I pick up my cell phone I did not like her. Come to think of it I did not think very highly of any girls he has dated in the past.

“I have to pick up the kids,” I
splutter my heart racing. I cannot bring myself to look at him. I feel embarrassed for some strange reason.

“Do you want me to go with you?” He
asked willing me to look at him as I pretend to study my phone.

“Uh you don’t have too. It’s a tight fit with all of
us, which reminds me I think we should go look at minivans next week. I looked at the budget and we can afford to get one.”

I hold up my phone with a picture on the display of a red minivan with sliding doors.

“Wow we really will be a family then.”

He puts his hand on my hand holding the phone and I feel this incredible surge. I want to kiss him some more but I have to go get the children.

“How about you start on dinner while I go get the kids,” I said finally bringing my eyes to meet his. He smiles nodding his head but the look of lust is still in his eyes making me focus on the phone again. I feel my nerves creep up as I bite my lip willing my body to move towards the door. The pain in my lip motivates me to move my feet away from him.

“What shall I cook,” he
asked walking to the kitchen counter.

“Surprise us”, I announce walking out the door. 

The kids are in the car soon enough all of them yelling something or another at the same time as if I am a super computer capable of processing huge chunks of incoming data all at one time.  Thankfully the look of lust is gone from Dominic’s eyes and we fall into what has become our normal routine.

Charlie and Morgan are at the calendar putting in dates for the last events of the school year. Bryce is working on his colors with Dominic at the kitchen table
in both English and Spanish. I decide to call the voicemail for GPM. I jot down several messages taking them to my room. The new program allows me to put messages into specific client files. I input the messages and return two calls before rejoining my family in progress. The guys are setting the table while Morgan pours juice into cups that match the dinner dishes. Moving over to the stove I am pleasantly pleased to see angel hair pasta, shrimp, and an assortment of fresh vegetables in a light butter sauce in a pot. The garlic aroma is heavenly and I inhale deeply anticipating the taste. Before we put the food on the table I quickly grab a few slices of bread lightly buttering each side before placing two slices of American cheese onto it. I place the soon to be grilled cheese into the skillet allowing it to brown on both sides. Bryce will not eat much of the pasta so I make him a grilled cheese just to be sure he gets enough to eat. As soon as he sees Dominic twirl the pasta on his fork he suddenly becomes insanely interested in having some on his plate.

“Like daddy,” he
said trying to twirl it around his fork. The last few weeks Bryce has been increasing his hold on Dominic. While we eat we discuss the coming week’s events. Charlie will be graduating from the eighth grade while Morgan has yet to make up her mind to attend gymnastics camp.  Dominic and I discuss our schedule for finals and who will pick up the kids on what days. 

“Oh we are going
to look at minivans next week,” I informed the children. Bryce is indifferent to the news until Charlie starts cheering.

“Mom can we please get one that has a television in it, please. I will pay for it out of my own money,” Charlie
asked his hands clasped in a prayer. Charlie and Morgan both receive social security supplements after the death of my parents. I give them a portion each month, use a portion for necessary expenses, and put the rest into their private account. 

“If we get one with a television I am never driving,” Dominic
said giving Charlie a wink. They high five across the table and I laugh at them both.