Deporting Dominic (5 page)

“We all know if we get a television it’s going to play nothing but
SpongeBob and Ninja Turtles,” I informed them as Bryce perks up to this news.

“
SpongeBob Squarepants,” he sings repeatedly. The buzzer on the intercom system rings and it breaks up our lively discussion of minivan types. I push the button asking, “Who is it?”

The voice that responds is not expected, “It’s me Danny. Let me up Samantha I want to see Bryce.” I swallow
hard turning to face everyone now silent at the table except Bryce who is still singing the theme song loudly. Dominic shakes his head and I press the button to let Danny into the main door. When he arrives at the door I open the door allowing him to step in.

“Hello everyone. Bryce my boy,” he
said walking past me to the table. Bryce gives him a quizzical look before recognition sets in. He is slow to respond as Danny releases the straps on his booster chair. 

“Howdy Dominic, every time I am here so are you,” Danny
remarks rather rudely as he takes a very silent Bryce out of this chair. I feel sad as his body goes limp in Danny’s arms. Danny does his best to rouse some emotion.  “Bryce, how are you?”

“I am fine,” he
said in a grumpy voice. Danny produces a small box handing it to Bryce who lights up.  Quickly removing the wrapping paper he finds a box with a truck inside. Wiggling to get down, Bryce takes the box immediately over to Dominic for assistance. Danny’s green eyes fill with anger as his son does not seem to register his presence. I try to diffuse this potentially dangerous situation.

“Bryce let daddy open the box,” I
said and immediately regret my choice of words. Bryce looks at me and hands the box to Dominic.

“
Bryce let daddy Danny open the box for you,” Dominic said handing it back to him. Bryce looks to Danny but hands the box back to Dominic.

“Open please,” he begs. Dominic opens the box as Danny looks on fury permeating his facial features.

“Someone going to tell me why my son seems to think you’re his daddy. You are not his fucking daddy Dominic,” Danny yells. With the exception of Dominic we all jump. Dominic meets Danny’s gaze with the same steely resolve.

“Calm down Danny. Do not talk like that around your son. He doesn’t know who you are that’s your
fault and yours alone.” I immediately get between Danny as he advances towards Dominic and Bryce.

“What do you mean he doesn’t know who I am? I am his damn father not this Latino bastard.” Danny’s words inspire Dominic out of his seat. Picking up Bryce he hands him across the table to Morgan. Bryce is still investigating his new truck as she pulls Charlie out of the line of fire as well.

“I think you had better leave,” Dominic said his voice ice cold. I hold up both my hands to prevent them from coming any closer to one another.  Danny laughs and claps his hands loudly.

“Oh I see. So you two are an item? Wow
Dom, how desperate do you have to be?” Danny sneers as Dominic ignores my hand moving right into Danny’s personal space. Danny stops laughing and tries to return the harden glare but it’s filled with immediate fear.

“Stop it please. Danny, please leave right now. Do not come to my house with t
hat foul temper and bad language.” I yell at him pushing him towards the door.

“Do you need me to walk you down Danny?” Dominic
asked this very lethal question that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Morgan pulls Charlie with Bryce on her hip into her room shutting the door.

“He is my son to
o Samantha. I have a right to see him,” he protests weakly.

“You have every right to see him and not seeing him has been your choice. If you come into our apartment with hostility you will be banned. Do you understand?” I look at him still feeling the anger radiating off Dominic. I walk to Dominic and put my hand on his chest feeling the rapid beating of his heart. Dominic is beyond angry and I try to sooth him with my touch.

“Oh so I was right. Wow you really are desperate there Dom.” Danny laughs once more clapping his hands.

“Do not
. I repeat, do not come around my family with that attitude again or I will work out my anger issues on you,” Dominic’s voice is calm and assured. I hold on to him as best I can but I can feel the desire to hit Danny as his muscles flex. 

“Your family? That is not your son you fucking immigrant. Bryce is my flesh and blood.”

“And this is how you treat your flesh and blood? When was the last time you visited him Danny? All he knows is our family right here.”

Dominic wrapped
his arm around my body protectively as Danny glares smugly.

“We are getting married in a few months so please do not come to my home with this again. I will protect my family the best way I know how and it will hurt.” Dominic
said his teeth clenched tightly.

Danny looked to me for confirmation. I give him no indication that what Dominic
said is false and he explodes, “You’re that desperate that you will be his green card wife.” The words hurt as they reach my ears. I never considered myself desperate maybe a little lonely but never desperate. Dominic releases his hold on me and no amount of pulling on his shirt stops the advance to Danny. Danny tries to stand his ground bawling up his fists in anticipation for a fight.

“Please do not fight in our home. Stop it! Danny, get out of here,” I scream but it is too late. Danny i
s crumpled over, his hands no longer bawled into a fist. He is clutching his stomach as Dominic has hit him swiftly in the stomach. Opening the door Dominic grabs Danny by the shirt hauling him out the door. Danny recovers some of his equilibrium and starts flailing his arms as Dominic walks him the three flights out the front door.

“If you want to see your son, fix your attitude. Do not come back here with this nonsense,” Dominic yells as Danny insults him in a belligerent tirade. Within a few minutes Dominic is back in the apartment. The kids are seated around the table as appetites have vanished. Dominic walks over to me hugging me apologetically.

“Who was that man?” Bryce asked as we all start to laugh. The laughter lightens the mood instantly and we resume our regularly scheduled program of dinner

“I am sorry I shouldn’t have handled that by hitting him,” Dominic apologizes to everyone.

“He was looking for a fight either it was going to be you or me,” I said wanting to punch Danny in the face.

“Better than Morgan! She was in her room ready to come out swinging with her ice skate,” Ch
arlie explained. Morgan blanches and it is obvious that the incident upset her more than she was willing to say.

“It’s okay Morgan. I am sure we won’t see or hear from him for months again.” I reach over and pat her arm reassuringly.
Later that evening in her room I talk to her about the incident to gauge her feelings.

“I just do not like it when people
said mean things about you. It makes me really angry,” she said tears brimming her hazel eyes.

“It’s okay Morg. W
e can’t stop people from saying what they want. The good thing is none of his words apply.” I said pulling her into my arms.

“He doesn’t know that you are a great mom and he is an awful father. I am glad Dominic is here. I feel safer with him here.”

Morgan looks up at me willing me to tell her more than I care to admit right now.

“I like having him here to
o Morgan. He is a really great friend to us.”

I slip off the bed and make my way to the door of her bedroom.
Morgan finally smiles as I shut the door.  Charlie and Bryce are in their room. I can hear Dominic reading a book to Bryce as I stand just outside the door. 

I pull the container down from the cabinet and put the rest of Dominic’s delicious pasta concoction into it. When his hands slip around my
waist I try not to smile broadly instead I close my eyes enjoying his closeness. The familiar scent of pool water and Dominic wafts in the air around me overpowering the seafood smell of dinner.

“I am sorry Samantha
, I shouldn’t have handled that with violence. Please forgive me,” he whispered against my ear and I melt.

“I told you, its okay. Everyone is fine reall
y Dominic,” I replied my breath catching. When he releases his hold on me to load the dishwasher I feel a surge of desire that makes me brace the counter. I try to focus on what he is saying as he changes the subject chattering on about one of his classes.

In our room I am sitting on the bed with my pajamas on when Dominic comes out of the bathroom toweling his curly hair dry.  I look up and immediately regret that decision as I see the droplets of water roll down his muscular chest.
He is clad in a pair of shorts and nothing else I quickly turn my attention back to my books. What I miss is the pained expression on his face after I look away, he would later tell me. It’s too much to have to sleep in this bed with this man.

“The kids are going to my aunt and uncles this weekend. I was thinking we could go to the Hub and kinda announce our relationship,” I suggest softly.

“That’s cool,” he said sitting on the bed pulling his backpack close to the bed as he does. I engross myself in economics while he reads several chapters in what looks like a genetics textbook. Eventually the numbers and words start to blur and I close my book. I get out of bed and go check on the kids. Dominic looks up briefly from his book before turning away. The kids are safely in their beds sleeping softly. When I return to the bedroom I put the book on the nightstand before turning to my pillow.

“Good night Dominic,” I
said softly.  The bed is comfortable but his presence drives me crazy.

“Will this light bother you?” He murmurs kindly and I give him a nod that he is okay to continue to read. It takes focus and concentration to fall asleep which I eventually do.

The blaring of the alarm wakes me from my sleep. I reach for it but my hand is not resting alone against my stomach. Dominic is curled up next to me his arm wrapped around my body protectively. I try not to wake him as I shimmy from underneath his strong arm.  He does not initially wake as I slide out of the bed to make sure the children are awake.

“Please make sure that you pack a bag for Uncle Winston’s house. They are picking you up after school,” I said mainly to Morgan as I am now in the boy’s room. I pull Bryce’s drawer open and take out several pairs of shorts, three t-shirts, pajamas, and his favorite cartoon underwear. My son is not a morning person and I have to scoop him out the bed before he awakens fully. Charlie exits the bathroom just as I reach the door.

“Bryce sweetie it’s time to go potty,” I
said as he nods his understanding. While he sits on his potty I run him some bathwater. When he finishes he tries using the step stool to reach his toothbrush. I help him put the bubblegum flavored toothpaste on the brush.

“Brush up and down. Good job sweetie,” I
said encouragingly.  He gives me a toothpaste filled smile before he spits in the sink. I allow him to rinse his mouth before removing his pajamas. In the tub he wants his hair washed which takes a few extra minutes much to Morgan’s dismay. She is patiently waiting outside the door for her turn to beautify herself.  When I open the door she immediately barges inside and I give her my best “good morning” smile. She shuts the door in my face. Oh she has her period! What a grouch! I dress Bryce and allow Charlie to fix him some cereal while I get dressed.

“Please stay with him while he eats. I do not want him to choke,” I
said to Charlie who nods.  Inside the bedroom Dominic sits up on the bed looking at me.

“Good morning! Is everything okay,” I ask as my nerves unfurl.

“Yes it is. Buenos días,” he replies as I make my way to the bathroom. Inside I shower planning my day in my head. The thoughts drifting through abruptly take a pornographic turn as my desire surprises me. In my mind Dominic comes into the bathroom pulling the curtain back before joining me in the shower. I feel my hand slip down and I brace myself as the exploration begins. I should feel embarrassed at my timing but I cannot stop it any longer. My mind is making love to Dominic in the shower. Pulling the detachable showerhead free I allow the pulsating jets to replace my fingers. I stifle my desire to moan and allow the force of my orgasm to ride quietly through me. When I regain my composure I finish my shower trying hard to cleanse my mind as well.

“Oh excuse me,” I
said anxiously as Dominic is standing outside the bathroom door. He gives me a curt nod and walks in shutting the door. I dress at the speed of lightening pulling on a pair of shorts and a tank top. While I lace up my sandals Dominic emerges from the bathroom clad in a white bath towel and nothing but my dreams. I close my eyes as if I am watching something naughty. He flinches as my response to his nearly naked flesh is not the reaction he was hoping for. When I open my eyes he is back in the bathroom. I take my one sandal foot and the remaining sandal in my hand moving quickly to the couch. If I see him again like that we are going to have some serious issues. My cell phone rings as the images of the towel clad Dominic dance in my head.

“Hey Sidney how are you?” I squeal into the phone. So much has happened since she left and I haven’t had a chance to fill her in. Sidney lost her father last semester and her mother was unable
to care for herself. Sidney applied to Arizona state and moved back home rather than take classes at the University of Arizona satellite sight.

“I will be on campus tonight. My aunt is here from Colorado for the weekend so I thought I would spend the weekend with you.” She said her voice overly excited.

“That’s uh great. What time are you getting here? I have a class today but then I am free the rest of the day. Dominic and I were going to hit the Hub tonight. The kids are going to my aunts,” I informed her as I buckle my sandal.  Bryce drives his truck all over the coffee table, the couch, and finally the floor as I talk. 

“Aw I wanted to see my little godson,” she said deflated. “It’s cool. How is Dominic?”

“He is great. Text me when you get to campus I need to get the kids off to school.” I said rushing her off the phone.  I know when she gets here she is heading to Mario her on again off again boyfriend.

When Dominic joins us I
informed him that Sidney is coming for the weekend. He gives a disinterested smile and heads for the door.

“Dominic is everything okay,” I ask worried.

“I’m fine heading to the pool to practice. I will see you later,” he said giving each of the kids a hug before bolting from the apartment. I drive the kids to their respective schools and head to campus soon after.

*****

What a productive day,” I think to myself.  I have picked up both our graduation gowns, spoke with my academic advisor about the possibility of getting into the graduate program, had a great review in my management class, and walked a few laps around the indoor track at the recreation center.  Getting back to the apartment I manage to carry our gowns, my shoulder bag, purse, and a caramel macchiato. Which subsequently does away with the goodness of walking based on the calories but I do not care today I deserve a treat. For not raping my best friend today after seeing him fresh out the shower. The image still haunts me as I sit on the couch sipping my delicious drink.

“Hey Sam
, I am on campus with Mario. I will see you in a few hours at the Hub okay,” Sidney said her voice giggly like a schoolgirl. 

“Okay great. I have so much to tell you Sid,” I
replied quickly and she immediately stops giggling.

“What is it? Is everything okay?” The concern
was etched in her voice as she spoke.

“Everything is fine. We will talk later.” I decide what to wear to the Hub and try my hardest to
make it sexy but cute.  In spite of the coffee drink I find a way to fall asleep on the couch. Oh yeah simple I was reading about management techniques and it was very enlightening. 

“Are we going to the Hub tonight or not?” Dominic
asked waking me from my sleep. I start awake reaching for my cell phone to see that it is nearly eight in the evening.

“Yes give me ten minutes and I will be ready,” I
said hopping off the couch. Inside our bedroom I find the outfit I had chosen earlier. A brazen tingle of naughtiness runs through my body as I take the clothing into the bathroom. After a quick birdbath I dry off and throw on a pair of soft pink panties with the matching strapless bra.  The strapless blue romper is a total detour from my normal clothing comfort zone. I inspect my reflection in the mirror I am pleased the fabric hides the pooch of my stomach. I head to my jewelry box choosing a long silver necklace with several charms before slipping a pair of silver hoops into my ears. My hair is slightly unruly but I make it worse by brushing it out more. The silver headband is simply a decoration as it holds none of my hair back. The last thing I need is a pair of silver sandals and I am ready to head out. Dominic seems to be in a sour mood when he woke me from the couch. The thought occurred that if we couldn’t convince our friends that we were an item we surely could not fool the immigration department.

I flush with embarrassment as Dominic’s entire demeanor changes
when he lays eyes on me.  “Uh, you look nice. Are you ready to go?” He asked extending his hand. I take his hand in mine nodding. 

“Wow look at you Sammie,” Sidney
said already on beer number two when we walk inside the bar.  Sidney is tall, curvaceous, and blond with beautiful big blue eyes. It’s not super crowded in the bar but enough to make it fun.  I run to my friend and we hug jumping up and down like schoolgirls.  Sidney’s long blond hair sticks unceremoniously to my lip-gloss when we pull apart. Dominic starts slapping hands with the guys in the bar that he knows. Dominic is not much of a drinker and neither am I for the most part. However I do enjoy the occasional margarita or two.

“Wait a minute did I see you two holding hands when you walked in?” Sidney’s blue eyes are wide as she imagines the possibilities. Dominic takes
this cue wrapping his arms around my waist kissing me softly on the neck. I giggle like a schoolgirl as he does relieved that his foul mood has passed.  Sidney starts inexplicably jumping up and down drawing the attention of everyone near.

“It’s about damn time. I mean Dom how long did it take you to realize that my best friend has been
crushing on you for four years,” Sidney said rather loudly as I try to hush her placing my hand over her mouth.  Dominic immediately pulls my hands from her mouth.

“Please tell me more Sidney. Let me get you another beer,” he
said pulling her to the bar. Immediately, two other friends begin grilling me over my relationship as I blush and gush. Dominic eventually pulls me to the dance floor several times while we were there. We were damn convincing as I moved my hips against his body. I loved the attention he showers me with on and off the dance floor. He did not particularly care for me having a few margaritas but I thought we were celebrating. Dominic fake nursed the same beer all night. I was pretty sure when we left it would still be very full.

“You look so happy Sammie,” Sidney said in a
singsong voice.

“I am Sid. I really am,” I whisper close to her ear. She is definitely drunk right now as we talk more about my relationship with Dominic.
Talking into my hair with one arm wrapped around my neck she asked, “So how is he in bed? I heard he was amazing. Is it true?” 

“Sidney!” I feign disgust shaking my head vigorously as I do. I really have no idea how he is in bed but at some point I will find out for sure. 

“Awesome. I am so happy you deserve some happiness Sammie.” Sidney said as tears well up in her eyes. Thankfully Mario recognized this as the end to Sidney’s partying for the night.

“Come on Arizona S
tate it’s time to mutiny,” Mario chimes pulling Sidney into his arms.

“Alright baby let’s blow this Popsicle stand.”

Pausing she gives me a quick hug before gracing Dominic with a swift kiss to the cheek.  “Take care of my best friend please.”

Dominic
gives her the thumbs up as he pulls me in for an embrace. Sidney smiles winking as Mario escorts her out the front door. Dominic and I stay a half-hour longer before heading back to the apartment. Dominic chose to drive and I was not about to argue with him in regards to it. I was feeling really good about tonight. We fooled everyone including ourselves. No matter what he could not deny he had a great time. I just hoped whatever foul mood he was in was gone for good.  The drive home was quiet as I try to figure out how this night will end. I know how I want it to end but I was not quite sure he was on the same page. 

Inside the apartment I head to my bathroom changing into a pajama shirt. When I open the door Dominic is walking into the room with a sandwich in his hand.

“You want half my sandwich? You didn’t really eat anything tonight and you were drinking?” He asked thrusting the plate in my direction. I shake my head as I walk to the bed preferring to keep my nice little buzz. I was not drunk but I was not sober either. Dominic frowned behind my back placing the plate on the nightstand. I watch as he pulls the red Polo shirt over his head revealing the chest of my fantasies. I involuntarily let out a gasp and he smiles broadly.  I try to slip under the sheets turning my face away from his beautiful body but decide to let my eyes enjoy the show. What a show it is as he slips out of his shorts leaving only a pair of black boxer shorts to hide his modesty.

“Do you want to have sex with me Dominic?” I a
sked the liquor providing me with confidence I do not normally possess. He looks at me with a pained expression and I feel the confidence slip right from me. I pull the cover up feeling like I weigh a thousand pounds.  Dominic gets into bed placing his hand on my hip. Then I feel his breath on my neck followed by his tongue.

“Aw,” I moan loudly my body rejoicing behind his touch. Dominic’s hand is pushing my pajama shirt up and I can barely contain my absolute joy.  It’s really going to happen! His very capable hands find my breasts as I turn to face him. I arch my back as the sensation of his touch pierces through to my spine. I caress his
well-muscled arm as he continues to tease me underneath my shirt. Our mouths meet and he is desperately kissing me but withdraws suddenly. My closed eyes fly open searching out the reason for his sudden departure from my mouth.

“What’s the matter Dom?” I ask
ed panic racing through me his hands no longer tease my nipples.

“I am sorry Samantha. I really want to but I can’t do this
when you’ve been drinking,” he said his voice low.

“What? Are you kidding me? No I want this Dominic
. I know what I am doing.” And immediately I hate the desperation in my voice. Dominic pulls away from me and I try to pull him back to my side of the bed.

“Samantha
, I want you to be sober our first time. I want you to want me without alcohol flowing through your system.” Dominic moves to his side of the bed retrieving the sandwich. Are you fucking kidding me? He is going to eat a sandwich rather than make love to me. I am ready to scream, throw a tantrum, and cry all at the same time. Instead I pull the cover around my body fighting the tears pricking my eyes. This rejection hurt and it hurt badly.  I am not sure if it was the alcohol or not but I finally fall asleep.