Salsa and Speedbumps

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  “No bended knee?” She grinned.

  “I could go down on one knee, but with my back, you might have to help me get up again.” Please, say yes. Put me out of my misery.

  “Robbie, I think I’ve been in love with you since the first day you kissed my hand and gazed at me with those hypnotic sapphire eyes. Yes. I will marry you.”

  Robbie reached across the table to remove the ring and place it on Stephanie’s finger. He kissed her hand and returned it to her.

  They ate in silence for a few moments, and Stephanie set down her fork, looked at Robbie with a bit of humor and said, “Are you marrying me so that you have a place to live when you run out of money?”

  “No, I’m marrying you because I love you and you have health insurance.” His winked at her.

  Stephanie became serious. “What about the baby?”

  “We’ll keep him or her. I can adopt after the child is born. He will bear my name, even if Luis’s is on the birth certificate.”

  Stephanie smiled. “I think that is a much better gift than this gorgeous ring.”

  “We need to talk to the pastor soon. I want to wed you before the baby comes. Are you okay with that?”

  “Robbie, you are drop dead gorgeous and every touch of your hand fills me with desire. I would marry you today by the Justice of the Peace if it meant I could sleep with you that much sooner.” She blushed to the roots of her blonde hair.

  Robbie could hardly believe her words. He was definitely not opposed to her suggestion. “You don’t want to plan a wedding?”

  “Why? If we want a big wedding we can do that later, after the baby is born and you have recovered from your back surgery.”

  “Shall we go visit the courthouse when we finish here and get a marriage license applied for?”

  “I’m game if you are. We can schedule a date. Soon. Do you think your parents would come? I would want Tony and Renata there.”

  “We’ll find out. I don’t really care who else is there as long as it’s you standing beside me.”

  FOURTEEN

  Soy feliz de compartir cada instante de mi vida a tu lado.

  I’m happy to share each moment of my life by your side.

  ~Mexican proverb

  September 2011

  On a warm September morning, Roberto watched Stephanie walk down the aisle at the courthouse, dressed in a flowing pink dress and sandals. By his side was the Honorable Judge Moorhouse and Tony and Renata DeLuca. Steph kept her eyes focused on him, and he couldn’t hide his smile. He stood straight and tall, even though his back ached from moving things yesterday with the help of his support group. He slept last night at the DeLuca’s, committed to bring purity to their marriage bed. Soon. Soon she would be his to love, cherish, and hold.

  She reached the front, handed off the single dark pink rose she held, and clasped his hands. Robbie smiled and mouthed “I love you.” She blushed.

  “We’re gathered here to witness the union of these two individuals, Stephanie Marie Simson and Roberto José Rodriguez as they commit to the time honored covenant of marriage.

  “Marriage is a contract between the two of you, to live and work and help each other through the ups and downs life inevitably will bring. If your marriage is committed to Jesus Christ, as I know yours is, you have the added blessing of seeing Him use you both to further His kingdom here on earth. The couple has written their own vows. Roberto, you may proceed.”

  “Stephanie, ever since the day I met you, I have been enchanted by your perseverance, faith and grace as you have faced the challenges before you, always seeking to act in a way that would bring honor and glory to God. I pray that, as your husband, I can show you just how precious and beautiful you are to me as well as to our Lord, regardless of the difficulties or blessings that may come our way. Today, I pledge to love and honor you all the days of my life, through wealth or poverty, health or sickness, through joy and through pain. I ask God to sustain and enable me, through the power of His Holy Spirit, to keep my promise to you. I love you.”

  The judge nodded to Stephanie.

  “Roberto, you came to my life at a lonely and difficult time when I was filled with shame and self-doubt. You showed me that God has a bigger plan and can bring good out of even the most challenging of circumstances. God used you to widen my heart and draw me deeper into love with Him. I look to you to be the spiritual head of our home and promise to honor and respect you even in the decisions I may not agree with. I pledge, as your wife, to be a helpmate, to love you all the days of our life together, regardless of the good or bad that comes. May God enable me to be the wife you deserve, through the power of His Holy Spirit indwelling me, and enable me to sustain my vow to you. I love you.”

  The “I do’s” were spoken and the judge nodded for the rings. Roberto took the ring out of Tony’s hand and turned towards Stephanie, holding her left hand in both of his. Her fingers trembled at his touch. “Stephanie, this day I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife, to love, protect and cherish all the days of our life together.” He slid the ring and band on her finger.

  Stephanie smiled and took the ring from Renata’s hand, and turning to Robbie, she held his left hand in both of hers, and sliding the ring home, said, “Today, Roberto, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor and respect all the days of our life together.”

  The judge smiled. “Let no man tear apart what God has joined here. I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Nodding to Roberto, “You may kiss the bride.”

  Roberto pulled Stephanie to him till their bodies met. He reached up to put his left hand alongside her face and leaned down to give her a sweet, searing kiss. Her response brought the banked kindling within him roaring to life. It was a kiss worth waiting for. Tony clearing his throat reminded him of where they were, and he released his bride with reluctance. She smiled at him and giggled. He gave her a wink. Tony and Renata came to congratulate them.

  The foursome signed the marriage license, thanked the judge, and left to go eat lunch at a Chinese restaurant not far from the Waukesha County Courthouse.

  Tony and Renata entered the building after the newly married couple and giggled as they saw, on one wall, a large picture of ninjas in active poses.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Stephanie.

  “Remember Edith at our old apartment building?”

  “Yes, what about her?”

  “Well, I often had to go fend off ninjas for her.” Tony and Renata broke into giggles again. “She also called Tony ‘Studmuffin.’ She leaned over to give her husband a kiss on the lips. “She was right about that.”

  Tony grinned and winked at Robbie. “See, Robbie, I told you married life was worth it.”

  They had a wonderful meal together, and the newly married couple drove to Door County for a short honeymoon.

  * * *

  By the second day of the vacation, Stephanie realized something was wrong with her new husband as they relaxed in bed. The night before had been nothing like she expected and more than she could have hoped for.

  “You okay, hon?” She snuggled up beside him and placed a hand on his bare chest, enjoying the texture of his chest hair.

  “It’s our honeymoon. I love being with you.” He brought an arm around to pull her closer. There was an edge to his voice and lines on his forehead.

  “The pain is worse, isn’t it? We can abstain. I don’t want you hurting.”

  He turned to gaze at her. His blue eyes were dark. “You are my wife. We are married and I desire intimacy with you.”

  “Being intimate doesn’t have to mean sex.” She tried to pull away but he held her close.

  “Maybe not for you, but I’m a man. It does. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine.”

  “You are not fine, Roberto Rodriguez, and I’m not going to stop worrying about you just because you lie to me and say your pain isn’t important. It is. It is something that impacts this marriage as much as our baby does.”

  Robbie rele
ased her and rolled away. She could tell he fought to contain an audible groan. She touched his back and he flinched. Stephanie settled in the opposite direction and let the tears come. He had mentioned this as a possibility, but now, what could be done?

  * * *

  Upon returning to Menomonee Falls, Stephanie prepared to go to work while Robbie sat in a recliner with his legs up, looking at legal papers for her trial which was coming soon.

  “Stephanie, I cannot predict whether they are going to make an issue of your pregnancy and the paternity of our child.”

  “Do you believe they will call you to the stand?”

  “I hope they do.”

  “Really? You cannot legally say the baby is yours biologically.”

  “No, but trust me, there is a way to get around having to do that DNA testing.”

  “Why so secretive?”

  “None of it matters if they don’t call me to the stand.”

  Stephanie leaned over to give her husband a kiss, and he pulled her down into his lap. “Honey, I’ll be late for work!”

  He groaned. “Work, work, work. That’s all you do. I can’t wait for this baby to come so you’ll be home.”

  “It’s my first day back since we got married. Do you think having a baby in the house won’t be work?”

  “I’ll get to see more of you.”

  “You already see more of me than I would like.” She patted her round stomach. She leaned over to give him a kiss and somehow maneuvered herself out of the chair. She could see he was still fighting the pain. In spite of arguments over medications the past few days, he remained stubborn and refused to take them. On the drive to work, Stephanie lamented that Robbie would not be fully on her insurance for three months. Right around the time the baby was due would be the earliest he would be able to have the surgery and be covered—if the insurance approved it as necessary.

  FIFTEEN

  Haz bien sin mirara quién.

  Do what is right, come what may.

  ~Mexican proverb

  October 2011

  Robbie and Stephanie arrived at the Ozaukee County Courthouse in West Bend where Luis’s trial was to be held. The District Attorney was prosecuting the case, and Roberto had been in contact. It was expected to be of short duration.

  Luis leered at Stephanie when it was her turn to take the stand, and she repressed a shiver of revulsion. The look of hatred on his face erased the warmth she once knew in his eyes and the smile that used to be for her was now a cruel frown. The District Attorney asked questions about the facts of the case, and the court-appointed defense attorney took his turn at cross-examination. The man was heavy-set and much older, with wire rimmed glasses and a beard. He wheezed when he spoke, and his manner was gruff.

  “Mrs. Rodriguez, are you pregnant?”

  “Objection!” cried out the District Attorney.

  “Overruled,” came the judge’s verdict.

  “Yes. I am pregnant.”

  “Who is the father of your child? Can you point him out to the jury?”

  Stephanie pointed and said, “Luis Vasquez.”

  “You claim you dated Luis.”

  “Yes.”

  “Who was an employee at the same restaurant where you worked and are partner?”

  “Yes.”

  “In essence you were partially his employer.”

  “Objection!” shouted the District Attorney.

  “Overruled. Answer the question.”

  “I am a silent partner and have no authority over the hiring or supervision of kitchen staff.”

  “You broke up with him and began dating someone else?”

  “Yes.”

  “You told Mr. Vasquez you were pregnant with his child.”

  “I informed Mr. Vasquez about the baby a month after I had broken off our relationship.”

  “Can you prove that?”

  “I have friends who can testify to the timing.”

  “Mr. Vasquez states you dated but he never had sexual relations with you, but that you targeted him as a spouse because he was a subordinate at your place of employment and of Hispanic origin as was the man who impregnated you.”

  “I did not date another man until three months after conception.”

  “Mr. Vasquez swears Mr. Rodriguez is the father of this child.”

  “Is Mr. Rodriguez Hispanic? He has blue eyes which seems unusual.” Stephanie queried in response.

  “His name indicates his cultural orientation, ma’am,” the defense attorney countered.

  “His name indicates the cultural orientation of his adoptive father.” She tilted her head as she waited for the ball to hit home.

  The judge interrupted at this point. “Defense, where are you going with this unusual line of questioning?”

  “Your honor, I am trying to establish that this young woman has victimized my client, taking his good name and attempting to make him responsible for another man’s baby.”

  “Objection!” shouted the District Attorney again.

  “Sustained.”

  “Do you allege the defendant, Mr. Vasquez here, broke into your apartment and destroyed your property?”

  “I do.”

  “Have you proof of this?”

  “An eyewitness at the scene gave testimony to the police.”

  “But you yourself were not available to tell if it really was him or perhaps your other boyfriend?”

  “Luis threatened me that evening and I had sought shelter at a friend’s home because I feared for my safety. I was not present.”

  “Just answer the question. I didn’t ask for the details. This eye-witness, is she here in this courtroom today?”

  “No.”

  “Is it true that this eye witness is an older lady and possibly not mentally stable?”

  “She is elderly and sweet.”

  “Is it possible that she could have mistaken one Hispanic male for another?”

  “I doubt it. She had spoken face to face with Mr. Vasquez on several occasions. She never met Mr. Rodriguez.”

  “Still, it is possible she could have been mistaken?”

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “Is it true that you shot Mr. Vasquez with a revolver in the office at DeLuca’s Cucina when he visited to try to talk to you about the paternity allegations?”

  “When he came, he tried to strangle me and held me hostage with his own gun.”

  With a sigh of relief, Stephanie went to sit by Mr. Fry. Roberto was right behind her and had been the only reason she had managed to not let this overwhelm her. His blue eyes had been trained on her the entire time, urging her on and reassuring her of his love. How did she get to be so blessed?

  Tony was brought up on the stand, questioned and cross examined. She was grateful for his calm words and matter of fact responses. Her best friend had married a good man.

  It was Robbie’s turn. He sat up there with his cobalt blue shirt and matching tie and dark blue suit. His eyes shone bright, and he appeared at ease. Why wouldn’t he? He was a lawyer after all. This did not intimidate him. Her heart swelled with pride that he was her husband.

  “Mr. Rodriguez,” the Defense Attorney started his cross examination, “When did you begin to date Stephanie Simson?”

  “June, 2011.”

  “Do you have a witness to your first meeting?”

  “Mr. Bixby, of Every Child a Home, introduced us.”

  “And when did you have your first date?”

  “We met on a Wednesday and had our first date that Sunday.”

  “When did you learn Ms. Simson was pregnant?”

  “At lunch that day.”

  “Who did she say was the father?”

  “Luis Vasquez.”

  “How far along in the pregnancy was she at that time?”

  “Three months.”

  “Had you ever met Mr. Vasquez?”

  “That morning, at church, he approached and insulted her.”

  “Are you Hispanic?”
<
br />   “Objection!” cried Curtis.

  “Sustained. Defense may continue. Disregard that last question.”

  “Are you aware that Ms. Simson was trying to get Mr. Vasquez to take responsibility for the child?”

  “I was aware that she wanted to proceed with giving the baby up for adoption but Mr. Vasquez disagreed.”

  “Why argue against adoption for a child that is not his?”

  “I don’t know, sir. It is irrelevant since I have married her and plan to adopt the child after it’s born and raise it as my own.”

  “Objection! I will never let him raise my child!” This time the cry came from Mr. Vasquez himself.

  “Order!” shouted the judge.

  Robbie grinned, glanced over at Stephanie, and winked.

  The Defense Attorney blustered and ended his line of questioning.

  * * *

  Due to the testimony given and fingerprint evidence from Stephanie’s apartment, the jury ended up finding Luis Vasquez guilty of making threatening comments, holding her hostage, and breaking and entering. He was to be held in jail with a high bail while awaiting sentencing. Time served would be taken into consideration. Robbie gave her a sizzling kiss when it was all over and the promise of more later. She was relieved to put this behind them.

  Roberto and Stephanie walked down the steps of the courthouse to their car.

  “How will this impact the adoption?”

  “Not sure yet until we file paperwork. We at least can get started on the process. He admitted that he is the father.”

  “No DNA testing needed.”

  Robbie smiled as he opened the door to let his wife into the car. “No DNA.”

  “Well that, at least, is a relief. How much time will he get?”

  “Hard to say. They can give him time served and time off for good behavior, but it is up to the judge. The jail system is crowded, so he may not serve as much as he is assigned but end up on probation as it was his first offense.”

  “Oh.” This was not what she wanted to hear.

  “Sorry, Stephanie. It’s complicated. Hopefully, he will be deported at some point. Try not to worry.”

  “Okay. Whatever is good, true, honorable?”

  “Yeah.”