Carnal: Pierced and Inked

by Simone Sowood

  “Funny, I hear that a lot in hiring, and it always ends up to be the opposite,” my dad says.

  “I’ve held down the same job for ten years, I worked my way up to ride foreman. Ain’t no way Papa Smurf would’ve kept me around if I wasn’t a hard worker,” Steel says. There’s fire in his voice and he squeezes my hand tighter still.

  My dad laughs. “Papa Smurf?” He says, scoffing.

  “He’s the carnival owner,” I say.

  “And he’s a real hard-ass to work for. If I can last with him, I can survive anywhere.”

  “So you’re prepared to work and provide for this baby?”

  “Of course I am, I already said that,” Steel says.

  “I know you said it, but do you mean it?” My dad says, raising his voice.

  “I’m here ain’t I? I would’ve stayed with the carnival if I wasn’t serious.” Steel turns to me, and says, “Maybe we should’ve raised the baby in the carnival, we’d get less shit there.”

  I flinch at his words, and my mother whimpers.

  “You know you don’t mean that,” I say, my voice strained. I glare at my father. “I already told you, Dad, it was Steel’s idea to come here. Remember?”

  No one says anything. All the air in the room hangs with the tension. My heart is speeding in my chest, but I refuse to let my father get to me.

  Finally, my mother breaks the silence and says, “Emily, you and Kayden are welcome in my house any time. If you say he’s a good man, I trust your judgment.”

  I look at Steel and catch his eyes. Blinking back tears, I say, “He is a good man. The best.”

  My mother’s never seemed to trust my judgment at anything I’ve ever done. Maybe she’s finally accepted that I’m grown up. And not an idiot.

  “I’ll tell you what. Just to make my daughter happy,” my father says, his eyes burning into me, “you come down to the dealership in Woburn tomorrow. If you’re a hard worker like you say you are, I’ll find something for you.”

  Steel glances at me, his mouth a tight line, and says, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “What? I’ve just sat here and offered you a job, and you’re turning it down? You just said you were hard working,” my dad says.

  “I can find something myself,” Steel says. His leg jiggles under the table, and I can see the tension in his neck.

  “Unbelievable, Carol,” my dad says, looking at my mom and shaking his head.

  “Dad,” I say, widening my eyes.

  He looks at Steel, tilts his head, and says, “You could at least take it until you find something else.”

  Steel doesn’t respond, and my breathing stops, waiting for something to happen.

  “Goldie, can I talk to you for a minute?” Steel asks, his voice pleading.

  “Okay,” I say, my brow furrowed.

  I stand, and lead him by the hand to the den. The room is far away from the breakfast area, but I shut the door anyway.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  Steel’s breathing is fast, he closes his eyes and says, “I don’t got no social security number.”

  “So, we can apply for one, it’s no big deal. My father doesn’t have to know you were paid cash all these years.”

  “No, Goldie. You don’t understand.” He turns and walks to the window, staring out at the vast lawn.

  His actions, with both my father and now, have my insides filled with butterflies. I wait for him to tell me what’s going on. But he doesn’t say anything.

  “Are you going to tell me why, so I do understand?”

  He spins back, his eyes sunken but his stance strong.

  “I’m going to tell you, because you’re my wife, and deserve to know. But I don’t know what to do about telling your parents.”

  “I don’t understand. Oh my God, are you an ex-con?”

  “It’s not that.”

  “But are you one?”

  “Listen to me, I can’t get a social security card because I don’t have a Green Card.”

  “Green Card? Those are for foreigners.”

  This makes no sense.

  Symphony of Destruction

  (STEEL)

  “You know I said I’m from Niagara Falls?”

  “Yeah,” Emily says, her brow still creased.

  Why the fuck didn’t I tell her this from the day I met her? And now, how am I supposed to explain lying to her all this time?

  “Steel, what’s going on?”

  “I’m from the Canadian side.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Emily barks. She almost never swears. Not the f-bomb anyway.

  “I’m Canadian. I’m not American.”

  “All those times I asked you what state you were from, and you didn’t tell me you weren’t even from the country? Why?”

  “Dunno.” Emily’s face turns from confusion to anger, so I continue. “I mean, I do know. I told someone before. We hooked up for a bit, and when things didn’t go the way she wanted them to, she tried to get me deported. She told the law everything she knew about me, and she didn’t make me sound too good, you know? I spent the rest of the summer hiding and shitting myself with the Mexican carnies whenever immigration enforcement officers came nosing around. It’s a horrible way to live.”

  “I can imagine. I’ve seen those raids, remember? But why not tell me? Especially when you proposed.”

  “I don’t have an answer for that. All I’ve ever wanted to do is leave my past behind, all that matters to me is my future with you.”

  Emily’s mouth is a tight line, and she crosses her arms in front of her. I draw her into me, her arms between our bodies. The comfortable feeling of having Emily in my arms calms me.

  “I love you,” I say into her ear.

  After a minute, Emily’s breathing slows and she unfolds her arms, sliding them up my back.

  “I can’t be mad at you for being Canadian. That’s just weird. But I’m still pissed about the lie.”

  “I know, you have every right to be.”

  “But I’m not pissed enough to end this, to kick out the father of my child.”

  “And your husband,” I add.

  “If we weren’t here, in my parents’ house, I’d be screaming and yelling at you right now.”

  “Guess this was a good time to tell you, then.”

  “Dick,” she snaps.

  “Sorry,” I say, giving her a squeeze.

  “Not sorry enough.” Emily tries to pull away from me, but I don’t let go.

  “What are we going to do about this job your dad wants me to do in the morning?”

  “I don’t know. I don’t even know what we’re supposed to do about any job.”

  “There are lots of cash jobs for muscle.”

  Emily pushes back from me, the anger back in her eyes, and says, “Yeah, but that’s not exactly the kind of financially secure job you want with a baby, is it? Was that really your plan, to do illegal jobs forever?”

  “No, that wasn’t my plan. All we have to do is get married, and then I can get a Green Card. It’s easy.” I hope. I didn’t really have a plan.

  “So that’s what we’ll tell my parents.”

  “How will they react?” I ask.

  “My dad will understand.”

  “No offense, he isn’t really the understanding type. I don’t want him to have me deported,” I say, ruffling my hair.

  “If he does, I’m going with you.”

  Emily’s words relax me, and I realize everything is going to be okay. She’s what matters, our baby is what matters, everything else is just details.

  “Might as well get this over with, then,” I say and take her hands.

  We walk back to the kitchen. Her parents are talking in hushed tones, but stop as soon as they notice us.

  “So, what is it, Kayden? Are you going to man up and come to work in the morning?” Greg says.

  Emily laces her hand through mine and says, “Daddy, Steel is Canadian. He doesn’t have a social securit
y number.”

  Greg leans back in his chair, and his arms fall to his sides.

  “What does that mean?” Carol asks.

  “It’s means he’s here illegally,” Greg says.

  “Illegally? Emily, did you know about this?” Carol asks.

  “Yes,” Emily says, and my chest bursts.

  “I oughta have you deported.”

  “Then I’d go with him. With the baby.”

  “You can’t do that, Greg. There’s no reason for that,” Carol says, her eyes narrowed.

  I can tell Greg thinks getting me away from his daughter is the best reason there is. He’d better realize how serious Emily is about leaving with me.

  “It’s fine, Dad, when we get married, Steel will be able to get a Green Card.”

  “I’m not sure it’s that easy. Have you looked into it?” Greg asks.

  Emily looks at me and cocks her head.

  “Not yet,” I answer.

  “Well, at least I know you’re not marrying her just to make your stay legal,” Greg says.

  “I’ve been in the country ten years, that’s definitely not the reason,” I say.

  “Ten years,” Greg says, his teeth gritted.

  “Can’t you do anything to help them? You must know someone,” Carol says.

  Greg blows the air out of his mouth and thinks. At least it doesn’t seem like he’s going to deport me.

  “You two have sure come in here and dropped a ton of bombshells today,” Greg says.

  “We didn’t have to come here at all,” Emily says.

  “We came because it’s important for the baby to have family, and for Emily to have support,” I say, repeating myself.

  After a moment, Greg says, “Let me phone Rob. He’s an immigration lawyer I know from the Lions Club.”

  “Thank you,” Carol says.

  The three of us watch while Greg takes out his cell phone and scrolls through his contacts. He pushes dial, and moves to stand. Carol grabs his arm, and drags him back into his chair.

  “Hey, Rob,” Greg says.

  The three of us listen to his description of the problem, and watch his face fall as he listens to the answer.

  “Can I put you on speaker phone? They’re here, and it’d be good if you can tell them,” Greg asks.

  He puts the phone on speaker and sets it in the middle of the table.

  “Hi, Rob,” Emily says.

  “Hello,” Rob says.

  “So, you were saying?” Greg says.

  “Yes, Emily, you have to apply for a K-1 visa. Kayden, you can’t be in the country when she applies, and won’t be able to visit the country until it’s granted.”

  “How long does that take?” I ask.

  “Months. Six if you’re lucky, most likely longer,” Rob says.

  It’s a blow to my stomach. How the hell are we going to do that? I’d miss seeing her belly grow with my baby. Worst of all, would I even be able to get back in time for the birth?

  “What if we go get married now in Vegas?” I ask.

  “Then it’ll take longer for everything,” Rob says.

  “That’s just not possible, Rob. It’s too long,” Carol says.

  “Sorry, Carol. That’s just the way it is,” Rob says.

  “There must be another way,” Carol says, pleading.

  I can’t believe her mother is fighting my case so strongly for me.

  “Well, there might be. Depending on how things are with you. I’ve never met you Kayden, and I don’t know what your means or plans are. But it’s possible to get an E-2 visa in one or two months,” Rob says.

  I sit taller in my chair, and ask, “How do I do that?”

  “It’s only for people who are business investors. You have to buy or start a business here, with a substantial investment. At least two hundred thousand.”

  “And that’s the only way?” I say, slumping in my chair again.

  “Afraid so. Those are the only two options,” Rob says.

  I wonder if it’s easier to get a Canadian visa for Emily. We could go build a life there.

  The Big Money

  (EMILY)

  My dad hangs up and puts the phone back in his pocket.

  “Dad, you have to let Steel have a dealership,” I say.

  “What?” my dad blurts.

  “But it’s only fair. You’re giving one to each of my brothers, I should get one too.”

  “But it would be in Steel’s name, not yours.”

  “It wouldn’t matter, we’d be married. Plus it would solve two problems, the visa and the job,” I say.

  “How does it solve the job? You’re going to have the owner being the guy detailing the cars?” my dad says.

  “No, Steel can sell,” I say. So can I, but I’ll leave that for another day.

  “That’s ridiculous,” my dad says.

  Steel clears his throat, and says, “A carny can sell anything to anyone.”

  “Fleecing them on a fixed game is a little different from selling cars,” my dad says.

  “Are you sure about that?” Steel asks, his eyebrow arched.

  “Besides, no one in their right mind is going to buy a car from a salesman with a neck tattoo,” my dad says.

  “Don’t you sell any sports cars?” Steel asks.

  “Of course. I’ve got a few Chevy dealerships that sell sports cars. What does that matter?”

  “Because I bet those customers wish they were rebels. They don’t want to buy a sports car from some nerdy car salesman who smells like cabbage. They want to buy from someone like me, a bad ass with a neck tattoo, so they can imagine they’re one too. They want to be me, so they’ll buy a car from me.”

  Suddenly, a belly laugh erupts from my dad, and he tilts his chair back as he laughs.

  “That’s a great idea,” I say, squeezing Steel’s hand.

  “It’s a pipe dream,” my dad says, wiping the tears from his face.

  “Let me prove it. Tomorrow. You put me in your dealership, and if I sell one car, we have a deal,” Steel says.

  Through his laughing, my father says, “Tell you what, since there’s no way in hell you’re going to be able to sell a car tomorrow, I’ll take you up on that deal. You sell a car, I’ll give you the quarter of a million to fund your own dealership.”

  “You’d better honor that promise when Steel sells a car,” I say. I can’t believe what an asshole my father is being. If we were in the carnival, I’d stick him in the Loosey Goosey.

  “If Steel sells a car, I’ll give you a dealership, and a house.”

  “Greg, there’s no need to be rude,” my mom says.

  “All I’m asking for is a shot, is all,” Steel says, flicking his hand in the air.

  “Even if you sell ten cars, you still have to go back to Canada for two months to get the visa,” my dad says.

  “That’s fine. We’ll go together, right, Steel?” I say, looking at him.

  “You know I want to show you Niagara Falls,” he says, his blue eyes sparkling.

  “Perfect. It’s going to be fun,” I say.

  There’s no doubt in my mind that Steel will be successful. He can do anything.

  “Wait a second, Emily, don’t go getting your hopes up. He has to sell a car first, and there’s not much chance of even my best salesman selling a car on a customer’s first visit to the lot.”

  “So then give him more time,” I say.

  “You know I can’t do that. I’m not risking having an illegal worker there for more than a day. You’re lucky I’m giving you anything at all.”

  If Steel can’t sell a car tomorrow, my baby is going to be born in Canada. There’s no way I can get through this pregnancy and birth without Steel. Besides, I’m not about to live by myself in Woburn, and all the gossip in town would be about how a carny knocked me up and abandoned me. I’m not staying here and listening to that.

  * * *

  It’s after eight, and I’m lying on the bed in the Motel 6. Steel didn’t want me
at the dealership with him, and neither did my father.

  I dropped him off at the Woburn Chevy dealership at eight thirty this morning, and haven’t heard from him since. Steel has an idea he’ll sell a shiny, new Corvette, but my dad said he’d give him a dealership if he managed to sell anything, even if it’s the cheapest used car on the lot.

  He’s wearing his black jeans, and the black buttoned shirt he bought for our wedding. All the other salesmen always wear suits, or at least suit pants and dress shirts and he thought he should at least try to look like he works there. Though I did noticed he shoved in his Metallica T-shirt in his backpack that he took with him.

  My mother and I hung out at the mall for a while this afternoon. We bought baby books, and looked at baby clothes. It’s the first time I’ve allowed myself to think about the fun side of babies, and we had a good time.

  We even grabbed an early dinner in the food court before I came back here.

  It’s kind of freaky. She’s treating me completely differently now. She hasn’t once tried to tell me what to do, or even implied I don’t know what I’m doing.

  My mom has been strangely intrigued by my time in the carnival, and yelped in excitement when I told her about the Ferris wheel wedding. Though I left out the Gravitron.

  The change in her is shocking, but Steel was certainly right when he predicted it. I only hope he’s getting along okay under my father’s glare.

  My phone hasn’t beeped all day, and I check it again to make sure the sound is on.

  I get off the bed, grab a wrapped glass from the shelf, and walk to the bathroom. The tap is stiff, so I fill it from the bathtub faucet.

  Taking a sip, I sit on the end of the bed and switch on the TV. There’s nothing on, so I flip through the channels. It’s amazing how long you can flick for, especially when you’re trying not to think about things.

  I manage to watch an entire episode of Seinfeld on some high-numbered channel.

  It’s now nine o’clock, and I can’t take it any longer. I thought Steel would’ve been home hours ago. He’s been there almost thirteen hours now.