TRAITORS

by Gerardo Robledo

  I learned that another march is being prepared for May 1st, but they say that fewer people will attend compared to last year’s. Where is the unity? Why are the rest of the immigrants just leaving everything in the hands of Hispanics? Is it not supposed to be a rally of illegal immigrants from all over the world? Aren’t immigration reforms beneficial to everyone? Where are the people from other countries?

  Finally, I’m letting you know that because of the problems with my father, I left the house. Right now, I’m staying with Pablo and Norma while I see how things work out between me and my dad.

  I love you,

  Zina

  Upon returning home that evening, Jack asked his wife about Zina’s whereabouts because he had not seen her earlier. She sadly told him that she had left and she did not know where she was. She just knew that Zina had left a note apologizing for her actions and mentioned she would not return until she could figure out what to do with her life and Luis’ case.

  “Her phone is switched off and I don’t know any other way of finding her. I already looked for her at her friend’s house and she too does not know of her whereabouts, but said she would try looking for her at Luis’ brother’s house.”

  “Well, if this is what she wants to do, then good luck to her!” snapped Jack. “I’m not going to worry about her anymore. She is an adult and can make her own decisions. If she wants to leave, that’s her problem.”

  “I hope you won’t ever regret what you’re doing,” said his wife. I leave it to your conscience, but again, let me just inform you that I will continue looking for her and I will support her in any way I can!”

  Thursday April 29

  Zina:

  Oh you don’t know how I felt reading your letter and learning about the serious problems that you have gotten into because of me. I don’t know if, for your sake, it would be better to not continue being involved in this. I know that one day I would be able to make up for all my mistakes. I wish I could talk to your father and tell him that it’s my fault and that you do not deserve to suffer.

  Every day, I miss you more and more. My need for you is becoming more intense, and I feel great sorrow for what is happening to you and for all the injustices that you encounter on my behalf. Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand to help other people here or to pass on my aid to others who cannot receive it.

  I want to tell you every story I hear inside this prison, but they would never end. One in particular touched my soul and I ask you to seek help for them. I have a cellmate named David. A little over a year ago, they found out that his daughter Daniela had cancer. She is only six years old. They have fought relentlessly against the disease, but the disease strongly resisted the treatment and the little girl had a strong relapse, but all has worked out.

  David and his family are Guatemalan immigrants who came to this country a little over eight years ago. The couple went on without legal status, but the daughter, being born here, has received all the care and attention she needed. Two weeks ago, David was arrested at a police checkpoint for driving without a license. Apparently, he was given a court order not to drive because he already had two violations for the same reason.

  He is his family’s sole breadwinner and he had to continue driving even though he would be at risk of being arrested. After his arrest, he was transferred to this place for being undocumented, and is waiting for the court to make its ruling. Only his brother is able to visit, because his wife is scared to come in fear of getting arrested herself. They have no money to hire a lawyer, because they have spent all their savings for their daughter’s treatment.

  Now the girl has given up fighting for her life because she thinks her father abandoned her for being sick. She said she no longer wants to live. David spends his time here crying. He knows that after being deported, it would be almost impossible to travel back from Guatemala to here, because it is getting harder to get into the United States. It breaks my heart. We cried together. Even though my grandmother has gotten better, I feel great pain in my soul knowing that she’s there without me.

  Sometimes I want to turn back the time. I would have decided not to come to this country. Maybe then I would have never felt remorse over my grandmother’s illness or remorse for making you suffer so much. I’m sorry again for everything. Please don’t stop writing me. You do not know the pleasure I get in reading every word and every line. Even on paper, I can feel your skin and smell your scent.

  Never forget that I love you,

  Luis

  The long awaited Friday came. Each family member went to finalize their individual task of searching for the help they needed. Mr. Mireles went to Burbank to speak to Carl Rolmes in person. He approached the reception desk and asked the secretary to speak with him.

  “One moment please,” she said. “Do you have a meeting with him?”

  “No. I was just wandering around and I decided to stop by. I need to discuss with him an urgent matter,” said Mr. Mireles.

  After a short while, Carl appeared. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Mireles!”

  “I don’t want to take much of your time,” Mireles said, “I just want to know if you have already made a decision regarding Luis. We only have a few more days left before the hearing and the matter is getting us really worried. Your support is of utmost importance.”

  “Of course!” Carl said. “I don’t see any problem. I will do all I can to attend. What time is the hearing next Wednesday?” he asked.

  “It’s at eleven o’clock. We would be most grateful for the rest of our lives”. Mireles bid him farewell, but not before leaving the court address and taking Carl’s cell phone number down.

  Norberto and Zina went back to the school to ask Jonathan if he had any update from the principal. He told them what he knew as he walked with them to the principal’s office. He spoke about disgruntled teachers who had gone to speak to the principal, and had threatened to report her to her superiors. They were even trying to find a way to get her fired from school if she were to decide to testify at the hearing.

  “But she has remained steadfast. Of course she doesn’t want to take steps towards the wrong direction since she has always set herself apart by seeking equality and justice, though there’s no denying that the case has made her a little nervous,” Jonathan said.

  They entered the office. Vice Principal Kim Dru was there too. Dru was completely against the idea of having the principal participate at the hearing.

  “Sit down, guys,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We just opened all the envelopes and only two teachers declined to vote. All the rest… 70% were in favor and 30% were against. That would mean that I’ll be there next Wednesday to testify in favor of Luis.”

  The three gave a jubilant cry. After so much uncertainty, things were finally looking a little brighter. All their hard work had paid off. The only one that showed discontent was the Vice Principal. After she heard the result, she left the office without saying goodbye, grimacing in disagreement.

  “Well guys… ,” said the Principal. “See you next Wednesday!”

  The three youngsters left the office filled with hope. Although they didn’t know what had happened during the meeting between Mr. Mireles and Mr. Rolmes, what they had achieved in school was a great victory in their struggle.

  That evening, they all gathered at the home of Pablo and Norma. Mr. Mireles arrived with his family, Norberto with his girlfriend, Aunt Lupita with her husband and children, and finally, Jonathan. Pablo and Norma asked Zina if she had already communicated with her parents. She told them that she only spoke with her mother, and that they would meet up in a park near their house the following day. She told them that her father was still very upset about what happened. However, the thing that interested her the most at that time was resolving the issue concerning Luis.

  “Very well… ,” said Pablo, “I want to start by thanking all
of you guys for the support you have given us so far. I definitely don’t know what I would have done it without your help. I would also like you to know that I called my sister in Guadalajara today. She told me that my grandmother’s condition is stable. Thank God! This coming Monday, Major Smith will be giving us his final word whether he would join us or not for next Wednesday’s hearing. Let’s see what happens.”

  “As you all know, Zina, Jonathan and I were in the school this morning… ,” said Norberto. “We talked to the school principal, and she confirmed her presence for next Wednesday. With that, we only need two more to testify.”

  The applause roared like thunder around the room. All those present embraced each other, even without knowing what news Mr. Mireles was about to announce.

  “I’d also like to report before you all that I was with the Commissioner today,” said Mireles, “and he also confirmed his attendance. We only need one more person.”

  Another series of applause and cries erupted throughout the house. Even the little children were screaming with delight without knowing what they were cheering for.

  “I’ll know the Major’s decision on Monday morning, no later than 10 o’clock,” added Pablo. “In case he refuses, the only remaining option we have is Father Carlos.”

  “He said he would go if we needed one more, so once you have word from the Major, please inform me immediately so I can see Father Carlos,” said Aunt Lupita.

  “We’ve all done a very good job!” Pablo concluded. “Time will come when we can repay what you have done for us. Everything we do come back to us, whether good or bad, everything you have done will be rewarded many times over.”

  Zina asked for help because she wanted to visit Daniela the next day. She was the little girl with cancer who Luis requested to be visited. Without thinking twice, Mrs. Mireles and Aunt Lupita offered to accompany Zina and bring some toys to make the morning a little more entertaining for the girl. They would also convince her that her father loved her and was looking for a way to cure her.

  That night, Pablo prayed for the welfare of his grandmother and his brother:

  “Lord, you know my pain. You have been there in every step of my life. Today, I offer you my life for the health of my grandmother. She has become another victim of the ambition of attaining the American dream. I never imagined the pain I would cause them for coming over here. My intention was to give them a better life and now, pain is all I find along my way. I have tossed the life and liberty of my brother into uncertainty, and now I can only ask You to use me as an instrument to solve the problems. I offer You my life for my grandmother, and my own freedom for my brother’s. I place the arrival of our baby into Your hands so he won’t come amidst so much trouble which I have caused. I beg Your forgiveness for my moments of arrogance and for not considering the consequences that my actions would bring into our lives. I promise I’ll be the best parent for my child and the best husband to Norma. I only ask You not to abandon us.”

  The following morning, Zina met with her mother as they had planned. They talked for a long time. There were no reproaches. Her mother reminded her that their doors were open for her at any time, and that she would find a way to change the mindset of her father. She also promised to be with her on the day of the hearing. She said goodbye to her saying no matter what happened, she would always be her little princess.

  Saturday May 1

  Luis:

  I am happier today. I just met with my mom and we had a pleasant talk. She will be with us on the day of your hearing and you don’t know how happy that makes me. She said my father would often ask about me; and every time he does so, his anger becomes more and more appeased, slowly shifting into a more concerned tone. He even sent me some money. I didn’t accept it to show him that I’m not that easy to please, but I must confess that I was very happy to have received that gesture from him.

  Aside from that, the principal herself will be with us at your hearing. She will attend along with the commissioner of the American Red Cross. We only need one more person, and it will either be Pablo’s friend or the church priest, Father Carlos. We’ll know for sure on Monday.

  Just today, another pro-immigrant march was held in Los Angeles and in other major cities. Although there weren’t as many people in attendance as last year, at least there were more people from other ethnic groups who began to show support. There is talk that the marches will continue to grow next year.

  We’re beginning to see a little more sign of unity. However, anti-immigrant groups continue to work arduously. How is it possible that such small groups of racists have so much influence over the country’s laws? I am sure that if the Hispanics were to come together, they would be able to generate more impact in favor of immigrants.

  Some news reports say that these marches are futile because the members of The House of Representatives and Senate have other priorities to work on, and instead of making laws in favor of immigrants, they continue to seek tougher laws against them. However, a Hispanic congressman said legalization would bring an incentive to the economy, as what happened with the legalization of 1986. At that time, they legalized nearly three million immigrants, who, upon settling here in the country, contributed dramatically to the resources, favoring the economy.

  For now, the date of your hearing is getting closer. I am counting the minutes until I finally know what will become of our future. This weekend we will be praying for you so that everything turns out fine.

  With love,

  Zina

  Traitors

  Early Monday morning, Pablo and Norma set off for Edwards Air Force Base in Lancaster to meet with Major Smith. It was a warm morning and the sun shone bright. The opposite side of traffic on Highway 14, en route to Los Angeles, was heavy as usual, but the northbound side was different. Very few vehicles travel in that direction. They arrived at the base in no time.

  Their appointment was at 8:30 in the morning, but they arrived at 8:10. They were dressed in military uniforms decorated with some of the medals they had received for their heroism on the battlefield. Both had risked their lives many times, and had always emerged triumphant. At one point, Pablo received a gunshot wound in a fierce battle in Afghanistan. The wound on his left arm had already healed. This injury had earned him a medal, because despite being injured, he went back into combat to rescue another soldier who had been hit by a grenade. The rescued soldier survived, and Pablo was recognized for this great act of courage.

  “Come in,” invited the Major, “I’ve been expecting you.” After the usual salutations, they were invited to take a seat. “I regret to inform you that I may not be able to present myself in court because there were a few drawbacks. First, I verified the matter with my superiors and my presence would not have much impact. Testifying, knowing that I was not able to meet your brother in person, would categorically fall into a lie. Other than that, military laws forbid us to do these kinds of appearances. Finally, I will be assigned to a special mission tomorrow. Believe me, I am sorry I cannot help, but I wish you all the best.”

  They were rendered speechless. Neither believed in the veracity of the arguments that the Major had laid out before them. There is no law prohibiting members of the military from appearing to testify in court. What is possible is that it would have a negative impact on his career much less, is the excuse of being transferred. Both knew that the Major’s orders were to remain on that base for at least a full year to train new recruits.

  “You can’t turn your back on us,” said Pablo. “We had placed all our hope in you. You know we only have two days left before the hearing and we don’t have many other options, please don’t refuse us your help.”

  “Sorry, guys. I don’t want you to lose more time. I have another appointment within fifteen minutes and want to keep my friendship with you. Please understand my reasons and I wish you the best of luck.”

 
The Major was very clear and definite. There was nothing that Pablo or Norma could do because by no means would they force anyone to do what they didn’t want to. The Major had been very blunt in his decision. The couple went back to the San Fernando Valley and picked up Zina and Norberto to go to the appointment with Attorney Quintanilla. They all arrived at the law firm a few minutes before eleven o’clock. Aunt Lupita came along with Mr. Mireles, while Pablo came with Norma, Norberto and Zina. All were silent since there were other people in the waiting room. After a few minutes, the secretary invited them in.

  “Please sit down,” requested Quintanilla while making a hand gesture to his assistant signaling her to bring one more chairs. “Everything must come to an end,” declared the lawyer. That Monday morning, he looked like a real expert willing to put his heart and soul into the case. “The judge welcomed the four letters that I submitted last Friday. A favorable expression in his eyes could be noticed when he saw that what he had requested had been supplied. He said these people would have major impact in court because they are recognized in society. If at least three of the four were to testify, the case would be won and we will have Luis back home.”

  Pablo interrupted the lawyer with a tone of sadness in his voice. “I regret to inform you all that the Major has denied us his help this morning. He made plenty of excuses to mask his unwillingness to support. Norma and I felt that he simply did not want to get involved. He simply had no intention of doing so.”