Read Online TRAITORS by Gerardo Robledo - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gerardo Robledo
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knew that, as a city councilor, he was always under stress.
On Saturday morning the typical family ritual took place as normal. They had breakfast together and talked, as usual, about the activities of the week. Zina’s younger brother chatted with conceit that he is going to graduate high school with honors. Just like his sister, he was very dedicated to school. He had even participated in state interscholastic contests and had won first place. Zina listened quietly and was deep in thought. She had been fighting for Luis’ case for four weeks. That weekend had been the saddest for her because they had moved Luis to federal prison. When her brother finished his story, she only congratulated him with a very dull smile. His father, meanwhile, gave them great news. He quietly planned a family trip to visit his brother in Texas. Almost three years had passed since they had visited and he was very excited because he was his older brother and was very fond of him.
“Zina and I have a very delicate matter that we would like to share,” finally said the mom, “but perhaps it would be best if she tells you about it.”
“Of course,” said Zina. “Look, Dad, the thing is… Luis had an accident about a month ago for which he was not at fault, but a passenger of the other car was injured and was hospitalized. Luis was in jail until the child left the hospital. There were no charges filed by the other party but as Luis was driving without a license, he was presumed guilty until the case was investigated thoroughly and until they knew what ultimately happened to the injured kid.”
Her father puckered his brows, as if trying to understand what she was saying.
“And how come Luis did not have a license? Isn’t it a bit irresponsible?” asked her father. “I know that his parents don’t live here, but as an adult, he does not need consent to obtain a license. Well, go on… tell me what happened next,” he said, a little bit bothered.
Zina continued, “Well the injured passenger was released from the hospital and Luis was cleared of the charges but he now faces a major problem. As it turned out, the police found a fake social security card in his vehicle. That resulted in further investigation that brought to light that Luis does not have legal papers.”
Mr. Lee jumped up like a spring and furiously hit the table with his fist.
“I cannot believe all this. Tell me this is a joke! How could you be dating an illegal immigrant? What were you thinking? Did you not know how that can ruin my reputation and ultimately cause me to lose my job? I demand that you immediately distance yourself from this boy! My paternal instincts told me that something wasn’t right with that fraud and now, it turns out he’s a criminal. I don’t want to know more about it!” raged the angry father.
“Please calm down!” said the mother. “Being undocumented does not mean that he is a criminal. You cannot tell the heart what to do and I think our duty as parents is to help our children follow their own paths and not point them to where we want them to go. At least listen to the rest of the problem and tell us if you can help or not!”
Mr. Lee sat down and dropped his head into his hands. He could not believe his ears, and although he knew his position would not change, he remained silent for a few seconds and then asked, “And why are you telling me all this? What do you expect me to do? I don’t think I can do anything, not for you or him.”
Zina had to draw strength from deep within her and continued, “On the final day of his trial, the judge cleared him from all charges pertaining to the accident. Though the judge dismissed the case, he ordered Luis’ transfer to federal prison where another judge would decide whether to pursue charges for the use of fake documents and the issue of deportation. His family hired a lawyer for his defense since they had already started his legalization procedures. The attorney needs a few
On Saturday morning the typical family ritual took place as normal. They had breakfast together and talked, as usual, about the activities of the week. Zina’s younger brother chatted with conceit that he is going to graduate high school with honors. Just like his sister, he was very dedicated to school. He had even participated in state interscholastic contests and had won first place. Zina listened quietly and was deep in thought. She had been fighting for Luis’ case for four weeks. That weekend had been the saddest for her because they had moved Luis to federal prison. When her brother finished his story, she only congratulated him with a very dull smile. His father, meanwhile, gave them great news. He quietly planned a family trip to visit his brother in Texas. Almost three years had passed since they had visited and he was very excited because he was his older brother and was very fond of him.
“Zina and I have a very delicate matter that we would like to share,” finally said the mom, “but perhaps it would be best if she tells you about it.”
“Of course,” said Zina. “Look, Dad, the thing is… Luis had an accident about a month ago for which he was not at fault, but a passenger of the other car was injured and was hospitalized. Luis was in jail until the child left the hospital. There were no charges filed by the other party but as Luis was driving without a license, he was presumed guilty until the case was investigated thoroughly and until they knew what ultimately happened to the injured kid.”
Her father puckered his brows, as if trying to understand what she was saying.
“And how come Luis did not have a license? Isn’t it a bit irresponsible?” asked her father. “I know that his parents don’t live here, but as an adult, he does not need consent to obtain a license. Well, go on… tell me what happened next,” he said, a little bit bothered.
Zina continued, “Well the injured passenger was released from the hospital and Luis was cleared of the charges but he now faces a major problem. As it turned out, the police found a fake social security card in his vehicle. That resulted in further investigation that brought to light that Luis does not have legal papers.”
Mr. Lee jumped up like a spring and furiously hit the table with his fist.
“I cannot believe all this. Tell me this is a joke! How could you be dating an illegal immigrant? What were you thinking? Did you not know how that can ruin my reputation and ultimately cause me to lose my job? I demand that you immediately distance yourself from this boy! My paternal instincts told me that something wasn’t right with that fraud and now, it turns out he’s a criminal. I don’t want to know more about it!” raged the angry father.
“Please calm down!” said the mother. “Being undocumented does not mean that he is a criminal. You cannot tell the heart what to do and I think our duty as parents is to help our children follow their own paths and not point them to where we want them to go. At least listen to the rest of the problem and tell us if you can help or not!”
Mr. Lee sat down and dropped his head into his hands. He could not believe his ears, and although he knew his position would not change, he remained silent for a few seconds and then asked, “And why are you telling me all this? What do you expect me to do? I don’t think I can do anything, not for you or him.”
Zina had to draw strength from deep within her and continued, “On the final day of his trial, the judge cleared him from all charges pertaining to the accident. Though the judge dismissed the case, he ordered Luis’ transfer to federal prison where another judge would decide whether to pursue charges for the use of fake documents and the issue of deportation. His family hired a lawyer for his defense since they had already started his legalization procedures. The attorney needs a few
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