Julio – The Growing Years

 by: Miguel Sanchez

© 2006-2008 by the author

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

When she heard that, she relaxed and started calming down. Christina took her back to her room while I took a closer look at the intake form Guillermo filled out. I signed off on the form and filled out the request to be faxed to Judge Romero then went back into the common room. As soon as I sat down I was invaded my Mikey, Chico and José. The boys got into the television program while I started thinking about Andrea again. I don’t know how long I was in my own world but when I came back to earth, the boys were asleep. Joey picked Billy up and Guillermo took José while I got Chico and we put them to bed.

Chapter 43

The next morning I was on my way down to the dining room when Amanda came in with two suitcases. “You’re here early Amanda.”

She set her bags down stopping to rest her arms. “I still have a little more at the apartment but those are knick knacks.

I took one of her bags and carried it for her to her room then went down to have breakfast. “Breakfast is being served in the dining room if you’re hungry.”

Amanda joined us for breakfast and all the kids got to know her a little better. The girls seemed to like having another woman to chatter with. Mikey leaned over and whispered, “Papa Miguel, we need another guy to work here. We’re getting out numbered.”

I quickly swallowed my coffee or else risk giving Mikey a shower. “Mikey, you will never be out numbered amigo. Besides, everyone loves you so what do you have to worry about?”

Just then, Andrea walked past and kissed Mikey on the cheek. “You’re cute Mikey.”

“Eeeewww yuk,” Mikey said wiping the kiss off his cheek.

“See muchacho,” I said, “Everyone likes you.”

The boys were giggling at him and Mikey buried his head into my chest. He looked up at me a little red faced whispering, “Why does it have to be a girl?”

When he was saying that I saw him look over at his room mate Billy and smile. The kids started putting their dishes on the cart then went to wash their face and hands in preparation for classes. I went down to my office so I could fax the intake sheet and request for foster care to Judge Romero. If I had them there by 8:30, he would sign them and his clerk would fax them back before lunch.

My morning was spent talking with the contractor on a few little changes and modifications he thought were needed to the second floor. After that, I relaxed and talked with Guillermo. The next thing I knew, there was some man in the hall shouting at the top of his lungs. “Where’s my daughter?”

I walked out and saw a man in his mid forties looking like he had a hard night. “If you’ll stop shouting, I’ll try to help you.”

The man glared at me as if he were trying to focus on my face. “Who the hell are you?”

I didn’t like being cussed at as this was not how to win friends and influence people. “I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare. Take your pick.”

“I’m James Dominguez,” the man said. Just then, a few of the boys came out of their wing heading to the common room for class. James looked right at Joey and started yelling again. “You raped my daughter. I’ll kill you.”

I quickly grabbed him as Guillermo paged security. “That boy didn’t rape anyone.”

“He raped my daughter,” the irate man yelled again. “I saw

him and if I could have caught him the police would have him. He got her pregnant.”

I was having a hard time holding him but just then Victor and Sammy showed up and quickly cuffed him. They led the man into my office and sat him on the couch. I stood there for a couple of minutes trying to make some sense of all this. “Look sir, that boy hasn’t raped anyone. I can prove that.”

The man didn’t want to listen to anything. “He raped my girl, I saw him. I want him arrested.”

I started firing questions at him. “When did this happen?”

“A few months ago,” James shot back.

“Where did this happen?” I fired off.

“At my home,” James replied. “They were in her room.”

“What time of the day was it?”

“I’m not sure,” James shouted. “Maybe around 3 or 3:30”

I had to think for a minute. I had Victor watch James while I went over to Guillermo's office. “Can you verify something for me? I need to know if any of the boys left the home to go any place.”

Guillermo shook his head. “No Miguel, I haven’t taken the boys off anywhere. They’ve been having too much fun in the pool after class. What’s going on?”

I scratched my head and sat down. “That guy is claiming Joey raped Andrea and she’s pregnant.”

Guillermo started giggling when I said that and I didn’t recall saying anything funny. “What’s so funny?”

“Joey raping Andrea?” He giggled. “They’ve been here together for 2 days for one thing. If that were true, she would have said something the minute she saw him. And the other thing is he’s gay. Don’t you remember the last time you were here?”

He was right. After the court fiasco he and Robbie came to me and said they had strong feelings for each other. I was wondering why he’d pick Joey of all people unless he just pointed to the biggest boy here. Another thing is that Andrea never said anything about being raped. I’d have to talk with Jackie and see if she’d learned anything.

I went back over to my office then sat back down behind my desk. “So, you say that you saw that boy at your house a couple months ago between 3 and 3:30 in the afternoon having sex with your daughter. Is that correct?”

“Yes it is,” he replied.

“Do you have some ID on you please?” I asked.

I looked at his driver’s license and saw his address. His address was at least 3 miles from the home. “How come you didn’t catch him?”

“He had a bike outside of her window.”

This was really getting good. “You mean he got out the window dressed, then jumped on a bike and rode away?”

He was shaking his head. “No, he grabbed his clothes and rode away naked.”

Now I found that really hard to believe. Joey is very shy here. He is just getting used to the other boys being in his room when he comes out of the shower. The only other boy he’s used to let see him naked was Ronnie. “That sir I find very hard to believe.”

“Well that’s what happened,” he said defiantly. “Now what are you going to do about it?”

I sat up and looked him in the eyes. “First off, rape is going to be very hard to prove.”

“WHAT?” He shouted. “What do you mean rape is going to be very hard to prove. I just told you what I saw, that’s good enough.”

I shook my head no. “I’m afraid not sir. It’s a case of your word against his and possibly even your daughter’s. They will need more substantial evidence than that.”

“I told you she’s pregnant,” he screamed again.

“How do you know this,” I asked sarcastically. “Do you have some magic power I’m not aware of?”

“Who the hell are you mister?” He snapped. “How dare you not believe the word of a father? Do you have children of your own?”

“My foundation runs this facility for the city,” I replied. “I’m Dr. Miguel Sanchez and yes, I do have children. I could never say my daughter was pregnant unless I knew for sure she was. Now, how the hell do you know for sure she’s pregnant?”

He just sat there in silence. I was staring at him waiting for an answer when there was a knock on my door. The door opened and Guillermo stuck his head inside. I went over to him and he showed me the court order assigning Andrea to the home. I looked at him and whispered, “Go get Jackie, Amanda and Andrea. I need to sort this out and I’m going to need Andrea.”

“What about Joey?” Guillermo asked.

I shook my head no then returned to my desk. “How do you know for a fact she’s pregnant?”

I saw his eyes drop to the floor when I spoke again. “I don’t for sure.”

I glared at him for his answer. “I didn’t think so and with that, proving rape is hard, if not impossible based on what you’ve told me.”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. I hoped this could all be put to rest when Andrea came in. Victor opened the door and there were the three I asked for. Jackie came in and I saw Amanda and Andrea standing outside. “Andrea, can you come inside please?”

She took a couple steps forward and saw her father. “Daddy, what are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to get that rapist arrested.” He fired back at her.

“Rapist,” she gasped. “What rapist? What are you talking about?”

He tried to stand up but Victor pushed him back onto the couch. “That boy I saw raping you. He’s here.”

Andrea didn’t know what to say. “I don’t know what you’re talking about but no boy here raped me. You’ve not even given me the time of day for the past two years and now you say this. I don’t know what’s got into you but I live here now and I have no intentions of leaving.”

With that, she stormed out of the room. Jackie went to catch up with her as I looked at Mr. Dominguez. “Now just what the hell is going on?”

He looked smugly at me then grinned. “It’s easy to see that she’s protecting him. Give me a few minutes with him and he’ll tell you what happened.”

“I don’t think so,” I said picking up the phone.

I called Danny and asked him to get over here. My next call was to Paulo because Joey was still under a Good Behavior court order. The most I could have Dominguez charged with was trespassing and he would probably make bail. What I didn’t know was if the DA would listen to him or not. I had to talk with Andrea and do it quickly. “Victor, stay here with him until your Papa arrives. Page me if you need me.”

I went out to find Jackie and Andrea. I headed down the girls’ wing and listened carefully for voices. I stopped in front of a room and heard Jackie’s voice. I knocked on the door then waited. When Amanda opened it, I saw Andrea sitting on the bed with a wet face. I went in and sat down beside her putting my arm around her. “Sweetie, do you have any idea what your father is talking about?”

She looked at me and once again the tears started falling. “No Miguel, I don’t. Rape? Nobody raped me, honest.”

“He seems to think you’re pregnant,” I said taking some tissues and drying her eyes.

“Pregnant!” she shouted. “He is crazy.”

There was a way this fact could be proven or disproved. “Sweetie, I think it’s best if we make that determination. If you’re not, then this matter can be put to rest once and for all. If, on the other hand, you are, we can address that too.”

“Papa Miguel,” she said as the tears started once again. “I’m telling you the truth. I’m not pregnant.”

Amanda looked at me as if to say she’d handle it. I got up and headed for the door and Amanda was right behind me. “Doctor, this is something I think we’re going to have to take her word for.”

I shook my head in total disagreement as I headed back towards my office. “I’m afraid not Amanda. I have a responsibility for the health and welfare of each of these children.”

“So you feel you have the right to invade their bodies?” She asked interrupting me.

I was getting a little upset with her attitude. “Please don’t interrupt me. As I was saying, I have a responsibility for the health and welfare of each of these children and that includes making sure they are free from any and all diseases. Each child, when they come here is given a full and complete physical examination.”

“Well I can do that,” she said interrupting me again.

“I’m afraid not,” I said glaring at her.

“Why not,” she said, trying to argue with me. “I’m a nurse, I know what it all entails.”

“Just for that reason,” I replied. “You’re only a nurse.”

“And you’re going to use your position here to fondle them under the guise of performing an examination?”

“Now see here,” I shot back. “As I was saying, you’re only a nurse. Any exam you perform would not stand up in court. It must be done by a Physician. NOW if I might finish. That physical includes blood work to check for sexually transmitted diseases.”

“Now you think of these children as little whores?” She butted if yet again.

“Lady, you should learn to shut your mouth and listen to Papa Miguel,” a voice said from behind her.

She turned around and saw Christina standing there. “You should learn not to eves drop on adults talking.

“You don’t get it do you?” Christina snapped. “You’ve never had to live on the streets have you? You don’t have a clue what it’s like having to struggle to find something to eat or find a safe place to sleep at night.”

“So you let Dr. Sanchez invade your privacy?” Amanda asked like she was trying to be Christina’s best friend.

Christina came over and stood beside me. “I’d let Dr. Sanchez do anything he felt necessary. You should have seen me when I first got here. I was full of bruises and I didn’t know if I was pregnant or not. Don’t worry Papa, I’ll talk with Andrea.”

I looked back to Amanda who seemed to be at a loss for words. “So tell me, at what point do we start worrying about Andrea if it turns out she is pregnant? When she starts showing?” By then it might be too late for her to have a healthy baby. But, if we had known earlier, we could have seen to it she had good prenatal care and a healthy diet.”

I was about to finish letting her have it when I was paged back to my office. As I came out of the girls’ wing, I saw Danny standing there with Victor and another Deputy. “What can we charge him with besides trespassing?”

Danny scratched his head thinking. “Nothing else, I’m afraid. I can give him a warning that if he returns, I will arrest him but should he assault someone that’ll be a more serious charge.”

“What about his claims that Joey raped Andrea?” I asked worried for Joey.

I could see that Danny was worried too. “All he has to do is go and talk with Larry Moreno. Now weather or not he believes him is another story.”

“I know but Joey is still under that Good Behavior order from Judge Romero,” I added.

“That all depends on weather or not Larry or Judge Romero believes him and what the evidence shows,” a voice said.

I smiled when Paulo walked over. “I just don’t want him having to worry about this because I don’t believe a word he has to say.”

“Go get him and bring him out son,” Danny said looking at Victor.

Victor brought him out of my office and he started mouthing off once again. “Get me out of these things Sheriff. I want that little bastard arrested.”

Danny glared at him. “Listen sir, I don’t have the power based solely on your word alone to arrest someone on rape charges. Now, I’m giving you a warning that if you come back on this property again, I’ll arrest you. Do we understand each other?”

Dominguez finally shut his mouth. “Yes sir, I understand.”

Victor took the handcuffs off then man then stepped back. “I advise you sir, to stay away from here. This is private property.”

Once he was free Dominguez started spouting off again. “I guess I’ll have to talk with the District Attorney myself if I want to see justice done.”

Paulo looked over at the man with a disbelieving look on his face. “You really think you’ll get anyone to believe you? From what I’ve heard, your story is nothing but the ramblings of a crazy person.”

That pissed Dominguez off to no end. “Crazy person? We’ll see who is crazy, Mr. Hot Shot Attorney.”

Dominguez stormed out of the building and we finally relaxed a little. Just then Christina came up with Andrea followed by Jackie and Amanda. “What’s up girls?”

Andrea looked up at me with sad eyes. “Miguel, do you really care about us like Christina says?”

I felt Christina hug me while Andrea spoke. “Yes sweetie I do. Is there something I should know?”

“I don’t know,” Andrea started saying. “Christina says you give everyone exams to make sure they’re all healthy.”

I nodded my head. “Yes I do. All of the children lived on the streets and did things just to survive. If they have something wrong with them, I need to know so they can get well.”

I could see the wheels spinning in her head. “Well, I guess I want . . .”

“You don’t have to do this Andrea,” Amanda interrupted. “It’s your body and . . .”

Christina turned and got right into her face. “Why don’t you just leave us alone? All you’ve been doing is bugging Andrea acting like you’re some long lost friend.”

Just then Guillermo got my attention. “Miguel, you have a phone call.”

I went into my office and picked the phone up. “This is Miguel.”

“Miguel, this is Cindy from the clinic,” the voice said. “We have a young male nurse here. We’ve used him off and on for the past several months but he really needs full time work and we just don’t have a need for him. His name is David Jennings. He’s great with the children and his skills are excellent. I was wondering if the home might need a good nurse.”

This was an answer to my prayers. “Photocopy his application and put it in an envelope. Tell him to come right over to the home. He has himself a full time position.”

“I’m sure he’ll love the position Miguel,” she said. “Thank you for helping him.”

I hung up the phone then went back outside with the others I heard Amanda still talking to Andrea. As I got closer to them Andrea came running into my arms. “Please make her stop. I can’t take it anymore Miguel.”

“Amanda that’s quite enough,” I shouted. “You’ve brought this little girl to tears and no one on my staff will do that to any child here. I hope you haven’t unpacked your clothes because your services are no longer required here.”

“Why, because I want the children to think for themselves?” she barked.

Andrea turned towards her and started saying, “Yes, I want to be able to think for myself but I also want someone to care about me. ME!!! I’m 13 years old and I’m a kid. Yes, I have a mind of my own but I want someone to take care of me. I see how all the kids here trust Miguel, Guillermo and the others. You’ve tried to be my friend by badgering me and telling me I have to stand up for myself. I don’t want that; not yet.”

Amanda turned and walked towards the girl’s wing. About that time a young man came in. “Is there a Miguel Sanchez here?”

I walked over to the young man extending my hand. “I’m he and you must be David.”

The young man smiled and shook my hand firmly. His smile reminded me of my Steven. “Thank you for this opportunity sir. I hope I won’t let you down.”

“Did they tell you this was a live in position?” I asked.

David shook his head no. “No sir; that they didn’t. I don’t have much so a small room will be fine.”

I looked at my watch and it was almost noon. I was about to usher David down the hall when Amanda came out of the girl’s wing with her bags. I held the door for her then showed our newest staff member the boys’ wing. I explained about the expansion that was going on then showed him where his room would be. “We’ll take one of those beds out so you can have a little more room. It has its own bathroom and shower so you don’t have to share with the residents. Linen is provided as are towels. If there is something you need and can’t find, let us know and we’ll see what we can do about getting it for you. Why don’t you have a seat in my office and I’ll be in shortly.”

I went over to the others and spoke quietly. “Andrea, I’ll give you an exam after lunch. That young man is going to be our new nurse. Now don’t worry sweetie, Jackie will be in there with us, alright?”

Andrea looked between us. “Um Miguel, if it’s all the same with you, I’d rather it be you and the nurse. I trust you.”

I smiled before heading back to my office. “If that is what you want, it’s fine with me.”

I went into my office and saw David sitting nervously. “You got some glowing references from the staff at the clinic.”

I reached into the mini fridge and pulled out a couple of sodas. David took a big swig and I saw him relax. He was just about to speak when I had three boys come storming into my office. “Papa Miguel, Joey didn’t do nuthin to no girl,” José shouted.

David was wondering what was going on. “Calm down boys.”

“Calm down?” Alex exclaimed. “They’re gonna take Joey away and put him in jail.”

“No one is taking him anywhere boys,” I said walking around and hugging each boy.

“But Papa Miguel, they’re saying he did a dirty and now she’s gonna have a baby,” Mikey cried. “He didn’t do anything. He couldn’t have.”

I was holding Mikey and José was shaking uncontrollably. I saw David lean over and pick the crying boy up and set him on his lap. Alex sat down beside us as David and I helped get their emotions under control. The boys finally stopped crying and José looked at David. “Who are you?”

I giggled at the way he asked. “José, this is David. He’s a nurse and will be working here. David, this is José. He’s one of our resident rug rats.”

“Hey, I’m not a rat,” he giggled as David tickled his ribs.

“No, but you’re a little boy who giggles a lot,” David said smiling at him.

Alex stood up and pulled my arm. “Come on Papa Miguel, Hanna sent me to get you. It’s lunch time, now come on.”

“OK boys,” I replied standing. “I’ll be right down. I have to talk with David and Paulo first.

I ushered the boys out and had Paulo came in. “We have our work cut out for us guys. I know Joey didn’t rape Andrea. The fact that this happened several months ago makes proving that easy but we do need to know weather or not she’s pregnant. If she is, we’re going to have to find out who the father is and that we won’t be able to do for some time.”

“Why would someone just accuse a kid of rape?” David asked. “Doesn’t he know it can be disproved?”

“It’s not that easy,” Paulo said. “The father said it happened several months ago.”

“What I don’t understand Paulo, is why he didn’t call the police,” I asked interrupting. “The things he told me are just too far fetched.”

Paulo stood and headed towards the door. “The first thing you need to do is find out weather or not she’s pregnant. It might also be helpful to know if she’s sexually active or not.”

I nodded my head then walked Paulo outside to his car. “I wish this was against any other boy but Joey. He’s been through so much already. It’s a wonder he hasn’t been on my lap crying his eyes out.”

Paulo nodded his head in agreement. “Just hang in there Miguel. We’ll get this mess sorted out.”

To be continued...

Posted: 07/11/08