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...

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.” 

Chapter 44

I sighed as I watched Paulo drive off. David and I were heading towards the dining room when we went past Joey and Robbie’s room. “Why me, I didn’t do that to her. Hell, I never even met her until she got here and besides, I don’t like girls like that.”

I looked inside and Robbie was holding Joey as he cried his eyes out. I quietly walked inside and sat beside Joey. He looked over then wrapped his arms around me. “I didn’t do that Papa Miguel, honest. You know I didn’t.”

I caressed his hair then rubbed his back. “I know you didn’t son. There are still a lot of unanswered questions that I have to find the answers to.”

Joey’s tears were finally subsiding with only the occasional hiccup. “Papa, I don’t like girls like that. The girls here are friends but nothing more. You know about me and Robbie. Hell, the only things we’ve done was cuddle with each other and jack each other off.”

I blushed when I heard that. “That was a little more information I needed to hear kiddo. Now, I need you to relax son and trust us adults. I know that is going to be extremely hard considering what you’ve been through but you know I’ve been there for you, haven’t I?”

Joey nodded his head. “Yes Papa, you have. I just don’t understand this.”

“Neither do I son,” I answered standing. “I plan on starting to get answers after lunch. Now, why don’t you two get cleaned up and come get something to eat. I won’t let you down Joey.”

After lunch David and I brought Andrea to the Med Center for her physical. I asked her once again if she wanted Jackie to be in there with her and she didn’t. “Alright Andrea, here is a gown, take off everything except your panties. Call us when you’re ready.”

A few minutes later a voice called, “I’m ready Miguel.”

I went over to the cabinet and handed her a urine cup. “Put your shorts on and give me a urine sample please sweetie.”

“What’s that for Miguel,” David asked.

I grabbed my stethoscope and hung it around my neck. “While I’m doing her examination, I want you to do a pregnancy test on her.”

She came back in and handed me the urine sample. David started running the test while I started examining her. “Sweetheart, I’m going to need to slip off your panties now and lay back and put your feet in these stirrups.”

She removed them and put her feet in the devices at the end of the table. “Is this going to hurt Miguel?”

I caressed her hair and kissed her on the cheek. “No darling, this won’t hurt and I’ll be talking you through the whole exam.”

I put on a pair of rubber gloves then pulled a stool up to the foot of the table. “I’m going to gently push on your abdomen now sweetie.”

I felt her belly and abdomen. David turned around and nodded his head. This wasn’t going to be easy. “Andrea, are you sexually active?”

She lifted her head up off the table. “No Miguel, I’m not.”

I pulled the stool beside her and sat down. “Please don’t fib to me. David just ran a pregnancy test on the urine sample you just gave me and it shows you’re pregnant.”

I saw tears start to roll down her cheeks. “That’s impossible Miguel. I can’t be pregnant.”

“David, rerun the test and I’ll do a pelvic exam.”

I went down to the end of the table to start my exam. I gently inserted a speculum designed for virgins and looked at her cervix then swabbed it for a PAP smear. After removing the speculum, I felt her cervix and detected some changes. I didn’t feel the resistance of the hymen but girls can injure themselves tearing it. I removed my gloves then cleaned Andrea up. “Miguel, the test is positive again.”

Something wasn’t right. “Get dressed Andrea and then I’ll need to draw some blood on you.”

I went outside and saw Jackie and Joey coming down the hall towards us. “I’m going to draw some blood on Andrea. Joey, I want to get a blood sample on you too. Jackie, I want you to take the blood to the hospital and have them type it and check Andrea’s for STD’s then have the clinic do an ultrasound on her.”

Andrea opened the door then I had David draw the blood and the kids. “Andrea, when David is done, you’ll be going with Jackie over to the clinic. One of the doctor’s is going to examine you. It won’t hurt darling and we’ll know for sure if you’re pregnant.”

“Ok Miguel,” she said softly as Jackie led her out the door.

Joey came over and hugged me. “What’s the blood sample for Papa Miguel?

“I need to know what your Blood type is,” I replied heading down the hall.

~~~~~~

Over at the Sheriff’s office, James was once again bending Danny’s ear. “What are you going to do about it Sheriff? Are you going to let a rapist stay loose to repeat his crime on another girl at the home?”

Danny had heard enough. He was about to let loose when Larry Moreno, the DA walked in. “Ah, Larry, you’re just in time. I’ve been trying to tell this person here that he just can’t make wild claims about someone without solid evidence.”

“What solid evidence,” James fired back. “I saw him with my own two eyes.”

Danny fired back with his own questions. “Did you try to catch him? Did you go after him? Why is it you never bothered to call us? You wait over 2 months and then out of the blue you start making allegations.”

James was flustered. “I had to comfort my daughter. She was distraught. She’d just been raped by that boy over at that home.”

Danny had one last question. “Why didn’t you seek medical attention for her? That way, the hospital could have gotten the evidence and we could charge someone. As it is, it is your word against a whole lot of other people.”

James was furious now. “Well, I want my daughter back.”

Danny looked at him with contempt. “That sir is up to Judge Romero. I heard for myself that she does not want to return to your home.”

Larry was watching the goings on between Danny and James Dominguez. “Sir, if I understand this right, you claim your daughter was raped by someone several months ago?”

“Yeah, that’s right,” James fired at Larry Moreno.

Larry couldn’t believe a father could do this to his daughter. “You never sought medical care and you never called the sheriff?”

“I had other things on my mind,” James retorted.

“What could be more important than the welfare of your daughter?” Larry started firing his own questions. “I’m afraid that if any charges would be filed, they would be against you for negligence. You just don’t have a case.”

“You mean that boy can still live at the home, the same home my daughter is in and he gets away with it?” James fired back.

Danny interrupted at that point. “Larry, yes, both children are at the Children’s Home and his daughter never made any claims that Joey ever raped her.”

Larry looked at Dominguez. “Sir, your daughter is around this person and she never told the staff? Why is that? There is nothing the Sheriff’s Office or the DA’s office can do. You don’t have any evidence this happened but your word and that is very weak considering your daughter has never made a claim of rape and I know the staff at the home would take that very seriously.”

Dominguez stormed out of the Sheriff’s office. “Thanks Larry, I tried telling him he didn’t have any evidence.”

Larry looked at Danny. “Joey, is that Joey Peña?”

“Yeah,” Danny replied walking into his office.

Larry followed him then sat down. “He’s still under a Good Behavior order if my memory serves me correctly.”

Danny nodded his head. “Yes he is. Now, you don’t think there is any truth to this crap, do you Larry?”

“I didn’t say that Danny,” Larry replied.

“You better tell Victoria not to touch it,” Danny replied.

“I don’t think I’ll have to. Even she’s not that stupid to go and buy a story like that.”

~~~~~

I was by the pool with the others when Joey came over and sat beside me. “Miguel, why do you need to know what type blood I have? I know and I could have told you.”

Now I didn’t think a 15 year old boy would know his blood type. “What is your blood type Joey?”

He smiled and with a very straight face said, “Red.”

I pulled him over onto my lap and started tickling him. “Help guys, Papa Miguel is trying to make me pee myself. Help please, hurry.”

I stood up and tossed him over my shoulder then walked over to the side of the pool. I made sure there weren’t any other kids around then I dropped him in the water. “Red is not a blood type silly.”

“I got you Papa,” Joey said laughing.

Just then Chico came up waving Joey’s trunks. “Ha, ha, I got you now Joey.”

“Hey gimme them back squirt,” Joey hollered as he tried to swim after Chico.

“Woo hoo,” Christine said in a cat call. “Nice butt Joey.”

Chico was about to throw them out of the pool. “No Chico, give Joey his trunks back.”

Just about that time another pair of trunks went flying out of the pool. “Gotcha Chico,” Joey laughed.

Chico let fly with the pair he had. Now I had 2 boys naked in the pool. Chico, thinking nothing of it, climbed out of the pool and retrieved his trunks then started walking towards the boy’s wing. “No going naked in the hall Chico,” I said causing him to stop in his tracks.

“Aww you’re no fun Papa,” Chico said.

“If Hanna saw your naked butt, you’d feel a wooden spoon on it, little one. You know the rules, now toss Joey his trunks back and you get yours on.”

Chico tossed Joey’s trunks to him then started putting his back on. Just then Andrea came up behind him and patted his butt. “Hey, who did that?”

“Cute bottom Chico,” Andrea said as she came over and sat beside me.

She had a lost look on her face telling me that the ultrasound confirmed what the pregnancy test already had. I took her by the hand and together we headed inside. Jackie followed us down to my office and handed me a small envelope. I sat behind my desk and opened the envelope. Inside were 2 Polaroid photos of Andrea’s fetus. There were also the lab reports containing hers and Joey’s blood types. Andrea was type A and Joey was type B. Looking at the photos, I would judge that she was about 9 to 10 weeks along in her pregnancy. I got up and sat beside her. “Alright sweetheart, it’s time to come clean. You are pregnant and now we need to know who the father is.”

Andrea shook her head. Jackie and I looked at each other. Jackie knelt in front of her and took her hands. “Sweetie, is your Dad right? Did someone rape you like he said?”

“Noooooooo,” she cried. “No one raped me.”

Now I knew this wasn’t another immaculate conception so she had to have had intercourse with someone. She seems pretty adamant Joey wasn’t the father but who is it? “Andrea, did your Dad do this?”

Again she shook her head and said no. This was a day I hoped was a dream. Christine came to the door and knocked. “Miguel, why don’t we let her get some rest?”

That was the best idea I’d heard all day. She took Andrea by the hand and walked her down to their room. “Jackie, what do you make of this?”

Jackie shook her head. “This isn’t unusual Miguel. I have a feeling she’s protecting her father but proving it is going to be hard. He’d pointed the finger at Joey and is adamant about that.”

I leaned back and started thinking about this. “Jackie, there is one way we can find out who the father is but we won’t be able to do that for another 3 to 4 weeks.”

She looked at me with a confused look on her face. “How Miguel?”

“Amniocenteses,” I replied. “She’s too early in her pregnancy to do it now, but once she’s in the second trimester, we can.”

“Can you do that Miguel?” Jackie asked.

I shook my head. “No way love, not me. Only an OB can do that. Why don’t you go and see how Andrea is doing.”

Jackie went to see on Andrea and left me to my thoughts. This was the wildest thing I’d ever seen. I’d give almost anything to have Angel here.

~~~~~

James wasn’t letting Danny and Larry stop him. He decided to head over to the DA’s office and see if there was anyone who would listen to him. He walked into the office and went to the receptionist. “May I help you sir?”

“Is the District Attorney in the office?” James asked her.

The lady behind the desk shook her head no. “I’m sorry sir; he’s not in the office.”

“What time will he be back?” James asked getting slightly upset.

“I don’t expect him back in today,” she replied.

James was starting to lose it. “Is there anyone I can talk to? I need to report a crime and I’m not going to let this kid get away with it.”

“Just a minute sir,” she said as she picked up her phone. “Someone will be out in a minute.”

James started pacing then a woman came out. “I’m Victoria Ruiz, may I help you sir?”

James turned around and looked at her. “Yes, I want to report a crime.”

Victoria led him down to her office and offered him a seat. “How may I help you sir?”

“My daughter was raped,” he started.

“Just one minute sir,” she said. She got a tape recorder and turned it on. “Alright sir, what were you saying? I’ll need your name.

James sat by the recorder and raised his voice. “My name is James Dominguez and my daughter was raped. She ran away and I found her at The Sanchez Children’s Home and to top it off, I also saw the boy that raped her.”

Victoria started making notes. “Did you talk to Mr. Sanchez?”

James nodded his head. “Yes I did. He said I didn’t have any proof. It was my word against his and my daughter would say he didn’t do it either. I saw him in her room raping her.”

Victoria was busy writing as he talked. “Did you talk with Sherriff Vasquez?”

“Yes I did,” he replied. “He basically said the same thing Mr. Sanchez did.”

“Alright Mr. Dominguez,” she said. I’ll get an arrest warrant sworn out then we’ll get your daughter over to the hospital so she can be examined.”

James had a smile on his face when he heard she would get an arrest warrant. The next thing Victoria did was pick up the phone and call the Sheriff’s Office. “This is ADA Victoria Ruiz. I want two deputies to meet me at the Sanchez Children’s Home. I’ll handle this from here sir. If you give me your phone number, I’ll call you when I have your daughter at the hospital.”

~~~~~~

At the Sheriff’s Office, a Deputy knocked on Danny’s door. “Sheriff, ADA Ruiz called and requested two Deputies meet her at the Children’s Home.”

“OH MY GOD,” Danny shouted. “Did Larry leave already?”

“Yes sir he did,” the Deputy replied.

“Danny got up and got the keys to his car. “I want you to call Larry Moreno and Paulo Cortez and have them meet us at Miguel’s.”

Danny stormed out of the office and hurried over to The Children’s Home. He put his lights and siren and made it in less than 10 minutes. He flew into the parking lot then ran inside. The first person he saw was Guillermo. “Where’s Miguel?”

“I’m right here Danny,” I said from my office. “What’s going on? I heard your siren.”

“Andrea’s father got to Victoria Ruiz and she’s on her way over here,” Danny said filling me in. “I have my Deputy calling Larry Moreno and Paulo. They will be here as soon as possible.

I reached over and picked up the phone and made a call of my own. I hung up and joined Danny and Guillermo. I was about to say something when Paulo came in. “Who the hell told the ADA to take this case?”

“Larry was in my office when that jerk came in and started raising hell,” Danny said filling Paulo in on the day’s events. “Larry started asking him questions and it seemed he was getting madder with each answer.”

Just then Victoria walked in. “Where’s the rapist?”

Danny looked at her like a snake ready to strike. “Did you get the whole story?”

Victoria started posturing like she was in charge. “I’ll ask the questions here. Now where is THAT boy? I want him brought out here now.”

Just then, James Dominguez came in. I looked over to him and if Danny wasn’t there, I might have strangled him. “Just what the hell did you tell her?”

“I told her the truth,” he spat. “I told her that a boy here raped my daughter and you were protecting him.”

“Did you tell her everything you told me?” I fired back.

Danny got in his two cents worth also. “Did you tell her what Larry told you?”

Victoria froze when she heard Larry’s name mentioned. “What Larry said? What did he say?”

I got the giggles when she started stammering. “I guess he didn’t tell you everything.”

Just then, Larry Moreno came in. “Oh shit, I might have known. Mr. Dominguez, I told you proving rape now was next to impossible. I still would like to know why you didn’t take your daughter to the hospital when the event occurred.”

“When the event occurred?” Victoria asked. “How much time has passed sir?”

He just stood there with his mouth shut. I waited several minutes for him to answer but he didn’t. “This happened over 2 months ago.”

“What didn’t you tell me this Mr. Dominguez?” Victoria asked.

“I want that kid charged,” Dominguez shouted.

“You don’t know it was him,” I said. “If he was in bed with your daughter when you walked in, you could have caught him yet you did nothing. You said he managed to get out of the bed, grab his clothes and get out the window to ride off on a bicycle. This is so unbelievable.”

“Well that’s what happened,” he spat again. “I don’t care if you believe it or not.”

Larry stood there listening to Dominguez. “Sir, if I were you, I’d shut my mouth. I can think of a few things I can charge you with.”

Just then, the person I called came in. “Hello Your Honor, welcome to the zoo.”

Judge Romero looked at Victoria and shook his head. He started to speak when I said, “Don’t blame her this time, she didn’t get the whole story.”

Javier looked over to me. “Alright then, what do we know?”

I brought everyone into the community room and sat them down. I saw Dominguez start to leave. “Oh no you don’t, get your ass in there with the rest of us. You started this mess.”

Javier looked up at me again and asked, “What do we know?”

I walked over to my office and got the envelope then went back with the others. “Andrea is between 9 and 10 weeks pregnant.”

“See you sons of bitches, I told you she was pregnant,” Dominguez shouted. “I want her to get that thing out of her.”

Javier looked at him and said, “You don’t have that authority.”

“Bull shit,” he shouted at the Judge, not knowing who he was talking to. “She’s my daughter and she’ll do what ever I tell her to.”

Danny looked over at him and was ready to slap him silly. “You claim a boy here raped Andrea yet you have no proof other than your say so. You learn she’s pregnant then think you control her body.”

“Damn right I do,” he shouted. “I own her. I pay for everything she has. Without me she’d be nothing.”

Judge Romero had heard enough. “First off Mr. Dominguez, you obviously don’t know who I am.”

“I don’t care who you are mister,” he shouted. “I want my daughter now. She is going to get that pregnancy terminated.”

Larry looked over between Judge Romero and Mr. Dominguez. “Sir, if I were you I would speak a little more respectfully to Judge Romero.”

Judge Romero stood in front of James and glared at him. “Now sir, I advise you to listen and listen very closely. I signed the order placing your daughter in foster care and that order will continue to remain in effect. I’m also issuing a restraining order prohibiting you from coming within 100 feet of anyone here at the home. Now Miguel, is there anyway of finding out who the father is?”

I shook my head no. “Not right now Your Honor. Personally I think it might be best to wait until the child is born to get the baby’s blood type. I have Andrea and Joey’s blood type but I’m almost 100% sure Joey is not the father.”

The Judge glared at Dominguez. “If I find out that you’re the father, so help me God I’ll put you under the jail. Do I make myself clear?”

I looked at my watch and it was almost 5. I knew the kids would be coming in from their afternoon swim to get ready for dinner. “Danny, would you escort Mr. Dominguez to the front door. If I ever see you around here I will see to it you’re charged with everything possible. Now get out and don’t ever come back.”

Danny escorted him to the door and watched him drive away. Just then Joey, Christina and Andrea came into the room. “Who are all these people Papa Miguel,” Christina asked.

Poor Joey almost fainted when he saw Judge Romero standing there. “I’m staying out of trouble sir.”

Javier smiled at the boy. “I know you are son. I get reports about you all the time. I hear good things about you son.”

Joey relaxed when he heard the judge say those things about him. Andrea came over to me and whispered, “Did I hear my Dad here?”

“Yes you did love,” I whispered back. “He won’t be bothering you any more.”

I saw her relax when I told her she didn’t have to worry any more. “Can you and I talk alone after dinner? There are some things we need to discuss.”

I wrapped my arm around her and gave her a little hug. “Sure thing darling.”

Guillermo made the introductions to Christina while Joey and the Judge talked and Andrea and I chatted a little more. Pretty soon, the other children were coming in and the adults started to leave. I looked at Paulo and shook my head. “Maybe Victoria learned something after all.”

He laughed then waved as he headed for the door. Soon I was surrounded by all the boys. Javier looked and was amazed at how much I was at home with them. “You look right at home Miguel.”

He was right. I missed the little ones at home and this was a refuge for me. Raising children was what God intended for me. I gave the boys hugs then sent them to get ready for dinner as I waked Javier to the door. “You and Guillermo see me that clearly my friend.”

“You’re a good father Miguel,” Javier said as he got into his car. “You have three wonderful sons and a daughter anyone would be proud of. You’re a good man Miguel Sanchez.”

To be continued...

Posted: 07/11/08