Page 80 of There Once was a Dancer
He sighed. “It’s not as simple as we’d like. It would change your whole family’s life forever. If I call my friends at the U.S. Marshals Service, you must understand that all of you would have to be enrolled in our WITSEC program. That’s a program which allows the U.S. government to issue you a whole new identity and also move you somewhere else, so the cartel can’t find you. It means no contact with anyone from your old life.”
My heart sank. Moving away meant Rex couldn’t find me either. Leaving him wasn’t an option. I needed to be close by when his paralysis went away so he could call if he still had romantic feelings for me. I was probably being stupid. He’d been paralyzed for almost three months and the longer it went on, the more hope faded.
“No, Captain. I no leave Rex.”
There was another long pause. “Cachi, I’m so sorry, but if you plan on keeping your name and staying here locally, I don’t know how that will be possible. It’s your decision, of course, but you could be putting not only yourself in danger, but your whole family. You know Rex wouldn’t want that for you, right?”
My stomach did a slow roll. “Si, Capitan.”
“In my opinion, I think it’s a terrible idea for you to get a job using your real name. The FBI has a strict policy about the people we keep under our protection, and you must understand, violating the terms we told you and your family about when we relocated you, is not only dangerous, but against the rules. You shouldn’t even leave the house. The guys make frequent trips to your house to bring you what you need for that very reason.” When I said nothing more, he sighed into the phone receiver. “I’m really very sorry, Cachi. I can’t imagine how difficult hearing this must be. Until we catch the cartel members who put the hit out on you, the danger remains. Please be patient. Things are happening but until I tell you differently, you’ll have to stay under our protection a little bit longer.”
My heartrate sped up. “You mean you are close to catch those pendejos?”
Another pause. “Possibly, but I can’t say more about that right now. Just know that you and your family are safe for now, but if you put yourself at risk by using your real name and goingout in the community, we might not be able to protect you or your family. Someone may identify you. Do you understand?”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I understand, Captain. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Cachi. You take care.”
Before he hung up, I suddenly blurted, “Capitan…how is Rex?”
“Good, Cachi. He’s just fine. He went home a few days ago.”
My heart did a flip-flop. “Rex is home with Lola?”
He chuckled. “Yes, they’re both good. Please don’t worry about him.”
“He is…feeling something?” I asked hopefully.
“Not yet, Cachi. Keep him in your prayers, though. I know he’d like that.”
“I pray for him and I worry about Rex, Captain Sorensen.” I paused for just a few seconds before saying, “I love him.”
“I know and I’m sure he knows too, Cachi.” He paused and I got the feeling he wanted to say more before he wished me goodbye. “Please take care of yourself. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you better news.”
“I understand, Captain. Goodbye.”
I hung up the phone, feeling deflated. I sniffed back the tears which had washed over my eyes and picked up the paper, calling the number for Elegant Gardens Nursery anyway. Maybe I could get some sort of online job where I sold seeds or arranged for deliveries of trees and plants, without leaving the house. I was desperate to do something to occupy my mind. I asked for the person in charge of hiring and was told that they’d need a copy of my driver’s license and social security card when I came into thenursery to apply. When I hung up after thanking the woman on the phone, I felt even worse.
I set down the phone and stood, deciding that getting out of the house wasn’t a bad idea. I’d just have to do it after dark when there was less chance of being seen. It was against the rules, but moping around and dreaming about Rex all the time wasn’t healthy. I seemed to be near tears all the time. I doubted the captain had any idea how it felt to be restricted to the house. It was selfish, but I really needed to get out.
I also needed birdseed, since the small bag Marcello had given me was running low. I found a pet store on the laptop the FBI had given us. It was open until nine. When I checked the bus schedule, I felt a rush of excitement when I saw that they ran until ten. I knew I would be breaking the rules, but I just had to take the chance. I told my mamá I was going to take the bus to get birdseed, but not until after dark. She looked at me skeptically before forcing me to relay my entire conversation with the captain.
“Maybe putting these ideas in your head was silly, Cachi.”
I shook my head. “No, Mama, it was a good idea. The pet store is open until nine. I be fine. I promise.”
Mama wrung her hands. “I don’t know, Cachi.”
“Please, Mamá, don’t worry. It’s a short trip. It should be fine at night,” I said, beginning to doubt my plans. The captain would be so disappointed, and I knew I was being selfish, but the very idea of the freedom of getting out of here, even for an hour, was still appealing.
Mama stared at me for a several seconds before letting out a long sigh. “Okay, Cachi. Go after dark and come home soon. We leave everything to God’s hands.”
I smiled at her sweet face. “Si, Mamá.” I let her go and shortly after dark, left the house, walking to the bus stop a block away. I missed the Thunderbird and the easy freedom of jumping in my car whenever I liked. I got on the bus, finding a spot right behind the driver. The bus driver was talking to me and I hoped he didn’t remember me as he let me know how proud he was to be driving one of the brand-new electric buses which were introduced just last year. “They’re clean and run on hydrogen fuel cell electricity, you know,” he said.
I made interested sounds, but hoped he wasn’t taking much notice of me, and finally, the bus stopped a block from the pet store. Since it was a really nice evening; I enjoyed the walk.
After paying for the same brand of birdseed Marcello had given me, I was leaving the store when I saw a poster asking for volunteers to work at the local animal shelter. My heartrate sped up with excitement. Maybe if I was working nights as a volunteer, no one would ask me for my ID and it would be safe to do. I grabbed a pen from the cashier and hurriedly wrote down the number. Taking it back to her, I waited patiently for her to finish with her customer before asking if she knew where the shelter was.
