Caray, Caray!

Chapter 1: Divide and Destroy


On a beautiful sunny afternoon in the vast wine country that is southern California two kids raced through the paths of the vineyard, promising that the later one at the finish line buys the candy. At another spot in the vineyard the girl's father stacked boxes of red grapes while her mother and brother came out to talk to him about going somewhere the next afternoon.


Marcos was a tall man in his forties with a direct and honest face. His fair complexion and dark hair insured his attractiveness and complemented his ease with people. His wife Marta was fairer still, with dark golden hair. They were a happy couple and good parents to Luciana and León. The boy was about eight years old, playful and intelligent.



Their daughter was about eleven with long curly hair. At that moment she was playing hide and seek in the wine cellar with Miguel, a friend of her brother's. As she hid from him she hoped not to be caught, but she was.... by Lillian, the boss's mother-in-law, who expressed her contempt with as much ease as most people breathe. She admonished the girl that this was a place of work, not play, all the time wearing a sneer that would have worked well for Lady Bracknell in the Oscar Wilde play. But Lillian was not truly a woman of class. She was equally rude to Luciana's playmate, Miguel, as she ordered them out of the cellar as though she were the owner.


Marcos and Marta were enjoying lunch in the shade when David arrived. Marcos stood up to talk to him because he was their employer, but David admonished him to sit down and enjoy his refreshment. Lisa, David's wife, arrived and Marta asked if they might have the next day off. Without hesitation she agreed and allowed her ruggedly handsome husband to embrace her.


Luciana told Lillian that her parents were working and Lillian threatened to close off the wine cellar to keep them out. She even went so far as to call Luciana a cabra loca, indicating that she didn't even consider her to be human.


“Get out of here! I don't want to see you!” she demanded.

“I don't want to look at you, either,” said Luciana in retaliation. She did not drop her gaze from the witch's face.

“If it were up to me you'd all be thrown out!”

“Tomorrow is my parents day off and we'll be in town. Good, because then I don't have to see your face!”


Luciana left, with two steps to a run meant to challenge Miguel, who ran after her.


Marcos reviewed the progress in the fields and David was pleased. He was looking forward to producing a high-quality mescal from the crop, continuing a family tradition of generations. He was grateful for Marcos' advice and help.


“I'm having Juan take care of your immigration papers,” he told him. “I want you and your family to be in a good, safe position,” he told him.


Marcos was happy at the news. They shook hands and embraced briefly. An observer might have thought them friends or brothers rather than boss and employee.


Luciana found the hidden bag of candy first in a distant area of the wine cellar. Miguel teased her.


“It's good you found it before the witch caught you,” he said.

“That witch won't defeat me,” she said. “She's always insulting me and my mother. When I'm older I'm going to tell her what I think of her.”



Lillian scolded her other daughter, Graciela, for not caring about the comings and goings in the house just because she didn't know where the housekeeper was. “You're always up late, out until the wee hours...” and so on, something she must have said many times. Neither woman was the picture of high society. Lillian's blonde hair was frizzed and obviously the result of a chemical reaction. She appeared not to care about how it looked. Gabriela's looked too careful by comparison, as though she paid more attention to it than to work or school.


“Last night I was out with an art connoisseur,” she told her mother.

“Don't waste your time with that. You should be looking for a good husband who can help with money and not leave you in the street. Why can't you do better than Lisa? She looked for a good man, one with money, who can maintain her as he should – “

“Just like it happened to you?” Graciela sarcastically replied. “Lisa. Always Lisa!”

She walked away from her mother who didn't bat an eye. This was yet another round of the same fight, with the same blows.


Graciela went to Juan's office just as he shooed Perla, a servant's child, out, a child who had brought him drinking water. He was a tallish man with thick dark hair, a firm, straight nose and a neat stylish beard that seemed to emphasize his slightly too full lower lip.

“Are you busy?” she asked.

“For you? Never!” he said, getting up. He smiled and started to guide her to the chair on the other side of his desk She did not appreciate the gesture or his attitude. She had only come because nobody in the main house would bother her there.

“You can sit there while I work. I have lots of things to do.” He turned to his computer.

“Why do you spend so much time doing legal work for David?”

“Because I'm his lawyer,” he said.

“But that's because he's your friend.”

“And why are you in such a bad mood?”

“I can't stand my mother,” she said.

“Yeah, yeah,” he said. This was nothing new. “If it weren't for your amor impossible you wouldn't stay with us.”

“They never gave me a chance to show I am better than she.”

“It's a little late. He married your sister.”

“Yes,” she said with a nasty expression. “But things can always change.”

David entered Juan's office only to have Graciela suggest that he accompany her to a party that Lisa would be unable to attend because of their daughter's illness. David declined, apparently not discerning Gabriela's motive for the enquiry.


Lillian further displayed her own origins by waiting for Marta to return from the fields and harassing her about her alleged shortcomings, along with a threat to persuade David to dismiss them. Marta looked directly at her and said she never imagined that Lillian hated her and her family that much. Lillian said “Well, now you know. You were always flirting with my husband and he'd never want a wetback like you.”

“That isn't true.”

“Oh, yes it is. I saw how you looked at him when we were first here on vacation. Watch yourself or I'll throw you out of here with that savage you have for a daughter. David has been defending you but don't count on having the same luck forever.”


Graciela wasn't about to give up. She went over to David and touched his arm.

“David, I don't know why you're so distant with me.”

“Graciela, you know I love your sister. I don't want any problems with her.”

He heard Lisa approach so he met her halfway and kissed her, saying he would be back later. He kissed her again and left. Graciela stood still, not looking at them. Her face was like stone as she leaned back against Juan's file cabinet.

“Graciela, come here,” Lisa said to her.

She obeyed, sashaying her way there in her own time and with her usual air of petulance.

“Graciela, I don't like seeing you near my husband.”

“It's not David's fault that I'm so pretty and you're so insecure.”

“It's not insecurity. Don't go near him.”

“I only see him as my brother-in-law. I don't know why you're behaving this way.”

“Because I know you. Look, Graciela, I really don't want any problems from you. It would be better for you to return to San Diego. You'll have more opportunity to – “

“But you have it all! I am much better than you. Remember that I saw David first!”

Lisa could only stare, but with the awareness that nothing was going to improve about this situation.


Luciana and Miguel were talking on the front porch when Marta arrived and told her they had to talk. Miguel sensed that this was going to be something private and politely departed. Luciana explained that she and Miguel had only been playing and Lillian had started the argument. She wasn't worried because David was the boss. León then arrived and upon the discovery that he had a fever Marta directed them inside. Marta applied cold cloths to León's forehead but his fever had not gone down. He didn't want to see the doctor but Marta sent Luciana to get him. León didn't want to miss the family outing the next day.


“Graciela, I'm tired of arguing with you because it's always the same thing!”

“But you always start it!”

“You and mother spend too much time here. It's time for you to go back to San Diego!”

“Are you throwing me out?”

“You leave me no other choice. Do you expect me to accept that after two years here you are still in love with my husband?”

Lillian arrived.

“What's going on?”

“Your daughter is trying to send me packing because of her stupid insecurity!”

“I agree with her. It would be better if you leave.”

Graciela looked incredulous as she realized that Lillian meant this.

“No. I can't believe that my own family – “

“Don't start with your histrionics. If your sister wants you to leave, there's a reason.”

“So you get to stay here? Lisa has Marta to help her with Fernanda. You have nothing to do here!”

“No, no, no. Marta may not work out. Or no, love?” She looked at Lisa, who was liking this situation less and less.

“Okay. I'll check on going to Europe, then I'll go. But not this week.”

She looked back at her sister, then at her mother. With a defiant expression she left.

“Daughter, I know your sister is a bit imprudent, but I really don't want any problems with David. Do you want me to leave, too? Tell me.”

“Mother, David doesn't want to deal with the problems I have with her.”

“I know, but I don't want them to affect your marriage.”

“No. I won't allow that.”

“Well done. I'll see that she leaves soon.”

Lillian walked away from this encounter satisfied. Lisa was not so sure.


The doctor, a handsome gentleman named Cesar, diagnosed a stomach infection and wrote a prescription that León would have to take for two weeks. He would not accept payment, saying he was already on the property. León would not be able to go out the next day. Marta told Luciana she could go with her father. Luciana was disappointed that they were not all going together.


While that was going on Lillian called an immigration officer named Gutierrez to tell him that Marcos and Luciana would be at the local festival at noon the next day. He didn't understand why she was doing this, but she merely claimed she was doing her duty as a citizen. He thanked her and ended the call. He seemed to like doing favors for her.

“You're real happy you get to stay here with your favorite daughter,” Graciela taunted.

“Graciela, it's your fault because you're the one that always provokes her.”

“No. It's that you've always favored Lisa since we were little girls. Don't you realize that hurts me?”

“Honey, you're just jealous. If you would only try to be more like your sister, everything would be diff – “

“I hate her because she has everything I want!”


David was getting dressed; somehow his jacket seemed too small for his physique. Lisa came into the bedroom with a large box. She wanted to give him his birthday present a day early. It was a new leather jacket which pleased him very much. He removed the denim to put it on. Lisa always knew his tastes in everything.

“But the best gift I ever got is you,” he said, with a kiss. He went on to say he was the happiest man in the world and they would always be together. He did not think about whether he was tempting fate.


Lillian went to the employee quarters to tell Marta that she was to tend to Fernanda because Lisa and David were going out. She did not care that Marta's own child was sick and needed her. There was no doubt that if pressed she would not acknowledge that Marta and her family were human beings. She insisted that she accompany her to the main house. Marcos told her not to worry, that he would take care of León, then hugged her.

The following morning Marcos and Luciana left to go to the festival while the main house celebrated David's birthday. The cake was shaped and decorated to resemble a cask of wine. David was about to make the first cut when Graciela interrupted to hand him his birthday present. He thanked her for it and put it on the table but she insisted he open it. It was a diagonally striped necktie in traditional colors, such as an executive might wear. He complimented her taste although he normally didn't wear ties.

“David, don't be a hypocrite about it, You don't even know I'm here.” There was an awkward silence for a few seconds. “Go on with the party.” She walked out. Lisa was annoyed at her sister's usual means of drawing attention to herself but quickly recovered and suggested they continue on.


Luciana and Miguel were walking through the vineyard when they saw Perla sulking. Juan had scolded her again for overfilling his coffee cup. She was always nervous around him. Luciana thought Juan was a brute, but Perla thought him very handsome. This amused Miguel very much. Marcos arrived and Luciana went off with him, kissing Miguel goodbye on the cheek. Despite being only about twelve or thirteen Miguel was obviously infatuated with Luciana.


In the employees' quarters' kitchen Marta made some chicken soup for her ailing son and served it to him at the table. Lillian barged in without knocking to look for Perla. She asked Marta why she was there on her day off. Marta explained that she was taking care of her son. Lillian called her a loser and left, knowing that her plan was not going to play out as she wanted.


Upon arrival in Sonoma Luciana and Marcos saw a couple of men being chased by border patrol police. They tried to get out of the area only to be stopped themselves. Gutierrez was one of the two and they demanded the papers authorizing their presence. They spoke English, which Luciana did not understand and she resisted and talked back, as was her way. This provoked a brutal reaction from Gutierrez and his partner, who grabbed Marcos, knocked him down, and then grabbed Luciana. One put his combat boot on Marcos' head, threatening to crush his skull. He then pulled him up, gave him the Miranda warning in English, and dragged him off. Marcos shouted to Luciana to tell the boss, but Gutierrez told her she was coming with them.


Juan handed Graciela her plane tickets and boarding pass and suggested she stop being so stubborn. He knew very well why she was being ejected from the household and told her that since David would never give her a second glance she should look elsewhere. When she asked where he slowly backed her up against the desk and kissed her. While the kiss seemed to please her she told Juan she was hoping for a better man than himself but he could look for her if her plans didn't work out. She picked up the ticket folder as Lillian arrived and again, entered without knocking.

“I see you're ready,” she said. She then turned to Juan. “Take her to the airport and see to it she's on her way.”

“With pleasure, madame,” he answered.

“Goodbye, Mama,” she said, killing Lillian. “You know what? I'm sure you'll need me someday.”

She exited the office with Juan following close behind.

Lillian closed her eyes for a moment and said to herself “I hope not.”


Marcos and Luciana were in the immigration office where the desk officer at least spoke to them in Spanish. Marcos apologised for not having papers with him, but was told that they would be deported because they could not prove their nationality. That no proof of nationality meant that they could be deported to the wrong country did not seem to occur to anyone. He told the officer that his papers were in progress, but there was also the issue that he had punched an immigration officer. They were told they would be deported to Mexico and would not be able to return. Gutierrez entered the office and told him (in English, again) that he would pay for assaulting him. Marcos protested that he was only defending his daughter. The desk officer said that there was nothing to be done for it. The deportation process would begin immediately.

Luciana began crying that she wanted to go home. She was going to miss her mother. Marcos told her to calm down. Gutierrez and his superior didn't miss a word of this, demanding to know whether her mother was also “illegal.” Marcos quickly said that he and Luciana were there alone. His wife was in Mexico and that his daughter was frightened. Gutierrez picked up on this and said “The girl is going to tell us everything,” as he took out a weapon. Marcos protested and the desk officer stopped everything and told Gutierrez to calm down. The two officers then left the room.


Lisa and David took a walk near the river, carrying baby Fernanda. They talked about taking a trip and about David's plans for the new crop. They were very happy.

León was feeling better and came running down the stairs asking his mother if he could go out and play. She denied him permission because the doctor told him he had to stay in. Miguel arrived and Marta told them to stay in and watch television while she went to the main house to help with the baby. As León brought two glasses of water Miguel talked about his mother working for rich people and that they lived in a neighborhood where most of their neighbors came from El Salvador. He talked about a small store that sold really great candy and León realized that it was the candy Luciana brought home. He was quick to tease Miguel about having a thing for her.

They turned on the television set and León complained that the programs were boring and all in English. Miguel told him he should take classes and that learning English would be easier. Then he hoped that his candy would compare favorably to anything Luciana would find in Sonoma.


Marcos took advantage of being left alone in the office to tell Luciana not to mention her mother and brother. She reminded him that he had taught her never to lie, but he told her that this time it was for a good reason. The two officers returned, bringing a chilled bottle of water which was given to Luciana. The desk officer began questioning her in Spanish. He asked her where she wanted to go. She told him “Where we were living. To get my dolls.”

“Don't try to fool me,” said Gutierrez. “You said your mother was there.”

“Is your mother there?”

“Don't you speak Spanish?” Luciana said to Gutierrez. “Don't you understand me?”

“Just answer,” said the desk officer.

“My mother isn't there. Just my dolls.”

“Are you sure?”

“Enough. Don't you want to listen?” asked Marcos.

“Luciana, you can't go back for your dolls. You have to stay here with your father.”

Luciana cried. Marcos looked worried. Gutierrez looked satisfied.


Lillian found Lisa and David in the vineyard. She told them that Graciela left without saying goodbye to them. David said he hoped this wasn't about the birthday gift and Lillian was quick to tell Lisa “You know your sister does crazy things.” Marta arrived, asking if they needed her for anything. They were surprised to see her and she explained why she stayed home. David asked whether she called Cesar and Marta told him about his visit. “Well, I hope all is well.”

Behind his back Lillian said to herself, “I hope not.”


Gutierrez told Marcos he wasn't allowed any phone calls. Marcos turned to the other officer and said it was his right. The officer agreed and escorted him into the next room. Gutierrez sat at the desk and looked directly at Luciana.

“What are you staring at?”

“Your face is full of anger and bitterness. And I know you understand every word!”

León answered the phone. When Marcos asked for Marta León sent Miguel to the big house to get her. Marcos then told León he would have to be strong because of the deportation. Marta arrived just in time to hear his voice and the bad news. The officers became suspicious and Marcos told them he was talking to his female boss. Marta told him that their papers were in progress and he was being rushed off. He got in two “te amo”s which was likely to have been noticed by the officers who then took the phone from him and ended the call. They then told him that he and Luciana would soon be on their way to Tijuana.


Juan and Graciela sat in the airport bar long enough for a drink before she had to board the plane. She didn't want to leave but knew she couldn't convince Lisa to allow her to stay. She started flirting with Juan, who wasn't reacting as she wanted him to. “You always had contempt for me, just like your sister. When we were at University she always preferred David. This seemed to be news to Graciela, who couldn't understand how Juan could work for David under the circumstances. He wasn't interested in continuing the conversation, so he signaled the waiter to bring the check. He then told Graciela that she would have to pay her part of it.


Marta ran back to the main house and found Perla sweeping the porch. She asked if she knew the restaurant that the boss and his wife were going to only to have Lillian show up to obstruct her intention. When Marta explained that the immigration police had Marcos and Luciana Lillian was actually amused.

“So thank God that your son was sick so you don't have to go with them.”

“Please tell me where they are. Only Señor David can help.”

“Yes, but guess what? I don't remember the name of the restaurant. I can't do anything for your husband or for your savage child.”

If Marta thought about this later on she realized that Lillian was enjoying watching her cry. She certainly wasn't fooled at Lillian's denial of information, asking her how she would feel if someone separated her from her daughters. This only brought more contempt out of her and Marta walked away, seeing that there was no reasoning with her.


Marcos and Luciana were detained in a fenced cell at the deportation center. An officer handed him two bag lunches and two bottles of Poland Spring water. After he left another man started talking.

“Is this the first time you're being deported?” Marcos nodded. “Don't worry. You'll spend a couple of days in Tijuana then you can sneak back.”

“Don't believe that<” said another man. “It gets more difficult every time. If you have a little girl with you, that's worse. Why don't you leave her in Mexico?”

“No. I won't leave my daughter behind.”

Luciana woke up but Marcos could not persuade her to eat anything. She wanted to be with her mother and León.


León and Miguel talked about this. Miguel told his friend that many people don't return from this situation. A younger boy and his father came in and realized that something was very wrong. León explained what he knew and the man told him not to worry. The little boy leaned into León to try to comfort him.


Lisa, David, and their daughter were in a nice restaurant having lunch. David checked his cell phone for a call from Ramon, but immediately went back to enjoying his meal.


Marta ran into Juan's office to get him to help. Juan seemed to have been nursing a headache and wasn't in the mood. When she explained the problem he told her it was complicated but he would work on it. He picked up the phone. She thanked him and walked out, still crying. He hung up the phone, saying to himself “It looks like everyone is busy at this hour,” and hung up.


When Lisa and David came home Marta went to the main house to tell them what happened.

“Why didn't you say so sooner?” David asked.

“Because your cell phone didn't answer and your mother-in-law said she didn't remember the name of the restaurant.”

“Mother, why would you hide that?”

Lillian tried to hem and haw her way out of answering but David didn't wait. He took out his cell and called Juan. Lillian gave Marta a dirty look while Lisa hugged the distraught woman.

When David got Juan on the phone he told him to drop everything and take care of this. When he ended the call he asked Lillian why she didn't do something about this earlier. She claimed she couldn't remember the restaurant, trying to appear innocent.

“I know he's one of your best workers, but – ”

“Mother, please!” said Lisa. “He's Marta's husband. You can't let them split up a family!”

“Marta, be calm,” David told her. “It will be alright.”

He hugged her, worried himself. Lisa had Marta bring Fernanda to her room as Juan arrived to tell David he couldn't do anything.

“I'm going to call a friend at the consulate,” David said. He left the room to do so. Lisa followed him.

“So you really couldn't do anything,” said Lillian. “They're going to be deported.”

“That seems to please you,” he said.

“How could you think that?”

“It's no secret you have no love for that family.”

“Don't talk nonsense.”

“Lillian, I don't believe you. And Marcos and I get on well. David trusts me and I will do my job. Work is work and I will carry on.” He left.


Most of the detainees in the immigration center had been moved out. Marcos and Luciana were alone only briefly before Gutierrez came back to play the bully once again. Another officer came to tell him that the next bus would have to wait because the driver's shift had ended. They needed to wait for another driver to come on duty. Gutierrez was not pleased to hear this. When he left Marcos had some hope that this would buy them time.


Miguel cried himself to sleep, fearing that he would never see Luciana again.


The following morning Gutierrez said to Marcos “You're being deported, scumbag.”

“Hey, she's only a little girl,” said another officer.

“Yeah, but she's still illegal.”

Luciana cried in her father's arms.

Labels: vino