Greg leans back in his chair, and his arms fall to his sides.
“What does that mean?” Carol asks.
“It’s means he’s here illegally,” Greg says.
“Illegally? Emily, did you know about this?” Carol asks.
“Yes,” Emily says, and my chest bursts.
“I oughta have you deported.”
“Then I’d go with him. With the baby.”
“You can’t do that, Greg. There’s no reason for that,” Carol says, her eyes narrowed.
I can tell Greg thinks getting me away from his daughter is the best reason there is. He’d better realize how serious Emily is about leaving with me
“It’s fine, Dad, when we get married, Steel will be able to get a Green Card.”
“I’m not sure it’s that easy. Have you looked into it?” Greg asks.
Emily looks at me and cocks her head.
“Not yet,” I answer.
“Well, at least I know you’re not marrying her just to make your stay legal,” Greg says.
“I’ve been in the country ten years, that’s definitely not the reason,” I say.
“Ten years,” Greg says, his teeth gritted.
“Can’t you do anything to help them? You must know someone,” Carol says.
Greg blows the air out of his mouth and thinks. At least it doesn’t seem like he’s going to deport me.
“You two have sure come in here and dropped a ton of bombshells today,” Greg says.
“We didn’t have to come here at all,” Emily says.
“We came because it’s important for the baby to have family, and for Emily to have support,” I say, repeating myself.
After a moment, Greg says, “Let me phone Rob. He’s an immigration lawyer I know from the Lions Club.”
“Thank you,” Carol says.
The three of us watch while Greg takes out his cell phone and scrolls through his contacts. He pushes dial, and moves to stand. Carol grabs his arm, and drags him back into his chair.
“Hey, Rob,” Greg says.
The three of us listen to his description of the problem, and watch his face fall as he listens to the answer.
“Can I put you on speaker phone? They’re here, and it’d be good if you can tell them,” Greg asks.
He puts the phone on speaker and sets it in the middle of the table.
“Hi, Rob,” Emily says.
“Hello,” Rob says.
“So, you were saying?” Greg says.
“Yes, Emily, you have to apply for a K-1 visa. Kayden, you can’t be in the country when she applies, and won’t be able to visit the country until it’s granted.”
“How long does that take?” I ask.
“Months. Six if you’re lucky, most likely longer,” Rob says.
It’s a blow to my stomach. How the hell are we going to do that? I’d miss seeing her belly grow with my baby. Worst of all, would I even be able to get back in time for the birth?
“What if we go get married now in Vegas?” I ask.
“Then it’ll take longer for everything,” Rob says.
“That’s just not possible, Rob. It’s too long,” Carol says.
“Sorry, Carol. that’s just the way it is,” Rob says.
“There must be another way,” Carol says, pleading.
I can’t believe her mother is fighting my case so strongly for me.
“Well, there might be. Depending on how things are with you. I’ve never met you Kayden, and I don’t know what your means or plans are. But it’s possible to get an E-2 visa in one or two months,” Rob says.
I sit taller in my chair, and ask, “How do I do that?”
“It’s only for people who are business investors. You have to buy or start a business here, with a substantial investment. At least two hundred thousand.”
“And that’s the only way?” I say, slumping in my chair again.
“Afraid so. Those are the only two options,” Rob says.
I wonder if it’s easier to get a Canadian visa for Emily. We could go build a life there.
The Big Money (Emily)
My dad hangs up and puts the phone back in his pocket.
”Dad, you have to let Steel have a dealership,” I say.
“What?” my dad blurts.
“But it’s only fair. You’re giving one to each of my brothers, I should get one too.”
“But it would be in Steel’s name, not yours.”
“It wouldn’t matter, we’d be married. Plus it would solve two problems, the visa and the job,” I say.
“How does it solve the job? You’re going to have the owner being the guy detailing the cars?” my dad says.
“No, Steel can sell,” I say. So can I, but I’ll leave that for another day.