My name is Jacob. I grew up in Texas, born and raised in a small town in the northeastern portion of the state. It was exactly what you'd expect: Guns, God, football and barbecue. I was never into all that, so I could not get out fast enough. I made the grades and was able to go to Boston University.
For the first time, I had peers I could relate to. It was wonderful to be able to share my liberal views on issues, or talk about science fiction or punk rock. It was exhilarating, but college flew by. And like all good things, it ended. I had nowhere to go, but back to Texas. Not my small hometown, though. I landed a job at an online news organization based in Austin. I wasn't happy to have to go back to the state. But if I had to pick anywhere in Texas to be, it would be there.
Working as copy editor at a small digital news outlet didn't exactly pay the big bucks, but I was happy to do the work. I was happy to have the opportunity to maybe move up. And the city was really nice. Austin has a strong progressive movement going, so I could find people I could relate to and connect with. And I did miss the barbecue. And one night, my values and my taste for pulled pork collided.
I attended an event hosted by Liberal Texans United on the subject of immigrant rights. There were three different speaker from different organizations, all telling their stories and trying to get people to donate or get involved with their various causes. It was during the telling of a particularly rousing story that I first laid eyes on Camila.
The speaker was an organizer telling his own story of becoming a citizen, and how much he had to sacrifice to get there. Camila was so animated during the speech, yelling affirmations and jumping up in support of the speaker. You couldn't help but notice her. But that wasn't the only reason I noticed her.
She was gorgeous. Just gorgeous. There's always this conflict as a liberal when you notice a woman like this. You want to see her passion, her dedication, her struggle. But I'm still a man. And I can only fight that voice that says, "Don't objectify! Don't stare!" so much. Camila was my type. The first thing you notice is how punk she looks: Bronze skin, arms adorned with tattoo sleeves, her dark hair in a short pixie-cut style with the shaved sides, and dressed in a somewhat revealing military punk style. It's a look I find both attractive and intimidating, as if I want to ask her out but am afraid she might just deck me for making a move. The perfect woman.
The night was ending, what little remnants of the provided barbecue being packed away for donation to the local homeless shelter. Some organization representatives lingered at tables with a sign-up sheet for volunteers or text/email updates. I spotted Camila at one, and bee-lined over to it. I wasn't even sure which organization it was. I just signed the sheet and acted really interested. I nervously said my line to her: "We have to all come together and do something!"
She gave a courtesy smile and nod, as though she could see right through me. Embarrassed, I shuffled away and out the door. Walking to my car, I heard a voice.
"So you're just going to spout some platitude and not do what you wanted?"
I spun around and there was Camila, arms crossed and giving a slightly warmer smile. "Uhh...and what was that?", I asked.
"Ask for my number, you pussy".
"Oh, no. I just wanted to you know...join the fight and -"
"Dude. I'm telling you to ask. You're cute, but I will just say 'fuck it' at some point".
===
She didn't have to tell me again. That was the start of what would become our relationship. I couldn't believe my luck. I was never anything special with girls, but there this incredible woman coming on to me.
That encounter set the tone for our relationship over the weeks to come after. I was basically your typical feckless TV sitcom boyfriend, and she took the reigns. I learned why she was so passionate listening to the speech that night. She was an illegal immigrant. She had been in the country since she was three years old. The US was basically all she knew, but she never had the means to pursue citizenship.
She survived however she could: Currently as a bartender at a dive bar called the Tipsy Mule. It was kind of a seedy place. She had countless stories of men harassing or trying to manhandle her, but her coworkers and the owner looked after her. They knew she couldn't afford any incident that brought attention to her.
Still, I worried. I'm a painfully average guy. I'm 5'9, 176 pounds. Not the smallest, but nothing remarkable either. Secretly, I also worry that I don't deserve Camila. I don't make much money. I'm no wizard in the sheets. And she's...she's incredible. The first time we made love, I was stunned. Under those clothes is a supremely toned body. She was emaciated, though. She had abs and she had curves that would make any woman jealous: An ass sculpted by exercise and a life of working on her feet, and very nice C-cup breasts. I didn't deserve this woman, but I hoped no one would tell her that.
===
I was doing some support work for a story on city politics one Friday. Editing isn't sexy, but it has to be done. I had my eyes on aiming for a job as a site writer myself. But I had to prove myself, still being fairly new. This means I worked late very often. I bent over backwards to get noticed, often to no avail.
Camila was getting frustrated by my decrease in availability. She thought I was trying to "define myself by my career" too much and had stopped participating in the activist scene. And there were other problems that really had me nervous. We had only recently become intimate, and there were some...compatibility issues. In her words, I make love like a Puritan. I didn't have the confidence to take control. I was still intimidated by her, honestly. How do I just change my whole mindset and let go of my insecurities?
I got home around 8 PM that night. Camila had the keys to my apartment and had made a habit of hanging around there when she wasn't working. I expected to walk in and see her on the couch reading up on the news on her computer. But she wasn't there. I instantly called her phone. No answer. She wasn't working that night, but maybe people at the Tipsy Mule knew something. I got in the car and took the short drive over.
The bartender that night, William, saw me walk in and it seemed like he instantly melted down towards the counter.
"What is it? You know something", I said.
"I'm sorry, man", he said.
"What? Tell me what happened!"
"Camila came in to get her paycheck. She seemed on edge already. But then this fucker grabbed her and tried to pull her in and kiss her. She backslapped him and clawed at his face."
I was startled. I said, "Oh my god. I'm glad she stood up for herself - "
"No man. You don't get it", William said. "He was a customs agent."
"Shit", I said. "Shit. Where is she?"
"He had a buddy with him. Another agent. The took her. Dude, I'm so sorry. I don't know what happens next."
===
I didn't know what to do. I felt helpless. Who do I call? Do I call law enforcement? They are agents, they are law enforcement. How are these things handled? Is there an appeals process? But he tried to force himself on her. Doesn't that matter?
I paced around my apartment uselessly. I had no answers, only worry. I collapsed on my couch and buried my head in my hands. I had no fucking clue what to do.