“The boy you are obviously interested in. I can hear it in your voice Morg.”
“Mom geez! His name is Mark Ortega and he is so fine.”
“I knew it. Has he asked you out or communicated in any way.”
“I heard him telling Jacob that he thought I was cute. I hope to get the chance to talk to him soon.”
“Just pace yourself Morgan. Don’t do anything drastic to get his attention,” I advised Morgan. We chat casually before I talk to Charlie for a few minutes. He is not really feeling high school right now.
“Charlie it is going to take some time for you to adjust that’s all. I wish I was there to help you out.” I feel like an errant parent not being home for my kids.
“Mom you are where you need to be. I will be okay I guess. I can’t wait to see dad on television,” Charlie retorts calmly.
“I love you guys so much. Give everyone kisses for me Charlie. I will talk to you all soon.”
Every nerve in my body is standing at attention as I take my seat in the Water Cube to watch my husband’s first heat in the 100-meter backstroke. There will be six heats total with 48 swimmers competing only the top sixteen will move on to the semifinals. Dominic is in the second heat and I nervously watch as he jumps into the water. I give a silent prayer and watch as my husband takes off from the block exploding into the water. I am on my feet screaming and cheering as Dominic dominates this heat in the first fifty meters of the race. Watching Dominic touch the wall in first place after the last fifty brings tears to my eyes.
“Good job baby,” I screamed as people nearby congratulate me. Dominic removes his goggles and swim cap before exiting the pool. I can see the joy in his eyes when he learns he has set a new Olympic record.
“Yes that’s my husband,” I responded proudly to a nearby woman’s inquiry. I resist the urge to start calling everyone on my cellphone, as I know they have a delay before they will see Dominic’s performance. I watch the remaining four heats relieved that Dominic remains at the top heading into the semifinal round tomorrow. There is little respite for my husband as he takes his place with the relay team. The 400-meter men’s relay team is at the block. Each member of the team will swim two lengths of the pool before handing off to a team member. Dominic will swim in the third position for the team in this freestyle heat. The goal is to put the team that will swim in the final into a good lane position. The French are heavily favored for the gold medal in the finals tomorrow. The first swimmer for the US team takes his position and they are off down the first length of the pool. The US team maintains second place as the second swimmer heads into the water. I can see Dominic is focused as he waits for the swimmer to return. When all six feet two inches of his body hits the water he maintains the lead the second swimmer accomplished. After the fourth and final swimmer returns to the block the relay team learns they have just set the world record for the 400-meter relay.
“Woo hoo good job baby,” I am yelling as the team embraces. Dominic will not swim the final relay but he has helped to put the team in a great lane. Since this is not a final race the enthusiasm is somewhat muted but I refuse to treat this as nothing but a winning victory. I watch Dominic and his teammates answer a barrage of questions from various members of the media. This day officially kicks off the Olympics for my Dominic.
The next day brings more of the same as Dominic places second overall in the 100-meter backstroke semifinals. We watch as the men’s 400-meter final relay ends with sweet US victory over France. The stunning upset results in gold medals for the entire team including the heat relay team. My husband has just won his first gold medal in the Olympic Games. The world focus is on the possibility of Michael Phelps breaking the world record for most gold medals. My focus is on my husband doing well.
“They have that victory because of the work your team did baby. Congratulations,” I said tearfully later on that evening. Dominic and I have several hours to appreciate the wonderful victories of the past two days.
“That felt so good Sammie. To just power through that water and bring it home. I am going to do the same thing tomorrow,” he admits. The light in his eyes is amazingly bright and while I do not see flecks of gold there is a new sparkle there.
I place my hand upon his cheek caressing it tenderly. “Take it one day at a time. Stay focused and pace yourself baby.”
Dominic turns the situation into a passionate display of affection by kissing me. I let go and give into the kiss relishing the feel of his tongue on my tongue. I enjoy the feel of his hands holding me close to him.
“Get a room you two.” A guy who looks rather familiar suggests jokingly. It’s one of the swimmers from the relay team Dominic swam with yesterday.
“Aaron this is my wife Samantha. Samantha this is my teammate Aaron,” Dominic introduces. We exchange a pleasant handshake, “Nice to meet you.”
“Samantha, come have dinner with us so you can explain to me why you married this man? I mean this guy snores something terrible,” Aaron said playfully hitting Dominic in the arm and the two pretend to box. He is also Dominic’s roommate while at the games.
“I would love to have dinner with you guys.”
Aaron takes my hand as Dominic takes the other one.
“Don’t get any ideas Aaron. She belongs to me.” Dominic slipped his hand around my waist and Aaron lets my hand go in defeat.
“Lucky bastard,” Aaron muttered as we head to the dining hall.
Inside the huge dining area there are literally hundreds of people milling around at a variety of food stations. Dominic introduces me to countless other athletes from several different countries.
“Coach Anderson so nice to see you,” I said offering Dominic’s coach a huge hug.
“Samantha, or should I say Mrs. Castillo, it’s good to see you here supporting this awesome young man,” Coach Anderson replied indicating Dominic.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else Coach.”
I take Dominic’s hand in mine while we chat for a little while longer before hunger overtakes us all.
It warms my heart to see some of my favorite comfort foods. I have resigned myself to eating a mostly vegetarian diet since I arrived in Beijing. If I do any food exploring I want it to be with Dominic after his events are over. Taking chances is not something I want to do without my husband. I am not jeopardizing his support system in anyway.
“Hi baby, you want to speak to daddy?” I said into Dominic’s cell phone. I pass the phone to Dominic who is stuffing his face with pasta and salad.
“You have kids?” Aaron asked shocked.
“Yes I have a four year old son from a previous relationship but Dominic is his only dad. My parents died three years ago so we are also raising my two younger siblings.”
“Wow and he has been training for this. That’s pretty spectacular.”
Aaron gave Dominic a friendly pat to the back as he talks to Bryce.
“Yes daddy will let you wear his medal. I love you too buddy. Can I talk to Morgan or Charlie?” Dominic is beaming talking to Bryce while I resume eating my dinner.
“So you and Dominic were married last month?” Derrick another member of the swim team asked.
“We were married at the end of May a few weeks after graduation.” I answer back before putting a fork full of salad into my mouth.
“You both graduated, got married, Olympic trials, and then here in Beijing that’s pretty impressive.” Derrick sends a high five my way before passing one across to Dominic who is still talking on the phone with the kids.
“My oldest Morgan is setting her sites on London 2012 in gymnastics. So if everything goes according to plan I will have two Olympians in the house.”
Dominic is off the phone as Aaron announces, “Tomorrow we will gold and silver that backstroke right Dominic? Doesn’t matter the order just as long as one and two belong to USA.”
“Absolutely, I love being the underdog sneaking in to make the podium,” Dominic replies pounding fists with Aaron. Th
e meal comes to an end way too soon for me. I have to reluctantly leave my husband for the night to let him rest and mentally prepare for his first chance at an individual medal.
“I love you Sammie. Please text me the moment you are in the hotel safely,” Dominic whispered in my ear as I prepare to board the bus for the hotel.
“I love you so much Dominic. Please get some rest, focus, and do what you came to do,” I whispered offering a kiss, which he gladly takes.
With one last wave I am on the bus heading for my hotel room. I can’t stop the tears as the bus rolls on. I miss sleeping next to my husband and we have so many more days of separation ahead of us. I must get my emotions under control as my separation anxiety appears to be my undoing. I text Dominic to let him know I have arrived safely. After a hot shower and a cup of tea I fall into a deep but restless sleep.
The next morning Dominic was ready to finish his first individual race for the possibility of a medal. This morning will be the final swim for the 100-meter backstroke. Later this evening he will swim in the prelims for the 100-meter freestyle. I am sitting in my seat awaiting his swim, cheering on the other American swimmers. I feel like Dominic’s swim here will set the tone for the remainder of his events.
Dominic and Aaron are on the platform both looking very focused. I am reading the commentary online on my phone to see what everyone thinks of Dominic’s chances. It appears in spite of his victories in the prelims and semifinals he isn’t being given much of a chance. I slip my phone in my purse and send out prayers for my husband’s success in the water. Gripping my rosary beads I hope for the best.
“C’mon Dominic,” I yell as they prepare to enter the water. Dominic is off the block and fires down the first fifty as I am on my feet screaming loudly. Aaron is heading to the wall while Dominic is right behind him.
“Yes baby! Whoo hoo! That’s my husband,” I shouted as Dominic picks up his first silver medal. Tears of joy stream down my cheeks as I watch him look at the scoreboard. Aaron and Dominic are hugging one another in the water as they realize their gold and silver medals respectively.
I want so desperately to hug my husband but security is so tight that I will have to wait until much later. Watching Dominic stand proud on that podium with his teammate Aaron was an incredible experience. Hearing our national anthem for the second time in an event is bittersweet considering Dominic’s origins. His surrogate country has wholeheartedly embraced him after this wonderful victory.
Later on that afternoon I get some alone time with my husband. The media for interviews has bombarded him and I love watching him speak.
“I just wanted to get out there and show the world that I belong here. After the Olympic trials and the disappointing third place show that initially kept me off the team I started second guessing myself.” Dominic told the reporter as I stand nearby listening.
“What was it like when you got the call that you qualified for three individual events?” The tall blond reporter asked.
“It was bittersweet actually. I didn’t want to make the team because Andre Webber was severely ill. However since that was the case I made up my mind to do my best in his place.”
“How does it feel winning this silver medal given all those crazy circumstances?” She said thrusting her microphone towards him.
“It’s amazing. To win behind Aaron, my fellow teammate and friend, was the only way this event should have concluded. I could feel my wife, Samantha, cheering me on and hear her words echoing in my head.”
I cover my mouth with my hands as he mentions me to the reporter. The reporter nods and asked, “What where your wife’s words?”
“She told me to focus and do what I came here to do. I think a silver medal will make a wonderful wedding gift to her.”
“Those are great words to have pushing you to do your best indeed. So you’re a newlywed?”
“Yes we were married right after graduation in May. She has been an amazing source of support for my swimming career since we met freshman year in college.”
“You know everyone is going to start calling this, if they haven’t already, a Cinderella story. You helped the men’s 400-meter relay team get into the finals and they thanked you and the rest of the team with a surprising gold medal. What are your thoughts on that victory?”
“I was honored to be selected to participate on that relay team. We decided before going into the water that we wanted to put the final relay team in the best position. With France being heavily favored I think that gave our final team the challenge they needed to pull it off. I am more than happy on day four of my first Olympic experience to have a gold and silver medal. I hope that the podium becomes well acquainted with me and my other events.”
Dominic flashes a gorgeous smile into the camera as the reporter stalls for just a nanosecond. Yeah I know he has that effect on me too!
“Well congratulations and good luck in your remaining events. I am sure we will be talking again soon,” the woman concluded as the camera lights dim. Dominic shakes her hand as he motions for me to join them. He introduces me and the reporter eagerly shakes my hand.
“Baby, I am so proud of you,” I exclaimed when we are kind of alone for a few minutes. Dominic doesn’t immediately respond but wraps me up in his arms holding me tightly. I fall into his hug burying my face in his neck as I stand on my tippy toes to reach. We are forehead to forehead now and I can see tears streaming down his cheeks as they do mine.
“I couldn’t have done this without you Sammie. Thank you,” he whispered.
“Don’t thank me, you did this Dominic. You did this. I am so proud of you,” I cried softly.
“I get to keep the gold one but the silver was just for you baby.” Dominic kisses my lips before I could respond.
“All right I hate to break up the love fest but its time to head out my friend,” Aaron interrupts good-naturedly. I turn and give Aaron a huge hug congratulating him on his gold medal win.
“That was worth winning the gold medal alone,” Aaron laughed as Dominic pulls him from my embrace. Dominic manages to give me a jaw dropping kiss before we have to part for the evening events. My knees are weak when he releases me.
“Hi Samantha,” I heard a familiar voice say as I regain my equilibrium.
“Uh hello Mackenzie,” I replied my voice unsteady. “Congratulations on your medal.” I have had the pleasure of not running into her during our days in Beijing until now. I am still leery of her being around Dominic but I trust him to be a good husband.
“Thanks Samantha. Dominic is making quite a name for himself in these games,” she said smiling good-naturedly. Dominic is rather quiet but has his hands wrapped protectively around me. Aaron is watching the exchange as understanding slowly permeates his features. I can see he wants to smile but he refrains prepared to intervene if necessary.
“Yes I am very proud of my new husband. Well good luck to all of you tonight I will be cheering from my seat.” I gave Dominic one last kiss before walking away.
“Thanks Samantha.” Mackenzie said as she walks with Dominic and Aaron. I expect to feel a twinge of jealousy but I do not. I think she finally understands he is mine. Besides she would hate to ruin her medal chances by incurring a broken arm.
The next few days of the Olympics are much of the same. I get up in the morning have a rather simple light breakfast and do some minor sightseeing near my hotel. After which I head to the Olympic village to see Dominic if he is not practicing. If he is practicing or otherwise unavailable I do some work in my room for GPM. My Uncle and I fire off emails back and forth as I stay abreast of what’s happening back home. I have spoken to the kids several times generally after they watch the televised swim competitions. They are so proud of Dominic. Charlie brags, “Morgan and I are so popular at school mom. All the kids know that Dominic is competing.”
Dominic is doing exactly what he promised me that he would. He is posting great times in both the prelims and the semifinals in the remainder of his events.
The 100-meter freestyle gives Dominic his third metal a bronze. I could not be prouder of my husband as he moves on to the 50-meter freestyle finals. Dominic is rewarded with a last minute offer to swim the backstroke in the 400-meter team medley in the semifinals. Thankfully they place first once again putting the medley team for the finals in good position. I am excited for the US swimmers but I have to focus my support on my husband.
Six days after Dominic started competing in the Beijing Olympics he is competing in his last individual event the 50-meter freestyle. This morning I am praying that Dominic will obtain his fourth medal in these Olympic Games. Everyone at the games is watching Michael Phelps make Olympic history with his gold medal run. Later on this evening we will watch with baited breath to see if Michael Phelps can pull off his eighth gold medal. This would also mean another gold medal for Dominic for his contribution to the medley team. This is so much for my husband to process at once I am praying for his continued focus.
Swimmers in the freestyle competition generally utilize a front crawl style of swimming. This will be the fastest race for Dominic as they are only swimming one length of the pool. Dominic is in the fourth position in the line up as they ready for the start. Dominic powers each stroke maintaining a constant speed as he heads towards the other end of the pool. And just like that in under a minute it is all over. The times hit the scoreboard as Dominic realizes he has earned another bronze medal. His boisterous reaction would lead you to think he has won gold. I share his reaction screaming from the stands before my emotional breakdown.
“Wow what a rally Dominic! After such a disappointing Olympic trials to have gotten the opportunity to compete in these Olympic games it looks as if you took nothing for granted,” a reporter from a well recognized news show asked.
“It has been a dream come true to be here. I just wanted to make sure that I show the world that I belong here,” he replied his breathing still quite erratic.
“With all the hype surrounding your fellow teammate Michael Phelps how have you been able to focus?”
Deporting Dominic Page 31