Once You Go Back. 31

For most of the past year, I’d resigned to let my Dominican adventures with men and the indescribable natural wonders down there stay separate from my up here, Georgia life. But two worlds in one man can be hard to keep separate. 

With just two weeks until I was headed back to my wild island and my family of beautiful black men, I was unexpectedly forced to confront parts of that world on my Georgia doorstep.

 I told Joyce my idea about sneaking Wilfredo back home. She was quiet for a minute, then launched into a solid refusal.

“Look, I’ve worked for rich celebrities for a long time,” she said compassionately. “They break the rules and laws that you and I abide by every day. But they choose when and where. I can tell you right now no one will take the risk of letting this happen. Don’t say another word about it.” 

I was driving from MissK’s estate back to my city condo. Joyce spoke through a tiny speaker that she’d sent to me. It had a port for my flip phone so I could drive and talk. 

The voices excited Bella. She usually curled up on the truck seat by me and snored while we drove. But I think hearing Joyce’s voice had her amped up and curious. Bella stood looking at me.

“Stick with the plan,” Joyce kept on. “Bringing in folks from Mexico is iffy but everyone does it. Getting the guys’ family to come back with them is the best option. January, you’ll have plenty of help. But having an illegal Dominican ferried into Mexico, hiking over the desert and into your Georgia world sounds more like human trafficking.”

She let that sink in.