Transitions by Mike Hormek - HTML preview

Chapter 5

It was a Mexican holiday, so there was more activity with the locals and more tourists, as well as what appeared to be young American men on the streets, possibly military. There were more girls than usual soliciting, some of which the Sisters did not know.

Then there were the pimps, shadowy figures lurking in the alleys preying on those prostitutes who did not have a pimp with promises of money, protection, and accessible drugs if they were users.

The pimps and local police see the Sisters as an obstacle to their profits, as voices of conscience threatening to remove the girls and expose their depravity to the light of day.

The Sisters felt uneasy as eyes were on them more than usual. There seemed to be something in the air.

Suddenly, two local police officers appeared out of the shadows. They grabbed the Sisters, put their hands behind their backs, and said, "Estas bajo arresto."

"Why are we under arrest? What's the charge?" Sister Ruth said.

The policeman did not respond.

In a dimly lit room in the local police station, Sister Ruth and Sister Ana sit on a wooden bench, their faces marked with exhaustion and worry.

"Is this the end of our mission here before it even starts good?" she thought, then she began a silent prayer for guidance.

Across from them stand Officer Gonzalez, a stern-faced man, and Father Heraldo from the Church. He wore a troubled expression.

Officer Gonzalez spoke first in English: "Sisters Ruth and Ana, do you understand the gravity of the situation here?"

"Yes, Officer, but we assure you, we are not involved in any illegal activities. We have not been charged and do not know why we are here," Sister Ruth said.

Officer Gonzalez and Father Heraldo looked at each other and, for what seemed like an eternity, finally spoke.

"The charges are pending for prostitution, and we have witness...." Officer Gonzalez said.

Father Heraldo quickly interjected," With all respect, Officer Gonzalez, these women have dedicated their lives to helping the marginalized in our community. To accuse them of such heinous crimes is preposterous."

Officer Gonzalez said, "Nuns do not have much money; maybe they wanted to make a quick peso."

Officer Gonzalez appeared annoyed and sighed, "Father, I understand your concern, but we have evidence against them. Eyewitness accounts.

"From who? The pimps do not make good witnesses, and the whores are on drugs most of the time," Father said.

"That's impossible; we have been tirelessly working to rescue these women from the grips of exploitation. I don't see anyone else in here for prostitution."

"They are arrested from time to time and pay their fines. Besides harassing our citizens, you

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seem to have the time to screw some of the johns."

"That is a dense thing to say against a person of the cross. If you are Catholic, you need to go to confession," Sister Ruth said.

Officer Gonzalez smirked, "Looks like I am not the sinner here."

Father Heraldo, rubbing his head, said, "Enough with the accusations. Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding or mistaken identity? We should not rush to judgment."

"Rush to judgment?" We have witnesses from Johns. Oh, and there was a little over an ounce of marijuana in Sister Ruth's pocket. The arresting police found it on her, and it's in the evidence locker.

What other explanation is there?"

"But citizens are allowed to carry for their use," Father said.

"Only up to 28 grams. The Nun has more than that; she may be selling. More witnesses may appear."

Sister Ruth appeared shocked, and Sister Ana broke into tears. Sister Ruth took her hand and gently said, "Don't worry, it will be okay."

Her voice trembling, she said, "We were there to offer support, to provide comfort for the forsaken by society."

"I don't think our girls are forsaken. I understand they make good money and support their families. Not on welfare as some in your country."

"Officer, I implore you to reconsider. These Sisters are beacons of hope in our community. They couldn't possi..."

Officer Gonzalez cut him off, "Hope? The only hope is they spend time in jail for their crimes."

"Father, you must understand, I respect your position, but because of the Sister's interference, I am under great pressure from the pimps, the drug lords, and even my superiors to get the Sisters out of the way." He gestures to the cell. "The opportunity to leave is now."

"Officer, these Sisters are well respected in the states, and the American Catholic Church sent them here highly recommended and approved by the Catholic Church in Mexico. You must drop the charges against them."

"I will look into it, but it's not my decision. In the meantime, I will have to detain the Sisters."

Sister Ruth anxiously said, "Father Heraldo, can you tell Sister Maria to call my brother Bob?

Will you call the Archbishop and see if he can get us out? And contact the Archdiocese in Tijuana as well?"

"I will."

"Thank you so much."

Both Sisters were placed in a cell overnight. The jailor served a meager breakfast of an egg sandwich and milk the following day. At noon, the jailer came in, speaking Spanish.

"Tienes un visitante."

The visitor was Sister Maria, distraught and in tears.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"We are fine. Did you call my brother Bob?"

"Yes, and he said he would contact the Archbishop and the Archdiocese. I also looked up Mexican law, and it appears you are guilty until proven innocent, and you must make a statement. Have

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you been officially charged by a District Attorney?"

"Not that I know, only the police."

"If the D.A. charges you, he must act within 48 hours: set bail or turn you over to a judge."

"Okay, we wait and pray. See if you can find out if Father Heraldo contacted the Archbishop. I don't trust him. He would rather see us stay in jail."

"Yes, Sister, I will see what I can find out."

Later that day, Officer Gonzalez addressed the pair.

"Your case has been turned over to the "agente" for investigation. We will now take your statement."

"We want a lawyer present when we make the statement."

"Okay, do you want to hire one?"

"No, a public defender is okay."

Several hours later, a public defender showed up but only spoke Spanish. He observed the Sisters' statements and informed them the District Attorney would investigate their case and solicit witnesses. After the interview with the lawyer, the Sisters stated their innocence. Sister Ruth asked the lawyer to contact the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, as was taught to the Sisters, in case of any problems. She asked Sister Maria to do the same. The lawyer indicated he would check if bail would be permitted.

"Do you think they will revoke our visa?" Sister Ana asked.

"We need to worry about getting out of here first."

The 48 hours they were expired before the lawyer returned and told the Sisters the bail amount.

The court scheduled a hearing before a judge, and the Sisters were to surrender their passports. Shortly after, Bob and the Archbishop came to their aid. They contacted their lawyer and posted the bail for the Sisters. The lawyer told them that the District Attorney was attempting to locate the witnesses for the prostitution charge. The drug possession charge was another matter altogether, and the lawyer suggested they plead guilty and hope the judge would go easy on them. They posted bail and await their hearing.

"How did you Sisters get yourselves in this situation?" the Archbishop asked.

"Your Excellency, "The street girls are abused and are protected by the pimps and police. The drugs were planted in my pocket when during my arrest," Sister Ruth said.

The lawyer received a call and said, "Es la oficina general del consulado."

"I will take the call," the Archbishop said.

After a lengthy conversation, the Archbishop said, "The Consulate General's office suggests you three Sisters leave Mexico when the courts settle your case. When the hearing comes up, I will personally escort you out. I know how much it must hurt to pull you out, but I have no choice under the circumstances."

"We understand, Your Excellency," Sister Ruth said tearfully. We meant no embarrassment to you or the Church."

The lawyer assisted in making bail.

"Until the hearing, you must turn in your passports and remain in the Church quarters. If you leave, we will put you back in jail."

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Sister Ruth called Bob aside and said, "did you bring the money?"

"Yes, but you are not seriously going forward with your plan?"

Sister Ruth waited until after vespers and again left the Church without the other Sister's knowledge and attempted to contact the girls. Again, she had to find them on the streets. Sister Ruth spotted Camila just as Camila entered a car and vigorously waved and yelled, but Camila did not hear her. Three men dressed in fancy clothes and laded in gold jewelry began approaching Sister Rurh, and she started quickly returning to the Church, being careful to be in the presence of others as she hustled.

The men stopped following her, and she returned safely to the Church.

Camila was at her average beat alone this time when the truck with three men jumped out, grabbed her, and threw her in the back of the car, screaming. They covered her mouth and whispered in her ear in English.

"We know you speak English. We saw you with the Nuns and know you have their number. Call her now and tell her you need help and you are bleeding and to come alone. If you screw up, we will kill you."

Camila called Sister Ruth.

In a terrified voice, she said, "this is Camila. I am in trouble. I am bleeding, and I need your help."

"Where are you?"

"In the park on a bench across from Jose's Tamales. Hurry, I am bleeding."

"Okay, I will be there in 20 minutes."

Sisters Maria and Ana overheard the conversation,

"Where are you going?" Maria asked.

"Camila said she was in trouble. If I am not back in one hour, come looking."

"Okay."

It was a four-block walk. Several people were on the street, and some girls she recognized were soliciting as she approached the park. As Sister Ruth approached, Camila sat nervously with her hands in her lap.

"What on earth is the matter?" she asked, breathless.

At that instant, three men approached from inside Jose's Tamales, and the truck appeared from the alley beside it. They wore masks, hurriedly grabbed Sister Ruth, and threw her inside the back of the car."

One of the three English speakers spoke with a harsh voice."You should have stayed inside like we told you to do. If you do not leave Mexico, we will kill you. "

He began punching her and kicking her. All she could do was pray until she passed out. Then, the trio drove the truck to the front of the Church, where they dumped her on the steps.

It was a Saturday night, and the Jesuits were hearing confession. It wasn't long before a parishioner arrived, leaned over, cradled the Sister, made a sign of the cross, and wiped the blood off her mouth.

"Madre de Dios. Ayuda, Ayuda." she cried out, entered the Church, and cried out again for help.

There were others inside waiting for confession. They followed the woman, and two men picked up Sister and brought her inside.

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Sisters Maria and Ana were entering the Church through the back door when they heard the commotion and came running. When they realized it was Sister Ruth, Sister Maria knocked on the confessional door to alert the priest.

"Father, Father, it's Sister Ruth; come help."

By then, a small crowd had gathered, with women wailing and men unsure of what to do.

The priest said he would summon Sister Elena, a Mexican Nun with medical experience. Sister Ruth, now awake but in severe pain, attempted to speak. The attending Nun quizzed Sister and determined that her wounds were not life-threatening. Father Heraldo appeared and said he would transport Sister Ruth to a hospital an hour away. The priests called the police, who interviewed the two Sisters, and the police said they would speak with Sister Ruth when they could.

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