No More Dead Bodies
Ben struggled with anything to say during the slight break in Santiago’s story, mostly mesmerized and wondering how Santiago could pay such great attention to his driving while talking. Amy, though, chimed in, “What was it like going home for only a quick trip?”
Santiago seemed happy to continue, “I remember getting home, and my parents were so proud. But I was afraid because I started to think that I couldn’t get good enough grades to be a doctor, and that I couldn’t pay for them to come to Chicago to live. I was only home for three weeks. I started to help my mother selling scarves and hats again, but she didn’t like it saying, ‘That’s not work for a doctor!’ I started crying to her, telling her I didn’t think I could be a doctor. She could see I was afraid that I was letting them down.
“After helping her that day, she stayed up with me after my father went to bed, and we talked. I told her I was scared, that I didn’t want to let them down, and about having to cut into the dead body. She was so nice and told me that if I didn’t want to be a doctor that it was okay. She also said that maybe I was just having trouble adjusting, and I should give it one more try. If it didn’t work, I could come back home.
“I told her I would try, and that I started to love Chicago, and after being home for two weeks I had nothing to do. So I came back for summer school. I did better, and my uncle was happy, so I got to my second year. I had the same troubles with classes as before, but some of my friends figured out a way to hang out with some guys who had graduated and were in medical school, so I hung around with them. The medical students started telling me their stories, how they got to university, and what they were doing in their studies.
“Listening to them, I knew there was no way I could make it, and I wouldn’t like it, either. After my next report card, I had to show my grades to my uncle. I could see in his eyes that he knew I wouldn’t be a doctor. I almost cried in front of him, but I didn’t. He told me how he should have asked me more what I liked to do instead of what I thought I should do.
“He was so supportive, though, and told me that I should at least try to finish university. That if I had a degree I could do anything I wanted. I couldn’t believe he said that. He also said that while I was in university he would help find a lawyer to help me get my citizenship if I wanted. So I kept studying in class and tried to become a citizen.”
Amy interrupted, “Wow, that’s unbelievable. How are things going trying to get your citizenship?”
“Well,” Santiago continued, “There is a lot of, what do you call it, red tape? My lawyer says it will just take time, and that I need to keep working, but I really love it here.”
“You said you graduated. What did you end up getting a degree in?” asked Amy.
“Well, after telling my uncle, he worked with me to shift my studies to political science. I did find it more interesting, but even while taking the classes, I wondered what kind of job I could get. I was also sad because I knew I wouldn’t be able to have my dream of paying for my parents to move. It did keep me in university, though, and that meant people would keep telling me their stories, and I could write them down. I did much better in those classes, graduating with honors, but I didn’t know what to do with my degree, and I needed a job. My uncle found a friend who hired me in his office and that somehow lets me stay in the United States, but it’s a lonely job doing research. I got this job so I could meet people, and they could tell me their stories.
“Like this one time, I had a guy who I thought must have been a basketball player because his head nearly touched my ceiling. Turned out he told me he was an actor. I didn’t know; I don’t watch TV or see movies. I asked him what movie he was in, and he said something like “Crashing Weddings” or something.
Amy exclaimed, “I can’t believe you had him in your car. I love him! What was he like?”
“He was a really nice guy. He told me he was visiting family. Left me a good tip. There was this other guy, though, he’s the reason I ask people if they want conversation when they get in because he gave me a bad review writing, “He talked too much.” I guess I do like to talk sometimes, but I’ll only do it now if people say it’s okay. Usually I don’t talk about my life, though, usually I try to find out things about them. Gosh, this drive is so much different. Usually my passengers are telling me their stories, but here I am, just telling you my whole life story.”
“Your story is wonderful, Santiago,” mentioned Amy. “It’s inspiring how you are doing what you can to stay here. Besides, you wouldn’t want to listen to my husband’s story, he’s an accountant.”
“Hey,” exclaimed Ben, “My job is very exciting!”
Santiago caught Amy’s glance in the rearview mirror, and they both seemed to acknowledge that Ben’s job was anything but exciting.
“I’m sorry if I’m getting personal, but it doesn’t sound like you want to be in that office, and you don’t seem like you really want to drive all of the time? You mentioned being a writer?”
Santiago smiled, and with excitement in his voice said, “I want to be a writer, like Studs Terkel. He wrote this great book called “Working,” interviewing people. I know I could do something like that.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” mentioned Amy.
“I actually started writing a story. I’m going to call it “Here They Come. There They Go.” It’s stories about people’s travels,” replied Santiago to Amy.
“That sounds fascinating! You really should. I look forward to seeing it as a best seller someday,” Amy said with encouragement.
Ben jumped back into the conversation, “I’m thinking of writing a story called, ‘The Spreadsheet of Doom.’”
Santiago politely chuckled, and Ben went back to looking out the window starting to think, “Hmm, The Spreadsheet of Doom? I’ll bet I could make that a best seller.”