As a straight Caucasian Mexican-American Catholic Jew, I am disappointed at the fact that I have a president who is racist, homophobic and misogynist. My abulea and abuelo came to this country not knowing the language. All they had were their belongings and customs. They left behind relatives for a better life in America, like millions of immigrants. My grandmother and her family came over to escape persecution from the Nazi's during the holocaust. Now my mother is afraid that she'll be persecuted for being Jewish. My uncle and his husband are afraid of being killed for who they are. What happened to this country?
We went from a country of opportunity to hate. I never want my children to be afraid to go outside or to love who they want. I was raised to believe that love is love. El amor es el amor. We have fought so hard for equality: from the end of slavery, women's rights, the Civil Rights movement and marriage equality and I hope we never lose those. It's easy to hate and be afraid of what we don't understand but I believe that millions of Americans are stronger than one. I believe that we can stand together and trump hate.
After posting this on Tumblr, she hoped the outcome would be mostly positive. She closed her iPad to go to back to work. She said what she had been wanting to say. Now it was lost in cyberspace forever. Later she went back to her Tumblr to find positive messages from her followers. Some of them had liked or reblogged the post.
The squad were surprised by her post and they all asked her about it the next day. She smiled and answered their questions. "I'm Mexican, Italian, English, catholic and Jewish. My mom was raised as catholic and Jewish and my dad is catholic", she told Fin. "And my uncle married his husband after it became legal in New York".
He nodded as he thought about this. "My son Ken is gay. He married his husband and they're waiting for the birth of their baby. He's had to deal with that shit since he came out. Some assholes beat his husband for being gay".
"I thought we became more accepting after Macklemore came out with that song".
Fin smiled. "Same love. You a fan?"
"Macklemore is my unofficial husband. Just kidding", she said laughing. "But for real, he's my dude".
Of course everyone was afraid of her getting death threats because of what she posted and she promised to keep Rafael informed. "Rafi, I promise I'll let you know right away if I get a threat".
He sighed looking at her. "Alright. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You've always been... outspoken".
She smiled. "And you say that like it's a bad thing".
He shook his head and sat back down at his chair. "What would I do without you?"
She pretended to think as she looked around. A smile came to her face. "I don't know. What would I do without you?" He laughed. "Anyway, I should get going. I have to go back to work. Mazel Tov".
"Sorry I'm late I was –"
"Arguing with Barba", Olivia finished for her. She laughed nodding. "Got it. I was just going to send Fin to follow up on a lead. Why don't you go with?"
She and Olivia left her office and she went over to the squad. Fin noticed that she was a little late and he asked her about it as they walked out to his car. "I was just arguing with Barba again".
"About what?"
They got in and he started the car. "He thinks I'm going to get death threats again and I told him that I'd let him know if I did".
"You too are always going off about something", he said with a laugh.
"That's because we have the same personality and we clash. Plus we're both stubborn as hell. He just has more experience".
After getting the information they went back to the squad room where she saw Rafael. He was talking to Olivia but when he came out of her office, he caught her eye. They finished the conversation then went over to see what Jayde and Fin found out. Their informant was hesitant to give them information but what he did tell them suggested that he wanted their suspect in prison. "So he's a serial rapist that preys on young prostitutes. That still doesn't give us enough to prosecute. I need more".
Olivia looked around at the squad as she thought. Her eyes fell on Jayde. Rafael looked shocked. "Liv, are you sure", he asked.
Everyone looked confused. Olivia smiled. "Jayde, I know you've never been undercover but I know you have some acting experience".
"You want her to go undercover", Amanda asked slowly. Everyone looked at Jayde.
Rafael talked to her to make sure she was ready. "Rafi, I'm fine".
"You should probably call your husband before you go out. Just in case".
Jayde got out her phone and called Johnny to tell him what she was doing. "Love. It'll be ok. I'll have the squad watching me the whole time".
Johnny sighed. He didn't want his wife getting hurt again but he understood why she had to do it. "Alright but I want you to text or call me so I know you're ok. I love you".
"I will. I love you".
After getting ready, the squad took her to where they knew the suspect would be. She had on a tight dress that showed off her curves and her hair was made up. Sonny looked at her and his jaw dropped and he tried not to show how much he wanted her at that moment. She was told that they would be listening and watching her. They wouldn't let her get hurt. Before she left, she gave them the rock 'n roll horns which made them laugh.
Their suspect noticed her right away and he went over to her. He offered to give her money and he asked how much she was offering. Olivia told her what to tell him in her earpiece. The suspect took her to a hotel room where he wanted to pay $150 for sex. Jayde knew the squad was right behind them. When they got to the hotel room together, she sat on the bed then pulled him closer. Inside she was shaking but she tried not to make it obvious.
He gave her the money then started kissing her and tearing off her clothes when the squad burst in. "Hands on your head. Both of you! You're under arrest for prostitution". She was handcuffed and read her rights. She pretended to resist and Amanda told her that it wasn't worth it. Both she and the suspect were brought to the station and put into separate rooms. Jayde was given a jacket that said NYPD to cover herself up with.
Amanda and Olivia came in to interrogate her. They smiled and congratulated her. "How was it", Amanda asked her.
"Wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be". This made Olivia and Amanda smile. "I should probably call Johnny to tell him I got arrested though".
Olivia laughed to herself. "We'll give you your phone call. You might want to ask for a lawyer though". She gave her a phone then both she and Amanda left the room to give her privacy.
"Hey, love. I'm back at the station and I'm ok. I'll call you tomorrow and tell you what happened. I just wanted to tell you that I'm safe. I love you". She hung up as Olivia and Rafael came in. He smiled at her. "Congratulations or like you said 'Mazel Tov'". Outside Sonny and Amanda were talking about what happened. "I mean, she looked good", Amanda said.
Sonny nodded. This made Amanda laugh. "She's married, Carisi".
He gave her a look.
Congratulations again on your first undercover gig. I don't know how you did it. I'm also relieved that you didn't get hurt. By the way, there's another event coming up for AIDS awareness that I thought you would be interested in. I can give you the details later. – Rafael
Thank you. I'll be sure to put it on my acting resume. I would love to go to another event. I'll have to check to see if Johnny aka the hubby will be in town. I'm sure he'd be interested too. By the way, Steven misses you. – Jayde
