Excerpt from Red, White, and Teal
Naná Howton

Author's note: These 360 words excerpt provide a complete understanding of the piece

The immigration officer shoots questions at you like bullets in a firing range. If you hesitate you will look like an aluminum cut-out of a human torso, and that's when he may go for the heart. So you must react promptly.

"Who was the first president of the United States?"

"George Washington, sir," you answer. You have studied the drill. The one hundred citizenship questions are sold in paperback and are posted all over the Internet. Wireless citizenship.

"What special group advises the president?"

"The Cabinet."

He looks at you as if you were an exasperating enemy who he had not expected to return fire so fiercely, but his office is too small for combat.Too small even for an office. Do not feel suffocated; he has to sit in this box day after day and you are just passing through. His desk looks like a government-issued piece of furniture; it's metal, with skinny aluminum legs and a brown faux Formica top. You wonder why there is a second chair to your right. Maybe sometimes he interviews couples together. Inhale slowly and deeply; don't let the size of the room make you feel like there is not enough air for the two of you. Think of Rachel, how much you love her. Think of her in the waiting room outside, just as nervous as you are. Ignore the fact that she can't sit in the empty chair because the charitable laws of immigration bestowed upon couples do not apply to you.

(...)

Think of the ones who came before you. Some were insulted, given bastardized surnames, stripped naked, and pushed around Ellis Island. Things are so much more civilized nowadays. Be glad nobody is checking your head for lice, which would really be humiliating. Some may argue that having to take the HIV test is just as intrusive, but that's because they didn't have rough hands running over their scalps looking for parasites. Look at his glasses on the desk and try to find your equilibrium.The silver rims show under the imitation tortoise-shell frame and green matter has started to grow in the corners, where the earpiece is screwed to the rim.

(...)

"Be back at 1 p.m. for your swearing-in ceremony."

"Today?" You had sat in the waiting room and heard people coming out of the test telling their families they had passed it and needed to be back a month later for the ceremony. So, it's OK to be surprised that you would be sworn in on the same day, but try to show some of the pleasure you also feel. Feel the fluttering of your heart in your temples. It is, admittedly excitement and pride.

"Yes, today. You are not ready to pledge allegiance?" he asks, and if you think there is a hint of sarcasm in his voice, don't try to release your own.

(...)

Take the citizenship package the clerk gives you and sit among the people waiting. Don't try to convince them you want Rachel to sit close to you; let her go sit in the back with the small group of spectators. The two front rows are reserved for the soon to be citizens and this is an affair between you and your new country, no sharing it with your lover.

(...)

Go back to Rachel, who prepared you for this moment. Refrain from pledging your allegiance to her in such a public place. Hold your desire to give her a kiss. Citizenship gives you some things, but not everything. Don't be greedy.Give her a hug, even hold her longer than you should in these circumstances, but hold the kiss. Never mind the Mexican couple slurping next to you as if there was no tomorrow.Envy them if you must. Wanting what the Joneses have is an American virtue.

(...)