WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES……NOW GO HOME:

The Trans-Atlantic flight that Jess and Jules were aboard went surprisingly fast. One reason, is eventually the girls settled down and got some good sleep. When they awoke, there were only about 3 hours left of the first leg of their flight, and they passed that with animated conversation. It was also about that time, that the flight attendants brought around the immigration papers for everyone on their flight. They were to disembark at Newark, including a 2 hour layover. But it was also here, that our young Brits were going have their first impression of the United States, courtesy of the United Stated Immigration and Naturalization Service.

While the girls were filling out their paperwork, their conversation naturally turned to football and school. Neither of them were sure yet on what they were going to study at Santa Clara, but Jess was considering Sport Medicine/physical therapy, but that wasn't for sure. Jules was considering journalism….because according to her, "Wouldn't it be cool to get PAID to watch sports?" Of course they asked each other all sorts of questions, that neither of them had the answer, such as what their coach would be like, what position they'd play, if they'd be on the same line together, how they'd manage to get their studies done AND play football.

It was this chatter about football, that caught the attention of the couple sitting in front of them. At first the girls were dumbstruck when Beckham started talking to them about football, but as soon as they got over it they had an amazing conversation. Beckham was interested in the fact that here were two young Brits going to America of all places to play football. The girls explained they both had received a full scholarship to play university football, and might have the chance to play in the women's professional league that was in the States. He was intrigued…..and more importantly he did something he never did. He asked these young women to keep in touch with him.

The plane was starting its descent pattern. So everyone settled in for landing. Through handwritten notes, the Beckhams decided they were going to stick close to these girls when going through immigration. They'd traveled to the States both before AND more importantly after 9/11, and had a sneaking suspicion that Jess was going to get hassled by the American officials. They'd seen it happen to other darker skinned British citizens.

After the plane landed, the small group of 4 Brits wound their way through the airport to get to immigration. When they arrived at immigration, Jules went first. She breezed through…..she had nothing to declare, and all the officials needed to see were passport and student visa. However, that sense of ease ended quickly. Jess approached the desk. The official took one look at her and then at her passport and student visa and starting asking her all sorts of questions, of course they started out normal enough, but soon turned bizarre.

"Have you ever traveled to Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, or Packistan?" asked the official.

"What? No, I've never left England" replied a confused Jess.

"Do you have any family members or business associates in any of those countries?" continued the official.

"No." answered Jess.

"Are you sure?" asked the official.

"No. I'm not Muslim. I am Indian, however I was born and raised in England. I am only 18 years old, so it would be a little strange for me to have a business." replied a confused Jess.

"How long are planning to be in the States, and what is your business here." added the official.

"I'm here on a football scholarship, and will be attending university in California. So I will be here as long as it takes me to finish my education." replied Jess.

These questions continued for 40 minutes. Jules and Jess had no idea what the problem was. However David and Victoria knew. He got on the phone with his agent as soon as the weird questions started and asked him to get some help. Whoever his agent knew got something accomplished. Not 5 minutes after David got off that phone call, a supervisor approached the official, and told him it was time for a break. The supervisor then looked at Jess' passport and visa, nodded, and welcomed her to the States. And he apologized for the delay. A shaken Jess met her friend at the other side. The Beckhams joined them shortly.

"Jess" David said to get her attention, "I'm afraid you've just been rudely introduced to the paranoia that is America. I wish you won't have to go through this again, but I'm afraid you're going to encounter more problems."

"But I'm Indian." replied Jess.

"Sadly, that doesn't matter." replied David. "Unfortunately for you, you are darker skinned and have foreign name. Your every move will be scrutinized. This is the name and number of my agent. I told him that you had some problems here at immigration. I've instructed him that if you have any more problems with US officials, that he is to help you. If you can't reach him, call me. The number on the back of the card is my cell. Promise you'll try to reach myself or my agent if you have more problems."

"I will." responded Jess. "I can't thank you enough for your assistance. I feel like I want to cry."

"I don't blame you dear." said a concerned Victoria Beckham.

"Jess, we really need to get to our next gate." interrupted Jules.

"I know." said Jess. "Once again thank you for everything you've done."

"No problem." said David. "We Brits have to look out for each other."

"No kidding." laughed Jess.

The girls shook hands with their new friends, and couldn't believe their luck. They were very fortunate that they met these people, because they would have missed their connecting flight to California. After the mess at immigration, they just made it in time for their connecting flight. When they got to the gate, once again Jess was scrutinized a bit, but no where to the degree she received in immigration.

The girls quickly took their seats. And just as the engines turned, Jules turned to her friend and said, "Welcome to the United States……Now go home."

"Yeah." replied Jess. "Isn't that a great feeling?"

Jess closed her eyes. She needed her family, she needed Joe…..and more importantly, she needed England. Part of her was thinking that it was a bad idea to come. Hopefully she will never have to experience that fear and humiliation again. Hopefully her Uncle in Canada will have some advice. And hopefully Joe would have words of comfort for her.

"Joe…..I need you." cried Jess inside herself.

Somehow, thousands of miles away, Joe heard that cry.