A little mid-week update. A few more characters and for the most part everyone will be introduced...Enjoy
"Gilpin, do you have a few minutes for an old friend?" Gardiner asked. The aged law professor looked up from his desk, piles of paper surrounding him on all sides. You could barely see the crooked man from behind the stacks of cases that almost towered over him.
"Edward!" Professor Gilpin cried out. "It has been quite a long time since you last appeared in my office. What can I do for you?"
The professor started to stand and Edward Gardiner rushed to his side, helping the old gentleman up. The two men slowly walked over to two chairs in front of Professor Gilpin's desk.
Professor Solomon Gilpin has been on faculty at Harvard College and Harvard Law School for over 40 years. In his younger days he'd taught in the political science department at the college and this was where he first met the young Edward Gardiner. While he'd hoped his young protégé would turn towards the law, Edward's interests had been more geared towards continuing his studies in political science and journalism - specifically focusing on the way in which journalism influenced political systems. Professor Gilpin's life experiences had led him towards a career focused on the intersection of government policy and the law associated with issues in immigration. Having been turned away from America when his parents were fleeing the Nazi's in the early days of WWII, Professor Gilpin experienced firsthand the devastation that could impact a family when immigration policies are directed at a specific population. Three older siblings and his father had perished at the hands of the Nazi's. They had attempted to leave but had been banned from most of the world's ports as a result of immigration bans on Jews from Eastern Europe. Professor Gilpin and his mother had lived out the war in a work camp in Russia before finally emigrating to America after the war.
"Before we get to business, please tell me how Rebecca and your two sons are doing." Edward started.
"Oh, my beautiful Rebecca is still keeping me on my toes. She knows how to keep a man young." He said with twinkling eyes. "My boys work too hard and don't take enough time to enjoy life. Alexander is busy making money on Wall Street. He has at least given me three beautiful grandchildren. Michael is slaving away in DC along with his young wife. I'm hoping that we will soon see some grandchildren from them as well. At least they're all healthy and take some time to visit their mother and me from time to time." Professor Gilpin smiled as he thought of them. He really had been given a chance at a wonderful life here in America and had not forgotten his many blessings. "Now please, tell me how your beautiful wife and family are doing. Is Maddy still writing for the Globe?" the Professor asked.
"Madeline is working part-time, writing pieces by contract. She'll increase her efforts once the election season swings into full gear. Right now she is enjoying the slower pace so that she can be involved in volunteer efforts at our children's school. That said, I am not sure how much more she will be doing that. I think she's starting to get a little tired of the elementary school politics and is looking forward to the national election debate again." Edward shared.
"Are the politics at elementary school really so different from our national politics?" Professor Gilpin joked.
Edward smiled, "No. I guess not but at least the actors change more frequently than they seem to at school."
Edward looked at his mentor and knew he had made the right decision to reach out to his former professor. He would know how to help. With renewed conviction he began his story. "Solomon, I am so glad to see that all is well but I came here this afternoon because I need your help - or rather - a young and promising student I care about - needs some help, and I am optimistic that you are the best person I know to help her."
"This sounds serious Edward, and if its someone you hold in esteem I'll do my best to be of aid. Why don't you tell me what your student needs help with?" Solomon Gilpin said quietly.
Edward related the details as he knew them. Without giving specific details, he told his old friend about the bright young Latina student he had mentored for the past two-and-a-half years. He shared with the professor her hopes and ambitions. Finally, he outlined what Elizabeth had shared about her newly discovered immigration status. The Professor listened intently.
"These poor young people. Trapped in a country that does not want them and yet strangers to the country to which they were born." He sighed, thinking about the many challenges a young immigrant faces. He removed his glasses and held them in his right hand, using them to emphasize his next words. "There is no easy path here. The one thing she must not do is leave the country. If she does, she will not be able to re-enter for up to 10 years, no matter the circumstance. Your student does need legal counsel. My suggestion is that she stop by our free legal clinic on Thursday. Tell her to ask for me. I'll have her work with one of my top third year law students who'll help research her options and guide her through this process. It won't be easy and I am not sure we can figure this out. Fortunately, she is an accomplished young person who hasn't committed any crimes - aside from overstaying her visitor visa. Hopefully we can find a path to citizenship for her. I'm not optimistic that she will be able to accept the internship however. She'll likely need to turn it down, I'm sorry to say." Professor Gilpin rubbed his hand over his face and placed his glasses back on. We will help your young student. I look forward to meeting her on Thursday.
Edward Gardiner held out his hand to his longtime mentor. They shook hands as Edward thanked him and then helped his friend back over to his desk. At least there was the beginning of a plan. Professor Gilpin took a card from the top of his desk and handed it to Edward. "Please give this card to your student. It has the address of the law clinic and also has a hotline number she can call if there is an emergency that erupts unexpectedly and she requires prompt legal counsel." Edward put the card in his wallet. He'd inform Miss Benetez of this conversation and the next steps when he saw her tomorrow at the Crimson office.