25 of 213

Write now Article Tools

Page 8 of 8

rebirth as a new man. Chunks of mud fall off him like placenta from the womb.

The next afternoon, there is business to attend to. In an awkward moment, Pablo and Don Juan lock eyes. Pablo vaguely remembers being slapped. Now the coyote is yelling into the phone to someone and referring to the migrants as pollos (chickens). The raiteros will arrive soon at Don Juan's request.

One at a time, family members are called and thousands of dollars are wired through Western Union. Don Juan wants his $2,500 before anyone is allowed to leave. One unfortunate individual finds that no one can vouch for him, so the coyote calls up a contractor and sells him. He will be an indentured servant until the debt is settled.

Pablo's father took out a loan in Guanajuato for $1,500, using the house and the land it sits on as collateral. The other two thousand would be wired from relatives in Florida. The raiteros would require an additional thousand dollar fee for the ride down to America's wang.

Eight stinking bodies are crammed like sardines into a Ford Escape. Pablo is now holding the baby that has been through so much. The child is content and smiling.

"You're going to be an Americano, no? Maybe find you a nice guera (blonde)," Pablo jokes.

The young mother playfully smacks Pablo and for the first time since the journey began, they hear her laugh.

Pablo stares at the shining crucifix as it dangles under the rear view mirror, making movies on the dashboard. An American rockero tune plays through the factory speakers. It's "Sweet Jane" by the Velvet Underground. They don't understand the lyrics but that atmospheric intro sounds like freedom. The raitero takes an amphetamine and washes it down with Red Bull. They will drive across the entire expanse of the USA in 40 hours.

Now Pablo picks tomatoes with his relatives for 50 cents per bucket. He sees a white man in pressed slacks and a festive polo staring at him and he thinks: Why does he look at me like I'm some kind of animal in a zoo? I'm not an animal, I'm a man.

Learn more about this author, A. Best.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• ...
• 6
• 7
• 8

Add your voice

Know something about Views on illegal immigration in the US?
We want to hear your view. Write now!