Into America Part 2

Here is the next part of the same series:

It grew dark and Roberto shivered. José walked endlessly back and forth, back and forth on the running board, trying to stay warm. The high desert at night can be quite cold. “What are we going to do in the United States?” Roberto asked.

José stopped and looked at him. “We will work. We will get a job.”

Roberto wrapped his arms around himself, trying to get warm. The train rumbled on; on and on and on. “Will they hire us? I’m only twelve and you are fourteen. Who will hire us?”

“Someone will hire us.” José answered, starting to walk again.

Roberto was quiet for a while then asked, “How will we get across the border?”

José shrugged and looked angry, “How should I know? Just be quiet.”

Roberto lay down and pulled a potato sack around him for a blanket. José stopped again and looked down the tracks. The train was slowing down. He ran to Roberto and shook him. “Roberto, wake up! The train is stopping.”

Roberto jumped up and grabbed his bag. “Police! Police!” The shout was passed from person to person along the train.

“Hurry, Roberto!” José grabbed his bag and ran to the edge of the train. In the dark, he could not see what was below him. He jumped, hit the ground and rolled on the gravel and sand.