This post is written for Friday Fictioneers.
“He told me $7,000 US dollars,” Rosetta whispered. “Seven thousand dollars and that’s just for Julio. He’s the strongest. He can make the trip. He can send back money. Juan says we have enough money if his useless brother will help what he has saved.”
“Julio has no future here, you know that. You have seen the violence that awaits him. He’s only seven years old and he has seen terrible things already. The coyote says it will be a long trip, but he will protect him. We have made the decision. He will go!
“It’s his only hope.”
Oh Danny Boy! 
I’m frightened for the child.
Good use of 100 words.
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A refugee story, terrible decisions some people have no choice but to make. really well told
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A good story with great dialog, Danny. This illustrates the impossible choices of people in some countries to give their children a chance to survive. We cannot and must not judge them by the standards of our lives. Then, they reach our country and are treated with cruelty as well. This kind of mistreatment has to stop. —- Suzanne
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I totally agree.
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Is Julio going to cross the border and the family is paying money to someone who will assist him? A risky venture both money and life point of view!
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Yes to both of your questions. Thanks for commenting.
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Damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t by the sound of it.
My story is about Masie!
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Hard to believe, that in an age, when kids are often living with their parents well into their twenties in the US, just south of the border a boy is seen fit to travel on his own at seven.
As many have said above, desperation makes you look at things differently.
And we can hardly condemn the rational decisions of those, who do their best to adapt (in the interest of self-preservation) to a system (or lack thereof) that we ourselves have set up.
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Well said.
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When you are in deep water keep swimming.Julio has to stop trusting these lunatics.
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I wouldn’t trust them, but, what else can he do? Great story! Thanks!
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I don’t think poor Julio will have a good time whether he stays or goes.
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There’s no ‘right’ choice in such cases, I guess, only one which will potentially hurt the child the least.
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A poor little seven year-old on his own. He would be in a cage soon, if he even made it across the border. My heart hurts thinking about it.
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When one is desperate, one will try anything – even throwing their child to the coyote…
Well done, Danny.
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Sad but tue. Thanks Dale.
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Sad story. People just trying to survive.
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The desperation is very thick in your piece. So sad.
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The perspective of the refugee and how you pour all your hopes into the child… alas the coyote is probably not trustworthy
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I don’t think there is such a thing as a good coyote.
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Your story reminds me a little of the book I am currently reading which is set pre WWII. Mothers will also try their best to ensure that their children live a life free of violence.
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Not all succeed however.
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Good story. I have a few different shorts about this subject, and even toyed with a screenplay at one time. Despite the horrors of the border, people will still risk the crossing. That amazes me.
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Desperate they are.
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Hmm, to dream the impossible dream? I think real life stories like this are too common these days.
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They are indeed.
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Julio, it seems to me, is doomed to trouble either way. Sad story.
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Agree. Not a bright future.
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…and here I was waiting to hear Paul Simon!
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Sorry. Next time!
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I like the idea that these ladies are scheming something like this in such an innocent looking photo. Not sure I like Julio’s chances though. Nice one.
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