I hope this letter finds you well, and that Heather is also well. I am writing to you because I have tried to call and no one will let me speak to you. The number at home is not working. I am afraid to write to you there. I need to know if it is safe to come to Boston again. I want you to call me and let me know. Please understand that it is best to call me at 212-888-4343. This is a cellular store near to where I am living. The owner is helpful to me. His name is Hussain, Tahir Hussain. He will come and get me.

How is Ghazi? I am hoping you heard from him. Is he still in Canada? Maybe he got a chef job up there. I am working at Haha Smoke Shop.

I want very much to come home. I love you.

Aziz

“I do not like this,” Rafik said. He was standing inside the U-Stor-It. Kamal was by the truck.

“Why not?” Kamal asked.

“I do not.”

“You wanted it.”

“Not this way.”

“Rafik. You are in it.”

“I can get out.”

Kamal stopped. He put the box he was carrying down. “You sorry bastard, you will be eating your mother’s shit.”

Rafik laughed. “That may scare your little Brazilian whore—” he started.

“It is not—” Kamal began.

“—but not me!” Rafik finished.

They were screaming over each other.

“Not you what?” Rafik yelled.

“They will have no mercy. Not me, they.”

“Who is they?”

Kamal picked up the box again. “You make me insane,” he said.

“I make you tell what’s going on,” Rafik said.

“I have told you.”

“What?”

“Much larger numbers on the cards,” Kamal said. “Bigger shipments. More cigarettes. They are moving the cigarettes faster. There are more trucks.”

“So open that box.”

“If they see this is open on the other side, you know that cannot be. You know that.”

“I know I do not give a fuck if we lose whatever it is we stood to make if this box stays right here in Boston.”

“It is ten thousand dollars!”

Rafik was taking a knife out of his boot.

“Rafik, this is crazy.”

“Really? I’ll tell you what is crazy. Me not knowing enough. That is what is crazy.”

“Please.”

“And all this Allah talk from goat dick up there in Montreal. He was a fuck in Arzew, and he is a fuck times two now.”

He moved toward the box Kamal had put in the truck. Kamal blocked his way.

“You want it like that?” Rafik said. “Fine.”

He turned around and slashed at a box that was sitting in the storage unit. Kamal rushed toward him. It was too late. Tumbling out of the box were dozens of plastic bags filled with something white. Rafik had cut open a box of Pampers. Nestled inside were fire extinguishers.

“Heather?”