A few hours later, he calls and tells me that there has been a change of plans.

Now, instead of crossing into Texas, I have to cross through California.

Tijuana is probably one of the most heavily controlled border points along the entire border.

“That’s not a good idea,” I say.

“The other shipment fell through,” he says without offering much of an explanation.

“What do you mean?” I ask, even though it’s in my best interest to know as little about his dealings as possible.

“Confiscated.”

My heart skips a beat.

“You want to do this or not?”

“When do I meet the woman?”

“In Tijuana. She’ll have your passport for you.”

Tijuana? I look it up on my phone. It says it’s 4100 km away. How far is that?

“Twenty-five hundred miles?” I ask. “How am I supposed to get there? I don’t have a car and the roads around here are shit.”

“That’s up to you. But you better be there in seventy-two hours or else. Oh, yeah, and get a new fucking phone. Call me when you’re there and I’ll tell you about the meet-up place.”

Big Dipper hangs up and I stare at the screen dumbfounded.

I don’t have anywhere near the amount of money I would need to buy a car and I doubt that I can hitch all the way there in time. I don’t have any identification so I can’t take a flight.

What a fucking shit show!

I guess the bus is the only way, I say to myself, gritting my teeth.

I’ve already taken one bus from Belize and even though some of them can be quite comfortable, it’s not the best way to spend two days.

But given the time crunch, I’ll have to get on the next one available, otherwise there’s no fucking way I’ll make it.

I look up the bus schedules online but don’t buy my ticket electronically.

Mexico is still a heavy cash country and that’s good for me.

I get rid of Mallory’s phone but take out the SIM card and put it in one trash can and the rest of the phone in another, more than a mile away.

I do the same thing with mine.

I exchange my dollars for pesos and hope to God that it’s enough for a one-way ticket to Tijuana.

There is no direct route and I’ll have to change buses in Mexico City.

Honestly, I’m kind of surprised that I don’t have to change more than that.

At the station, I buy a cheap disposable and untraceable phone and board the bus.

22

Nicholas

When I commute…

The bus is much more pleasant than I expect. It has air conditioning, comfortable seats, and a television.