“Por favor, hermano.”
I told Carlos that I loved him and that I truly wanted only good things for us in the future. But we had to have a future for that to happen.
“You saw the Mexicali police, didn’t you?” I asked. “Did you not think they would find the drugs and the money?” We would all be sitting in jail right now, waiting for the cartel to pick us up. Maybe by now they would have been torturing us, and we would soon all be dead. “Is that what you wish to have happened?”
I have never confessed to Carlos exactly what went on in that rail yard shack, but they both knew by my clothing that the guards didn’t just let us go free for no reason.
“Hermano, brother, I love you, but don’t judge me.” “I will do whatever needs to be done to see Momma again.”
“We will get through this,” I said, pleading with him.
Carlos didn’t respond, so I gave him a hug. He gave a half-hearted embrace in return. I knew he was ashamed of me, but I couldn’t see any other way.
Luis had learned that there was a refueling center not too far up the road. The vendor had suggested the best route into the city was by hitching a ride on a truck. He also warned against being seen walking along the road. Authorities didn’t like seeing too many vagrants on the roads heading into the city. They had enough problems. More homeless people heading into the city were just more trouble. The police would rather see people leave the city. They left those people alone. You became someone else’s problem then. We thanked the man and headed up the road.
When we arrived at the truck stop, it was near noon. It was a large travel center. The lot was full of over-the-road trucks, all of which were idling while the drivers were inside eating lunch. Our plan was to try to talk some driver into giving us a lift to Veracruz. Very few of the trucks were occupied, and if they were, the drivers turned Luis down flat. The risk was too great. Trucks were always in danger of getting hijacked by thieves looking to steal their cargo. No driver would risk it.
After a dozen or so refusals, we left the lot to go inside. At the very least, we could eat lunch. The bar was lined with drivers who were all eating the noon meal. We sat at a table and ordered some food. For now, we seemed stuck on how to get a ride. Carlos kept insisting we should just use some of the money we had brought along with us and offer to pay for a ride. Luis overruled this as very dangerous.
Yes, we were literally carrying thousands of dollars of the cartel’s money, but there were many others hanging around the bar area who looked rather rough. Any display of cash would attract the would-be robbers among them. They would figure we were carrying more money. We needed to look and act poor. Only by begging could we reinforce the idea that we didn’t have anything worth stealing.
Luis had learned much from his father. He had a thinking man’s head too. My brother Carlos meant well but was just plain clueless as to these things. We finished our meal and were trying to figure out our next move.
Two men near the bar caught my eye during lunch. They were both wearing matching logo shirts. They had their backs to us now, but I noticed when we came in that one of them turned to look in my direction.
“Wait here for me here,” I said.
I left my jacket and backpack with Luis and headed into the girl’s restroom. Inside, I tried my best to make myself attractive, or at least clean. I scrubbed my face and pulled my hair back. I couldn’t waste time with make-up, but I felt maybe my youth would suffice. Instead of returning to our table, I walked towards the bar area. There was a seat open next to the two men I had been watching. They both noticed me right away. I sat and smiled. I began a polite conversation with the guy nearest me. His buddy was still eating, but he had eyes all over me. As I made small talk, I could see his friend’s roving eyes checking out my body. I constantly flashed a friendly smile in his direction too.
I told them I was desperate for a ride for myself and two friends up to Veracruz. They both shook their heads, saying it would be against company policy for anyone to be with them in the truck. They were headed in that direction, but they could not be of help. I really turned on the charm; I knew rules were rules, but would they make any exception?
The rear of the travel center was set up for professional drivers. On the way in, I had seen a sign advertising a shower area for truck drivers. I had never been in something like that, but it made sense that guys on the road needed a place once in a while to clean up. Over-the-road truckers could not only get a meal, they could shower, shave and they even had a laundry center back there.
These two guys seemed about as normal as a couple of drivers could be. And the one had been obviously interested in checking me out. I steered the conversation to the weather and just how warm it had been. I complained to the one guy about how stuffy it was in the bar. I innocently pulled at my shirt and blew down the open part just under my chin. I seductively asked where a girl could go to get cooled off.
The guy who had been checking me out suggested a cooling shower might do the trick. I guess he thought it was a joke, but I jumped at the offering and was holding him serious. I smiled warmly at him and stared him down. His eyes wouldn’t leave my gaze. Finally, the smirk left his face, and he looked down nervously at his food. I seized upon the opening and went for it.
“Would you be willing to buy me a shower?” I asked innocently.
His partner choked; he practically spit out his coffee.
In my most flirtatious voice, I asked if he was interested in joining me. They had both laughed at his joke, but now they realized I was serious. I complained that I had not had a shower yet today, and how nice it would feel. I was actually very serious about that part. I had all the grime and dirt from our days of traveling on me. I was longing to feel clean again. This was my only hope. Would they go for it?
The guy finished his mouthful of food and asked, “Was I a hooker?”
I was shocked and very hurt by his comment, but I quickly decided it was best to keep the mood light and not show my true feelings.
“No,” I smiled at him sweetly, “II don’t want your money.”
“But I would really like to take a shower….” I said, my voice trailing off.
“Paulo is my name,” he offered, standing up.
He extended his hand. I shook it softly.
His buddy also stood up. “Vicente,” he said.
It was only now that I realized they had company shirts with their names sewn into them. I thought this was so cute and polite enough to stand for me too. Vicente left money on the counter for their lunch. Paulo and I walked down the hall to the rear of the building. I had never been in this part of a rest stop before. There was a small cashier’s stand. It sold cigarettes, liquor, and other supplies truckers would need. Paulo inquired about the shower rooms and paid for the use of one.
The clerk was a young guy. He took Paulo’s money, handed him a key, and gave him his change. He pointed to a door just down the hall. I couldn’t help noticing the cashier guy was giving me a once over. He maybe thought we were a couple wanting some private time alone together. I told myself I didn’t care what he was thinking.
Vicente caught up with us as we entered the shower room. Paulo unlocked the door and held it for Vicente and me. I did truly want a shower, and it would feel terrific to get the grime and dirt off me. The little room was adequate for one person, but we all three squeezed into it. It was basic, just a sink, a place to hang your clothing, and a surprisingly clean shower complete with towels, soap, and shampoo.
I took the key from Paulo and locked the door, then innocently leaned back against it. I was trying to hide my hands behind my back because I was shaking so badly that I thought they would both notice. I was trying to get a feel for exactly how to handle this. My nerves were showing, but I pretended to be in control of how this would go. I kept telling myself that this was just necessary. I needed something they had, and hopefully I could get it from them. I placed a clean towel on the floor and slipped off my shoes and socks. The two guys seemed to not believe their luck.
“So how would the company feel about me riding in the truck if I was all nice and clean?” I asked with a nervous smile on my face.
I started a slow strip. I placed my hand up to the top button of my top and began to unbutton it ever so slowly. I had to use both hands to still my quivering. I could hear the two men’s breathing actually change pitch as I began to unbutton my shirt.
I took as much time as possible and finally slipped my shirt off my shoulders. I stood there in my bra, looking at the two of them. My bra was actually dirty, but I don’t think either one of them noticed. Both men just seemed frozen. I reached in for the shower control and turned the water flow on.
“Well, do you want to join me?” I asked Paulo.
I actually longed to get under the shower, but first things first. I looked at Paulo and pushed right up to him. I placed my chest right up against his. Reaching back, I unclasped my bra. He held the sides of the bra as I backed away. His jaw dropped noticeably as the full-frontal view of my breasts was revealed. I asked him if he liked what he saw. No words came out of his mouth. The steam from the shower was beginning to fill the room.
“Look, guys, we’re wasting water,” I said.
“The deal is this,” I said, “I will fuck one of you right now and the other one when we get to Veracruz.” Deal?”
“Hell yes!” stammered Paulo.
“Okay then. Who will be first?
“Me now!” Paulo snapped, not even giving Vicente the chance to speak.
I unbuttoned my fly and wiggled out of my jeans. I deliberately placed my hand on Vicente’s shoulder to steady myself. Vicente emitted an audible gasp as he gazed at my now near-naked body. I dropped my panties and climbed into the warm shower. I immediately stuck my head into the steaming water. I closed my eyes and focused on the sensation of the cascading water rolling off my face.
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