finding 6 songs

song titles can sometimes motivate a story line

I awoke at the threshold of what they call the Green Mile and looked down that long corridor and wondered of all those who had been consigned to Desolation Row while being technically innocent of murder. I was one of these condemned to death without regard for extenuating circumstances relating to my case. This is my final day on this earth.
     I had been a free lance writer living in the town of Durango in Sonora, Mexico. I'd been fascinated with the stories of those who'd crossed the border and lived to tell of their adventures. I decided I would spend much of my time writing about their experiences. I was able to personally relate to many of the border crossers living in this state during my interviews with them.
     This life style led to the production of my first pulp, non-fiction book, "Al Igual Que Los Pulgares Tom Azules," Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues." This became a best seller. I lived on the royalties for a number of years enjoying the company of the locals and their tequila.
     My life's turn of events was triggered when the lust for travel and a girl filled me with yearnings to jump the border into Arizona. We contracted a coyote, the man who would cross us into el norte, the jaula de oro, (the cage of gold), America.
     Just like a rolling stone, my girl and I, along with a small band of twenty others set upon the rugged trails abandoning a comfortable life in Mexico. I remember sitting alongside the cactus lined trail under a black moonless night. One of our fellow travelers asked me, "ustedes porque se vienen al norte?" (why are you guys going to the north?").
     "Bueno, porque no puedo ganar sastisfacion." (I can't get no satisfaction).
I went on to explain that I'd reached a point in my life that I needed a change.
     "Besides, what better way to build content for writing, right?"
     "Y tu, porque te vienes?"
     "O, porque mi familia vive en pobresa." (Because my family lives in poverty.")
     "Ya basta, vamonos, y quietos, porque la migra nos chinga." ("Okay, let's go, and quiet, 'cause the border patrol will f**k us up.") The stern, subdued, but strong voice of the coyote, ordered us onward.
     We were bushwhacked at 1:00 in the morning. There were four of five of them each carrying a weapon, guns or machetes, I remember clearly. They hog tied us men and raped the women. Somehow I broke free and killed one of their stragglers who was still in process of violating my girlfriend. Using a large rock, I bashed his skull feeling the cushion like implosion of bone yield to brain matter beneath. The warm spray of blood splashed against my face at the 6th blow. I continued unabated until the human turned corpse became limp upon my girl's tattered body.
     The border patrol came upon this gruesome scene and apprehended us. I was interrogated separately from my friends and detained for a week. A trial ensued. After a year of legal proceedings I was declared guilty of first degree murder.
     I've gotta get a message to you Marisol, one more hour and my life will be through: know that I love you and if it were possible, I would have married you. Let this brief essay serve as my final statement available to the public but specifically addressed to you.          May the scars of your sexual assault not prevail over your freedom to enjoy life and heal. I am ready to die, to willingly pay for my crime, however, I believe my homicidal act was justified. I do not regret having sacrificed my life for yours.

Reviews

[Wicahpi]

Excellent story! I was totally engrossed until the very end. I, too, believe the character was justified. Any one else would have done the same, including any one of those who convicted him. Si? I enjoyed the titles that you used. I thought of the late Tony Hillerman while reading this. I loved his Chee & Leaphorn series. Though written in a different setting on the Navajo Reservation, I get a sense you would intrigue your readers just the same. Did you ever see the movie, "All the Pretty Horses" ? Most of that took place crossing the border into Mexico. I do not know if you wrote novels, but by reading this, you should!