The Ticket

Life is difficult for illegal immigrants in the

U.S.A.   Such was the situation for Manuel

Contreras, a clerk in a convenience store in

the NewYork neighborhood of Flatbush.

He dreamed of winning the lottery, and he

would study the winning numbers as he sat

at the counter night after night. It distracted

him from a fear that this would be the night

when  some thug would again rob the store,

threatening or maybe even ending his life.

This night would be different for Manuel. He

would see a chance to make his dreams come

true.              And he would take it.