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Diego?”
    “You said you’d walk across the country to save her.  You set the terms of the contract.” 
    “I wasn’t making an offer,” said Allen.  “I just said it to show how strongly I felt.”
    “Did you mean it or not?”
    Allen collected his thoughts.  “You’re saying that if I walk from here to San Diego and back, you will just give us the money we need for Yvonne’s treatment.”
    “I’ll provide funds if you keep your end of the contract, giving you the chance to earn her treatment.”
    “That’s insane.  Do you have any idea how much planning a trip like that would take?”
    The man didn’t answer, just stood there with that irritating grin on his face.
    I did say it, thought Allen.  And I meant it.   After some calculation he asked, “Will you give me $85 per diem to cover expenses?”
    “I would have given you twice that.”
    Allen shook his head.  “Eighty-five’s enough.  How will you know if I hitchhike or take a bus?  Or if I even make it to San Diego?”
    “We will outfit you with a GPS tracker.  In addition, you will provide me with your schedule and we’ll check in on you.”
     “That’s a long trip to schedule every mile,” said Allen with a raised eyebrow.
    The stranger laughed and said, “You are the most precise contractor in Wayne County and probably within five states.  I just don’t see you setting off on a cross country trek without having every inch planned.”
    “How do you know anything about me if you just happened to overhear us talking?”
    “Suffice it to say I have people.”
    “Who are you?”
    “That’s a triviality.  Not even worth discussing,” answered the stranger.
    Again the irritating refusal to disclose anything.  “There’s gotta be a better way for you to spend your money,” said Allen.
    “My motives are my own.  Call it expensive personal reality TV if you need a way to rationalize it.  Any other details to hammer out, Al?”
    “It’s Allen.  Please.”
    “OK.  Allen.  Are we in agreement then?”
    Allen took a moment to think.  “I’d like a moment to talk it over with my wife.”
    “Will it really change your decision?”
    Of course it didn’t change anything.  But the thought of planning months ahead for a trip like that overwhelmed him.  It was hard enough to plan the daily list of supplies he would need when he went to the home store before work every morning.  How could he possibly predict needs weeks or months in advance? 
    Because Yvonne’s life was the reward. 
    Three weeks later he was on an interstate two states away and Yvonne’s prognosis was improving.  He’d never made a better bargain in his life. 
    “Slushee war!” yelled someone from a passing car.  Something slammed into the side of his neck.  Pain drove him forward a couple steps and cold, syrupy liquid splashed around his neck and back.  The pain receded after the initial shock and the icy liquid soaked into his shirt and down his back. 
    Jogging away from the road, Allen looked around, expecting another attack, but the passersby seemed oblivious to him.  After removing his backpack, Allen rinsed away as much slush as he could from himself and his pack then moved into the treeline. 
    I don’t get a shower until tomorrow night.  I was supposed to wear that shirt until then.  That sugar is going to attract ants and animals.  Will my clothes even dry overnight?
    The unknowns closed in on Allen, immobilizing him.  The perfectly planned trip had been derailed by something as simple as a slush.  Each doubt wrapped around his legs like a thread, and together they brought him to a standstill.
    If I stop to buy a shirt tomorrow it’ll put me off schedule.  Did the slush get into my pack?  If they had thrown something besides a drink I might be lying in the grass bleeding instead of walking and what about Yvonne then?
    Yvonne.  As much as the little changes tormented Allen, it didn’t compare to what Yvonne was going