Paulita and I left Anamar on foot about one week after her fifteenth birthday. “Those pigs crossing our path is bad luck, Julian.’ “It’s o.k.,”I replied, “I’m carrying a rabbit’s foot for good luck.”

     After we crossed the Andex mountains we bought two bicycles. Biking towards Barchargo we were ambushed by three rebels. “Don’t shoot; I have gold!” I shouted thinking I could buy a free pass. But one replied, “Good, but come with us!” One grabbed me by the arm and another grabbed Paulita by her arm. We looked at each other with frightened eyes as they forced us to go with them. I was very, very scared. We knew it would be dangerous to shout for help, and there wasn’t anyone near to help.

     I was taken to a different location by Tito Falcon. He was almost seven feet tall and about 350 pounds. He started pushing me around like a cat with a wounded mouse. He wanted to know if my parents had money. He thought I was probably lying when I told him they were dead.

     From the adjoining room one of the other two called for him. “Come, Tito, this girl is good.” Knowing I couldn’t help Paulita, but having an opportunity to escape when he left, I opened the window, ran, and hid until night.

     Finally I made it to Barchargo with the help of an egg famer who gave me a ride in his truck. There I met Juan and Gloria Jimenez, the Alvarezes, and Delmar Lucia, a boat owner. PIC.delmar.jpg I found work at the dock loading and unloading for Delmar as did Juan and Gloria earlier. Delmar was a rough looking Zambo(Black/Indian mix,) but he had a college degree and was not rough. He loved the sea and could tell you stories that you would never forget.

     Arturo Alvarez with whom my new friends were staying had a rich brother in California and he paid the way for Juan, Gloria, and me to come to the U.S.

     I wanted to find Paulita; I was hysterical; I notified the local police, but they were too scared to go out into the countryside. I knew the rebels almost always murdered their prisoners after a few days. If Paulita was set free, she would have come to Barchargo and found me. I knew also I would be killed if I went back by myself. It was hopeless; I waited and prayed that Paulita would appear, but she never did.

     The day I boarded Delmar’s boat to leave Charombia there was a dog running aound in a circle howling in the street for no reason. I believe that the unseen spirit of Paulita was there trying to communicate with me. I suddenly became very sick and had to be carried onto the boat. As soon as the boat left the dock I felt all right From Barcargo we sailed into the Caribbean Sea and to Mexico. Arturo’s brother met us in Mexico and made arrangements for us to travel with him back to California..

     I am still alive, but dead inside. Love is dead! Hope is dead!