by Kathy Macias
Spotting an empty bench she sat down on one end of it and unwrapped her tamale. The tantalizing smell grew stronger, and her mouth watered. She was about to bite into it when the image of Padre Ramon offering thanks at the table where the children were assembled for their group meal stopped her. Praying before she ate was a habit she’d grown up with but hadn’t continued to practice as an adult. Today, as the morning sun began to burn through the fog in this delightful little Mayan village, she found herself wanting to do so.
She bowed her head and closed her eyes. Thank You, God, for this food, she prayed silently, and for this beautiful morning. She hesitated yet again, and then continued. I know I haven’t talked to You much lately, but I truly do appreciate the chance to come here. Amen.
Opening her eyes, she allowed herself to bite into the warm tamale. The slightly sweet spices complemented the rich black beans and soft masa, and she wondered if she’d ever had such a delicious breakfast anywhere before.
The sun warmed her shoulders now as she ate, and she sat where she was for a few minutes, watching the foot traffic increase around her as more and more people arrived to do their daily shopping at the marketplace. At last she decided it was time to join them and make her own purchases so she could get back to the compound before anyone got worried and came looking for her.
She stood, placed her now empty banana leaf in her bright-red floral print shopping bag until she could find an appropriate place to dispose of it, and then began her stroll down the first aisle, checking out the many offerings of fruit and vegetables, spices and pastries, and even homemade jewelry and clothing.
Mom and Brittney would love this place. I know it’s a little too soon now, but I’m definitely going to get them souvenirs from here before I go back to the States.
Thirty minutes and a handful of items later, Julia decided it was well past time to head back. With the sun now at its fullest, she folded her shawl, placed it into her shopping bag with her other items, and turned toward the compound.
CHAPTER 17
BY THE TIME HERNANDO ROLLED into San Juan Chamula, it was midmorning and the sun had burned through the fog, leaving a warm, pleasant day as the town’s residents mixed with tourists at the marketplace. But Hernando didn’t care about the comfortable temperatures or pleasant surroundings; he had a purpose and he was determined to fulfill it.
He parked his old Blazer near the same place he’d left it the day before, but this time he bypassed the tamale vendor and headed straight for the stalls that lined the aisles of the marketplace. He ignored the fruits and vegetables, the fish and iguanas and armadillos, the jewelry and clothing, his eyes searching up and down each row, hoping to spot the American women Raul had told him about. The description wasn’t as detailed as Hernando would have liked, but enough that he thought he would recognize them if he saw them—especially the one with the red hair.
A handful of tourists were sprinkled among the locals, and he eyed them closely, wondering if the women were among them or if another tourist would do. But he saw no one that resembled the women Raul had described; the only tourists he spotted were in groups and not nearly accessible or vulnerable enough for his purposes.
Catching the eye of an old man selling vegetables, he decided to take a chance and ask if he’d seen a couple of American women from the La Paz Compound. The man shook his head no. Then Hernando decided to take one more chance. In fluent Spanish and trying to keep his question as casual as possible, he asked, “Do you know where the compound is? It is near here, yes?”
The old man squinted his eyes warily, as if contemplating whether or not to answer. At last he nodded. “Sí,” he answered, pointing in a direction away from the marketplace and toward the forest.
Hernando knew that was all he was going to get out of the ancient vegetable vendor, so he muttered a quick “gracias” and turned to head back toward his vehicle. It was then that he spotted her—an attractive middle-aged woman carrying a shopping bag. She looked American, and though there was only one woman and not two, Hernando couldn’t help but smile as he saw the sun glint off her short red curls.
It must be her. Raul described her hair just so.
He quickly set his pace to follow her as she seemed to be making her way out of the marketplace. If she headed in the direction of the compound, he’d know for sure it was her.
In moments he was certain he was following the right woman. Not only was she walking in the direction of La Paz, but he could tell from her walk and the way she carried herself that she was a woman of standing, one who no doubt had people who cared for her and would gladly pay money to get her back.
A do-gooder. They come to our country all the time, especially in the big cities. They try to make themselves feel better about their wealth by working in the orphanages or helping to build houses. He snorted. But then they go back to their own big houses and fancy cars and forget the people here who can never leave.
Hernando nodded to himself as he climbed into his Blazer and started it up. He would follow close enough not to lose her but not so close that she would notice. And then we will find out how classy this gringa really is. I like older women with experience, and though I wasn’t interested in the last one we had, I will make sure to have time alone with this one. She is very beautiful for her age, and she looks like she might enjoy a little company from a handsome younger man like me. He laughed aloud as he pressed on the gas and proceeded slowly down the road toward the forest, careful not to kick up any dust as he had when he left town the day before. Unlike yesterday, today he would take his time, and he sensed he would be rewarded for his patience—in more ways than one.
THE WARM SUN, combined with the heady smells of flowering plants and the occasional bird and monkey calls coming from the surrounding rain forest, made Julia’s walk back to the compound delightful. The scarcely traveled dirt road where she walked seemed almost reserved for her, with the exception of a couple of stray dogs that passed her along the way and what sounded like an old truck chugging slowly somewhere behind her. No one seemed to be in a hurry.
She smiled at the slow pace that was becoming more acceptable to her by the day. I would love to bring Tyler and Brittney down here. I’d have a hard time convincing them to come, but once they did I know they’d learn to enjoy the unique beauty and lifestyle of this almost ancient place.
Her thoughts turned then to what her grown children might be doing on this day after Thanksgiving. She chuckled. Sleeping in, no doubt, and then getting up to eat their grandmother’s delicious leftovers. She was pleased to think of her parents and children spending this long weekend together. And then the thought occurred to her that Brittney might have managed to drag her grandmother out for some good old-fashioned “Black Friday” shopping, while Tyler and his grandfather watched football. Yes, that was a very likely scenario.
And next year I’ll be right back in the middle of all that—and I’ll love it, just as I have in the past. But for now, today, I am so glad to be right here where I am.
She rounded the last bend, and La Paz came into view. She didn’t see any frantic search parties scouring around the outside of the compound, so she imagined she’d returned before anyone realized she was gone. Good. I wouldn’t want to worry anyone, but this has been such a nice outing.
She heard the vehicle behind her gaining on her just as she spied some of the most beautiful ti plants she’d seen since arriving in this tropical paradise. Turning toward them she was struck by the rich, varied colors of black and red. The plants seemed to increase in color and size as she followed them into the forest, reminding herself not to go too far. I’m near the compound now, so it can’t hurt to go a little ways further in. These plants are magnificent, and I haven’t really taken the time to see them close up like this before.
The sun grew thinner as it struggled to penetrate the thick foliage of the forest, but Julia scarcely noticed as she moved from one plant to the next, drinking in the beauty of each one. She knew the plan
ts were common here, but for someone who’d seen so few of them in her lifetime, they certainly didn’t seem common to her.
I’d better get back, she thought, forcing herself to stop her trek into the forest. Maybe I’ll bring Carolyn with me later and we can explore these some more.
But before she could act on her decision, an arm wrapped around her waist and she felt a sharp, cold piece of steel against her neck. She yelped in fear and dropped her shopping bag as both her hands flew to her waist in an attempt to dislodge her unknown assailant’s arm. The man squeezed her tighter and pressed what she now knew must be a knife harder against her neck. She was certain he had drawn blood.
“Not a sound,” a male voice hissed in Spanish. “Come with me and you will not be hurt. If you fight me or scream, I will kill you where you stand.”
Julia’s thoughts raced, right along with her heart. How can this be? What’s happening? Who is this person? And what does he want from me?
But even as the many questions swirled through her mind, she knew he told the truth when he said he would kill her if she fought or screamed. She tried to hold as still as possible, though already she was beginning to tremble.
“Very good,” said the voice. “Now remain still and quiet while I get you ready.”
Ready? Ready for what? Julia felt her eyes grow wide. What was he going to do to her?
It didn’t take long to find out. In moments she was blindfolded and gagged, her hands tied behind her back and her feet hobbled together. Then he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder as he carried her from the rain forest to whatever fate awaited her.
MARIE WAS RESTLESS. She’d begged off of Brittney’s Black Friday shopping trip that morning and stuck around to fix turkey sandwiches for John and Tyler as they plunked down in front of the TV in the family room. She’d never been a football fan, but she’d always enjoyed shopping—though not on such a crazy day as this. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d made a mistake not accompanying her granddaughter to the saturated mall. At least it would have kept her mind off Julia.
Why today, Lord? Why is her absence bothering me so much right now, more even than it did during yesterday’s Thanksgiving dinner? What is it, Father?
She heard no answer, no reassuring whisper, or even a sense of peace. Instead her anxiety increased, and she felt compelled to go to her room and pray. She usually spent her prayertime in the old rocker next to her side of the bed, but this time she found herself slipping to her knees. Tears began to drip from her eyes as she leaned her elbows on the bed, folded her hands, and began to beg God to protect Julia from whatever unseen and unknown danger she was now certain her only child faced.
CHAPTER 18
RAMON HAD BEEN RESTLESS ALL MORNING. Something didn’t feel right, but he couldn’t figure it out. He’d spent several hours in prayer and reading the Bible, but he couldn’t concentrate. At last he gave up and went outside, thinking to take a walk around the compound.
As they did so often these days, his eyes wandered to the little cottage where the teacher from America lived. Julia. He smiled. He thought her name was beautiful—and so was she. In a very different way from his beloved esposa, Rosa, but beautiful nonetheless. And though he tried, time and time again, to keep his mind from straying in her direction, Julia was beginning to occupy more and more of his thoughts every day.
“Good morning, Padre!”
The familiar greeting stopped him between steps, and he turned to find Carolyn Barnes coming up behind him.
“Buenos dias, señora.” He smiled, then noticed the slight frown on her otherwise pleasant face. “How are you this morning? Is everything well with you and Señor Barnes?”
Carolyn stopped in front of him. “I’m sure everything is fine,” she answered, though the frown remained. “It’s just . . . Actually, I was wondering if you’ve seen Julia this morning.”
Ramon raised his eyebrows, his heart skipping a beat at the question. “I haven’t, no. Have you?”
Carolyn shook her head, her short gray curls scarcely moving. “I haven’t either. At first I thought she was just sleeping late since there was no school today. But I’ve knocked on her door several times now, and she doesn’t answer.” She glanced around the compound before returning her gaze to Ramon. “I can’t find her anywhere. I was hoping she might have stopped in to talk with you.”
An icy chill slithered up Ramon’s spine and settled in around his neck and shoulders. He didn’t like the sound of this. He swallowed. “Have you looked . . . everywhere?”
“Everywhere. I don’t know where else to look. I was on my way to get Frank when I saw you.” She lowered her voice. “You don’t think . . . Do you suppose she might have left the compound?”
The chill became an iron grip around his throat. He forced himself to swallow in hopes of breaking it. “I . . . I pray not. We’ve warned her, but . . .”
Carolyn’s dark eyes narrowed. “But she may not have realized how dangerous it could be for her out there . . . alone.”
The horror of finding his wife’s remains on the jungle floor washed over him, and his knees nearly buckled. “We must find her. Quickly.”
Carolyn nodded. “Come with me. We’ll get Frank.”
In moments they had alerted Frank, and they decided to head out immediately as a group, searching the nearby forest first and then moving on into town. “We all know it won’t do any good to try to enlist local authorities from Chamula,” Frank said. “They don’t even recognize Mexican law and allow no outside police or military forces into their town. They have their own police force, sure, but they’re not about to help us locate someone they don’t want here in the first place.” He shook his head as he looked from Ramon to Carolyn and back. “But first, before we take one step outside these walls, we need to pray. God knows exactly where Julia is, and only He can keep her safe and lead us to her.” He reached out his hands, and the three of them joined in a small prayer circle. “Padre, will you lead us?”
Ramon swallowed again, trying to chase away the fear that blocked his ability to think or speak. Señor Barnes was right. They must pray and trust God before taking even one step on their own. The lovely Julia’s life might very well depend on it, and he couldn’t imagine the pain of dealing with yet another loss of such a fine woman.
“Father . . .” The word nearly stuck in his throat, as tears threatened to flow from his closed eyes. “Father, please, You know our hearts, our concerns, our fears. And we know Your faithfulness and Your great love for each of us, including Señora Bennington. You know everything about her—where she is, what is happening to her at this very moment, and what You have purposed for her life. Thank You that we can rest in that and know that You go ahead of us as we leave this place to search for her. Help us to remember, Lord, that Your Word promises that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. Please let us operate in that now, as we go out to look for the señora. Go ahead of us, Father, please, and show us the way. And above all, please bring her back to us safely. We ask all this in Your dear Son’s name. Amen.”
With that the three of them headed for the gate. It was slightly after noon as they stepped onto the dirt road in front of the compound. The sun shone warm overhead as they walked in the direction of town, their eyes darting into the forest and their hearts listening for God’s direction.
The Barneses called out “Julia” every few steps, while Ramon called “Señora.” But no answer came.
They’d gone only a short distance when an especially thick and colorful stand of ti plants caught Ramon’s eye. “Señora Bennington mentioned to me once that she loved the ti plants.” He looked toward Carolyn. “Do you think she might have stopped here to look at them?”
Frank and Carolyn exchanged questioning glances. “It’s possible,” Carolyn said. “She and I have gone into the forest a couple of times—not far, of course—and you’re right that these seem to be her favorites.”
Fr
ank shrugged. “Then let’s go in a little ways and look. We have to start somewhere.”
Calling her name repeatedly, the three walked toward the abundant ti plants and past them into the fringes of the forest. But still they heard nothing except the occasional screech of a monkey disturbed by their presence.
They were about to give up and head back to the road when a patch of red caught Ramon’s eye near the path where they walked. His heart raced as he stepped toward it, an image of Julia’s floral-print shopping bag swirling in his mind. It didn’t take long to bend down and confirm that it was exactly what he’d suspected. His anguished cry brought Frank and Carolyn running to his side.
“What is it?” Frank asked, kneeling down to examine Ramon’s findings.
It was Carolyn who bent down and took the bag from Ramon’s hand, reaching inside to check the contents. Julia’s favorite white shawl was the first item she retrieved.
Once again the memories of discovering his wife’s decomposing body on the jungle floor clutched Ramon’s heart as he allowed the tears to flow down his cheeks. “Dios mio,” he sobbed. “My God, my God! We have lost Señora Bennington too!”
JULIA LAY ON HER SIDE, frozen in fear, her arms tied behind her and her legs bound at the ankles. The filthy gag in her mouth made it difficult to breathe and impossible to scream, though she doubted it would do any good anyway. Despite the blindfold over her eyes, she knew she’d been kidnapped and thrown into the back of some sort of enclosed vehicle. Each jolt down the bumpy road made her discomfort worse, but her only real concern was that no one knew where she was. How would she ever be rescued? And what did her captor plan to do with her?