Chapter 7

[Andy continues to write]

I don't think Marco liked any part of the situation but he didn't seem to want martyrdom to be the end of his life. He and Guiseppe spoke. Guiseppe said, "Let Marco go free and he will be sure that you will be safe to leave."

Mom Janice immediately said, "No!" She offered nothing more. It was quiet for a long while. She looked at Bobbi and said, "Okay, we'll do it this way. We will tie their hands behind their backs with an additional rope around the neck of each one. Marco will go out the door first. We will continue to send them out the door until they surround us still tied up. We will come back with the Humvee and vests. There will be no surrender and no compromise. The hostages will only be killed if we are fired upon and hit."

Only one of the men objected. Bennie looked at him with the "you're soon to be a horrible example" look in his eyes. The man quickly shut his mouth and allowed his hands to be tied. Marco came out of the building shouting for those outside to stand down and not shoot according to Bobbi. We began to step out and I saw that there were many women gathered in the square. The men were led by Tomas.

He hollered to us to surrender. Bobbi replied with a negative and some extra words. Tomas went red and charged with a pistol in his hand. Bobbi had hers out. When he started to bring it around, she shot it out of his hand. No one else moved. Bobbi shouted out in Italian and then said to us. "I told them there would be no surrender or compromise. We were quite capable of killing every man in the village and would if we were met with any more violence. I told them that I was tired of Italians shooting at me and that the next shots would be to kill."

Two of the younger men dragged Tomas away. It was quiet. One of the women came forward. I recognized her as Marco's wife, Isabella. She spoke and Bobbi translated. Bobbi said, "She says that the women do not want a fight. The men will stop this foolishness. She is calling on Marco to stop the trouble before someone is killed."

Two men brought Tomas back in front of everyone. His hand had been hastily and roughly bandaged. Isabella spoke to him angrily.

He hung his head. Then he spoke loudly first in Italian and then in his halting English. Bobbi verified that the English was approximately the same as the Italian. He said, "I have made a terrible mistake. First, I made funny of a good man. When his sister who I love corrected me, I became mad and started to lay hands on her. She knocked me down. Then she wounded me out here. She could have killed me either time. Thank you for my life, Signorina Bobbi. I then did not tell my father the truth earlier and made matters worse. We are not used to women and men equal." He went to Italian. Bobbi was translating that he was telling the Italians that this incident was his fault and his mistake and that they should disperse and talk to their wives, mothers, and sisters. He switched back to English. "Signorina Bobbi, Signora Andy, and Signor Charlie, please let me apologize. This all my fault. The women of the village need to hear my apology as well as the men. Please allow me to come forward."

Bobbi looked at Charles and I. I could feel Charles relax the tiny bit to let me know we would do this. The three of us then looked at Mom Janice. She nodded curtly. We stepped up beside Bobbi with Charles in the middle.

Tomas came forward and went to one knee before the three of us. He asked Guiseppe to translate for the Italians to hear. He slowly said, "Signorina Bobbi, Signora Andy, and Signor Charlie, thank you for allowing me to apologize to you." He waited while Guiseppe translated. "I have wronged all three of you. I apologize.

"Signor Charlie, you are a man of great knowledge and ability. You are respected among your people and mine. You are a great leader and will lead more in the future. I would become part of your group if you will have me and I will follow your lead."

He looked over at me. "Signora Andy, I apologize to you. I had lusted over you in my heart and know that is wrong. You are a true lady and a worthy mate to Signor Charlie. Any man would be proud of your friendship, even more of your love."

He looked over at Bobbi. "Signorina Bobbi, it is you that I have wronged the most. I apologize for my wrong thinking. I meant what I said before Signora Andy and Signor Charlie and before your parents and my parents. I am learning that I must drill my thinking into my heart and through my brain to do what is right all time. Please forgive me. Give me a chance to earn your love back. You are truly amazing. I am honored to just know you but I want more. Please forgive me and be patience with me!"