Kidnapped

On my last evening in California, my sister-in-law was making supper and needed bread. My brother's friend and I went to the store. He was getting the bread and I "needed" Tums for the flight home. (I watched too much TV). This was the beginning of my nightmare.

When we were outside and approaching our car, two men pointed a sawed-off rifle at us and told us to get in our car or they would blow our heads off. Considering the option, we immediately took our seats in the car.

The man who was driving called himself 'God', my brother's friend was in the passenger seat, the man who had the rifle (also known as 'Devil') was seated directly behind the driver, and I was in the passenger side in back. They were asking us for our money, so they would be able to buy milk for their babies at home. 'God' was doing all of the talking. 'Devil' had the rifle casually across his lap so it was pointed directly at me.

I emptied my purse of all money and gave it to 'Devil'. As the two men in the front seat talked about money, I sat back as far as I could go into the seat. I did not want that rifle pointing at me. After driving around for 20 minutes, they stopped the car. They told us not to look at them as they left and to wait a few minutes before we left.

Although this was a traumatic experience, I consider myself very lucky. There were others held up in that very same parking lot that was shot to death. At the tender age of thirteen, I learned some important lessons.

First, the two men who kidnapped us were African American. I grew up in a small town with only white people. I could easily have become prejudiced. I have to give my thanks to the television for preventing me from judging people on their skin color. I saw both African American people and white people who were bad. This kept me from feeling superior. In addition, I was exposed to African American characters that were not the stereotypical servants, slaves, or just plain dumb. I began to notice the characters that African American were chosen to play.

It took several years to straighten out my God/Devil confused thinking. I also learned (from M*A*S*H) that guns are only to be used when talks among nations do not work. Guns, in my opinion, are not to be used for pleasure or to threaten others for your own needs.

I was able to turn this ordeal into a learning experience for myself instead of growing scared and bitter. I am fortunate indeed!