Thin Air

Pablo Escobar (one of South America's most famous criminals/drug traffickers) was only one man so you'd think it impossible that one man could terrorize an entire nation but, of course, for a few years that is exactly what happened. I won't talk much about Pablo here for that's another story and books already exist with a lot of information about him, but, oh my, those of us who lived here when he was calling the shots, so to speak, will never forget him or his evil (Murderers must be called evil--what else?).
Regina was a young neighbor of mine. She was about 7 years old at that time. Let me see, I guess this would be in '92 for Pablo was killed by some sort of SWAT team in December, 1993, I'm fairly certain. Well, as I said, in 1991 and 1992 a bomb ordered by Pablo was planted here and there in this teeming capital city every 3 or 4 months without fail, it seemed. He had squadrons of henchmen (and henchwomen) to plant them, that's for sure. Nowadays, it's not much better I sometimes think--it's landmines now, isn't it?
Anyway, back to Regina. It's so easy to get off track--my age and everything. Regina's little classmate and friend was named Monique. She sometimes came over to Regina's house on the weekends and they played and played. A few times Regina brought Monique over here to my place and we had a grand time. I have a few dolls here from when my grandkids were small, so, they busied themselves playing with those. Afterward, we had hot chocolate and teacakes. One day, on a Friday I feel it was, we'd had a particularly horrifying bomb blast downtown near one of the city's large and traditional (read older) hotels. A nice elegant brick hotel. The news media warned everyone against going out or hanging out unnecessarily. No one, not even the best police personnel, could predict the timing or location of a bomb. Car bombs were used in most cases. One problem in our lovely but risky city is that you can park any old car (or new) just about any place you want and no one says a word to you, much less the police. But who's going to change that? In every country car owners have that "love affair" with their BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Corsas, etc. You know how it is.
How would you like to be afraid to go out to a mall even? I ask because, in general, it was the upscale malls or shopping districts that were targeted. You simply didn't hear of any blast in the poor parts of the city, although those parts have malls too. This is based on my recollection, of course.
Monday arrived and that afternoon upon Regina's return from school, she and her mother rang my doorbell. After sitting down, Regina's mother explained that little Monique had not shown up for school that day and that the school office had called the family's home. The school principal had listened with incredulity as he was told of the crisis they were experiencing in that household. What was relayed to the principal was that Monique's mother was missing and had been missing since last Friday. No one knew where she was. Monique's desperate father hadn't the slightest idea. Still, everyone remained hopeful. After another day or two, however, things began to darken rapidly. It was found out from her boss and co-workers that Monique's mom had had some kind of appointment downtown near the hotel. I think she worked in finances but can't be sure. Anyway, she did work and was sort of a businesswoman. Then it was confirmed that the mother had had the appointment at more or less the time the bomb went off. Needless to say, there was never much physical trace of this woman again unless you consider that the severed arm found down the street belonged to her. Monique's mom. The family felt that it did.
I remember the ugliness of the whole incident. The damage and mess and debris lying round there. How many people were injured, some killed, and how lots of property damage occurred. All in the name of drugs. Drug runners. Extradition and easy money. And that bomb was only one of many in two or three years' time. People outside the country just have no idea how it was for us. And it was so hard for a long time to find Pablo even, let alone kill him. But, the Power we all know about moves eventually and no nation, Pablo or any such mortals can alter that movement.
There is some good news in this fact-based story, believe it or not. Monique has today grown up to be a very attractive young woman with a great personality and a lot more going for her. She graduated from the school and went on to university. Everyone is proud of her and her ambitions to help make the world a better place for all. As for me, I'm sure she's going to make a good difference. But there's always a price, isn't there? And Monique and her family's price was certainly steep!

END OF "THIN AIR"