Holy Terror: 9/11/2001

By Virginia Gayl Salazar

When Desirees beloved younger brother Saad dies in the Twin Towers destruction on September 11, 2001, not as a terrorist but as a student in America, she is inconsolable. Her friend Carolyn takes her to grief counseling. As the months go by, she wonders why her older brother does not seek revenge to avenge Saad.

This is Desirees story of sorrow, vengeance, and desire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984539182

Virginia Gayl Salazar

Author: Virginia Gayl Salazar discovered single life again after 16 years of marriage. She joined Parents without Partners and became the discussion group leader for a few years. She met her second husband Joe R. Salazar at a house party and joined him in starting a tropical plant nursery. Currently she leads a writing critique group at Parnell Park Activity Center in Whittier, Ca and is editing her next novel Holy Terror about the aftermath of 9/11 and revenge.

Book preview

Holy Terror:

9/11/2001

Virginia Gayl Salazar

Copyright © 2018 by Virginia Gayl Salazar.

ISBN:                  Softcover                        978-1-9845-3919-9

                            eBook                              978-1-9845-3918-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/19/2018

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CONTENTS

Participants In The Novel

Condensed Dictionary

Preface

SECTION ONE

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

SECTION TWO

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

SECTION THREE

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Condensed Dictionary

Dedicated to

The Writing Critique Class at Parnell Park in Whittier, California

And all those who grieved 9/11/2001

PARTICIPANTS IN THE NOVEL

Desiree: Deeply disturbed after terrorism hits America and kills her younger brother, Saad, who dies while working in the first tower that went down on September 11th, 2001, she reasons that Saad’s death must be avenged.

Muhamed: Desiree’s older brother, now an American citizen, lives in Brentwood, California. His wife is Sofi; Karzi, his 12-year-old son; Ahni, his 6-year-old son;

Eshrah: Desiree’s and Mohamed’s elderly father. His deceased wife and their mother is Salomai.

Mahera: Desiree’s father’s number two wife who has a love/hate relationship with Desiree.

Mustafa: Briefly befriends Desiree but she must return to Saudi Arabia when her family is believed to be involved in the Twin Towers catastrophe. They fear for her safety so she returns early to Riyadh in the mid-East for her wedding to Sami. She sends an invitation to Desiree.

Carolyn: Desiree’s roommate at U.C.L.A. Carolyn immerses her in English conversation and shares with her a love of idioms.

Yassine: Desiree’s school friend at U.C.L.A. Her parents live in Syria.

Jack Winn: UCLA student who has been recalled to the army to fight in Afghanistan. He viciously attacks Desiree until he gets to know her.

Mike Callahan: Freelance journalist for CNN and Fox News. Befriends Desiree on her way to Mustafa’s wedding and becomes her bodyguard and friend.

Leah Janiwitz: Carolyn’s best friend from high school who falls in love with a Pakistani Muslim, Professor Ikram Safdar. Her family came from Israel. Elijah and Martha Janiwitz, parents. Tabitha, roommate in a Florida graduate school.

Sharbat: Afghan girl in a refugee camp who dreams of becoming president of Afghanistan. She raises Salim, a baby found at the dump in Kabul.

CONDENSED DICTIONARY

Stretch Your Mind with New Words

Allah: The God of Islam.

Baba: Daddy.

Caliph Othman: Mohammed’s third successor who put together the collected words and sayings of Mohammed. It is called the Koran or Quran.

Cimmis: those in custody which is the ideal Islamic state.

Dar-al-Harb: House of War which is a nation or territory not subject to Islamic law.

Dar-al Salaam: House of Peace which is a territory or nation subject to Islamic law.

Dhimmitude: The Muslim system of controlling non-muslim populations

Haje or Hadj: The pilgrimage to Mecca which every faithful Muslim is encouraged to make at least once in a lifetime.

Islam: world religion whose founder is Mohammed. Islam means submission.

Jihad: the Holy War. An injunction from the Koran to faithful Muslims.

Ka’aba: The name of Islam’s most holy sanctuary in Mecca. Means a square building.

Koran (or Quran or Qur’an): the holy book of Islam. The name means that which must be recited.

Mahdi: the Muslim concept of the forerunner.

Mecca: a city in Saudi Arabia; the birthplace of Mohammed; the most holy city of Islam.

Mohammed: (also Muhammed or Mahomet); the founder of the Islamic religion; born in Mecca in A.D. 570.

Muslim: a follower of Islam; a worshipper of Allah.

Quraish: an Arab tribe believed to be the tribe of Mohammed.

Ramadan: an annual Muslim fast kept for one month with fasting between sunrise and sunset which begins August 1, 2001.

Salaam: Peace which is a conventional greeting in Arabic.

Salat: Muslim prayer.

Shahada: the Muslim creed.

Shahid: a martyr in Islam

Sharia: the system of Islamic law dating from the seventh century A.D. and covering all areas of personal and community life.

Sheol: in Bible; the grave or abode of the dead. Gehennem in the Koran, place for sinners.

Surah: a numbered verse of the Koran.

Tanzil: Arabic: sent down; a name for the revelations recorded by Mohammed.

CLOTHING:

Babouches: shoes to protect feet from burning desert heat.

Burka or Burqa: Complete clothing covering the body and head of a Muslim woman in Afghanistan. Bourkha, burkha, burga and burkha are all accepted spellings

Chador: Full body, dark, heavy covering of a Muslim woman in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan.

Chechia: hat to protect from the desert sun.

Djbellah: clothing to protect from the desert heat.

Hadith (in Aramaic): head covering.

Hijab: Act of covering the woman’s head.

Khimar: a body covering.

map_GS.jpg

The novel Holy Terror goes from Los Angeles and Whittier, California to New York to Florida and to the mid-East: Saudi Arabia, nearby Yemen, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

PREFACE

Many Americans felt full of peace, ennui, and self-seeking triviality in the world before September 11, 2001. As Desiree attended her university classes, she was unaware of plans of her fellow countrymen who would soon change the core of her disciplined life forever.

May I sit down? asked the dark beauty in Arabic as she pulled a chair back from the library table so she could sit across from Desiree.

Why, of course, Desiree answered her in Arabic. A short conversation led them to learn they were both from Saudi Arabia and attending U.C.L.A. Mustafa explained she was named for her father when she was born and there were no brothers. Any sons born to her would inherit the family name and fortune. She told Desiree she would be concluding her studies the next year to return to Saudi Arabia for her marriage to Sami to whom she had been pledged for seven years. She and her betrothed planned to settle in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Mustafa claimed Sami was presently working for a great builder, greater than his father.

Who is this great builder?

I’ll tell you some day when I know you better.

Why does he work in Afghanistan and not in your home of Saudi Arabia? Desiree questioned.

Because Sami works in Kabul. His father is a master builder and Sami is, too, He wants to join me later in America to finish his education. He has read many books about Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the great American architects. When the Muslims need to build and design a great mosque, he wants to direct and build great monuments to Allah.

Desiree was impressed with her new friend.

SECTION ONE

CHAPTER 1

Fall, 2002

Aaaiee… Desiree awoke screaming. In her dream she was falling with the 82nd floor. She felt herself being torn into a thousand tangled pieces as she watched her brother being shredded by the falling beams, steel and concrete imploding upon itself. The destruction of the Twin Towers was actually the largest electrical fire in the history of mankind. Only a lightning bolt contains more power. Over 2800 people died that day, including her brother Saad.

Desiree did not remember when she began dreaming in English. She had been in America for three years and asked for a roommate who only spoke English. Her American friend, Carolyn, was a non-stop talker, and Desiree soon learned to enjoy her conversations whether relevant or nonsensical. She wanted immersion in English, and she was given the right roommate.

Carolyn, whose last name was Smith, explained that, more than likely, her great grandfather was a silversmith or a blacksmith. Smiths used to work with things with their hands. Desiree found it amusing for in her country, people were who they were because of their relationship to the rich or the poor. Desiree was not of the highest nobility because her father was only the son of the younger brother of the leader of their clan, but it gave her father claim to some money, property, and a chance to afford his children an education. She wanted to become a doctor to help the poor and the sick, because she had watched her mother take a long time to die. Uterine cancer they called it.

One morning, early in their senior year, the two young women sat in their dormitory room, Desiree on the blue-covered chair where she had been studying and Carolyn on her bed. Carolyn, pulling on a piece of her naturally long blonde hair, told her, I would rather be a nurse than a doctor. Nurses are the ones who take care of the patients. Doctors just diagnose and operate. Nurses are the healers.

But doctors heal, protested Desiree looking up from her zoology book. and they are paid much more money.

Money is not that important to me, admitted Carolyn, taking a sip of her iced tea.

You Americans… puzzle me, Desiree frowned, staring into Carolyn’s pale blue eyes with her own deep brown, almost black ones.

Maybe it’s because we’re surrounded by many people who have always had a lot, and we’re not worried about going hungry, Carolyn tried to explain.

I have never gone hungry, admitted Desiree. My father’s family would never let me go without food.

Carolyn laughed, Neither would I. If I had a hotdog and you didn’t have one, I would give you half.

It annoyed her at first that Carolyn shortened her name from Desiree to Desi, but soon she became used to it. Carolyn almost caressed the word Desi as she spoke it. She knew Carolyn liked her. If all Americans were like her, the world would love Americans. No one could be jealous of Carolyn. I read in the newspapers how the French hate Americans. They have not met my roommate.

When her younger brother, Saad, her favorite brother, died when the first tower went down, Desiree was inconsolable. Carolyn held her, cried with her, and sang those Christian songs to her. Songs that Carolyn’s mother sang to her when she was little. Desiree often tried to remember the words to one that comforted her, something like Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Carolyn sang it over and over to her while smoothing her hair.

Desiree, you need to get in a grief recovery group. People in California find that others who have suffered great pain can help you.

Will it make the pain go away? asked Desiree.

Desi, I can’t promise you that, but maybe they can help you deal with it.

Deal?

"Deal with it is what we Americans call an idiom. Remember when we were studying idioms in that English Literature class?"

Oh, those words that are combined with other words so the meaning is not literal, said Desiree. "Like when our friend Julie was insulted by someone, she told us it was a slap in the face."

Something like that, but what you said is also a metaphor. Deal means to handle it. To do with it. To manage it.

Yes, I remember when we played cards, and you taught me to deal the cards and we played ‘Old Maid.’

Desi, it’s like that, and in the Grief Group they will help you play the cards that life has dealt you, Carolyn hugged her and Desiree began crying again.

Then Carolyn opened the phone book on the table between their two beds and began looking for numbers that provided services to the University. Soon she found a number and called.

When is your next evening meeting for Grief Recovery? Carolyn asked the student operator. Thank you. My friend will be there.

I don’t want to go alone. Will you come with me? In case I don’t know the words, you can explain.

I’ll go to the first meeting with you, but after that it is best if you go alone. The meeting will be on campus so we don’t have to go far.

* * * * *

Carolyn and Desiree arrived at the grief support meeting early. They hoped they would be more comfortable by not walking in late.

This way I can blend into the furniture, said Desiree, before the others come. They will not be staring at me as some do when I walk into my college classes wearing my scarf. Americans are so bold in their looks.

I guess we are. Many think of it as being curious. I’m always looking for more friends, so I call it being friendly.

An older man walked in. Seeing the young women he extended his hand, Hi, I’m Andrew. I lead the discussion for Grief Recovery.

I’m Carolyn, she spoke up quickly.

And I’m Desiree, she looked down and pulled her hijab robe tighter as she answered. She had worn her country’s full dress this evening because she felt more comfortable and closer to her family and her dead brother. She knew there might be strange men she did not know in the group. It made it difficult to speak so she did not cover her face. Carolyn told her many times it made their friends feel she was trying to be secretive or even unfriendly when she covered up to her eyes.

We Americans like to read faces.

Soon several others came in and sat down. They chatted among themselves as if they all knew one another. They occasionally glanced at Desiree and Carolyn but didn’t speak to them.

Soon Andrew walked into the group of chairs where all were sitting. He pushed back two of the chairs near Desiree, so the circle would be smaller for just the ten of them who were present. Then he sat down next to her.

I am Andrew. Most of us know each other because our meetings are on-going but for the sake of the new people, will each of you introduce yourselves this evening? He looked at the young man to his left.

I am John Galvin, a junior. I am here because my father died this summer. With the small estate he left my mother, sister and me I will be able to finish my studies in architecture. But life without him will never be the same. He looked at the older woman sitting next to him.

I am Lucille Crowder. My husband died this semester just as I was getting ready to go back to school. Our children are grown and on their own. He knew it was my dream to get my degree. Now, I don’t know if I’ll be able to pay my way through U.C.L.A. I may not have the money. Sometimes I feel a lot of anger. She paused.

I’m Constance Duenas. The day before our wedding my fiancé changed his mind. My brothers killed him, and now my brothers are in jail and will be going to prison. I don’t know what to do. She did not explain that her brothers’ friends had promised to pay her tuition and expenses with some of the money they made from selling drugs. She wrestled with the ethical tug-of-war, drug money or getting a job or …?

My name is Kenny Greene. I’m here because my friends made me come. I have been greatly depressed because of losing my best friend.

My name is Sally Manser. I’m here because I’m here. She nudged the woman next to her.

I’m Priscilla Parseu. My mother is dying from leukemia and is in a hospice where she only has weeks to live. My family sent me here a month ago to see if it would help me go through the different stages of grieving, she gulped, before and after, she dies.

I’m Barbara Harmage. I’m 26. My husband died six months ago, and I can’t stop crying. She wiped her tears away.

Carolyn Smith is my name. I brought my roommate Desiree.

Desiree is my name. My brother died, and I miss him and want him back.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, said Andrew. It takes a lot of courage for each of you to be here this evening. He looked at Priscilla and asked, What were you saying about the different stages of grieving?

"I mentioned that grieving has different stages. Someone gave me a small book called, ‘How to Survive the Loss of a Love.’ It talks about stages I think, but I haven’t finished reading it."

What stages do you think most of you are in? he asked.

It sounds like some of us are still mourning, because we can’t stop crying, mumbled Barbara, twisting her handkerchief in her hands.

Kenny spoke up, I cried some when Lausen died. I’d had that gorgeous dog for twelve years, and then that hit-and-run driver ran over him. I went through a stage where I felt numb and just sat a lot and stared out the window of my room. My grades went down. That’s why I came to this group because of my grades. Now, I find I’m angry more than numb. When I get angry I tackle my books and study for hours. At least my grades are improving.

Andrew applauded. Do you hear what Kenny said? His numbness turned to anger, but he’s channeling it into something responsible by studying. What are some things he could do with his anger that would be bad?

He could lash out at his friends and family instead of studying, said Carolyn.

He could decide to go after the person who ran over his dog, responded Desiree surprised at herself for speaking, and then she added, But would that be bad?

Group, what do you think? Would it be bad to find the person who ran over his dog to let him know the terrible hurt he feels? asked Andrew.

One day I felt so angry at Claude for dying, recalled Lucille, that I went to the cemetery and kicked his grave over and over. It made me feel better.

Well, he didn’t die on purpose, said Carolyn.

No one knows that more than I do, but it still made me feel better to kick his tombstone. I know he had heart disease, and he didn’t want to die, but I’m the one having problems paying the bills. The kids are grown and here I’m having to worry about money.

You told us you have scholarships, reminded Kenny.

Scholarships don’t help me pay the bills at home. Looks like I’m going to have to get some kind of job in between classes.

Andrew asked the group, Why do you think Lucille felt better after kicking her husband’s tombstone?

Probably because she was expressing her feelings instead of burying them, suggested Kenny.

Priscilla added, I’m keeping a journal where I write all of my feelings from rage to hate to love.

Do you think keeping a journal would help me get over the horrible pain I feel from losing my husband? asked Barbara Harmage. He was so young. We were just getting adjusted to being married. We had so many dreams for our future.

What took him at his young age? Carolyn wanted to know.

He had an unknown heart condition and collapsed on the basketball court one evening after work. He played there twice a week with friends.

How are you paying your bills here at college? asked Carolyn inquisitively.

My grandmother told me she would pay my way through if I wanted to go. She was worried about me after Jack died. I don’t have advanced education and training to work to pay our extensive bills. We always thought we’d live until we were old, so we’re in great debt. So much for dreams! My mother had remarried and didn’t want me moving back home.

While they were walking back to their dormitory room after the meeting, Desiree said, I didn’t know Americans worried so much about paying bills.

I didn’t either, Carolyn admitted.

CHAPTER 2

Desiree enjoyed her weekly dinner with her elder brother Muhamed and his family. They lived in a spacious, attractive home in Brentwood. Muhamed determined his family would become as American as he was. He studied English for three years to become a citizen. He worked hard in the contract corporation where he was employed and had risen to a corporate manager in the ten years after graduating from the University.

They sat around a large solid oak table with a spread of beef covered with rosemary. Alongside red boiled potatoes were yellow waxed beans garnished with red tomatoes and broccoli.

Baba, said six-year-old Ahni to his father in Arabic.

Muhamed spoke sternly to his youngest son, You must speak English at the dinner table with the family. You will never become a good American if you have an accent. You must get rid of the accent. We must practice and practice and practice. It takes perseverance to learn perfect English.

My roommate, Carolyn, tells me there is no such thing as perfect English, Desiree said laughing softly.

Desiree, scolded Muhamed’s wife, Sofi.

I’m sorry, Muhamed, said Desiree. I did not mean to be disrespectful and contradict you.

That is one of the things about American women I do not like, replied Muhamed. Too many women stand up to their men. That is bad.

I will be more careful, added Desiree looking at her brother noticing how handsome he was with his