Excerpt
Since Saddam didn’t have the weapons of mass destruction, the main
reason for the attack, why didn’t he come out in the beginning to state that
clearly, and get the support of the other countries around the gulf?”
Ibrahim looks at him for a moment, “Always remember, my son, power is so
convincing, so overwhelming, it’s like a drug; itmakes a person become addicted.
Saddam liked it to be known by the other nations of the gulf that he had weapons
of mass destruction, because that made him look even more powerful than he
really was. It was another part of the political game; one he lost in the end. He
bluffedwith the Americans for years for that very reason.He didn’t expect them to
attack. That’s where he was wrong. But the results of the war are the thousands of
our people who lost their lives and the billions of dollars it has cost us, and the
thousands of orphans it has created. There is no end to the misery that war brings.
Always remember it’s a good policy to keep your head down and be out of sight;
never gloat about things you don’t have no power over.”
Hakim leaves him to close his eyes for a while as they are drawing closer to
their destination. Their flight is smooth and relaxing and there has been no
turbulence at all. Hakim feels like closing his eyes as well, so they both relax for a
while.
In New York on schedule they head for the Sheraton Manhattan Hotel.
Ibrahim, as always, has reserved a penthouse suite on the top floor. The guards
take the luggage upstairs. It is about 6:30 in the evening and Ibrahim wants to
rest for a while before dinner.
Hakim lies on the couch and tries to relax, but finds it very hard to do so as
his mind jumps from one bad thought to another. He starts to feel a hatred he
hasn’t felt before, like a fire slowly burning inside him, yet he welcomes that
feeling as it gives him some consolation for his parents. Deep inside, he has never
forgotten the hate he has carried since the days when he was taken home by his
Uncle Ibrahim and Aunt Mara. Now, he recognizes the feeling he has suppressed
it for such a long time and now it comes to the surface to give him the release he
needs, a release that will only be fully realized when he can avenge their deaths.
Jennifer is at home with Emily watching the game shows they both enjoy. They finish
their dinner around seven in the evening when the phone rings. Jennifer rushes
to get it hoping that it’s Hakim but it’s Matthew from his hotel in Washington.
“Hi Dad, how are you?”
“Hi sweetheart, I’m good; how are you both doing?”
“I’m okay, Dad. I’ll get mom.” She passes the phone to her mother.
“Hi, Matt,”
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