relieved to see there was no one there. They must have thought they would never find anyone left alive. Abbas wanted to make sure no one would ever find out where his hiding place had been and, hard as it was, he carried the steel coffin outside and put it in the back of a small pick-up truck, which he ‘hot wired’ and drove off. He was amazed by the extra strength he was able to muster. It was sheer determination that allowed him to carry and drag the heavy coffin; he was running on adrenalin.
Abbas stopped at a deserted beach, took off his clothes, washed them and swam to clean himself. The swim was very refreshing. After he was clean he exercised every aching muscle in his body. By around noon, he had the coffin buried. He cleaned himself up again and put his dry clothes back on. He drove the truck a short distance and left it by the side of the road and began to walk.
*****
"I thought you were dead," announced his best friend when he opened the door and saw him standing there.
"I was hiding. Can you put me up for a few days? Do you think your parents would mind?"
"Of course they won’t mind. Come in and tell me what happened. Your father’s friends came here a couple of times looking for you. I told them I hadn’t seen you."
"Thanks a lot. I really appreciate this. I promise I will be out of here in less than a week."
"Don’t be impractical, you have nowhere to go while they are still looking for you. Please, stay as long as you want. We are all really sorry about your father."
Abbas was glad this guy was his friend. They had been friends ever since he had moved to the north of Lebanon. They attended the same schools and were in the same classes. There was just one problem: his friend was Lebanese.
CHAPTER 2 – INFILTRATION
"I need to see the CIA agent in charge," Abbas announced when he was asked his business at the American embassy.
"Who may I say is enquiring?" asked the Marine guard at the door.
"My name is Abbas. Tell the agent Abu Abbas was my father."
"Wait here please," the Marine said as he picked up the phone and announced he had a visitor.
"Someone will be right with you."
The agent in charge knew exactly who Abu Abbas was. He even knew who Abbas was because the Israelis had been asking him about the kid’s whereabouts. Normally he would have handed the boy over, but he was curious about why he was here and what he wanted. He knew it took a lot of courage to show up at the embassy and announce your name.
The agent in charge sent one of his subordinates to see what the kid was after.
"Mr. Abbas, my name is Brad Hamilton," the agent said extending his hand. "What can I do for you?"
"First, I am not Mr. Abbas, my first name is Abbas and my last name is Malaky."
Hamilton of course had known that.
"Second, I am here to find out what I can do for you."
"What do you mean?" asked Hamilton.
"Look, I am only seventeen years old and I believe you know who my father was and what he did otherwise you wouldn’t give me the time of day. I am not like my father though. I don’t want to live the kind of life he lived. I want to be educated. I want to go to college in America, and if you want me to work for you, I am willing to do so. I know the Israelis are probably looking for me and if they find me I will be a dead man."
"What makes you think we know what the Israelis are looking for?"
"You are the CIA and if I know anything, I am sure you know."
"I’ll have to check with my superiors," said Hamilton. "I’ll have to get back to you. How can I reach you?"
"I will check with you in a couple of days. I am on the run and have no place to stay."
"Very well then Abbas. Just ask for me when you come by."
It had been nearly five months since his father’s death. He had stayed true to his word and had remained with his Lebanese friend only a week; he had been moving around, planning and plotting and sleeping anywhere he felt safe. He slept in back yards, garages, on the beach and in the woods. He had no money, so he stole anything he could get his hands on to stay alive. He survived.
I am relying on you my son. He heard that sentence in his head every time he was hungry and tired and about to give up.
Three months after his father’s death, and only when he was sure the Israelis were no longer at the camp, he ventured back. The first place he went to was the home of one of his father’s betrayers.
The man was stunned when he opened the door.
"Where have you been?" he reacted quickly. "We have been worried about you."
Abbas had to keep his feelings under control, even though he would have liked nothing better than to wring this man’s neck with his bare hands. Disarmingly, he hugged him and started sobbing.
"I am so sorry about your father," the man said. "The Israelis really did a job on him before they killed him. There was nothing anyone could do."
"I understand" Abbas lied. "My father considered you his best friend, that’s why you are the first person I have come to."
Abbas knew that if he showed up at the camp again, he would be safe. Everyone would know he was alive and where he was staying. He knew if anything happened to him this man would have a hard time explaining his disappearance.
"Where were you?" the man asked, needing to know.
"My father made me run away after the first explosion. I really wanted to stay and fight, but he would not have it. He did tell me though, that as soon as I felt safe I should look you up."
"I am glad you did," said the man relieved. Abu Abbas was telling the truth after all, he thought.
"What are your plans?" the man asked. "Do you want to take over the military section of the organization?"
"I think you would be the better man for that," answered Abbas. "I just want to finish school and get on with my life. If you need my help in anything, I will be glad to serve you as I served my father. Meanwhile I need to get a job and find a place to live.”
“Nonsense,” said the man. “You will stay with us. You are like a son to me. I loved your father as much as you did."
Abbas was feeling sick listening to the lies but he was putting his plan into action and things were working the way they were supposed to.
"He loved you too," Abbas lied again. "He considered you like a brother. That’s why he asked me to keep in touch with you. And thank you for the offer. I promise I will not wear out my welcome. As soon as I get a job and save a little money, I will be out of here."
"Not a chance," said the man." You will stay with me until you finish school. There will be no need for you to work. The PLO has a policy of taking care of the children of fallen heroes."
"Thank you again," Abbas
