Chapter 21

There were screams, and yells, as mothers grabbed their children. Older women and men panicked as they looked at the two men in dark masks holding automatic weapons at them. When no one made a move towards the floor, one of the gunmen fired a burst of bullets that killed a washing machine. This got everyone's attention and people started getting down faster.

Frank had Antonia on the floor behind him, as he lay down with his nine- millimeter handgun, hidden under his left arm and his right hand on the handle. He waited, until everyone had obeyed the robbers, and were lying on the floor. He needed both men, in clear view, before he could do anything.

The robbers demanded everyone to give up their cash and jewelry, immediately. Frank told Antonia to throw her purse to his left, and he took out his wallet, and did the same.

Some people thought their cash and jewelry were more valuable than their lives, and started yelling and causing problems. The gunmen warned th