Hilda was desperately in need of a job, but when she finally got one, little did she know it was a poisoned chalice. She could overlook the unflattering pay but being subjected to work on the 100th floor was asking for too much—she was acrophobic! The Twin Towers was iconic and indeed a World Trade Center, but riding on the express elevator to such dizzying height was a horror scene she would rather avoid.
Having made so much effort to overcome her worries, Hilda settled down with AON. Everything was fine until that faithful day on 9/11 when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers. Hilda’s worst fears unraveled in quick succession. As the first jet rammed into the North Tower and then the second plane blew a gaping hole in the South Tower. Standing close to the window, taking the elevator or even remaining at a spot could be the difference between life and death. With everything crashing mid-air, could Hilda possibly survive when she is still stuck in the 75th floor?
Although The Other Side of Nothing is a true life story yet it feels stranger than fiction. One can’t read this book without having their hearts in their stomach due to the intense sense of foreboding. Events in this book may have occurred several years ago, yet it still evokes strong emotions. It’s indeed one of the most touching stories ever written!
BIO: Hilda M. Valentine was born in Ringgold, Va., and lived on a small farm. After graduating from college, Valentine moved to New York City, N.Y., chasing her dream of a better life. After 20 years of working on insurance claims, she climbed the ranks of management, landing her dream job on the hundredth floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center. Two months after landing the job, the dream was shattered by the 9/11 terrorist attacks, changing her life forever. Years later, after a long healing journey, Valentine now resides in Bowie, Md., where she spends time with her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.
