I received an early morning phone call, like so many other people that day. It was not normal and I knew as soon as I heard that something was not right. The voice on the other end was calm and gentle and I could tell it was also very cautious. She told me that something was happening in New York and that the Pentagon had a similar event just happen. She knew that my mother worked there and she very calmly said that she and several other friends and co-workers would be at her place watching for information on the news. She did not say it, but I knew they didn't want me to be alone. The invitation was caring.
After I hung up, I knew deep down in my gut that this day would end for me one of two ways- with or without my mother. I had never been in a situation like this and had never lost any of my immediate family. My feelings were new. I calmly collected myself, said a little prayer while I gathered some cloths, grabbed something small to eat on the way, and headed over to her house where she and several other of my friends were already.
I could see the caution in their eyes as I watched the footage of the second plane flying into the second tower. It was completely surreal and utterly unbelievable. My emotions were in check and buried deep. I had no idea what was going on or why something like that would be happening.
I stood in front of that TV for what seemed an hour before hearing anything about what happened at the pentagon and when I did, the information was not clear. I quickly stepped outside and tried to call my mom, just to try it (you never know if something will work unless you try it) and got her voicemail. I left a message and hung up.
I went back inside after maybe 15 or 20 minutes and watched for any updated information. I watched the events of September 11th over and over and over again, like I was stuck in some hell of repetitions that I would wish on no one. But, not much new on information. Hours and hours passed. It felt like time was frozen and we couldn't do anything about it. We just had to wait. I just had to wait.
I finally got to the point where I couldn't watch the reports anymore so I went outside again and walked around a little bit, still waiting.
My phone rings at about 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm and I looked at it to see if it was my mom. The screen said "Unknown Caller". It was either my mom calling from wherever she could, or it was someone else with nothing but bad news. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and pushed the button to answer the call.
"Brice? It's your mother."
I sighed relief and took another deep breath.
"Mom, I'm glad you're all right... Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm sorry I couldn't call you before now, but we had to evacuate and I've been stuck in masses of people trying to walk home. It's been a horrible. I just wanted to call and let you know i'm all right.
"OK. I'm glad you're OK."
"I'm going to let someone else use my phone to call some of their people, so i'll call you later tonight, all right?"
"Ya, that's fine mom."
"I love you, Brice."
Deep breath.
"I love you, too, mom. Be safe."
She hung up and I listened to the dial tone for a moment. I hung up and looked back up to that silent sky and as the sun began to set, I cried. I cried for everyone who would not get the phone call I just did, I cried for those who were lost, and I cried for that sunset.
I will always remember that day...
